Hello from another Newbie

[Chalky]

Over the last 6 to 9 months I have had a number of symptoms that made me think recently I could have diabetes.

I spoke with my Dr who agreed this is likely arranged the A1c test along with a general NHS health check as I am over 40.

My results came back on Friday and my A1c was 97, I got a message from the receptionist to say Dr has seen the results and requested a further A1C test next appointment on 11th June to confirm the reading. My understanding is a 2nd test is usually only required if no symptoms were showing, I think the Dr saw the results came back with the rest of my NHS check and forget about the symptoms that I had mentioned. So now I have to wait for another test, and then wait for the results to then get a follow up appointment with the GP.

Feeling frustrated but have already made changes to my diet and reduced carbs over the weekend and made changes to my alcohol consumption which was/is significant.

I've had a look at the freshwell stuff and found it very enlightening.

 

[Martin.A]

Feeling frustrated but have already made changes to my diet and reduced carbs over the weekend and made changes to my alcohol consumption which was/is significant.

I've had a look at the freshwell stuff and found it very enlightening.

Hi, and welcome to the Forum. It don't think it's necessarily a case of your GP forgetting what you told him. I had symptoms, too - tired, thirsty, frequent toilet trips etc - and my first HbA1c came back as 104. I then had a second test to confirm the first and it was 114. It's good that you've recognised the need to reduce your carbs - you're going to have to keep that up - and I expect your GP will put you on medication if your follow-up HbA1c confirms the first, which is what happened with me.

 

[Drummer]

@Chalky I never had a second confirming test, but with a HbA1c of 91 and blood glucose at 17.1 there was little room for doubt even without symptoms.
The good news is that low carb is very effective in lowering the numbers for uncomplicated, ordinary type 2s - by the second test, I was no longer in the diabetic range, and at 6 months was at the top end of normal HbA1c. It was only by a single digit, but I think psychologically it was far more significant.
Losing a lot of weight also helped - I just cannot lose weight on low fat low calorie diets, no matter how I am insulted, but on low carb it is effortless.
Hopefully you'll see something similar, particularly if you are reining in consumption of alcohol and you'll find your metabolism recovering.

 

[Chalky]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum. It don't think it's necessarily a case of your GP forgetting what you told him. I had symptoms, too - tired, thirsty, frequent toilet trips etc - and my first HbA1c came back as 104. I then had a second test to confirm the first and it was 114. It's good that you've recognised the need to reduce your carbs - you're going to have to keep that up - and I expect your GP will put you on medication if your follow-up HbA1c confirms the first, which is what happened with me.

Thanks that is reassuring, I just feel like the 2nd test is delaying things. I really want to face this head on. I have ordered some books and a Libre2 sensor to see how things effect my readings on a daily basis.

 

[Chalky]

@Chalky I never had a second confirming test, but with a HbA1c of 91 and blood glucose at 17.1 there was little room for doubt even without symptoms.
The good news is that low carb is very effective in lowering the numbers for uncomplicated, ordinary type 2s - by the second test, I was no longer in the diabetic range, and at 6 months was at the top end of normal HbA1c. It was only by a single digit, but I think psychologically it was far more significant.
Losing a lot of weight also helped - I just cannot lose weight on low fat low calorie diets, no matter how I am insulted, but on low carb it is effortless.
Hopefully you'll see something similar, particularly if you are reining in consumption of alcohol and you'll find your metabolism recovering.

That's an amazing achievement, you have done so well. I am really hoping I can feel full on a low carb diet as when trying the usual diets I always struggle.

I've managed to bring my weight down from it's peak in lockdown of 22 and a half stone to 18stone and a half stone.
I'm a heavy daily drinker having between 4 to 8 cans of Cider a day the brand I drink has 30g carbs per can! So I have reduced that straight away to two cans a night and a double vodka and pepsi max. Hoping to reduce this further but don't want to go full on cold turkey!

 

[Leadinglights]

That's an amazing achievement, you have done so well. I am really hoping I can feel full on a low carb diet as when trying the usual diets I always struggle.

I've managed to bring my weight down from it's peak in lockdown of 22 and a half stone to 18stone and a half stone.
I'm a heavy daily drinker having between 4 to 8 cans of Cider a day the brand I drink has 30g carbs per can! So I have reduced that straight away to two cans a night and a double vodka and pepsi max. Hoping to reduce this further but don't want to go full on cold turkey!

I don't think there can be much doubt about the diagnosis with an HbA1C so high, it is usually when people are borderline around the threshold of 48mmol/mol so you are well into the diabetic zone.
Many find a low carb approach is successful but that means no more than 130g carbs per day so you can see that even if you have cut down on your cider, the even 2 cans at 30g carbs per can is half that amount so isn't leaving you much for nutritious meals which you need.
I suspect you will be offered medication when you see your GP but in the meantime look at your diet. This link may help you with some ideas for some changes. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Great to hear you have leapt into action @Chalky

Sorry you’ve had to wait a little while for an official confirmation, but it sounds like you have decided not to delay, and to make some very positive changes from the get-go.

The reduction in your alcohol intake will be a huge help health-wise too. And has the added benefit of ditching a pretty hefty chunk of carbs and calories into the bargain!

 

[Drummer]

That's an amazing achievement, you have done so well. I am really hoping I can feel full on a low carb diet as when trying the usual diets I always struggle.

I've managed to bring my weight down from it's peak in lockdown of 22 and a half stone to 18stone and a half stone.
I'm a heavy daily drinker having between 4 to 8 cans of Cider a day the brand I drink has 30g carbs per can! So I have reduced that straight away to two cans a night and a double vodka and pepsi max. Hoping to reduce this further but don't want to go full on cold turkey!

Many people comment on the lack of hunger when eating low carb.
Perhaps having a single can of cider and splitting the spirit between two lots of pepsi could become possible - but just reducing down as planned should make a huge difference to your liver (in my none medical opinion).

 

[Chalky]

Many people comment on the lack of hunger when eating low carb.
Perhaps having a single can of cider and splitting the spirit between two lots of pepsi could become possible - but just reducing down as planned should make a huge difference to your liver (in my none medical opinion).

Thanks, I have come to the conclusion that the Cider has to go. It just has too many carbs in it. I would rather use my carb allowance on food then using it on Cider.