Diagnosed at 31

[Reaux]

Hello,

Introducing myself after being diagnosed this past week at the age of 31. My recent bloods came back with a HbA1c of 76 mmol/mol. When being called in to talk about the results they did a finger prick test which came back at 7.6 mmol/l (fasting levels since I hadn't eaten for 10~ hours). GP diagnosed me and prescribed Metformin, I will have to go back for another bloods and see the Diabetes Nurse in 3 months.

I've never lived a healthy lifestyle, always had a seditary job and unbalanced diet (carb heavy) and now I rightly reap what I sowed. Since getting high blood pressure readings as well a few weeks ago I have made significant changes to my diet, less carbs (wholemeal where possible, less pastas / rices), more protein, higher daily fiber and incorporating more fruits / veg into meals and as snacks instead of junk. I log everything in a calorie tracker to keep myself accountable. So far I'm down 6lbs~. I'm feeling a lot better and less lethargic and my blood pressure is coming down slowly but surely but being diabetic now introduces a new challenge and reinforces the need to continue.

I grew up using forums (mostly for gaming) so I'm looking forward to being here, talking and learning from others. So far the Diabetes UK resources have been extremely helpful and after looking at others posts before joining it seems like a great community that supports each other.

 

[Leadinglights]

Welcome to the forum, well done for taking action and hopefully you will head in the right direction. The important thing is to find a dietary approach which you enjoy and thus will be sustainable which it need to be otherwise you can find yourself back where you start.
This link should give you some good ideas and there is good explanation about the condition as well as some meal plans.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.com

Just to note wholemeal or brown versions of foods are barely any lower in carbohydrates than the white version and it is carbs that you need to be mindful of rather than calories. It is suggested that a good starting point is to reduce your carb intake to no more than 130g per day

 

[Skater P]

Hi Reaux

Welcome to the forum, I rather miss the old (pre facebook) days of forums, especially those with a group with a shared interest that met up IRL

Well done with your progress so far, it looks like you are taking steps to turn it all around.

I'm also rather new to this game so am yet to explore to forum too far or get to know everyone but they seem a lovely bunch.

 

[Reaux]

Welcome to the forum, well done for taking action and hopefully you will head in the right direction. The important thing is to find a dietary approach which you enjoy and thus will be sustainable which it need to be otherwise you can find yourself back where you start.
This link should give you some good ideas and there is good explanation about the condition as well as some meal plans.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.com

Just to note wholemeal or brown versions of foods are barely any lower in carbohydrates than the white version and it is carbs that you need to be mindful of rather than calories. It is suggested that a good starting point is to reduce your carb intake to no more than 130g per day

Thank you, I have set my daily carbs limit currently to 150g in my tracker and I'm working to slowly continue reducing it to make sure I'm not wasting / throwing any food I currently have and can work on actively making better choices when shopping.

Much appreciated on the link and note on wholemeal / brown foods!

Hi Reaux

Welcome to the forum, I rather miss the old (pre facebook) days of forums, especially those with a group with a shared interest that met up IRL

Well done with your progress so far, it looks like you are taking steps to turn it all around.

I'm also rather new to this game so am yet to explore to forum too far or get to know everyone but they seem a lovely bunch.

Thank you, indeed it is a shame forum culture has seen such a decline but glad to see we have this place. It does seem like a very supportive and welcoming community, and on that note, welcome to yourself as well!

 

[saffron15]

@Reaux welcome to the forum. Just over a year ago my diabetes test( my request) was 69. I already had high blood pressure and was fat ( piled on weight after early menopause) I had been told my cholestral was creeping up so cut all sweet treats, pastry processed meat and reduced portion sizes. Once I had first result I cut rice and pasta and severely limited potato and bread. I was amazed I was losing weight, in fact one day my jeans fell down. I had second test at end of July and first appointment with nurse two weeks later. In all the bewilderment the weight loss was a joy. I lost more than a stone. This continued until I was put on an SGLT2 where I was uncertain how many carbs I should eat. I was eating 100 to 120. By December despite lots of stresses I was down to 44. I have lost 2 and half stone. My bmi is in the lower half of overweight and I would like to lose at least another stone.
I wish i had joined when first diagnosed. Unlike many forum members I have no relatives who are diabetic.
The freshwell site is very helpful even if you just look at the graphics eg fruit grown in Britain is OK eg berries apples and pears but more tropical fruit should be avoided or taken in small portions. Veg is good eat lots but some veg is carby generally below ground eg carrots eat smaller portions of those. I eat new potatoes but chips small portion occasionally but mash not at all. I have celeriac or swede.
Check ratio of waist and height. Some people who are not overweight have belly fat. Try and lose it.
If you use ready meals look under nutrition for carbs. All carbs turn to sugar.
I noticed the year before I was diagnosed that my eyesight was blurred and I felt tired. However I have uveitis occasionally which causes eye inflammation. I self refer to the hospital and last time two years ago there was noone doing scans and I didn't get a follow up. I went to a new optician in the November and had stronger glasses, I went back in the February and had -1 added and told i had cataracts. I've had both eyes done now and new glasses. My prescription has changed. My right eye has gone from - 8.5 to -3 ( I have -3 implanted) I don't know if the drop is entirely the removal of the cataracts or whether my high bg was to blame too. My visions definitely better even though I passed a dvla eye test the week before my diabetes result. Don't drop your BG too rapidly your eyes won't like it.
Don't forget to move more. Ten minute walk, stretching stair climbing swimming.

