Ask Diabetes UK!

[SB2015]

Hi Hannah

I was at my local hospital on a DUK awareness stand yesterday. I felt harangued when I was approached by one of the Consultants who gave a diatribe about the gut biome and the dangers of the Eat Well Plate. I smiled and nodded my way through this until she ran up of steam, but it left me wondering...

... does DUK have any plans to review the Eat Well Plate? I know for myself it does not represent a good diet for me, sa the carbs are simple and bigger than I would want in any meal (I am nt a low carb person). I
The Plate advises on the proportions of each food type, but I feel it would be better if the amount represented on the plate was a lot smaller. Not everyone understands proportions and interpret as information about the amount to eat.

 

[Rams]

Hello everyone, as Northerner has kindly mentioned, I’m here to answer any niggling questions you may have about Diabetes UK, pass on your views or thoughts and offer insight to things happening in the organisations. I’m really looking forward to getting to know you all and become part of this very supportive community. 🙂

 

[Rams]

Have a friend who has been treated for type1 diabetes for the last 7 years when all along he's had type2 would this have any effect on his health

 

[mikeyB]

No, Rams, it would have no effect at all on his long term health. And welcome to the forum🙂

 

[Northerner]

Have a friend who has been treated for type1 diabetes for the last 7 years when all along he's had type2 would this have any effect on his health

Hi @Rams, welcome to the forum 🙂 It is unusual for someone's diagnosis to change from Type 1 to Type 2, do you know why the diagnosis was changed? It's relatively common for someone to be diagnosed as Type 2 when they are, in fact, Type 1.

The main concern is whether the treatment he was receiving was working, and whether that treatment has now been changed. Type 1 treatment involves injecting insulin, which can be an effective treatment for both types in some cases, but it's far less likely that Type 2 treatment will work for someone who is actually Type 1.

 

[Diabetes UK]

Hi Hannah

I was at my local hospital on a DUK awareness stand yesterday. I felt harangued when I was approached by one of the Consultants who gave a diatribe about the gut biome and the dangers of the Eat Well Plate. I smiled and nodded my way through this until she ran up of steam, but it left me wondering...

... does DUK have any plans to review the Eat Well Plate? I know for myself it does not represent a good diet for me, sa the carbs are simple and bigger than I would want in any meal (I am nt a low carb person). I
The Plate advises on the proportions of each food type, but I feel it would be better if the amount represented on the plate was a lot smaller. Not everyone understands proportions and interpret as information about the amount to eat.

Hi,

That sounds frustrating! We don’t really speak about the Eatwell Guide when we talk about healthy eating, rather we talk about having a healthy balanced diet that’s tailored to you. The Eatwell Plate, created by the Foods Standard Agency, is designed to be a general piece of advice for the whole of the UK, and it doesn’t replace individualized advice, but can be a useful starting point for some people looking to improve their food choices.

We definitely agree that the right portion sizes can be really difficult to judge, and everyone’s dietary needs are very different. We encourage people to find what works for them and to seek tailored advice from a registered dietitian, ideally one that specialises in diabetes.

Here is our info about a balanced diet:
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-t...ith-diabetes/what-is-a-healthy-balanced-diet/

Thanks

 

[Rams]

Hi @Rams, welcome to the forum 🙂 It is unusual for someone's diagnosis to change from Type 1 to Type 2, do you know why the diagnosis was changed? It's relatively common for someone to be diagnosed as Type 2 when they are, in fact, Type 1.

The main concern is whether the treatment he was receiving was working, and whether that treatment has now been changed. Type 1 treatment involves injecting insulin, which can be an effective treatment for both types in some cases, but it's far less likely that Type 2 treatment will work for someone who is actually Type 1.

Thanks for you're reply northern he was put on insulin from the start then 4yrs later metformin now he has heart decease high blood pressure what I have been reading says it should have been metformin first and life style changes he was told type1i think they have really messed him up

 

[Ralph-YK]

he was put on insulin from the start then 4yrs later metformin ... it should have been metformin first

I believe as a general rule, T2s would be on metformin first. However, I believe some T2s are put on insulin quite quickly to get the blood sugars down. T2s may need to inject insulin, not just T1s.

Of course, that's not to defend the misdiagnoses.

 

[mikeyB]

Thanks for you're reply northern he was put on insulin from the start then 4yrs later metformin now he has heart decease high blood pressure what I have been reading says it should have been metformin first and life style changes he was told type1i think they have really messed him up

Being on insulin doesn’t mess you up. It certainly doesn’t give you heart disease or high blood pressure. Life style changes go with both types. You surely don’t think Type 1s live it up?

 

[Rams]

I believe as a general rule, T2s would be on metformin first. However, I believe some T2s are put on insulin quite quickly to get the blood sugars down. T2s may need to inject insulin, not just T1s.

Of course, that's not to defend the misdiagnoses.

