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New to forum

M

Mkroxxy

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi everyone,

Newbie here.

Diagnosed type 2 in Feb 2025.

I am looking for advice on what support others get from the NHS as wondering if private would be a better option?

My experience is that doctors don’t get involved other than to prescribe medication.

My diagnosis was effectively given to me by a receptionist to let me know I had an appointment with the nurse to talk about my diabetes- having never been told before.

I was told I should have a review after three months after diagnosis - this was 5 months later and involved a nurse talking my blood, weight and checking my feet. In between diagnosis and review I had an eye test which was all clear.

I just wondered if this is similar for others? I just wondered who to go to if I have questions about symptoms etc if NHS Doctors don’t get involved and nurses are limited in what they can say or offer?

Thanks
 
@Mkroxxy welcome to the forum. I'm retired so older than you. I asked to be tested last year when I discovered my annual blood test for review of my blood pressure wasn't being tested. I now know it was last tested ten years ago. My reading was 69. I was shocked and asked hcp for advice and was sent an email with some sites plus comment that he was surprised I seemed shocked. He said it is formally diagnosed by a second test which was 64. I was a bit in limbo awaiting an appointment with a diabetes nurse but changing my diet resulted in a steady ( needed) weight loss.
I was put on metformin by the nurse then 5 weeks later metformin was reduced and I was put on a SGLT2. Two weeks later a statin was added. I have not seen a GP about my diabetes and had an annual review 5 months after diagnosis as surgery are tying reviews to birth month. My hba1c had dropped to 44. There have been lots of new houses in my area and the original Doctors have all retired in last ten years.
How high is your hba1c? Are you on medication? Most people have belly fat to lose and many have significant weight to lose. You may want to look at the remission thread and if it suits you (there are restrictions in relation to bmi) you could ask to be referred. Some people organise their own diet. I eat about 130 grams of carbs many go much lower but my medication need some carbs. In many areas there are courses you can attend and some people here have seen a dietician. Stay hydrated, move more and eat mindfully.
This NHS site has good info all in one place plus on the left under low carb are good websites. Freshwells graphic is good and the Caldesis have good strategies.

https://newforestpcn.co.uk/network-services/diabetes-metabolic-health/

I have found this forum and the Diabetes UK site very useful. I was brought up not to bother Doctors but if I could turn the clock back I would be more forceful.

Good luck
 
Hi @Mkroxxy and welcome to the Forum 🙂 , It's great that you've decided to join us as there is so much combined experience of members who understand what it's like to manage the condition and are happy to provide help and advice. At the end of the day we're all here to support each other 🙂 I don't know if it's different for T2's but I see a specialist consultant at the hospital normally twice a year who is part of the Diabetes Care Team. That wasn't always the case though as many years ago I asked to be referred as I felt the GP didn't have the specialised knowledge to advise me. Please do just ask away here as though as there are lots of friendly T2 members who are better placed to help and support you...
 
Thanks for the replies.

My hba1c score was 114 in January and had dropped to 48 in July.

I was put on Metformin 500mg 3 times a day in Feb and still on this dose. Also prescribed statins and blood pressure tablets at the same time.

I have recently started testing my blood sugar a few times a day (finger prick test) and this is typically between 8-10, but highest first thing in the morning (around 10) and tends to drop thoroughly the day. I don’t know what it was around diagnosis as it had never been tested by a medical professional- just my home testing over the last month or so.

I have practically cut out alcohol, biscuits, fizzy drinks, bread , pasta, potatoes and crisps (which was basically my diet before!)

I have also given up smoking and caffeine in any form and basically just drink water and mint tea!

I have gradually lost weight (bmi was over 30 and now 27).

Exercise has increased from around 5000 steps a day to now 20000.

Just not sure on how to reduce my blood sugar as seems high still and nothing seems to make a difference as it has been the same for past month - doesn’t seem to matter what exercise I do or what I eat at present. Only time it reduced to around 5 was after a couple of beers - not something that goes well with Metformin!

Thanks
 
You have done well to get it down so far. I would have said take it a bit slower. If it is too quick it's a shock to your body and can affect your eyesight. Your eyesight will stabilise its not permanent. I go to a lively aquafit class but walking is good. My bg is variable at the moment. My metformin was reduced in February and my last hba1c had gone up to 52 don't know if that was my patchy diet the reduced metformin or that my iron has gone low and I received an answerphone message to collect some iron pills. Energetic exercise can increase your bg but is ultimately good for you. A brisk 10 minute walk or some stair climbing after eating will bring your bg down.
Alcohol can lower your bg but too much is not good. Water lowers your bg. It is important to stay hydrated.
As far as testing some people test when they wake up and look at the trend. Others test before they start eating and 2 hours later. This is useful if you are trying something new eg I now use a pasta substitute from Holland and Barrett.

My reading this morning was 22 my highest ever! I think the culprit was raiding the fridge after my supper when I opened some herrings. Having guzzled some I realised they were sweet cured and high carb! I usually check new food but was trying to keep my iron intake up.

By the way many fingerprickers use the lancet multiple times. Obviously it needs to be changed if more than one user.
 
I personally don't think you would benefit from going private and from what you say you have had at least as much support from the NHS if not more than many have.
Finding the right dietary approach is important as whatever you choose has to be enjoyable otherwise it will not be sustainable.
You have done brilliantly to reduce your HbA1C to 48 and that you have started testing will hopefully give you more information on which to base meal choices. A strategic testing regime will be more informative and many adopt testing before you eat and after 2 hours where the aim is for no more than a 2-3mmol/l increase or no more than 8-8.5mmol/l.
That will help identify meals which are too high in carbohydrates for your body to tolerate. You should start to see morning readings gradually decrease they are usually the last to come down anyway particularly as some people suffer from a higher level because the liver releases glucose as soon as you get out of bed, commonly referred to as Foot on the Floor syndrome, there is not a lot one can do about it, but testing in bed can be useful as there is less variables that could affect the reading. The aim will eventually be 4-7mmol/l fasting and before meals and no more than 8-8.5 2 hours post meal.