 

[Inka]

Welcome @Reaux 🙂 I hope you find this forum as helpful as I do.

 

[Ieva DUK]

Hi and welcome to the forum from me too! It’s great to have you here, even if it’s under circumstances none of us would choose.
It sounds like you’ve taken some really positive steps already, and I hope you feel proud of that - a 6lb loss and improved energy levels in just a short space of time is no small thing. Diabetes can feel like a big shift at first, but many here have found that with the right information, support, and a bit of experimentation, it becomes far more manageable than it may seem at the start. You're definitely not alone in this.
It’s also good to hear you’ve already found the Diabetes UK resources helpful - and yes, this community is genuinely supportive and welcoming. People here are at all stages of their journey, so feel free to ask questions, share updates, or just talk things through whenever you need to. We accept victories and rants all the same!
As a fellow forum-goer (and gamer), I completely get the comfort in finding a well-run, friendly space - it can make all the difference when you’re tackling something new, so I'm glad you found us.
Looking forward to seeing you around the threads!

 

[Reaux]

@Reaux welcome to the forum. Just over a year ago my diabetes test( my request) was 69. I already had high blood pressure and was fat ( piled on weight after early menopause) I had been told my cholestral was creeping up so cut all sweet treats, pastry processed meat and reduced portion sizes. Once I had first result I cut rice and pasta and severely limited potato and bread. I was amazed I was losing weight, in fact one day my jeans fell down. I had second test at end of July and first appointment with nurse two weeks later. In all the bewilderment the weight loss was a joy. I lost more than a stone. This continued until I was put on an SGLT2 where I was uncertain how many carbs I should eat. I was eating 100 to 120. By December despite lots of stresses I was down to 44. I have lost 2 and half stone. My bmi is in the lower half of overweight and I would like to lose at least another stone.
I wish i had joined when first diagnosed. Unlike many forum members I have no relatives who are diabetic.
The freshwell site is very helpful even if you just look at the graphics eg fruit grown in Britain is OK eg berries apples and pears but more tropical fruit should be avoided or taken in small portions. Veg is good eat lots but some veg is carby generally below ground eg carrots eat smaller portions of those. I eat new potatoes but chips small portion occasionally but mash not at all. I have celeriac or swede.
Check ratio of waist and height. Some people who are not overweight have belly fat. Try and lose it.
If you use ready meals look under nutrition for carbs. All carbs turn to sugar.
I noticed the year before I was diagnosed that my eyesight was blurred and I felt tired. However I have uveitis occasionally which causes eye inflammation. I self refer to the hospital and last time two years ago there was noone doing scans and I didn't get a follow up. I went to a new optician in the November and had stronger glasses, I went back in the February and had -1 added and told i had cataracts. I've had both eyes done now and new glasses. My prescription has changed. My right eye has gone from - 8.5 to -3 ( I have -3 implanted) I don't know if the drop is entirely the removal of the cataracts or whether my high bg was to blame too. My visions definitely better even though I passed a dvla eye test the week before my diabetes result. Don't drop your BG too rapidly your eyes won't like it.
Don't forget to move more. Ten minute walk, stretching stair climbing swimming.

Thank you for the welcome and for sharing your journey - wow, congrulations on your successes and thank you for the tips! The freshwell site has been so helpful after reading through it already. I have one family member who's also Type 2 so they've helped me through some things but overall looking forward to talking to and learning from others here.

Moving more is on my agenda - even if it's just brisk morning / evening walks.

Hi and welcome to the forum from me too! It’s great to have you here, even if it’s under circumstances none of us would choose.
It sounds like you’ve taken some really positive steps already, and I hope you feel proud of that - a 6lb loss and improved energy levels in just a short space of time is no small thing. Diabetes can feel like a big shift at first, but many here have found that with the right information, support, and a bit of experimentation, it becomes far more manageable than it may seem at the start. You're definitely not alone in this.
It’s also good to hear you’ve already found the Diabetes UK resources helpful - and yes, this community is genuinely supportive and welcoming. People here are at all stages of their journey, so feel free to ask questions, share updates, or just talk things through whenever you need to. We accept victories and rants all the same!
As a fellow forum-goer (and gamer), I completely get the comfort in finding a well-run, friendly space - it can make all the difference when you’re tackling something new, so I'm glad you found us.
Looking forward to seeing you around the threads!

Thank you very much for the warm welcome - indeed, not the best of circumstances but we make the best of the cards we are dealt. Having this space is absolutely going to be a game changer for me and keep me motivated - see you around!

