Hba1C increased by 10

[Bobs]

Hi, new to the forums..

Arghhhhhj!!!
After 3 years if type 2, and for the first time, I am no longer in control.
My last Hba1c has increased from 48 to 58 and due to having symptoms had 2 increases of meds. I am currently taking SUKARTO. I was very stable on 500mg per day but been increased to 1500mg. I am having blurred vision and exhaustion along with strange feelings in one foot. I couldn't be any more fed up! I've been on a very low carb diet for the last few days and still can't get consistent numbers. I vary from 7.9 at the lowest to 16.5 at the highest. I don't think I am brewing an infection and just don't know what to do next. Anyone else been like this?

 

[ianf0ster]

There are several things apart from what we eat which raise Blood Glucose number in the short(er) term:
Dawn Phenomenon
Vigorous exercise
Infections
Stress
Lack of Sleep
Medication such as Statins or Steroids

When measuring our reactions to a Low Carb 'Way Of Eating' it is generally best to measure just before a meal and then 2 hrs after 'first bite', but this needs to be varied depending upon the content of the meal e.g. some highly processed carbs, fruit juice or sweet fruit (eaten without a dollop of double cream or full fat Greek Yogurt) will spike Blood Glucose much faster than when eaten with a decent quantity of fat, or a low GI but still carb heavy food.

Are you doing this? Or are you just testing once per day, and if so at which time. If testing before breakfast then Dawn Phenomenon will probably be a complication.

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome

Can you tell us what you consider very low carb? ie what have you actually been eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Many people have misconceptions about what very low carb actually is and don't take into account things like porridge or fruit because they are considered "healthy" foods. It is also important to take into consideration what you are drinking.
It will take a few days for things to settle down if you were eating a reasonable amount of carbs before that, so it is possible that your readings will start to settle down and become lower soon.

It is however also possible that you are not Type 2 and may be a rarer form of diabetes called LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults) or Type 1.5. This is a slow onset form of Type 1 which often presents as Type 2 and initially responds to Type 2 management strategies, but eventually the pancreas starts to run dry of insulin and BG levels can no longer be controlled by diet and oral meds and insulin is required. There are special blood tests which can be carried out to test for this so it may be something to discuss with your DN next week if your levels continue to get higher.

 

[Toucan]

Hello @Bobs and welcome to the forum
As you can see from the responses you have already received there is a lot of help and support available here.

Sorry to hear that things have recently got out of line with your diabetes. It sounds as if you do know how to control it, so were there any particular changes that triggered the increase in readings?
Have you got a check-up with your medical team soon? if the symptoms continue it ma be best to discuss it with them.

Do you have enough information on low carb eating? If not I can send you some links. or just browse around the forum where you will find a lot of discussion and information on this, as many of us follow a low carb eating plan.

Best wishes and I hope things improve soon.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

You’ve had some very thorough responses already, so I just wanted to add another ‘welcome’ and sympathies for diabetes being a PITA at times.

Have you used your BG meter to systematically check before/after meal reactions in order to try to find which foods are triggering those wider BG fluctuations?

Alan S’s Test Review Adjust is a good starting point https://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/10/test-review-adjust.html

 

[Wirrallass]

Hi Bobs and a warm welcome to our forum. Sorry to read you're struggling but don't despair as you will get all the support you need right here to get you back on track. So do stop worrying.

If you don't already have a copy I can recommend the book CARBS & CAL Its very informative as to carb counting. It's a Diabetics bible. You can purchase it from DUK or Amazon for around £10 - £12. It's worth it.

This is just a thought but have you been tested for Hypothyroidism ~ under active Thyroid? One of the symptoms is tiredness and/or exhaustion. It would be remiss of you if you didn't consult your GP about your health concerns so do make an appointment soon.

