Hello from a very newbie

[Felinia]

Hi and welcome. With an HbA1c of 98 you have been put on medication, and I expect your GP made sure it does not clash with other medications you are taking. Regarding carbs, I expect you will need a way to measure your daily carbs, and the effect any particular item has on you. Depending on what type you are, you may or may not be prescribed a blood glucose monitor. Others can advise on the best type. If Type 1, a monitor is essential. It is recommended testing before eating and 2 hours after 1st bite. You are looking for an increase of less than 3mmol. Any more and a food item is pushing up your blood glucose more than recommended.

Your nurse may say testing is not necessary, but if you don't test you will not know what foods affect you. I tested for a couple of weeks, and found out what I could eat, but now just test for new foods. Some are far more sensitive to carbs than others. I can manage a couple of small new potatoes or a small slice of bread, but rice, pasta, apples and bananas are lethal for me.

I have an app which records every item I eat, showing the cals and carbs by meal, by day and by week. Handy on the phone as you go round the supermarket and much less hassle than pen and paper! I experimented between 50gm and 130gm carbs a day, and settled on 90gm as suiting my body best. It's a question of trial and error - we are all different and different foods affect different people.

I hope your appointment goes well

 

[Jenny105]

Hi and welcome. With an HbA1c of 98 you have been put on medication, and I expect your GP made sure it does not clash with other medications you are taking. Regarding carbs, I expect you will need a way to measure your daily carbs, and the effect any particular item has on you. Depending on what type you are, you may or may not be prescribed a blood glucose monitor. Others can advise on the best type. If Type 1, a monitor is essential. It is recommended testing before eating and 2 hours after 1st bite. You are looking for an increase of less than 3mmol. Any more and a food item is pushing up your blood glucose more than recommended.

Your nurse may say testing is not necessary, but if you don't test you will not know what foods affect you. I tested for a couple of weeks, and found out what I could eat, but now just test for new foods. Some are far more sensitive to carbs than others. I can manage a couple of small new potatoes or a small slice of bread, but rice, pasta, apples and bananas are lethal for me.

I have an app which records every item I eat, showing the cals and carbs by meal, by day and by week. Handy on the phone as you go round the supermarket and much less hassle than pen and paper! I experimented between 50gm and 130gm carbs a day, and settled on 90gm as suiting my body best. It's a question of trial and error - we are all different and different foods affect different people.

I hope your appointment goes well

Thank you Felinia. Doc prescribed Metinf***** Yes I'll test . Science was a favourite subject @ school, so testing is ok. A measure will needed for that. I might go for an app sounds good. Name? That's good finding your optimum carbs. The high Vit B concerns me . But we shall see wot we shall see.

 

[Felinia]

Thank you Felinia. Doc prescribed Metinf***** Yes I'll test . Science was a favourite subject @ school, so testing is ok. A measure will needed for that. I might go for an app sounds good. Name? That's good finding your optimum carbs. The high Vit B concerns me . But we shall see wot we shall see.

I use NutraCheck and others use MyFitBit. There may be others on the market.

 

[Jenny105]

Welcome to the forum @Jenny105

Sorry to hear about your unexpected diagnosis. Hopefully you will get some good pointers when your nurse next week - and as @Inka says it would be good to get a confirmation of your diabetes type. Sometimes age is the dominant factor for many healthcare professionals in terms of assigning a type to begin with - but there are many high profile cases that demonstrate that T1 can be diagnosed at any age. Theresa May and Lyndsay Hoyle spring to mind from recent years!

If you get breathlessness, ‘pear drop‘ breath, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting in the meantime, do call NHS111 or consider visiting A&E

the 2nd Metformin tab was started on Weds . Diarrhea Thurs and early today. Leaflet says stop tabs. So I have contacted Doc for info.My Nurse didn't give me a lot of info especially re diet. She says I'm being treated for type 2 but suspect type 1.5. She mentioned this site and myDesmond . Tried the latter but it seems a reference is needed. Thank you

 

[Leadinglights]

the 2nd Metformin tab was started on Weds . Diarrhea Thurs and early today. Leaflet says stop tabs. So I have contacted Doc for info.My Nurse didn't give me a lot of info especially re diet. She says I'm being treated for type 2 but suspect type 1.5. She mentioned this site and myDesmond . Tried the latter but it seems a reference is needed. Thank you

I replied to somebody re the MYDESMOND and you do need a referral but your G P /nurse should be able to do that.

 

[Tennis123]

HI My test was last week . The only 2 things I know is that my glucose levels are high as is my Vit B. My appointment with a nurse comes next week. I really didnt expect to be here as my weight (until it fell) was under 10 stone. My BMI came at 25 green (this may have been wrong) Exercise comes out at over 400mins a week. So this was the last. Just shows you can never tell. I live in the south, near the sea and the hills. I have a large hearing loss so I have a Sound Support Dog we have to go for myriad walks everyday for an hour. Both off our leads 😎.

