• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

Shocked!

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
My diet has been shocking over the last few months, I had been a carer for my Nan & she passed away from liver & pancreas cancer 4 weeks ago. I stayed with her through the night towards the end & then come home to deal with my house & children. Carbs have been my friend & craving I'm afraid to say. So I could have inadvertently induced this? I do seem to binge on carbs.
 
I am glad you are going to put in an official complaint.
Have you an appointment to see the nurse about your diabetes? As they will be able to give you the results of your blood test esp the (I presume) the Hb1ac, which gives the average of our glucose level over the last 12 or so weeks. So what you've eaten just before the test won't make any difference.
 
Tracy Carter said:
So one blood test gives you the average of the last few months?
Click to expand...
That's right.
Diagnosis does come as an awful shock ,but with the right info this is a manageable condition.
 
Hi again everyone

My hba1c level is 48. I spoke to a doctor who discussed their other concerns, a year ago
my cholesterol was very high. They haven't tested it again but that will be done this week, she said I may need to start on cholesterol tablets. I am going to start the metformin 500mg once a day for a week then up the dose. My weight & diet is obviously the key issue here so I am going to take that in hand. I'm so disappointed in myself. All I have done for the last few years is put everyone above myself & now I'm paying the price for not looking after myself. I'm so grateful to you all for getting me through this weekend, I have been very tearful & coming on here & reading other people's stories & getting my questions answered has been a big help so Thank you.
 
Ah that's the reason I asked about your figures, an Hb1ac of 48 only just puts you over the threshold of diabetes.
Pre diabetes is 42 to 47. I was 115 at dx .
I wonder what she meant by very high cholesterol, did she give you a breakdown of your cholesterol?
When you get the results of your next cholesterol test , do ask for a breakdown
 
Tracy Carter said:
Hi again everyone

My hba1c level is 48. I spoke to a doctor who discussed their other concerns, a year ago
my cholesterol was very high. They haven't tested it again but that will be done this week, she said I may need to start on cholesterol tablets. I am going to start the metformin 500mg once a day for a week then up the dose. My weight & diet is obviously the key issue here so I am going to take that in hand. I'm so disappointed in myself. All I have done for the last few years is put everyone above myself & now I'm paying the price for not looking after myself. I'm so grateful to you all for getting me through this weekend, I have been very tearful & coming on here & reading other people's stories & getting my questions answered has been a big help so Thank you.
Click to expand...
Hi Tracy - 48 mmol/mol for the HbA1c test is very borderline, in fact it's the level that most diagnosed people try to achieve (or lower). I'm not suggesting you minimise your efforts in tackling it, of course, but just saying that it's not terrible, so try not to worry about it. I'm sure that, with extra vigilance regarding your diet and activity levels you will have every chance of reducing it 🙂 Also, cholesterol is more complex than often presented so it may not be as bad as presented - do you know your numbers there? Cholesterol levels often reduce if you reduce carbs and exercise regularly - it's not really related to the fat in foods you consume.

Personally, I am surprised that you are being put on metformin without first seeing how you can do with changes to diet and activity 🙂
 
Northerner said:
Hi Tracy - 48 mmol/mol for the HbA1c test is very borderline, in fact it's the level that most diagnosed people try to achieve (or lower). I'm not suggesting you minimise your efforts in tackling it, of course, but just saying that it's not terrible, so try not to worry about it. I'm sure that, with extra vigilance regarding your diet and activity levels you will have every chance of reducing it 🙂 Also, cholesterol is more complex than often presented so it may not be as bad as presented - do you know your numbers there? Cholesterol levels often reduce if you reduce carbs and exercise regularly - it's not really related to the fat in foods you consume.

Personally, I am surprised that you are being put on metformin without first seeing how you can do with changes to diet and activity 🙂
Click to expand...
Yes I'm rather supprised she's been put on Metformin at such a low Hb1ac.
 
Thank you. Yes, she said just over borderline. She said the metformin may help me to lose weight. I'm a lot more positive knowing that number. She said my cholesterol may be 'familial' as the bad was high & the good was low. She asked about family history - none really that points to hereditary. This is the wake up call I needed & I am making the changes for a healthier future. Reducing carbs, sugar, upping my exercise..
 
Tracy Carter said:
Do you think I should seek information to improve things without medication?
Click to expand...
I can only say what I would have done if my level was 48 at dx.

I would have asked for 3 months to try and sort it out without medication.
Lowered my carbohydrate intake, which by the way often aids weight loss
Got myself a glucose meter so I could test how the various carbohydrates affected me and enabled me to make informed choices rather than the dietary advise often given out to us.
But that's me, you may well feel differently and that is absolutely fine ! 🙂

If you want to give it a go , we can help with diet. Many of us here have opted for LCHF low carb high fat. Try not to worry about the high fat bit, it's not eating loads if lard. , it's just a normal amount of good fats . Personally I don't touch anything that is not naturally low fat, ie I avoid low fat yougurts and have the normal ones.