Please stay in touch & update us as to your progress. Take care and keep your chin up if you can.
Best wishes.
WL

 

[Bobs]

There are several things apart from what we eat which raise Blood Glucose number in the short(er) term:
Dawn Phenomenon
Vigorous exercise
Infections
Stress
Lack of Sleep
Medication such as Statins or Steroids

When measuring our reactions to a Low Carb 'Way Of Eating' it is generally best to measure just before a meal and then 2 hrs after 'first bite', but this needs to be varied depending upon the content of the meal e.g. some highly processed carbs, fruit juice or sweet fruit (eaten without a dollop of double cream or full fat Greek Yogurt) will spike Blood Glucose much faster than when eaten with a decent quantity of fat, or a low GI but still carb heavy food.

Are you doing this? Or are you just testing once per day, and if so at which time. If testing before breakfast then Dawn Phenomenon will probably be a complication.

Hi, and thank you for your reply.
I never used to test as I wasn't symptomatic. This has been a very recent change for me. I spoke with my DN in January as I had been having blurred vision, meds were increased after that call. I have a new monitor and started testing a couple of times a day, using the technique to mentioned above and realised I needed to amend my eating. Dawn phenomenon is a problem for me as always in double figures.

 

[Bobs]

Hi and welcome

Can you tell us what you consider very low carb? ie what have you actually been eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Many people have misconceptions about what very low carb actually is and don't take into account things like porridge or fruit because they are considered "healthy" foods. It is also important to take into consideration what you are drinking.
It will take a few days for things to settle down if you were eating a reasonable amount of carbs before that, so it is possible that your readings will start to settle down and become lower soon.

It is however also possible that you are not Type 2 and may be a rarer form of diabetes called LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults) or Type 1.5. This is a slow onset form of Type 1 which often presents as Type 2 and initially responds to Type 2 management strategies, but eventually the pancreas starts to run dry of insulin and BG levels can no longer be controlled by diet and oral meds and insulin is required. There are special blood tests which can be carried out to test for this so it may be something to discuss with your DN next week if your levels continue to get higher.

Hi

thank you for your reply. I guess I mean, no pasta, rice, bread or potatoes. I have been having eggs for breakfast, meat, and salad for lunch and things like stirfry for dinner. I am a carb lover and do not feel satisfied without 'stodge' in my diet, so I am properly miserable. I have knocked fruit on the head as I discovered that was spiking me. I am snacking on walnuts and pecans and cooked meat. I drink coffee with milk, sparkling water and the odd no sugar fizzy pop. I have not been able to tolerate any cereals since being diagnosed so porridge is a big no no for me. I have an appointment to discuss with my GP so will mention LADA and ask for test. Something has changed recently :-(

 

[Bobs]

Hello @Bobs and welcome to the forum
As you can see from the responses you have already received there is a lot of help and support available here.

Sorry to hear that things have recently got out of line with your diabetes. It sounds as if you do know how to control it, so were there any particular changes that triggered the increase in readings?
Have you got a check-up with your medical team soon? if the symptoms continue it ma be best to discuss it with them.

Do you have enough information on low carb eating? If not I can send you some links. or just browse around the forum where you will find a lot of discussion and information on this, as many of us follow a low carb eating plan.

Best wishes and I hope things improve soon.

Hi thank you for your reply
Nothing had changed with regard to the way I was eating prior to the recent spike. I would really value any links that you can share with me, please. I am reading everything I can at the moment, and my poor old mum is researching menus to try and support my carb cravings.

 

[Bobs]

Hi Bobs and a warm welcome to our forum. Sorry to read you're struggling but don't despair as you will get all the support you need right here to get you back on track. So do stop worrying.

If you don't already have a copy I can recommend the book CARBS & CAL Its very informative as to carb counting. It's a Diabetics bible. You can purchase it from DUK or Amazon for around £10 - £12. It's worth it.
View attachment 13283
This is just a thought but have you been tested for Hypothyroidism ~ under active Thyroid? One of the symptoms is tiredness and/or exhaustion. It would be remiss of you if you didn't consult your GP about your health concerns so do make an appointment soon.

Please stay in touch & update us as to your progress. Take care and keep your chin up if you can.
Best wishes.
WL

Hi and thank you for your reply.

The book looks like a godsend for me so off to purchase that right now. I have been tested on more than one occasion for Thyroid problems as my doc really felt that this could be my issue, but no, all good in that area. I have an appointment on friday 🙂

 

[Wirrallass]

Hi and thank you for your reply.