Hello Jennie, I am also new, my blood sugars have gone up, but I am a comfort eater, but it is hard to control. Hope you go on ok

 

[Jenny105]

Hi Im at the point of being checked for type 2 or Type 1.5 (seriously) . Im trying to stick to lo carb diet , but havent been given much help on whether this is correct.
Do you like tennis?

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi Im at the point of being checked for type 2 or Type 1.5 (seriously) . Im trying to stick to lo carb diet , but havent been given much help on whether this is correct.
Do you like tennis?

I think it is going to depend on what your final diagnosis is and what if any medication you will have prescribed. If it turns out you are a straightforward Type 2 then low carb is most likely to be one to follow but again it will depend on any medication. If 1.5 then I am not sure, maybe those who are will comment.
There is not really a straightforward answer until you get your diagnosis confirmed.

 

[Jenny105]

Update. After 2 1/2 weeks my readings have dropped 6 pts . The figures aren't in single digits yet . I'm pleased they are moving down. Hope they steadily move down . 😉 Using Metformin slow release. And carbs 90-120.

 

[Christy]

Great result @Jenny105 , keep doing what you're doing!

 

[helli]

If 1.5 then I am not sure, maybe those who are will comment.

As you say, until @Jenny105 gets a confirmed diagnosis, diet is unclear.
If she is diagnosed with type 1.5 (also called LADA and basically a slow onset Type 1), then the focus is on insulin to cover whatever carbs that are eaten.
Some people with type 1 chose to eat a low carb diet in order to minimise insulin as a smaller insulin dose means a smaller error if you miscount carbs. Most people with Type 1 do not limit their diet.
For example, I eat what I want. Some meals are low carb some are Classic high carb (pasta, pizza, cake). I keep an eye on my blood sugar levels and adjust my insulin dose accordingly.

 

[Jenny105]

As you say, until @Jenny105 gets a confirmed diagnosis, diet is unclear.
If she is diagnosed with type 1.5 (also called LADA and basically a slow onset Type 1), then the focus is on insulin to cover whatever carbs that are eaten.
Some people with type 1 chose to eat a low carb diet in order to minimise insulin as a smaller insulin dose means a smaller error if you miscount carbs. Most people with Type 1 do not limit their diet.
For example, I eat what I want. Some meals are low carb some are Classic high carb (pasta, pizza, cake). I keep an eye on my blood sugar levels and adjust my insulin dose accordingly.

Hi Thanks. The Nurse will phone soon to note readings taken at differing times for 10 days( I took extra some days for my own interest eg 11 ish all day Mon- down 4-7points) Plus I'm taking Metformin. From the readings there'll be discussions about type 1.5 or 2. My doc is pretty on the ball. There's a system to send a text if concerned about an issue. eg my Vit B is rocketing @ same time as diabetes suddenly appeared.

 

[kevinr]

🙂 thats ok Im always apologising. I had a nice lunch Brown rice, onion, mushroom and chicken. With a drink of milk as dessert. This afternoon we are going to an open garden. With tea !!!! I'll enjoy a cup of tea, maybe half a plain bare scone. We walked for an hour this morning. ...........

Hi Jenny 105. This is the best place to be as all the members on here are brilliant and superb they helped me a great deal when I first joined in fact they still do it's not all doom and gloom far from it. These are the people who know more about Diabetes than some of the nurses do they make me feel proud to be allowed to be part of them in the world of Diabetes.

 

[Jenny105]

Update . The readings for 2 weeks ( 1 a day) were sent to the Nurse for 2 weeks. The levels are falling 18.6 highest down to 9.8 lowest using Metformin slow release. The present opinion is that as the levels are falling Type 2 is the most likely. But if the levels rise or my weight drops significantly I should make contact. Fortunately the GP's have a messenging system which produces a quick response.

 

[kevinr]

That's good news Jenny105 you will have to keep an eye on your glucose levels and see if they level out which they should if you are type 2. I am announcing some news in a about 5-10 minutes I don't want too but I think it's for the best.

 

[Jenny105]

Sharing is probably best ....... Kevin.
PS I just took a reading of 7.2 - prior to a meal an after the statutory 1 hour dog walk on the hills
He he Now Im concerned the readings are going too low. !! Yer cant win can yer 😉

 

[kevinr]

No you can't Jenny105

 

[trophywench]

7.2 too low? No Way is it! Normal BG prior to eating is between 4.0 and 7.0 and takes some folk years to achieve that, if ever!

 

[Jenny105]

7.2 too low? No Way is it! Normal BG prior to eating is between 4.0 and 7.0 and takes some folk years to achieve that, if ever!

Thanks for that 😎 .... . Good to know . I thought I might be about to fade. My circumstances were so sudden
No sign of glucose in any of my years of regular multi tests.Then BANG...stone weight loss , 98 on the test and huge Vit B and rising !!!

 

[trophywench]

You keep quoting the same phrase about Vit B as if you quite expect the forum members to know something about the subject - well this one doesn't. But which B vit is it, eg B12, B6 etc, why did they test for it, and what has your GP told you about the result?