New Member

[Bob Fleming]

Hi,
I was diagnosed as type 2 diabetic about five years ago but had managed to keep my levels around the 48 mark (from the Hba1c tests). About 2 years ago I suddenly went up to 60 but before I went onto metformin I increased my exercise regime and within a year had reduced to 47. Last year I had an injury which severely restricted any movement or exercise and as a result (or so I thought) the reading went up to 72. I started taking metformin three 500mg per day but had to reduce to 2 per day due to stomach problems. I have since returned to work and have been exercising again for the last four/five months. I have just had another test and it has now gone up to 81 so I must be doing something wrong! I was expecting the readings to go in the other direction once I was mobile again. Anyway this forum looks extremely informative and I hope to get some top tips from you good people.

 

[Docb]

Doubt you are doing anything wrong although you might have to start doing something different. What does your GP say about the 81? Normal response would be to try something other than metformin. Many on here would advocate rebalancing your diet to cut down on carbohydrate intake. Welcome abord the rollercoaster!

 

[Bob Fleming]

Doubt you are doing anything wrong although you might have to start doing something different. What does your GP say about the 81? Normal response would be to try something other than metformin. Many on here would advocate rebalancing your diet to cut down on carbohydrate intake. Welcome abord the rollercoaster!

Thanks for the welcome - I am seeing the diabetic clinic nurse on Wednesday so will be discussing changes then. One thing I have noticed on here is that several people have pinpointed their problem foods by using testers. I think I may invest in one of these and perhaps I may be able to do the same. The other thing that I have noticed is that when I shop I look for items that are not low carb but are low carb of which sugars. Reading this forum it looks as though any type of carb can be a problem so may have to adjust my shopping acordingly.

 

[Docb]

Again Bob, many would advocate that you concentrate on total carbohydrate. I know that I am and it seems to be effective. As I have said elswhere, if your diabetic nurse suggests you go onto an insulin boosting drug like gliclazide then they should provide you with the test kit because you run the risk of going hypoglycemic. It happened to me that way and having the kit was invaluable in getting to grips with controlling blood glucose by balancing pills and carbohydrate intake.

 

[Drummer]

Have you never been advised that your Hba1c level shows much more influence from your diet than drugs such as metformin?
By reducing carbs from dense starchy and sugary foods I am at the top end of the normal range without much effort.

 

[SB2015]

Thanks for the welcome - I am seeing the diabetic clinic nurse on Wednesday so will be discussing changes then. One thing I have noticed on here is that several people have pinpointed their problem foods by using testers. I think I may invest in one of these and perhaps I may be able to do the same. The other thing that I have noticed is that when I shop I look for items that are not low carb but are low carb of which sugars. Reading this forum it looks as though any type of carb can be a problem so may have to adjust my shopping acordingly.

Hi Bob and welcome to the forum.

As you suspect, absolutely any carbohydrate will be converted to glucose once inside you. Some of the carbs will become glucose more quickly than others and it can help to look at slower release carbs, so that your pancreas is not being expected to chuck out as much insuiln at any one time.

It is easy to think that you need to focus on ‘sugar’ as that is what is in the news so much of the time (and prompts me to shout at the radio or TV on occasions.

Using a test kit to measure you blood glucose (BG) certainly seems to help people to identify what different foods do to their BG. I'd suggest having a read of Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S to give you an understanding of how to use your meter to discover your tolerances for the food choices you make - these can vary considerably from person to person. Also, because if you have to self-fund you want to make those test strips count: Testing on a budget

Keep in touch and ask any questions that you have.

 

[Bob Fleming]

Have you never been advised that your Hba1c level shows much more influence from your diet than drugs such as metformin?
By reducing carbs from dense starchy and sugary foods I am at the top end of the normal range without much effort.

No I hadn't as I say I thought by cutting down the "of which sugars" that would do the trick - which seemed to be working but as I say I will be revising the diet.

