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Hello, New to all this...

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Geo44

Geo44

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Good Afternoon,
This is all new to me and a little over whelming at times. I must say this website has been a great help, you do feel sometimes you are expected just to get on with it, here is your bag of bits from the GP, take your tablets see you in a month, for a review.
Can I ask a question, since my diagnosis and starting the med's (gliclazide) two fillings in my teeth have fallen out, is this just coincidental or is it a thing?? Sorry if its a silly question, you just begin to feel your falling apart. LOL. Thanks.
 
Hello and welcome.

I don't think your tooth problems will be as a result of the medication but may be as a result of your diabetes, especially if your BG levels are high, which I am guessing they are if you have been started on Gliclazide.
Do you know what your HbA1c result is? That is the blood test used to diagnose diabetes and will usually be a number in excess of 47 if you have a diabetes diagnosis (42-47 is prediabetes or "at risk" and below 42 is normal). How much above 47 gives an indication of how seriously things have gone awry. Metformin is the usual first medication of choice. Gliclazide is the next level up which would suggest that your HbA1c is quite high. If you don't know the result, do ask for it as it is the starting point on your journey with diabetes and will help you and your medical professionals, chart your progress.

I know that since my diagnosis and changing my diet to a low carb higher fat way of eating, my teeth and bones just feel much stronger in general. I eat pork scratchings (no carbs just fat and protein) quite frequently so they get well tested!

Did they give you a BG meter to test your levels at home? This is important if they have given you Gliclazide as it can cause your levels to drop too low. It is therefore important to test if you feel a bit wobbly and always carry your test kit and some hypo remedy with you at all times. This might be some dextrose tablets or jelly babies or fruit juice or full sugar cola etc.
 
Hi, Thanks for your reply, yes I think my reading was fairly high, (can't remember what exactly but will ask again) I have the Gliclazide for a month or so and then the plan is to go on to the Metformin. Ok reassuring that its not a side effect of the meds and the rest won't necessarily fall out. I have already made significant changes to my diet, so am determined to get control of it. I was made aware of the side effects of Hypo's and weight gain, have been regularly monitoring my blood sugar levels and carrying around jelly babies!! Thanks again.
 
Sounds like you are on top of things! Good luck and if you have any other questions, just ask.

Out of curiosity, what sort of BG readings are you getting and are they starting to come down since your dietary changes.
Also ,can you tell us a bit about how you came to be diagnosed? Ie. were you symptomatic and if so what symptoms, or was it a routine blood test which alerted the doctor to your high levels. Just helps us to get a better picture of your situation.
 
My BG levels are averaging 11.7 since starting Friday. Early days, I think they are coming down a little last couple were 9.0 and 10.0. I was diagnosed having presented at the doctors earlier in the year with a range of symptoms (extreme tiredness, increased urination, thrush and a couple of more personal bits) they diagnosed a prostate problem and gave me 2 sets of antibiotics (after the first didn't do much). Then I had a new GP as my previous one retired, she reviewed my file when I presented back and she said she wasn't happy and sent me for bloods, which confirmed diabetes. I am not following a specific diet, just watching everything I eat, cutting sugary things, reducing carbs and increasing fruit and veg.
 
Geo44 said:
My BG levels are averaging 11.7 since starting Friday. Early days, I think they are coming down a little last couple were 9.0 and 10.0. I was diagnosed having presented at the doctors earlier in the year with a range of symptoms (extreme tiredness, increased urination, thrush and a couple of more personal bits) they diagnosed a prostate problem and gave me 2 sets of antibiotics (after the first didn't do much). Then I had a new GP as my previous one retired, she reviewed my file when I presented back and she said she wasn't happy and sent me for bloods, which confirmed diabetes. I am not following a specific diet, just watching everything I eat, cutting sugary things, reducing carbs and increasing fruit and veg.
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Thanks for that extra info. I guessed you might have been symptomatic. Did they come on quite suddenly or just slowly develop over a period of weeks? So pleased you had a change of doctor who was switched on. Thirst and weeing more and thrush are pretty strong diabetes indicators.
As regards fruit, increasing that is not always a good idea as that too is full of sugar.
Most of us following a low carb way of eating to manage our diabetes, limit ourselves to a small daily portion of berries which are the lowest carb fruits and just have something like an apple, pear, orange or banana as a rare treat, or maybe half of one of those higher carb fruits as a more regular addition to our diet. Beware grapes and dried fruit as these can be very high in sugar and very easy to eat far more than we should. Berries like rasps and blackberries and strawberries and blackcurrants and blueberries pack a nutritional punch as well a being flavourful, so a small portion goes a long way. Usually we have them combined with a creamy Greek style natural yoghurt or cream for breakfast or dessert as the creaminess takes the edge off the tartness without the need for sugar.
 
Welcome to the forum @Geo44

Glad you’ve found us! And glad you’ve found the site helpful. Nice to have you ‘delurked’ 🙂

I’m not sure that diabetes would be connected to loosened fillings, but there is a general association between diabetes and increased risk of tooth and gum problems, particularly if you are living with elevated BGs for a long time.

Diabetes and teeth, gum and mouth problems

Diabetes can affect your teeth and gums. So, keeping your mouth, teeth and gums healthy is an important part of managing your diabetes. We’ll help you understand why you’re at risk and how to keep your mouth healthy. This page covers:
www.diabetes.org.uk www.diabetes.org.uk

Well done on reducing your BG levels. Slow and steady wins the race 🙂
 
Well I've a very long history of periodontal disease but have never had any prob keeping my fillings (both amalgam or white) in the teeth. Get thee to thy dentist !
 
Great Thanks for the reply's must be coincidental, that's reassuring!! Its so comforting to know this forum is available, so thank you all.
 
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