 

[saffron15]

@Reaux I've just seen your reply. What you eat is up to you but it is a good idea to reduce your portion sizes of carbs [ eg if there are high carb items you want to eat] and reduce or stop adding sugar to drinks etc. Perhaps try sweetners. I now often eat full fat Greek yoghurt with berries and nuts or seeds for breakfast. However with careful choices I usually omit baked beans and hash browns a cooked breakfast is low carb.
I said I don't eat mash but I do occasionally buy a cottage pie from the Wi market. I now have half a portion with a portion of veg.

 

[Reaux]

@Reaux I've just seen your reply. What you eat is up to you but it is a good idea to reduce your portion sizes of carbs [ eg if there are high carb items you want to eat] and reduce or stop adding sugar to drinks etc. Perhaps try sweetners. I now often eat full fat Greek yoghurt with berries and nuts or seeds for breakfast. However with careful choices I usually omit baked beans and hash browns a cooked breakfast is low carb.
I said I don't eat mash but I do occasionally buy a cottage pie from the Wi market. I now have half a portion with a portion of veg.

Gotcha, yeah I've reduced my daily carb to 150g and plan to lower it more down the line as I slowly work through the cupboards / pantry so not to waste as much. All of my drinks are zero calories / sweeteners (sparkling flavoured waters, diet coke, no added sugar diluted cordial with water). Recently just started trying greek yoghurt with some fruits (will have to refine based on what I've read on freshwell site) and it's great as I do love yoghurt and the slightly sour profile.

A cottage pie is needed every now and then for morale I think!

 

[Leadinglights]

Gotcha, yeah I've reduced my daily carb to 150g and plan to lower it more down the line as I slowly work through the cupboards / pantry so not to waste as much. All of my drinks are zero calories / sweeteners (sparkling flavoured waters, diet coke, no added sugar diluted cordial with water). Recently just started trying greek yoghurt with some fruits (will have to refine based on what I've read on freshwell site) and it's great as I do love yoghurt and the slightly sour profile.

A cottage pie is needed every now and then for morale I think!

I find butternut squash a good substitute for potatoes for things like Cottage/Shepard's Pie or corned beef hash. Other people use swede or celeriac.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sounds like you are making great progress @Reaux

And good to hear you have been feeling less lethargic, and have been enjoying your food experiments.

Let us know how you get on, and hopefully by the time you have some follow-up checks organised by your Drs, you’ll have seen some positive changes in your BG levels 🙂

 

[JimmyBlue]

Hi @Reaux welcome to the forum from me also. I found them to be really helpful and informative and have used things learnt here to help me manage my own diabetes management journey over the past 9 months since diagnosis.
I regularly use Freshwell to find things to cook and my wife also as she is the primary baker in the family. I have also used SugarFreeLondoner for the occasional sweet treat, as well as other Keto recipe sites for things like wraps or bread recipes. All of these help me stay within my 130g of carbs daily allowance.
Well done on the weight loss and as others will tell you a brisk walk once or twice a day will work wonders.

 

[Reaux]

Sounds like you are making great progress @Reaux

And good to hear you have been feeling less lethargic, and have been enjoying your food experiments.

Let us know how you get on, and hopefully by the time you have some follow-up checks organised by your Drs, you’ll have seen some positive changes in your BG levels 🙂

Thank you, I just picked up my metformin today and scheduled my next bloods - fingers crossed I stick to things and can get my BG levels down!

Hi @Reaux welcome to the forum from me also. I found them to be really helpful and informative and have used things learnt here to help me manage my own diabetes management journey over the past 9 months since diagnosis.
I regularly use Freshwell to find things to cook and my wife also as she is the primary baker in the family. I have also used SugarFreeLondoner for the occasional sweet treat, as well as other Keto recipe sites for things like wraps or bread recipes. All of these help me stay within my 130g of carbs daily allowance.
Well done on the weight loss and as others will tell you a brisk walk once or twice a day will work wonders.

Thank you, it is an absolutely wonderful community. The Freshwell app and site have has been really helpful with shopping and planning meals.

I will bookmark that site and check it out some more, just had a brief look and saw the low carb tortilla chips which look like they'd go great with some cottage cheese.

 

[sean_marsh]

A fellow 31yo with T2 here! Just saying hello!

 

[Leadinglights]

A fellow 31yo with T2 here! Just saying hello!

Welcome to the forum, I hope you will find the information useful for moving forward and managing your condition. There are links to different approaches which people find successful but what will be suitable will depend on what medication you may be on, what your HbA1C is and how long you have been diagnosed. If you are willing to share it will help people make appropriate suggestions.

 

[Reaux]

A fellow 31yo with T2 here! Just saying hello!

Hello and welcome! I hope you find this forum to be as supportive as I've found it so far.

 

[silver minion]

Welcome to the forum @Reaux I joined about a year ago a few months after diagnosis. The hive mind has so much information and decades of experience living with diabetes of all flavours. Everyone has been helpful and supportive while I came to terms with the changes I needed to make to manage my diabetes. Although I have come a long way, I still consider myself work in progress and continue to learn more about my contrary invisible and sometimes exasperating companion.
You have made a great start. Try out the various suggestions and see what works for you. Good Luck!

 

[goodybags]

welcome to the forum @Reaux, looks like you’ve already made some of the changes since you found out you're T2D