Advice regarding managing Type2 without medication.

M

maredcam18

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
My Type 2 was diagnosed during 2012 at the same time that I was training at the gym for a six-day hike in Iceland. I continued training at the gym for several months after returning from Iceland and eventualy reduced my glucose from 6.9 to 6.4.
I have never been obese, there is a family history of Type 2, and my weight at my recent annual check-up was 60kg; it rarely fluctuates.
However my HbA1c has increased from 48 to 49 and the note from the lab suggests that I discuss with my health provider the need to start taking Metformin. My telephone review will take place on Thursday 24th and I am tempted to ask for another review in six months time instead of rushing into the medication solution.
I have googled the subject of pre-diabetes and read how long-term exposure to glucose even at those levels can be just as damaging
so I would like to ask advice from the Community. I am approaching my 74th birthday and still active, recently completing 16.5 miles on the moorland surrounding my home town.
I no longer attend the gym but wonder if it would be a good idea to resume the activity. As my physique is 'skinny' it occasionally raised a few eyebrows of the 'pump-it-up' group inside the gym. I have weights and stress bands at home and do the occasional plank etc. but I tend not to be disciplined.
 
maredcam18 said:
My Type 2 was diagnosed during 2012 at the same time that I was training at the gym for a six-day hike in Iceland. I continued training at the gym for several months after returning from Iceland and eventualy reduced my glucose from 6.9 to 6.4.
I have never been obese, there is a family history of Type 2, and my weight at my recent annual check-up was 60kg; it rarely fluctuates.
However my HbA1c has increased from 48 to 49 and the note from the lab suggests that I discuss with my health provider the need to start taking Metformin. My telephone review will take place on Thursday 24th and I am tempted to ask for another review in six months time instead of rushing into the medication solution.
I have googled the subject of pre-diabetes and read how long-term exposure to glucose even at those levels can be just as damaging
so I would like to ask advice from the Community. I am approaching my 74th birthday and still active, recently completing 16.5 miles on the moorland surrounding my home town.
I no longer attend the gym but wonder if it would be a good idea to resume the activity. As my physique is 'skinny' it occasionally raised a few eyebrows of the 'pump-it-up' group inside the gym. I have weights and stress bands at home and do the occasional plank etc. but I tend not to be disciplined.
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Welcome to the forum
For someone who is fit and active and the age you are the NICE guidelines are that the diagnostic threshold of 48mmol/mol should be more lenient and therefore they should find where you are acceptable.
However there is no need even for someone who is younger with an HbA1C so close to the diagnostic threshold to be prescribed medication and they should be given the opportunity to make some dietary changes which should bring their level down.
In your case and only if you want to reduce it a bit then just making some modest changes in reducing your carb intake, so maybe not so many cakes, biscuits or sugary drinks and reducing your portion of a couple of big hitters like potatoes, rice and pasta and making sure you have plenty of protein and healthy fats as it sounds as if you don't need to lose weight.
It sounds as if it was a generic summons without looking at your personal circumstance.
 
Thank you for the feedback. I do have a healthy diet and rarely eat cake etc. Only at coffee shops with my latte; most times large latte only. My wife loves bread and there is always some in the house so it is tempting, when busy, to spread hummus on two slices of sourdough. I mostly eat fish when not preparing a vegetarian meal, and add vegetables instead of rice or potatoes. I think there is occasionally portion-creep but usually I keep an eye on it.
 
maredcam18 said:
My Type 2 was diagnosed during 2012 at the same time that I was training at the gym for a six-day hike in Iceland. I continued training at the gym for several months after returning from Iceland and eventualy reduced my glucose from 6.9 to 6.4.
I have never been obese, there is a family history of Type 2, and my weight at my recent annual check-up was 60kg; it rarely fluctuates.
However my HbA1c has increased from 48 to 49 and the note from the lab suggests that I discuss with my health provider the need to start taking Metformin. My telephone review will take place on Thursday 24th and I am tempted to ask for another review in six months time instead of rushing into the medication solution.
I have googled the subject of pre-diabetes and read how long-term exposure to glucose even at those levels can be just as damaging
so I would like to ask advice from the Community. I am approaching my 74th birthday and still active, recently completing 16.5 miles on the moorland surrounding my home town.
I no longer attend the gym but wonder if it would be a good idea to resume the activity. As my physique is 'skinny' it occasionally raised a few eyebrows of the 'pump-it-up' group inside the
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blimry you put a lot of people to shame who are half your age. good luck and welcome to the forum Remember no question to small or to silly Let us know how it goes
 
I was going to add some words of wisdom, but I think @Leadinglights has pretty much said what I would have.

Sometimes, I think it's too easy for a doctor to follow the guidelines in order not to be wrong and to be seen as doing right without understanding the patient's needs and circumstances ??
 
We are the same age, but I'd never drink a latte, eat high carb bread, or legumes, as they would cause spikes in blood glucose.
I am a very carnivorous eater, with very low intake of carbs to keep my HbA1c in the low 40s - I was left with high glucose levels for years before diagnosis and I think it broke something.
Before your appointment I'd suggest totting up the amount of carbs in various drinks and foods to see if there is room to reduce them with reductions or swaps, and putting your plan forward. You aren't far into the diabetes range, so it shouldn't require all that much alteration, unless it is an indication of you developing into something more complex than a very ordinary type 2.
 
Welcome to the forum @maredcam18 This is definitely the right place to ask questions. You appear to be in great health and if I can get my bg levels to match yours I will be a very happy lady. Hope your appointment goes well. Don't be bullied into medication if you would rather use diet and exercise to manage your diabetes as your blood glucose is not significantly high. My doctor wanted to put me on stating 18 months ago as my cholesterol was a little high. Blood pressure etc was all fine so I said I would manage with diet and exercise and review in 6 months. Levels back down to normal range for LDL and HDL increased a bit so nurse happy at annual review.
 
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