Confused about readings :( I'm kinda new to all this...

[Crumblebee]

Hi
I'm really confused with my diabetic readings.
So I was still struggling to feel "better" with the metformin. It has helped me in reducing thirst, sleepiness, blurred vision, dizzy/woozy spells, however I still get the odd thirst and tiredness spells.
I've been increasing the metformin as per the gp/ diabetic specialist advice. ( 2 tablets in the morning and 2 in the evening. Regular release ). I was sent a blood glucose machine and asked to monitor my blood, I've been doing this for over a week now.
It's been almost a month and I'm worried I'm doing something wrong. As i don't know how fast things are meant to normalise. Also whenever i ask about my diabetic result the dr seems to just keep saying your type 2 because you're responding to metaformin, your overweight and you didn't have ketones in your urine. Despite the first dr being concerned i was LADA or MODY because of the severity of my symptoms, my over 2 stone weight loss, and that i am 34.
Also I have no diabetes in my family, really don't know if that matters. The last gp i spoke to didn’t know about LADA and she kept saying i probably am type 2 and that the likelihood of me not is like nonexistent.
I started the keto diet to help with weight as I was told to lose weight (5f4 15 stone). I have lost over 2 stone since January, and the weight is still dropping. I previously wasn't trying to lose weight, but i am now.
Actually enjoying the diet despite its challenges.
I'll attempt to attach my reading results, as i don't know… i just don't know

 

[stephknits]

Hi, those reading are high, as you know and if you are eating a diet with very few carbs in it, I would expect lower readings for the average type 2. Are you testing before and after meals? What sort of things are you eating? What sort of results do you get if you eat carbs?
I did a very similar thing to you, in that I was diagnosed with Type 2 and put on Metformin. I decided to follow a very low carb diet in an effort to help myself as I felt so dreadful eating the carbs. This meant that my numbers went down slightly, to ones a bit like yours and the nurse told me I was therefore responding to the Metformin (whereas in fact I was just eating so few carbs). Eventually after nine months of this, rediagnosed type 1. Obviously, this might not be the case with you, but I think it is good that you are keeping aware.
Do you have any way of testing your ketones?

 

[Becka]

Despite the first dr being concerned i was LADA or MODY because of the severity of my symptoms, my over 2 stone weight loss, and that i am 34.

Are you not able to go back to that doctor?

Have you only been prescribed Metformin? I was diagnosed with an HbA1c of 11.2% and immediately put on Gliclazide as well as Metformin, although my weight was not seen a problem.

The last G.P. you spoke to saying the there is no possibility of you not being type 2 is obviously wrong, as you know. So I would say you should make a formal complaint to the practice about that. How can you trust them when you know they are giving you medically incorrect advice?

 

[Crumblebee]

It may be worth asking for an antibody test to determine if you are in fact Type 1. Even if you are not, then this will have been ruled out and you can look for other answers. One of the GPs at my practice was skeptical as to my being Type 1, asking me if I was sure, and repeatedly saying 'it's very unusual'. Well, yes, it is. Doesn't mean it doesn't happen though.

I did ask the dr but they said they don't do it at general practices and I'd need to wait for the diabetic team appointment which is in 3 months.
I don't know if the dr was just being difficult as i don't trust gps (father misdiagnosed and died because of gp error).

 

[Crumblebee]

Hi, those reading are high, as you know and if you are eating a diet with very few carbs in it, I would expect lower readings for the average type 2. Are you testing before and after meals? What sort of things are you eating? What sort of results do you get if you eat carbs?
I did a very similar thing to you, in that I was diagnosed with Type 2 and put on Metformin. I decided to follow a very low carb diet in an effort to help myself as I felt so dreadful eating the carbs. This meant that my numbers went down slightly, to ones a bit like yours and the nurse told me I was therefore responding to the Metformin (whereas in fact I was just eating so few carbs). Eventually after nine months of this, rediagnosed type 1. Obviously, this might not be the case with you, but I think it is good that you are keeping aware.
Do you have any way of testing your ketones?

I don't have a way of ketone testing.
I'm not sure how.
I am eating meat and vegetables that are low carb, and then i eat fruit as a treat like berries and or an apple.
Eggs and nuts too.
And yeah been testing before eating and 2 hours after ... I'm just worried that because I'm not like 100% feeling better I'm doing something wrong,

 

[freesia]

Push your GP to get you tested. I was originally diagnoaed t2, high sugar levels, overweight, tired, thirsty etc. I took Metformin, lost weight, ate low carb, did all the right things. 18 months later sugar levels rising again to over 20, massive weight loss. He referred me to DSN and i was diagnosed as t1. Later when i went to see the GP he said that it was unusual, but its obviously not if you read things on here. As others have said, if you're not t1 then they can look at other reasons. Hope you get it sorted out soon. Good luck

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I don't have a way of ketone testing.

You can purchase urine ketone strips at a pharmacy for £5 a pot. they are awkward to use, and not as accurate as blood strips, but a fraction of the cost and perfectly adequate.

When the Dr said you were responding to Metformin, did they know you had switched to keto / very low carb?

It does seem as if further investigations are needed and the earlier Dr’s hunches are worth checking up on.