 

[Rams]

Yk I think its the misdiagnosis that is doing his head in type 2 he could reversed being told type1 you've got it for life .so now its been confirmed type2 do you think he has a chance to reverse it

 

[Ralph-YK]

so now its been confirmed type2 do you think he has a chance to reverse it

At a diabetes support group recently we had the question "can you overcome diabetes?"
If I remember right, this was clarified to be "stop being diabetic". The doctor there said they don't say " not diabetic any more". They may say in remission.
For some it's possible to come of medication and close on "normal" HbA1c/blood sugar levels.
So, it depends on what you mean by reverse. Getting blood sugars down and coming off meds. Yes, people have done that.
Of course, that depends on his condition. He may have a lack of insulin and will continue to need to inject.

 

[2Bornot2B]

I'm having many health problems, muscle pain in my right thigh which is worse when I put pressure on it, I'm taking statins which I believe could be the cause. I understand that doctors believe that these drugs are beneficial to help control T2 diabetics.
I've also in the last year suffered with Phlebitis and Rosacara all these conditions are new to me.
Can anyone tell me if these are related to being diabetic.
My blood sugars are very erratic going between 4.1 to 13.4.
I had a blood test on 17th of November but haven't had any results. I'm taking 5mg linagliptin daily.
I still question my diagnosis which was purely on the result of a regular blood test. I have never had any of the usual symtoms associated with diabetes. Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[mikeyB]

Well, 2B, the answer to your first question is no, those conditions aren’t associated with or caused by diabetes. As for questioning your diagnosis, having BG results between 4.1 to 13.4 pretty much confirms the diagnosis.

Statins can cause muscle pain, but it’s not usually localised to a single area. You should perhaps speak to your doctor about this. Statins don’t control diabetes, they are prescribed to lower cholesterol levels.

And finally, your regular blood test might well have included a request for an HbA1c measurement, which measures an average level of glucose in the blood over the previous 3 months or so. Over a certain level confirms the diagnosis.

Have you seen a diabetes nurse in the surgery?

 

[trophywench]

I understand some rosacea sufferers may see some relief with a longish course of certain antibiotics. Haven't a clue what might happen when the person I know who's on this at the moment, stops taking them.

 

[Unknownlegend]

Hi All just been to my diabetic clinic with HBa1 result of 8. They said they were not happy and want me to get down to 6. Now for me to really get down this low I risk having hypos, I know my own body and this will happen. Then if they ask me at clinic if I've had hypos and I be honest, they are obliged to inform the dvla, who may well remove my lisence and hence cannot work. My job is international Operations Manager which involves a lot of global travel. I worry when I'm in hotels on my own about comas etc. What is the answer?

 

[Robin]

Hi All just been to my diabetic clinic with HBa1 result of 8. They said they were not happy and want me to get down to 6. Now for me to really get down this low I risk having hypos, I know my own body and this will happen. Then if they ask me at clinic if I've had hypos and I be honest, they are obliged to inform the dvla, who may well remove my lisence and hence cannot work. My job is international Operations Manager which involves a lot of global travel. I worry when I'm in hotels on my own about comas etc. What is the answer?

Hello, and welcome to the forum. I can see why your clinic are wanting you to reduce your HbA1c if it's above 6.5 (48 in the new system) as this is the level recommended by NICE as carrying a lower risk of complications. But they shouldn't be issuing a diktat, but should be helping you to achieve this safely.
Having hypos ( though not ideal, but we all have them occasionally) is not in itself something that your clinic has to inform the DVLA about. I can see why you are concerned, but it would only affect your licence if you had lost your hypo awareness, or had more than two hypos in one year that needed outside assistance. Do you have hypo awareness?
(Tell us a bit more about your problems with hypos, what diet you follow, what insulin regime you are on, and we can try and help with suggestions for avoiding them.)
Your job sounds high powered, would your company be prepared to fund or help fund a CGM for you, which would sound an alarm if you went hypo while alone?

 

[Martin Canty]

Hi All just been to my diabetic clinic with HBa1 result of 8. They said they were not happy and want me to get down to 6. Now for me to really get down this low I risk having hypos, I know my own body and this will happen. Then if they ask me at clinic if I've had hypos and I be honest, they are obliged to inform the dvla, who may well remove my lisence and hence cannot work. My job is international Operations Manager which involves a lot of global travel. I worry when I'm in hotels on my own about comas etc. What is the answer?

Assuming that you are T2 here, but unless you are on hypo inducing medications (metformin is not one of them) then there is minimal risk of Hypo's. I am assuming that the A1c numbers were presented to you in percentage, in which case 6 is fine, my last one was 5.5%.
Perhaps you can give some background so we have a fuller picture.
As for DVLA rules I would defer to someone who actually has experience of them as I developed D long after I left the UK

 

[trophywench]

Errr - OK 8's too high. So - exactly what help are the people who are being so critical of you, giving you, to reduce it? What have they asked you to do, specifically in order TO get a lower test result?

 

[Shannon Le Roux]

I have had Kenalog steroid injections in my both legs on Tuesday last week and my sugar levels sky rocketed and I am now taking extra insulin and Nova Rapid. Does anyone know how long this effect will last I am now on my 8th day.