Finally Diagnosed

[VickyHW]

Finally got to speak to GP today, two weeks after second blood test results and confirmed as diabetic T2. Feel less of an imposter now!

 

[admc26]

Hi @VickyHW! That's great that you've finally been able to speak to the doctor! And there was no need to feel like an imposter in the first place! Everyone is welcome regardless of their relationship to diabetes.

How are you feeling after receiving confirmation? Has your GP discussed any form of treatments or medication for you to use or think about?

My knowledge of T2 is not the best (I'm T1 myself), but I'm sure if you have any questions or concerns about T2 then someone will be able to give you a great response - there's a fount of knowledge here!

I saw in one of your previous posts that you had invested in a blood glucose meter before speaking to your GP - did you discuss your BG results with your GP too?

 

[rebrascora]

Hi Vicky.

Good to hear you have some clarification. It would help for future reference if you can update your profile to show Type 2 rather than "At risk of diabetes".

I saw your post on the Group 7-day waking average thread and wondered about your readings being so high when you were only at risk of diabetes and meant to ask but then forgot, so changing it will help avoid future confusion.

Will you be adopting a structured testing regime of before and 2 hours after eating system to help you learn which foods cause you the most problems and what portion size you can manage. This is something that many people on the forum have had success with looking for their food to cause less than a 3mmol rise in BG and if it raises levels more then reducing the carb content next time you have that meal. It seems very complicated but once you get into it you start to see patterns and figure out which foods cause too much BG upheaval to make it worthwhile eating them but which favourite foods and in what quantity you can manage.... and find substitutes for the foods you now avoid. After a month or two, you start to develop a new way of eating and learn what to buy and how to cook it and it just becomes easier., biut I will admit the first few weeks can be frustrating.

Do you know what your HbA1c reading is? This is the test used to diagnose diabetes and is your starting point on your diabetes journey and helps you to keep track of your progress in the longer term. It is usually a number of 48 or more in mmols/mol units but can also be expressed as a smaller number as a %. Did the doctor tell you the number? If not you may have access to it online or you can ring and ask for it. Also, have they prescribed you any medication and if so, what?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to our club @VickyHW!

You were welcome anyway, of course, but now you’ve got your official badge

Were you given your HbA1c result?

 

[VickyHW]

First was 72 and three weeks later it was 69 (that was the confirmation one). Been started on metformin to build up to 2000mg over next four weeks. Finger prick testing giving consistently high numbers (average around 11 - 12) so feel like I needed something whilst I figure out which bits of my diet need to change.
It has quite an impact mentally doesn’t it, been working as normal through this but have to admit not being very focussed! Thankfully employer is flexible and understanding which is a real positive.

 

[VickyHW]

Hi @VickyHW! That's great that you've finally been able to speak to the doctor! And there was no need to feel like an imposter in the first place! Everyone is welcome regardless of their relationship to diabetes.

How are you feeling after receiving confirmation? Has your GP discussed any form of treatments or medication for you to use or think about?

My knowledge of T2 is not the best (I'm T1 myself), but I'm sure if you have any questions or concerns about T2 then someone will be able to give you a great response - there's a fount of knowledge here!

I saw in one of your previous posts that you had invested in a blood glucose meter before speaking to your GP - did you discuss your BG results with your GP too?

Thank you I did and I’ve started on metformin which hopefully will get my glucose levels down. In some ways it’s a relief to know for sure, and at least this time I have a readily identifiable problem that has clear guidance and treatment paths. Most of my other problems leave my doctor’s absolutely stumped !

 

[VickyHW]

Hi Vicky.

Good to hear you have some clarification. It would help for future reference if you can update your profile to show Type 2 rather than "At risk of diabetes".

I saw your post on the Group 7-day waking average thread and wondered about your readings being so high when you were only at risk of diabetes and meant to ask but then forgot, so changing it will help avoid future confusion.

Will you be adopting a structured testing regime of before and 2 hours after eating system to help you learn which foods cause you the most problems and what portion size you can manage. This is something that many people on the forum have had success with looking for their food to cause less than a 3mmol rise in BG and if it raises levels more then reducing the carb content next time you have that meal. It seems very complicated but once you get into it you start to see patterns and figure out which foods cause too much BG upheaval to make it worthwhile eating them but which favourite foods and in what quantity you can manage.... and find substitutes for the foods you now avoid. After a month or two, you start to develop a new way of eating and learn what to buy and how to cook it and it just becomes easier., biut I will admit the first few weeks can be frustrating.

Do you know what your HbA1c reading is? This is the test used to diagnose diabetes and is your starting point on your diabetes journey and helps you to keep track of your progress in the longer term. It is usually a number of 48 or more in mmols/mol units but can also be expressed as a smaller number as a %. Did the doctor tell you the number? If not you may have access to it online or you can ring and ask for it. Also, have they prescribed you any medication and if so, what?

Thank you, my readings were 72 and 69 so high but not excessively high. I have been monitoring and trying to get into that routine of pre and post meals and waking up but blimey you feel like all you do all day is stab yourself. I have some experience as I had gestational diabetes with my second and ended up on insulin shots but it is different knowing that this is for life not just several months. Not sure that has sunk in yet. I’ve started on metformin and will be building up the dose over the next month whilst looking at my diet etc. I don’t know how any of you get anything else done there’s so much to think about!

 

[Leadinglights]

I seem to remember that you said you had made some dietary changes to reduce you carb whilst waiting for the diagnosis so now you have that you should be watching your carb intake but hopefully the metformin will give a helping hand, but you still need to focus on your diet and develop a sustainable and enjoyable way of eating.
You have a good idea of a testing regime so that is a good start. As you develop a portfolio of meals you find are OK then the testing will reduce but initially it is useful to build up that information to take forward.

 

[admc26]

Thank you I did and I’ve started on metformin which hopefully will get my glucose levels down. In some ways it’s a relief to know for sure, and at least this time I have a readily identifiable problem that has clear guidance and treatment paths. Most of my other problems leave my doctor’s absolutely stumped !

Well I'm glad that you have a definitive answer now! And that's great that they've started you on metformin - I'm sure that your HbA1c will be coming down in no time now!