 

[Drummer]

No I hadn't as I say I thought by cutting down the "of which sugars" that would do the trick - which seemed to be working but as I say I will be revising the diet.

Oh dear - it is the amount of carbs, not just the sugars which are important.
If there are - say - 10 gm of carbs in a food it doesn't matter if it is 10 gm of starch or 10 gm of sugar - sooner or later it is going to be impacting on blood glucose.

 

[Bob Fleming]

Oh dear - it is the amount of carbs, not just the sugars which are important.
If there are - say - 10 gm of carbs in a food it doesn't matter if it is 10 gm of starch or 10 gm of sugar - sooner or later it is going to be impacting on blood glucose.

To be honest (and I cannot remember being told) I could well have been told and I may have misinterpreted the information. Anyway the main thing is that I do know now and more importantly I also know a means to identify the problem foods and eradicate them from my diet.

 

[Drummer]

To be honest (and I cannot remember being told) I could well have been told and I may have misinterpreted the information. Anyway the main thing is that I do know now and more importantly I also know a means to identify the problem foods and eradicate them from my diet.

Knowledge is power in this.

 

[HOBIE]

Hi,
I was diagnosed as type 2 diabetic about five years ago but had managed to keep my levels around the 48 mark (from the Hba1c tests). About 2 years ago I suddenly went up to 60 but before I went onto metformin I increased my exercise regime and within a year had reduced to 47. Last year I had an injury which severely restricted any movement or exercise and as a result (or so I thought) the reading went up to 72. I started taking metformin three 500mg per day but had to reduce to 2 per day due to stomach problems. I have since returned to work and have been exercising again for the last four/five months. I have just had another test and it has now gone up to 81 so I must be doing something wrong! I was expecting the readings to go in the other direction once I was mobile again. Anyway this forum looks extremely informative and I hope to get some top tips from you good people.

The older you get the worse it gets. T2 your Paddy P could work 20% or 80% depending on how much fat surround's it. Good luck & keep exercising.🙂

 

[Bob Fleming]

Hi Bob and welcome to the forum.

As you suspect, absolutely any carbohydrate will be converted to glucose once inside you. Some of the carbs will become glucose more quickly than others and it can help to look at slower release carbs, so that your pancreas is not being expected to chuck out as much insuiln at any one time.

It is easy to think that you need to focus on ‘sugar’ as that is what is in the news so much of the time (and prompts me to shout at the radio or TV on occasions.

Using a test kit to measure you blood glucose (BG) certainly seems to help people to identify what different foods do to their BG. I'd suggest having a read of Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S to give you an understanding of how to use your meter to discover your tolerances for the food choices you make - these can vary considerably from person to person. Also, because if you have to self-fund you want to make those test strips count: Testing on a budget

Keep in touch and ask any questions that you have.

Just to let you know SB2015 I saw the nurse/doc and they put me on the slow release metformin 1000mg morning and night. I have drastically lowered intake of bread/rice/pasta/potatoes and some fruits and have lost 5lbs in 13 days. I spoke to the diabetic nurse and she told me which testers they issue if I have to go on insulin meds. As a result I am going to purchase one of the models that they issue to help identify my problem foods then if I do have to use one in the future on insulin I should be able to get the test strips issued (hopefully I may avert this tho).

 

[SB2015]

Just to let you know SB2015 I saw the nurse/doc and they put me on the slow release metformin 1000mg morning and night. I have drastically lowered intake of bread/rice/pasta/potatoes and some fruits and have lost 5lbs in 13 days. I spoke to the diabetic nurse and she told me which testers they issue if I have to go on insulin meds. As a result I am going to purchase one of the models that they issue to help identify my problem foods then if I do have to use one in the future on insulin I should be able to get the test strips issued (hopefully I may avert this tho).

Well done Bob. A good start. I should think the nurse was impressed.
With such a positive attitude, you may welll get this under control and never need insulin.

I am glad that you have a nurse who is okay with you testing, and I am sure that this should help you identify what will work for you regarding diet.

Keep in touch and let us know how you get on.