Hello another newbie here

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Janine

Janine

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Iwonder if any of you could tell me what you think? You all seem so nice and freindly.
I am 53 and was diagnosed type 2 last January. Just prior to diagnoses I had a tooth problem and couldn't eat solids for around two weeks. During this time I lived on soup and biscuits dunked in tea (not a good idea I know). I was shocked to be told I had diabetes (although my mum has it and I was overweight).
I am not on medication and was seen by the diabetic nurse in April to be told my sugar levels are good and I had done really well to lower them so much and to keep up the good work. I have lost 3 stone by just a low sugar/fat diet.
Recently I have been feeling trembly and slightly dizzy.... could this be low blood sugar?
I am wondering if I have been misdiagnosed due to the large quantity of sugary biscuits I ate prior to the initial blood test?
Thanks for reading this 🙂
 
Hi Janine, welcome to the forum 🙂 I think it is unlikely that you have been misdiagnosed as they do have fairly strict criteria for diagnosis in order to be sure. A person without diabetes can cope remarkably well with quite large quantities of sugar so it's unlikely that this would have influenced your diagnosis. How were you diagnosed? Did the doctor give you some fingerprick tests, or did you have to do an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)? That involves fasting, then drinking a measured amount of glucose drink/lucozade, then getting tested over the following 2 hours.

Ideally, you need to be able to test your blood sugar levels to see what the actual values are. It's possible that since your diagnosis your levels are now much lower than your body had been used to, and this is why you are feeling the symptoms of a low blood sugar, even though your levels may not be particularly low. As you are not on medication for your diabetes, it's very unlikely that your blood sugar will be falling too low so that it needs urgent attention. It would be worth asking your nurse or doctor for a home-testing meter and strips so that you can do the occasional test and then you will be able to relate how you are feeling to how your blood sugar level is at the time.

Your weight loss (congratulations!) will have helped considerably in reducing your insulin resistance and improved your blood sugar levels. It's often possible to have your levels return to those similar to a non-diabetic person, although you do still need to be careful to maintain a 'diabetes-friendly' diet and lifestyle in order to keep them that way 🙂

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have! I look forward to hearing more from you 🙂
 
Thank you so much for your response. I was tested by a fasting blood test. At the time I asked to be re tested but they said it was pretty much conclusive.
I did ask for a home testing thingy but was told they don't think it is a good idea and I could only do it once a week. Which would'nt be much use.
Perhaps I could buy something to test myself?
 
Janine hi and a warm welcome to the forum.
 
I think it would be worth it for the occasional test. You can often pick up cheap meters which usually include 10 strips in pharmacies like Lloyds or Boots, or you can get a free meter from Abbotts at http://www.abbottdiabetescare.co.uk/free-meter-signup (might take a couple of weeks to arrive). The idea behind testing is to find out what foods you can tolerate well, and which ones you may have to eat sparingly, if at all. Have a look at Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S for a good explanation of how to test efficiently 🙂
 
Welcome to the forum Janine.

I think if you hit the brick wall with regards to your GP and self-testing, then getting your own meter could be a good idea.

It is possible to get the meters for free if you look in the right place (hopefully someone can advise on that because I don't have the link to hand). However, be warned, the test strips are very expensive (mine cost ?25+ for a pot of 50 ... well when I bought them. Fortunately they are prescribed now but only at the rate of 1 pot per year!).

However, if you pick the right meter, the strips can be a lot cheaper than that (again, hopefully those that know can advise).

Andy 🙂

p.s. Thanks Northerner! 🙂
 
Welcome to the forum Janine 🙂

Well done on the weight loss! Self testing is definitely worth it and helps you understand how you react to food.
 
Thank you all very much I appreciate your help.
I am not used to these forums.... It took me about 10 minutes to figure out how to post a message.... then I accidently lost what I was doing .. and couldn't get back in. ha ha ha 🙂
 
Janine said:
Thank you all very much I appreciate your help.
I am not used to these forums.... It took me about 10 minutes to figure out how to post a message.... then I accidently lost what I was doing .. and couldn't get back in. ha ha ha 🙂
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If you ever have any problems Janine, use the Contact link at the top of the screen to send me an email 🙂
 
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