If you interested in testing your own BG regularly, it's unlikely the NHS will provide a glucose meter or enough test strips, they usually say no it not necessary for a variety of silly reasons, if this is the case
Many here use the SD Codefree meter available directly from Homehealth , it's the ongoing cost of the testing strips you have to watch, high Street brands cost between £15 - £35 for 50. The Codefree costs around £8
http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/
We use the mmol/l measurement in the uk. You're entitled to claim VAT relief.
You'll also need to buy more test strips and lancets as they only provide 10 in the starter kit .
First have a read of Test review adjust by Alan S
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.co.uk/2006/10/test-review-adjust.html
 
I am keen to make the changes without medication. Definitely low carb/high (good) fat would be achievable with my lifestyle. I do enjoy a baked potato, can I still have one maybe once a week?
 
I have no advise but I understand your confusion - there's so much to get your head around. Have the doctor's mentioned to you about seeing a dietitian? I am hoping to see one soon so that I can sit down with someone and discuss all these questions I have face to face, maybe that would help you to be able to talk to someone like that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ljc
Tracy Carter said:
I am keen to make the changes without medication. Definitely low carb/high (good) fat would be achievable with my lifestyle. I do enjoy a baked potato, can I still have one maybe once a week?
Click to expand...
We're all entitled to have a treat, It's just that we can't have them everyday.
Diabetes is different for all of us in what carbohydrates our bodies can and can't tolerate , ie we have one person here who has T2 who can eat lots of fruit with no problems, when most of us look on enviously.
A baked spud once a week may be ok for you, tbh it depends how high it shoots your BG up to.
Like everyone else here , their are some things I just can't do without, not one of us is an angel

We have some innovative cooks on here who share there recipes on the recipe thread
https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/forums/recipes.21/
You'll find the above and loads more on the , Food/carbs queries and recipe thread
https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/forums/food-carb-queries-recipes.4/
 
Tracy Carter said:
I am keen to make the changes without medication. Definitely low carb/high (good) fat would be achievable with my lifestyle. I do enjoy a baked potato, can I still have one maybe once a week?
Click to expand...
Tracy the first thing you must stop doing is blaming yourself...it isn't your fault...next I'd suggest you ask for a print out of your test results...then you can peruse them at your leisure...note the points you need to raise with your practice in your own environment...many surgeries have online access for patients to view their online records...order medication etc...I believe all are required to have them?...ask your GPs receptionist...agree with the others 48mmol is borderline...I am surprised they have started you on medication without discussing other options...with some diet/lifestyles you can bring your diabetes under good control...have you discussed whether to test your blood sugars yourself?...one way to see how what we eat affects our BGs...no wish to 'overload' you with too much reading material...but...can highly recommend the best book I have ever read on type 2...Type Two Diabetes The First Year by Gretchen Becker...herself a diabetic...takes you through her first year month by month...explains what type 2 is...how/why it develops...how best to manage it...is it our own fault (the answer is NO)...can we control it (the answer is yes)...should we test our BGs...the benefits of testing...please do try & get a copy...it changed my perspective on my diabetes...you can preview the book on Amazon before buying it...I am sorry to hear about your awful introduction to diabetes...but...not surprised...the 'politics' of diabetes can be a minefield...however...now you are here...you will find you can manage your condition...your GP & DSN...be involved in the decision making process...it takes a little time...it can/does get better...good luck...keep us updated.
 
Last edited:
Hi Tracy

I was diagnosed with an HBa1c of 49 last February. Metformin was not mentioned at all just diet and exercise, I was then put on a Diabetes Education course and the Diabetic Nurse doing it said there was nothing I could do as I was not overweight. The course told us to eat loads of carbs and not much fat

. Being a bit of a rebel and getting lots of info from the nice folk on here I cut back on my carbs cut out cake and puddings etc and upped my exercise and three months later my Hba1c was down to 48 and my cholesterol was down from 6.2 to 5.7 had also lost nearly half a stone.

Got told by the same diabetic nurse I didn't need to lose any weight.. but am not that little I am nine stone but very small framed skinny arms and legs. When young my natural weight was about 7 and a half to 8.. (high metabolism).

I was led to believe by my target sheet given at the last Education session that as long as my Hba1c was below 53 I was doing ok .. but others may know at what point metformin is started. I prefer not to take it unless I really have to. Have to go for another blood test on Thursday so hoping it has gone down further or stayed on track. Don't worry too much as stress puts up our blood sugar (I know that from testing mine.. something else I was told not to do .. as it would only worry me!) Decided to ignore that advice too!!

Best wishes am sure you will do fine.
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top