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Newly diagnosed

Gp the elder

Gp the elder

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Pronouns
He/Him
Hi everyone, just been diagnosed after blood tests for something unrelated . Shocked and bewildered is my reaction for now.
 
hello @Gp the elder Welcome to the forum perhaps you would like to tell us a bit more are you on any meds what ever you feel comfortable to share with us. This is a great forum full of support. Feal free to have a look around and post as much or as little as you like. Remember no question to small/large or to silly
gail
 
Hi, all very early days. Had a blood test recently , GP phoned to give the results one of which was a glucose level of 52mmol/mol that she said was diabetic. I have another test this week to confirm this. No doubt advice will follow but it’s a bit bewildering atm.‍♂️
 
Hi @Gp the elder and welcome to the forum - a diabetes diagnosis is a shock to everyone (regardless of type) but there a many many people on this forum who have gone through just that - so feel free to ask any questions you may have and someone is sure to pop along and offer some advice - 52 mmol/mol is not too high a number and a few tweaks to your diet and lifestyle should help lower that number - glad you have found us
 
Gp the elder said:
Hi, all very early days. Had a blood test recently , GP phoned to give the results one of which was a glucose level of 52mmol/mol that she said was diabetic. I have another test this week to confirm this. No doubt advice will follow but it’s a bit bewildering atm.‍♂️
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum. Your result is only just over the threshold for diagnosis which is 47mmol/mol and over so with some dietary changes you should be able to reduce it with out medication and your GP should offer that option and then retest in 3 months to check you are heading in the right direction. The second test now is confirmatory and done if people have no symptoms. But in any even even if it is a bit lower it is still a bit of a warning that your body is struggling to cope with the amount of carbohydrates in your diet.
Many find that by reducing those glucose level will improve and help them lose weight if needed.
Have a look at this link for some easy ways of modifying your diet. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
It is based on the suggested no more than 130g carbohydrates not just sugar per day, it is not no carbs.
The main thing is not to panic but take it day by day and learn as much as you can, if fact become your own expert.
 
Leadinglights said:
Welcome to the forum. Your result is only just over the threshold for diagnosis which is 47mmol/mol and over so with some dietary changes you should be able to reduce it with out medication and your GP should offer that option and then retest in 3 months to check you are heading in the right direction. The second test now is confirmatory and done if people have no symptoms. But in any even even if it is a bit lower it is still a bit of a warning that your body is struggling to cope with the amount of carbohydrates in your diet.
Many find that by reducing those glucose level will improve and help them lose weight if needed.
Have a look at this link for some easy ways of modifying your diet. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
It is based on the suggested no more than 130g carbohydrates not just sugar per day, it is not no carbs.
The main thing is not to panic but take it day by day and learn as much as you can, if fact become your own expert.
Click to expand...
Many thanks for the good advice. As a newbie a lot of the so called diabetic diet plans often contradict each other. I’ll follow the link and have a good read. I live alone so altering my diet without having to appease others in the household is easier. I cook most of my meals from scratch so l suppose that helps too. Best put my homemade pasties on the backboiler for now ‍♂️
 
Welcome to the forum. I was diagnosed in July having requested a test with 69 being first number and having reduced some of the naughty stuff 64 4 weeks later. I started medication 3 weeks later and December my reading was 44 which is prediabetic but I am still on medication.

The freshwell site is good. For example most veg below ground is starchy but above ground generally eat as much as you like. Fruit grown in Britain raspberry blueberry apples pears good but banana and tropical fruit is abit sweet. I suggest apart from any sugar you add to drinks etc which reduce stop or replace you note what you actually eat then decide what to cut what to reduce and replace. I still eat bread but don't buy it. Eg if I go to a cafe I may have a sandwich or a piece of bread with my soup. I rarely eat potatoes except for new potatoes in their skins. Recently I bought a homemade shepherds pie from a market. I cut it in half and had extra veg. I have for the moment given up pasta but have bought alternatives from Holland and Barrett. I have recently bought some cauliflower and broccoli rice in a pouch on basis if I cook curry or buy a takeaway it will work. Your reading isn't high. You probably have belly fat so cutting portions carbs and sugar should get rid of it. When I was first diagnosed I was told my cholestral had crept up so I cut pastry sweets red meat etc and ate lots of fish and veg I lost 2lbs a week. I hadn't joined the forum but was eating a low carb diet without realising.

I am still grieving my previous life and annoyed my blood hadn't been tested for diabetes. But the diabetes UK website and forum are informative and reassuring. I also found the website of aGPpractice in the New Forest which h has links to videos websites and all the information you may need,
You should also move more. A ten minute walk after eating lowers your blood sugar.
If your GP decides medication you are likely to be put on metformin. Ask for slow release as it can cause tummy trouble.
I don't know if you have other medical conditions but with the number I expect your doctor would offer you 3 months to lower your blood glucose.

