A bit of DIY

[pendel]

Hi all. newbie here.
Was diagnosed type 2 back in 2014. Just had the news my Hb1C is high and I need to take a second metformin per day, so I have decided to take away the carbs instead, I know from other people that the next move would be the daily Jab, so far its working, I had a reading of 5.6 three days ago......... pendel.

 

[Leadinglights]

If you didn't reduce the carbs before then that is why your HbA1C would have gone up, metformin is not a magic bullet and still requires reduction in carb. What was you result, important to know as that will indicate how much work you will need to do.
If you are going down a low carb route then this link may help you. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/

 

[Martin.A]

Hi all. newbie here.
Was diagnosed type 2 back in 2014. Just had the news my Hb1C is high and I need to take a second metformin per day, so I have decided to take away the carbs instead, I know from other people that the next move would be the daily Jab, so far its working, I had a reading of 5.6 three days ago......... pendel.

As the rise in your HbA1c appears to have have been unexpected I'm assuming that you aren't self-testing?

I've been keeping my carbs below 130g per day for almost 5 years, almost all of it without meds, and if I detect an upward trend in my BG from my daily finger prick tests my first response would be to go lower. Were you already doing low carb and have now chosen to go even lower, or weren't you following a low carb diet in conjunction with your Metformin?

 

[pendel]

Hi Martin,
When I was first diagnosed I followed all the rules of cutting out the carbs and testing myself. To me at the time it got very boring and I couldn't find nice food choices and yes I just relied on the metformin and started to eat normally. My levels crept up slowly over the years and I didn't test myself. it was a doctors check up that found my levels very high, he never told me how high maybe I'm glad he didn't.

 

[pendel]

If you didn't reduce the carbs before then that is why your HbA1C would have gone up, metformin is not a magic bullet and still requires reduction in carb. What was you result, important to know as that will indicate how much work you will need to do.
If you are going down a low carb route then this link may help you. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/

Thank you Leadinglight., I will have a mooch at that link.

 

[pendel]

Great stuff. meal planners is a great help.

 

[Martin.A]

It was a doctors check up that found my levels very high, he never told me how high maybe I'm glad he didn't.

It would be worthwhile knowing though, especially as he said 'very high' which suggests it might be beyond 60-something as this will give you an idea on how much you need to be doing carb-wise. Going back to finger prick testing would also give you an idea as to whether you've got it trending downwards.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Well done on the changes you’ve been making @pendel - and in your 5.6 🙂

There are a variety of meal plans here too, including low calorie ones, as well as low carb and Mediterranean options.

Meal plans and diabetes

Eating nutritious, healthy and downright delicious food is that bit easier with our meal planners. We've created multiple different weekly meal plans to suit all types and tastes. They're nutritionally balanced, are calorie and carb counted, and can help if you want to lose weight. They also...

www.diabetes.org.uk

Let us know how things go 🙂

 

[pendel]

It would be worthwhile knowing though, especially as he said 'very high' which suggests it might be beyond 60-something as this will give you an idea on how much you need to be doing carb-wise. Going back to finger prick testing would also give you an idea as to whether you've got it trending downwards.

Hi Martin.
after reading your reply it got me thinking, yes I need to know those results. I went onto my medical records at my surgery and the results were there. You could have blown me down with a feather, I would not have thought that reading was very high.

HbA1c level -
55 mmol/mol Abnormal
20 - 48 Normal range

 

[pendel]

Well done on the changes you’ve been making @pendel - and in your 5.6 🙂

There are a variety of meal plans here too, including low calorie ones, as well as low carb and Mediterranean options.

Meal plans and diabetes

Eating nutritious, healthy and downright delicious food is that bit easier with our meal planners. We've created multiple different weekly meal plans to suit all types and tastes. They're nutritionally balanced, are calorie and carb counted, and can help if you want to lose weight. They also...

www.diabetes.org.uk

Let us know how things go 🙂

Thanks for that everydayupsanddowns

 

[Martin.A]

Hi Martin.
after reading your reply it got me thinking, yes I need to know those results. I went onto my medical records at my surgery and the results were there. You could have blown me down with a feather, I would not have thought that reading was very high.

HbA1c level -
55 mmol/mol Abnormal
20 - 48 Normal range

That's encouraging, as although it's still considered to be high many people newly diagnosed at similar levels have been given time to bring it down through lifestyle changes, especially around diet, before medication is prescribed, and you have the added advantage of having made the required changes before.

 

[Leadinglights]

It is a bit misleading to say 20-48 is normal range as people in the 42-47 mmol/mol would be given an 'at risk' or prediabetes diagnosis which would still need some action on their part. Really in my opinion, it is only below 42 that would be normal.
In you situation I can see why 55 doesn't sound that high being not much above 48 but is considerably above 42 and certainly high enough to tighten up on your diet.*

 

[pendel]

It is a bit misleading to say 20-48 is normal range as people in the 42-47 mmol/mol would be given an 'at risk' or prediabetes diagnosis which would still need some action on their part. Really in my opinion, it is only below 42 that would be normal.
In you situation I can see why 55 doesn't sound that high being not much above 48 but is considerably above 42 and certainly high enough to tighten up on your diet.*

Yes, I can see yours and Martins point. Much appreciated.