First Advice sought

[surreysteve]

Hiya

Steve here, 64 years old 105kg, 5'8" and relatively fit and active. Regular walker and occasional runner. My diet is generally good and I avoid high sugar, fatty and fried foods. Main vice is a few too many takeaways.

Haven't had a formal diagnosis yet but think only a matter of time and have GP visit booked in early Jan. Over last year have noticed I'm peeing several times overnight, waking with a very dry mouth (despite drinking loads of water). I also getting swelling in my left calf/ankle as well as several bouts of gout in toes, ankle and latest thumb.

NB The left calf swelling has been checked out as regards any clotting/cardio/heart issues and I got an all clear.

My Uric acid is high (7-8 over past few months) and my Glucose is 8.2 (first thing) and 10.5 after a meal yesterday. I have also had results of GP blood tests (over phone) and know protein was higher than expected and Lipids also not ideal. (As mentioned follow up is in a week or so)

I'm wondering how common gout and pre-diabetes combined is and how you go about working out what is causing what.

With all the above combinations of symptoms and tests results I'm expecting a diagnosis of at the least pre-diabetes? This would be in addition to the gout, which I'm pretty sure I also have.

I'm sure many of you who read this have been in similar situation when you were diagnosed - all help and advice welcomed going forwards

Many Thanks

Steve

 

[ianf0ster]

Hi Steve, It sounds like you have a glucose meter. If so you can use it to work out which foods are best for you. Assuming you are quoting British unite (mmol) then your fasting glucose is a little high and also whatever you ate was probably too high in carbohydrates (which all turn into sugars when eaten). It isn't just table sugar that need looking out for, it's all (non-fibre) carbohydrates, so flour or even potato can affect you more then sugar. As for fruit juices, for keeping blood glucose low they are worse than sugary soft drinks.

In short many Type 2 diabetics think thought their diet was healthy because of following government recommendations (low fat, 5 a day etc.) but the truth is that such a diet isn't healthy for a type 2 diabetic because they are too high in carbs and too low in proteins and fats (meat, fish, eggs, cheese). Your BG meter will tell you that a good breakfast is eggs (with bacon if you like it). Much healthier for a Type 2 than is toast or breakfast cereal (even whole grain).

Worried about gout and protein? Patients at Dr David Unwin's GP surgery practicing a Low Carb diet actually had improved kidney function and no gout problems over several years. He is up to 120 patients on Low Carb now.

 

[Leadinglights]

You do sound as if there may be several things going on but I would suspect that if your GP has done an HbA1C test then you may well be in the diabetic zone which would be a result over 47mmol/mol.
Your decision about the reduction in 'sugar' is good but it is all carbohydrates which will convert to glucose. There is a good explanation in this link and some do's and don't re dietary approach. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
It is a good idea to have a list of questions for your appointment as it is easy to forget what you were going to ask and also jot down any results or ask for a printout as that will help you know what your starting point is, your HbA1C is an important one as that will determine how much work you need to do.

 

[surreysteve]

Thanks for help and tips so far, much appreciated.

Will start to make some dietary changes. Is there a good reference for carb content of foods?

What's the opinion of Keto and fasting? Is this unnecessary or is it a good approach?

Cheers

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks for help and tips so far, much appreciated.

Will start to make some dietary changes. Is there a good reference for carb content of foods?

What's the opinion of Keto and fasting? Is this unnecessary or is it a good approach?

Cheers

Carbs and Cals either book or app is a good resource but looking on packets or shop web sites at the nutritional information for TOTAL carbs will help you or for some things just putting Food x and total carbs into google will give you the carb content usually per 100g so a bit of arithmetic needed for the portion you are going to have.

Keto which is usually less than 20g per day and many find it would be too hard and unsustainable.
Whatever approach you choose has to be enjoyable and more regarded as a new way of eating.

Many find low carb, which is suggested as being less than 130g per day is a good starting place.

 

[Terry O'Rourke]

You've been given some very good advice here. I am a long term type 1 diabetic and it took me a long time to come to this conclusion regarding eating low carb. I strongly endorse the work of Dr. David Unwin and recommend watching his YouTube videos. He has the data and his calm manner is the perfect counterpoint to all his arguments. You are on the right path and I encourage you to follow through!