The book looks like a godsend for me so off to purchase that right now. I have been tested on more than one occasion for Thyroid problems as my doc really felt that this could be my issue, but no, all good in that area. I have an appointment on friday 🙂

To help you manage your diabetes Bobs, the CARB & CALORIE COUNTER book has over 1700 coloured photographs of a wide range of popular food & drink items. The carborhydrate ~ calorie ~ protein ~ saturated fat ~ and fibre values are clearly displayed in coloured-coded circles below each photo.

This highly visual approach makes it incredibly quick & easy to see the nutrient content of the food and drink you consume. The book is also the perfect support tool for weight management ~ portion control ~ and general healthy eating.

Many folk here including myself have found the book enormously helpful. Your latest HbA1c isn't that high compared to some and I reckon you'll lower it to a more acceptable number given time.

I was dx (diagnosed) 53 and by following a low carb diet and exercise regime I achieved to put my Diabetes into remission with an HbA1c of 31. So it can be done. It's hard work but with determination and tenacity I believe you can do it too.

Good to hear you have an appointment to see your GP. Remember to take a notebook & pen with you. Write down any questions you want to ask and write down the answers. Good luck.
WL

 

[Toucan]

I would really value any links that you can share with me, please. I am reading everything I can at the moment, and my poor old mum is researching menus to try and support my carb cravings.

Hello again @Bobs
I am sure as @Wirralass suggest you will find the Carbs and Cal book extremely useful.

Here are a few other links that may be helpful:
Maggie Davey's letter, describes how this lady changed her diet etc

https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/forums/food-carb-queries-recipes.4/ - a link on this forum, there is a recipe section and the thread 'What did you eat yesterday?' shows ideas from many members.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/meal-plans-/low-carb On the main Diabetes UK site. Personally I find the meal plans a bit too high in carbs, but it gives some good ideas, and it is fairly simple to reduce the carb content

Hope this helps.

 

[rebrascora]

As someone who eats very low carb and basically avoids foods which are high in carbs, I don't find the Carbs and Cals book nearly as useful as others who eat low to moderate carbs. It sounds like you are following a similar way of eating at the moment by avoiding pasta, potatoes, rice and bread etc. It is hard in the early stages to eat very low carb and it really helps to increase your fat intake whilst doing so as the fat will help you feel more sated, so don't be frightened to eat a chunk of cheese whenever you feel like you are struggling with cravings or a boiled egg with a dollop of mayonnaise or a square of dark chocolate and spoonful of peanut butter and treat yourself to double cream in your coffee instead of milk. Personally I prefer brazil nuts or hazelnuts to walnuts and they are slightly lower in carbs, so don't feel like walnuts are the only option. Veggie sticks with dips also work well as a low carb snack. These things all make enjoyable treats which will not negatively impact your BG so make sure you have plenty in the house or with you when you go to work. After a few weeks of cutting the carbs out you stop craving them and I have been a bit disappointed on the odd occasion I have indulged recently when I have been out for a meal. The cheese board is now my staple dessert option (minus the biscuits) and I am not even tempted by a sticky toffee pudding or rhubarb crumble and custard or even a chocolate fudge cake anymore, even though as a Type 1 I can inject insulin to cover them. I would never have believed that I could forego these foods without regret or some effort and it was vertainly difficult in the beginning but now it is relatively easy, even when others are indulging in them in front of me. The key is to knowing that you can have a treat like my plate of cheese but re-educating your taste buds to enjoy different things.

 

[rebrascora]

If you are still seeing mid teen spikes during next week despite following the very low carb diet you describe, then I would say that you are almost certainly LADA, so please make sure to explain to the DN that you are eating virtually no carbs and still getting high readings and would like to be referred to a consultant for further testing and that starting on insulin might be prudent..... I know that is not something that you would wish for but if your pancreas is running dry as happens with LADA, it may be necessary to prevent you becoming very seriously ill with DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis) and will also make you feel better once you get the hang of doses ie. you will no longer suffer with fatigue and your eyesight should improve.