The test measures the average of blood sugar readings over 3 months slightly slanted to recent readings. Your second test is likely to be lower.
I live on my own and often go for convenience particularly fish but you could do yourself a good fry up at the weekend sausage bacon egg tomato etc. Maybe half a slice of bread and cut beans and hash brown.

I now have an omlette or full fat Greek style yoghurt with berries and sometimes nuts.

Take things slowly it is better for your body if high sugar lowers gradually.

Good luck
 
Welcome to the forum @Gp the elder

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It’s completely natural to feel that sense of shock and bewilderment. Some people go through a process very like grieving at their diagnosis, with the intense and occasionally overwhelming jumble of emotions that can involve, including anger, denial, bargaining, depression, and ultimately acceptance.

Be kind to yourself over the next few weeks, and give yourself time to adjust and adapt. Diabetes is a serious condition, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy.
 
Hi @Gp the elder welcome to the forums. I think a few people on here found themselves diagnosed for diabetes when having a blood test for something else (me included) and I was certainly confused and bewildered as well as a little angry. That said as others have posted, changes to lifestyle and diet can soon address the issue and help to bring things under control.
 
Welcome to the forum @Gp the elder
Have a look at the pinned posts at the top of the Newbies section. There is a lot of useful information to review.
I won't add anything to the advice already posted but encourage you to raise any questions as you get your head around this diagnosis. Whatever you are going through, it's very likely someone on here will have had a similar experience and can share what helped them.
 
Hi @Gp the elder and a warm welcome from me too 🙂. Yes it is a shock when you are diagnosed particularly when it wasn't suspected. It takes a while to come to terms with the diagnosis but you will adjust; it's good that you've joined this forum as lots of us here to provide help and support 🙂
 
Hi, well it’s confirmed. Second test came with a reading of 55mmol/mol up from 52. Not sure what happens from here, l think the GP that was dealing with me is part time so l suspect the results will be there for her on Wednesday. Was really impressed with the speed that l got my results. I’m registered with patient access and had the results via email the same day
 
Gp the elder said:
Hi, well it’s confirmed. Second test came with a reading of 55mmol/mol up from 52. Not sure what happens from here, l think the GP that was dealing with me is part time so l suspect the results will be there for her on Wednesday. Was really impressed with the speed that l got my results. I’m registered with patient access and had the results via email the same day
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That is still not high enough to be prescribed medication if you are prepared to being committed to making dietary changes along the lines of the previously posted suggestions and links.
I would expect your GP will organise a eye retinal screening and foot check and you will have another blood test in 3 months to see if your measures are taking you in the right direction, if not then you may be offered medication. But there is no reason that you will not be able to improve your result.
 
Yes, changing my diet slightly has seen about 4lb drop off. That with the recent good weather thats given me the ability to get stuck in at my allotment and do some. Plot aptly named “Wits End”
 

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Hi folks, just feel as if l’m floundering a bit. Was diagnosed in early march and have had a couple of appointments with the diabetic nurse that inc a foot check that was okay. She wants my bp down to 120/80 . It’s presently about 140/80 and my cholesterol down to 4 its now 6.9…Apparently l don’t see her for another 12 months? .I was also told that l needed an eye test too but no appointment has materialised. Through exercise and diet l have dropped 5kg but now l have hit the wall things are getting a bit hard on this front. Sooo. is it a case of it’s all down to me now and they recheck me in 12 months?.. l’m finding it hard to digest that l’ve been given these goals but don’t have any way of monitoring my progress?
 
Gp the elder said:
Hi folks, just feel as if l’m floundering a bit. Was diagnosed in early march and have had a couple of appointments with the diabetic nurse that inc a foot check that was okay. She wants my bp down to 120/80 . It’s presently about 140/80 and my cholesterol down to 4 its now 6.9…Apparently l don’t see her for another 12 months? .I was also told that l needed an eye test too but no appointment has materialised. Through exercise and diet l have dropped 5kg but now l have hit the wall things are getting a bit hard on this front. Sooo. is it a case of it’s all down to me now and they recheck me in 12 months?.. l’m finding it hard to digest that l’ve been given these goals but don’t have any way of monitoring my progress?
Click to expand...
Continuing with your dietary changes should help to continue to reduce your blood glucose, did they check that as well, and low carb will often help reduce your cholesterol. It is a bit high and 4 is the target that they like people to be at.
You could buy a home testing blood pressure monitor to check on a periodic basis, were you prescribed any blood pressure medication to help, losing weight can be a factor in reducing blood pressure but some people will need medication.
Good that your foot check was OK but you should receive an appointment for your eye retinal screening, different areas do it differently some at a mobile unit or GP surgery, or Specsavers, mine was at an ASDA where special rooms were set up. I would say if you don't hear within a few weeks then chase it up.
Many find a home testing blood glucose monitor helps them stay on track with their diet.
 