You certainly seem to have taken on board making lifestyle changes so just keep going and you will get there.
You may find this link helpful https://lowcarbfreshwell.com
 
Thanks everyone.

blood sugar reading today

7am 10.5
10am 7.6
1230pm 8.3 (pre lunch)
Lunch - chicken and salad leaves - no dressing
430pm - 8.9
Dinner - tin of chicken soup

I have also had a couple of apples today.

Will take another reading in a purple of hours after dinner, but based on experience I don’t imagine it will change much.

Thanks
 
Did you have breakfast? You are eating very little. No vegetables, nuts, seeds cheese or eggs and depending how big a portion of soup, despite the apples very few carbs.
 
Mkroxxy said:
Thanks everyone.

blood sugar reading today

7am 10.5
10am 7.6
1230pm 8.3 (pre lunch)
Lunch - chicken and salad leaves - no dressing
430pm - 8.9
Dinner - tin of chicken soup

I have also had a couple of apples today.

Will take another reading in a purple of hours after dinner, but based on experience I don’t imagine it will change much.

Thanks
Click to expand...
It might be worth you keeping a food diary with an estimate of the amount of carbs in everything you eat and drink and when with your blood glucose readings and record any exercise as you may be able to spot a pattern of what may be happening. Those readings seem a bit high if that is all you have been eating.
Do you have breakfast? as that can be beneficial in preventing your liver from releasing glucose otherwise you start the day at a higher level.
 
Mkroxxy said:
I just wondered if this is similar for others?
Click to expand...
That sounds more in depth than I’d expect, the blood tests only need to be done annually but it may just have been your first follow up that was so soon.

It’s your diabetes, so up to you to control it not up to the doctors. If you feel you have symptoms of any complications though or need extra medication that would be something to talk to a doctor about.
 
I didn’t have breakfast today as wasn’t hungry, but I usually have weetabix or shredded wheat with unsweetened almond milk. Soup was full 400ml tin of Heinz
 
Leadinglights said:
My exact thought, you beat me to it.
Click to expand...
I genuinely enjoy my Greek style yoghurt with berries and seeds or nuts. Didn't have it this morning as went to WI market for fresh veg eggs and a small homemade pie. Then had a coffee and teacake and metformin in cafe opposite market.
 
Mkroxxy said:
I didn’t have breakfast today as wasn’t hungry, but I usually have weetabix or shredded wheat with unsweetened almond milk. Soup was full 400ml tin of Heinz
Click to expand...
Tin of chicken soup is only 212 calories. Would be worth you reading about the different types of food. Your diary doesn’t have the minimum 5 x 80g portions of fruit/veg recommended. Barely any fibre, protein, fats, no dairy (or calcium source instead)… do you actually feel well and energised and able to stick to this diet forever?
 
Mkroxxy said:
I didn’t have breakfast today as wasn’t hungry, but I usually have weetabix or shredded wheat with unsweetened almond milk. Soup was full 400ml tin of Heinz
Click to expand...
Your breakfast isn't the best for managing your blood glucose as cereals are quite high carbs so something like Full fat Greek yoghurt with berries and seeds or nuts or eggs is low carb and filling.
Commercial soups are often high carb so it will be interesting to see what your 2 hour test will reveal. Your chicken soup is surprisingly only 13.6g carbs per can.
There is no reason that you can't have a low carb diet basing meals on meat, fish, eggs, cheese, nuts with lots of vegetables, salads and fruit like berries as they are lower carb than any other.
Do have a look at the links posted.
 
Thanks for the replies - as I also have high blood pressure and high cholesterol- I steer clear of fats - so full fat yoghurt nuts etc are out as high in fat and calories as trying to lose another 2 stone which will bring my weight down to my ideal weight as per the nurse.

I was trying to eat a no carb no fat yoghurt with fruit for breakfast, but this typically increased my blood sugar - probably due to the fruit, so I have cut down on fruit and this has made some improvement.

I do typically eat fish and vegetables for dinner, but not overly hungry at the moment and the only way I can find to lose weight is to eat minimal.

It is good to know from others that the nhs doesn’t get involved, but not sure who does things like review medication or I can discuss symptoms with if diabetes is not important for doctors to be asked, which is why I wondered if I a private clinic would offer this?
 
Mkroxxy said:
Thanks for the replies - as I also have high blood pressure and high cholesterol- I steer clear of fats - so full fat yoghurt nuts etc are out as high in fat and calories as trying to lose another 2 stone which will bring my weight down to my ideal weight as per the nurse.

I was trying to eat a no carb no fat yoghurt with fruit for breakfast, but this typically increased my blood sugar - probably due to the fruit, so I have cut down on fruit and this has made some improvement.

I do typically eat fish and vegetables for dinner, but not overly hungry at the moment and the only way I can find to lose weight is to eat minimal.

It is good to know from others that the nhs doesn’t get involved, but not sure who does things like review medication or I can discuss symptoms with if diabetes is not important for doctors to be asked, which is why I wondered if I a private clinic would offer this?
Click to expand...
Don't be frightened of fats as some fats are healthy fats and can actually reduce cholesterol, many find that low carb NOT NO carb reduces cholesterol. Good choices of fruit will be low carb and you could have the high protein yoghurts which are low carb and low fat, Arla or Brooklea do them.
 
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