Another newbie:

[Flora Peach]

Hello everyone.
I'm Flora and I have only been told that I have Type 2 just four days ago.
To say that I am reeling is an understatement.
They - the surgery Doctor and Team - told me I was .58 on the scale, but I just don't know what that means.
Am I badly affected or in the middle or what ?
Please -- could anybody explain for me?
I've seen some letters mmol/ something like that, but again it is all a mystery.
I would really appreciate some help.
Many thanks.

 

[Davein]

Hi Flora
Welcome
Discovering you have diabetes comes as a great shock to many of us and it takes time to absorb all the implications associated with the condition.
You would have been given a blood test called HbA1c which gives an overall picture of what your average blood sugar levels have been over the past few weeks. A normal reading would be below 42, a diabetes reading will be 48 upwards. Your reading, whilst in the diabetic range is high but nowhere near the 100+ I was a few months ago. You may have this blood test every 3, 6. or 12 monthly periods.
Your doctor may decide that diet control, or diet plus drugs such as Metformin may be the way to reduce your blood glucose level.
I assume that you will called in at some point or already have an appointment with a diabetes nurse to discuss the way forward with your treatment.
I will let the more experienced members comment further and welcome you to the site.

 

[Ralph-YK]

Welcome Flora from a fellow T2.

- told me I was .58 on the scale, but I just don't know what that means.

There's a couple different number scales that. And a couple of different test. So it can be confusion. Ask your doctor to give you your test results in writing, including which test it is.
It is quite likely to have been an HbA1c test (blood taken from the arm and sent away). This is an average of your blood glucose levels over 2-3 months.

s. A normal reading would be below 42, a diabetes reading will be 48 upwards... 100+ I was a few months ago.

The bottom end of non diabetic would be 30. In the old number scale (that some people still use) 48 would be 6.5.

told me I was .58

On either scale, a level of 0.56 would at best would have you in hospital unconscious. 5.6 would not get you a diagnoses of diabetic.

 

[Katieb]

Hi Flora and welcome. I felt just like you when I was diagnosed. It is scary but don’t despair. You have come to the very best place for support. Read the links pinned at the top of the newbies section to begin to understand what’s going on, get yourself a meter to test what affects you (how to use it is explained in the material you will have read) then start to make some lifestyle changes. Cut down on carbs (or cut them out if you can) including bread, pasta, rice and potatoes. Ignore them when they tell you to have carbs with every meal (they told me this as they did many others!). Substitute carbs with lots of protein and veg. Be wary of veg that grows underground though, as until you test you won’t know what you can tolerate. Read the threads on this site for ideas and inspiration and pretty soon you should see some improvements. I too am a novice, but the lovely people here have helped me loads. Don’t panic, you are in good company! The very best of luck. Katie

 

[Flora Peach]

Hello again everybody.
What lovely people you all are. Thank you so much for your support and all the information.
The panic that I feel is starting to recede and I think that if I have something positive to work towards, I will cope.
I shall be looking at diets asap.
Many, many thanks. Flora

 

[Davein]

Morning Flora
There is a book called carb and calorie counter which a lot of people on here highly regard. As Katieb says it would be worthwhile investing in a meter and test strips which are available on amazon or eBay. You can then self test to get a idea of your blood glucose levels. Don't worry it's not as daunting as it first appears.

 

[Drummer]

Cutting down carbs is a powerful tool for controlling blood glucose, and it can normalize your readings very quickly - I was at non diabetic levels in 80 days at my second Hba1c test.
Now that I am over a year from diagnosis I have no problems at all from being diabetic.

 

[Jeandp]

Hi Flora and welcome!
It is pretty daunting at first but doable. And there are lots of lovely people on here to help you. Well done on finding this forum so quickly. Have a good look around at all the different sections, lots of handy tips on here. As Drummer says, I have found cutting carbs very successful.
Good luck.