My appointments have been haphazard. I had my annual review in December as they were moving to birthday months although it was only 5 months from diagnosis. The DCN was off sick so saw a nurse. My BP had been horrendous. I now think because in September I was put on SGLT2 which causes you to pee and the diuretic I took for blood pressure was removed - seemed logical and BP was 120. At end of November with a septic finger it was 198 / 103 and diuretic was reinstated.

I have found the journey at times stressful. I saw the hcp in January to check BP and I thought discuss diabetes but saw DCN in February and was given option of choosing which med to drop. It is my responsibility to book another blood test and appointment but haven't at the moment. I was put on statins very reluctantly in September. In the early days it's usual to have an hba1c after three months. Have you been asked to measure your BP at homeh? I got an eye appointment in November but postponed it and haven't tried booking another one yet. If you don't hear contact the surgery. I have had two cataract ops in last 6 months and am due to go to eye hospital this week for a check. I have uveitis and have photos and scans .



Having been brought up ' not to bother the doctor' I now realise i should have been more proactive. The nurse will want to consider if you need medication in relation to your BP and cholestral so I would expect you to have a blood test three months after your last hba1c. If you are overweight or have belly fat try to lose it. I found lowish carb around 130 gms was helpful. Moving is good too. You could consider buying a BG monitor and either test each morning to see if your BG is reducing or immediately before you eat something g new and two hours after you started. Check previous posts as you want a monitor with reasonably priced strips. If testing is going to stress you don't bother as stress isn't great for BP or BG

Even if you don't monitor it's worth keeping a food and exercise diary.

On previous post I referred to a website which has links to other useful websites

newforestpcn.co.uk

Diabetes & Metabolic Health | New Forest PCN

newforestpcn.co.uk newforestpcn.co.uk



Good luck
 
Leadinglights said:
Continuing with your dietary changes should help to continue to reduce your blood glucose, did they check that as well, and low carb will often help reduce your cholesterol. It is a bit high and 4 is the target that they like people to be at.
You could buy a home testing blood pressure monitor to check on a periodic basis, were you prescribed any blood pressure medication to help, losing weight can be a factor in reducing blood pressure but some people will need medication.
Good that your foot check was OK but you should receive an appointment for your eye retinal screening, different areas do it differently some at a mobile unit or GP surgery, or Specsavers, mine was at an ASDA where special rooms were set up. I would say if you don't hear within a few weeks then chase it up.
Many find a home testing blood glucose monitor helps them stay on track with their diet.
Click to expand...
Leadinglights said:
Continuing with your dietary changes should help to continue to reduce your blood glucose, did they check that as well, and low carb will often help reduce your cholesterol. It is a bit high and 4 is the target that they like people to be at.
You could buy a home testing blood pressure monitor to check on a periodic basis, were you prescribed any blood pressure medication to help, losing weight can be a factor in reducing blood pressure but some people will need medication.
Good that your foot check was OK but you should receive an appointment for your eye retinal screening, different areas do it differently some at a mobile unit or GP surgery, or Specsavers, mine was at an ASDA where special rooms were set up. I would say if you don't hear within a few weeks then chase it up.
Many find a home testing blood glucose monitor helps them stay on track with their diet.
Click to expand...
Hi, my first check in early march was 52mmlol then the confirmation test was 55. I self monitor my bp but despite everything it is stubbornly around 140/80 . As l have said l’ve lost about 6kg now, a real struggle with an arthritic knee. I have bought a blood glucose monitor and my 7 day average is 6.9 . I initially bought it to kinda try to find what was best to eat and what really buggered up my blood sugars . It’s been useful in that respect
 
Hi @Gp the elder, sounds like your DSN is similar to mine. Mine wants my blood pressure at 120/80 which my home readings are often below (112-119/69 - 76) and my cholesterol below 5. Fortunately I don't have arthritic knees so can use exercise to do something about the cholesterol, but also include things like Benecol in my diet which is supposed, along with plant sterols in general, to be good for reducing cholesterol (and backed up by research).
In terms of seeing the DSN, I get the impression that after the first three months you do move to a 12 month cycle of tests, but my DSN is there if I need to talk to her about issues or problems that I identify. I was also advised to make a GP appointment if I felt that I was suffering any issue which could impact on or be impacted by my diabetes.
 
My only experience of difficulties in making sure that I have adequate checks has been with the eye clinic. The clinic seems very busy and I find the administration chaotic. That may just be my hospital but you do need to make sure that you do get onto the list with the eye clinic. Your DSN should be able to confirm that they have made the referral and give you some indication of the waiting list for a referral to result in an appointment. Because of recent issues with my eyes I've been on six-monthly appointments that, because of waiting lists, turn out to be around every 9 or10 months. Other than that, it is the annual check with the DSN and six monthly appointments, alternating between telephone and in the clinic, appointments with the podiatrist.
 
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