Diabetic Nurse Review Update Today following my repeat HbA1C at 41 from 129!!

[Zaraah]

Ok so just had my telephone review with Diabetic Nurse. Overall she was really happy how I have reduced HbA1C from 129 to 41 in 4 months and suggested reducing my Metformin from 2 x 1000mg with evening meal yo 1 x 1000mg with evening meal starting tonight.

I still only need to do my morning fasting finger prick and I need to consult her if my readings consistently are double figures namely 12mmol and above. She said it will take couple of days for body to adjust as reducing Metformin to half naturally will increase my fasting readings and she told me not to panic. Clearly knows me too well already!

Separately I am on folic acid now as my folate was low.

All other blood tests were normal or satisfactory with exception of Cholesterol. Overall Cholesterol from November 2024 when this journey started was 6.2 and 4 months later now 5.7. However, so now the negative the “bad fats” element of blood test is 4.6 when it should be 2.5 so I am too high.

(Edited message as found on results and the 4.6mmol/l Nurse was referring to as “bad fats” element of Cholesterol blood result is called “Serum non high density Lipton cholesterol level (XabE1)”).

Nurse said she would not start me on statins today as she said she will see how my overall repeat blood tests are in 12 weeks time. At moment she said I am low risk of heart attack and heart issues however if “bad fats” element remains at 4.6 then I will be going on statins in 12 weeks time.

Feel like did so well with HbA1C that the “bad fats” results has put me back. Not going to lie cried after ended call as little disappointed in myself and also just worry when they say it is your heart and cannot take chances and I am only 43.

I know I will get the positive support here and that is why I composed myself and wanted to post update. Also if anyone has been in my position and knows how to reduce cholesterol “bad fats” element as Nurse called it, please let me know.

I cannot do any more walking as already doing 16k average a day if not more. Quick look online and I need to look at increasing my heart rate so maybe some light jogging now.

I want to try and remain positive and keep going however, just feeling little sorry for myself.

Lastly, any advice what to expect when halve my Metformin as has been suggested. I am little worried and Nurse said can keep it the same however she said if aim is to get off Metformin then to halve it now and see how body goes in next 7 days.

Defo feeling little overwhelmed again today.

Anyway thank you for reading to end if you got through all my waffle! 🙂

 

[Snikta63]

You have done amazingly well with your hba1c reduction keep up the good work

 

[mashedupmatt]

Wow - what a great reduction in your HbA1c @Zaraah - well done! Statins are known to reduce cholesterol (I take them, mainly as a precaution) and I have had no adverse effects from taking them - I can't comment on the reduction on the Metformin as I was only on that for a couple of weeks! But don't beat yourself up, you have done fantastically well 🙂

 

[rebrascora]

I think I have already congratulated you on your fantastic HbA1c reduction on another thread, but really don't care that I might be repeating myself in saying what an absolutely brilliant result it is and don't lose focus on just how well you have done and be proud of yourself. I think you may see a very slight increase in waking BG levels for a few days, but if you continue with the dietary measures you have taken, it may well settle back down.

As regards the cholesterol, have the Low Density Lipids increased since November and am I right in thinking that you have lost weight during that period as that can increase LDL during the weight loss phase but may well come down again as weight stabilises.
It is my understanding that soluble fibre is really helpful in managing cholesterol levels. Porridge/oats is/are usually recommended because it contains beta glucans which are a type of soluble fibre, but as you know porridge/oats also contain quite a lot of carbs. I therefore use chia seeds and psyllium husk which are also high in soluble fibre but very low in carbs. I tend to have them in flavoured water as a drink because you need plenty of fluids with them as they absorb water to form a gel. It has the benefit of really improving bowel movement too and chia seeds are high in Omega 3 fatty acids so they are a bit of a super food. You can also add both or either to soups and stews to thicken them because they readily absorb water/fluid. They don't really taste of anything so you can also stir them into yoghurt etc. but they will make it a lot thicker. We have one member who stirs his chia seeds into his coffee.
Anyway, just wanted to say, please don't be down hearted as you have done amazingly well and this issue with the cholesterol is a relatively minor hiccup and may well resolve itself anyway and you are still very much in the early days of diagnosis.

 

[Zaraah]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

@rebrascora I was not tested for it in November so do know know whether it went up or down. However nurse said my overall cholesterol figure went down from 6.2 to 5.7.

So for me past 4 months I have stuck with my Quakers original sachet with semi skimmed milk and teaspoon of cinnamon powder as my readings when first diagnosed did not go really high and find this keeps me full until lunchtime. This past week or so I have added 1 chopped medjool date just when feel like need it a little sweet.

I will look into chia seeds as had before however think changed my porridge consistency so was going off breakfast so may have to look at is a a drink.

I have brought those daily cholesterol lowering shot drinks supermarket brand and also Benevol so giving them a go too!

Hoping like you say that cholesterol will sort itself out within next 3 months in particular this bad fats so I do not have to go on statins.

Day 3 waking up today and not done finger prick yet however Wednesday was 5.2 and yesterday was 6.0 so far pleasantly surprised as was expecting number to increase for couple of days until settled although think really watching what I ate the first night, Tuesday what I ate so think that was reason for a nice low 5.2.

Have lost weight since November about 9 pounds however fluctuates so trying not to weigh myself as also find scales move slowly down for me despite body shape having chafed so find I get disappointed if scales are not going down.

Currently stuck at around 10 stone 7 pounds and was down to 10 stone 5 pounds couple of weeks ago so then down a bit however cannot get pass this bit and would love to break in to last 9 stone as I not been there in last 20 years approx! That is my goal too at moment 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Congratulations on your amazing results @Zaraah

Sorry to hear the cholesterol thing hit you pretty hard, especially when you’ve been doing so brilliantly.

From my perspective the tings to draw out of the cholesterol conversation you had would be:

• Your levels are already coming down
• Your nurse wasn’t worried, and considers you low risk
• Your nurse suggested reviewing later - you are in a period of transition, and your levels may settle
• There is a proven and highly effective class of meds (statins) if you need them

Cholesterol monitoring is about reducing risk of heart trouble, and your nurse has said she thinks you are at low risk, so there’s no need to do anything while your body is in a state of flux, and you can look at that again when things have settled.

That all seems pretty positive to me! Don’t let that one rogue result take the wind out of your sails. You are doing brilliantly!

Onwards and downwards

 

[Zaraah]

Congratulations on your amazing results @Zaraah

Sorry to hear the cholesterol thing hit you pretty hard, especially when you’ve been doing so brilliantly.

From my perspective the tings to draw out of the cholesterol conversation you had would be:

• Your levels are already coming down
• Your nurse wasn’t worried, and considers you low risk
• Your nurse suggested reviewing later - you are in a period of transition, and your levels may settle
• There is a proven and highly effective class of meds (statins) if you need them

Cholesterol monitoring is about reducing risk of heart trouble, and your nurse has said she thinks you are at low risk, so there’s no need to do anything while your body is in a state of flux, and you can look at that again when things have settled.

That all seems pretty positive to me! Don’t let that one rogue result take the wind out of your sails. You are doing brilliantly!

Onwards and downwards

@everydayupsanddowns thank you for your reply. Think I am over the initial disappointment and the fear of when they say you have 3 months otherwise no option however to go on statins. Fingers crossed like you say it will come down and stabilise.

Trying to keep going forward and especially as Metformin halved now so got to stay on top of that to hopefully keep HbA1C where it is now in 3 months time!

This forum is amazing source of support and advice! Has really helped me since diagnosed in November so thank you to you and everyone else! ❤️