Hello!

[Smiler123]

Hi there

I just wanted to say how helpful I have found this forum since being diagnosed with Type 2 last November and have learned all sorts of tips about dietary changes etc.

I was diagnosed following my routine blood test for blood pressure medication and had a HbA1c result of 85. Started on Metformin x 3 per day and by January I had a HbA1c of 43. Just had a further test, having dropped to 2 x Metformin per day and my result is 45. They also did a glucose test this time which was 6.0.

Got a telephone call with the GP coming up soon. I have switched from regular Metformin to slow release after the test in January. Definitely stops the dodgy tummy and feeling a bit nauseous so I'm pleased with that.

I have lost nearly 2 stone between diagnosis and the first test and have kept it off. I'm not really sure what to do now (not found anyone too supportive of discussions about remission, the last GP I spoke to was doom and gloom and said it's a progressive disease and most people end up on Insulin.... I'm not sure to what extent I believe that but never mind. I invested in a Freestyle Libre 2 and have found it invaluable in seeing what affects me and when. I have a pretty regular pattern throughout the day and will, on some days, be a bit higher in the morning and if I'm late with breakfast, e.g at a weekend I'll start climbing up to 8. On the majority of days I'm about 6 on waking. Usually in the afternoon I'll end up in the 6 or 5 range. In an evening I'm usually in the 5 range unless something I've eaten has caught me out.

I have followed a fairly low carb diet since diagnosis which I enjoy alot. I cook everything from scratch as I love cooking. Typical diet is Greek Yoghurt, peanut butter blob and some days a bit of fruit as well, e.g. few raspberries, strawberries or blueberries. (I ate this pre-diagnosis so wasn't a big deal for me!). Sometimes I'll have an egg and some bacon, or egg and mushrooms, but not usually in the mood for an egg on weekdays. I like coffee with unsweetened soya or whole cow's milk (can't drink it black at all). Lunch is usually salad of some type with cheese, chicken , ham etc and a few nuts. If I know I'll have been walking around during the morning I take a couple of Finncrisp crisp bread slices or a ryvita too. Dinner is generally three portions of vegetables - love things like courgettes, tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, kale, carrots and parsnips (can't say I notice a peak after the root vegetables) and I have fish or some meat such a pork chop or chicken breast. Don't eat pasta or rice. If I eat potatoes it's a very tiny portion, e.g. 1.5 new potatoes, something of that magnitude. Not a big potato fan.

99% of the time I do not eat between meals. Haven't really felt hunger since being on Metformin which I found peculiar.

Anyway, rambling over..... I'm not sure what to expect from now on. Will my HbA1c settle somewhere? I wasn't unduly worried about a climb of 2 points upwards, although I'd have preferred it to have been downwards. I did a private test the month before that was 42. My NHS one a month later was 45. I wonder what other people's experiences have been about reducing Metformin? Not sure if I should try on one pill a day or hold out for a few more months on two pills and see what happens. Most of you have been there/done it and can comment with some wisdom!

Thanks so much .

 

[Leadinglights]

That sounds very much like the sort of dietary regime I have and find it is a sustainable way of eating which is sufficiently low in carbohydrates to keep my HbA1C at a normal level below 42mmol/mol. I didn't go down the medication route but made the dietary changes reducing carbs to approx 70g per day but my HbA1C was only 50mmol/mol.
If you are enjoying your new way of eating then surely there is no reason to change it as it seems to have worked for you, if you get to below 42mmol/mol then you could discuss reducing your metformin at that stage.

 

[Inka]

Welcome @Smiler123 🙂 Nice to hear that you’re enjoying your way of eating.

 

[Vonny]

I'm not really sure what to do now (not found anyone too supportive of discussions about remission, the last GP I spoke to was doom and gloom and said it's a progressive disease and most people end up on Insulin....

Glad I don't have your GP....choice words and possibly a slap may have been my response! There are a whole host of us on this forum who disprove the insulin route. We are all individual and no one can predict with ease what is down the line.

You've done really well and should be getting praise from your surgery not doom and gloom. It's lovely that you have found a pleasant, healthy and sustainable way of eating. I certainly couldn't go back to my old ways because I feel so much healthier on low carbs.

Keep up the great work 🙂

 

[trophywench]

Well accept the 'it's progressive' and the 'low fat, carbs with everything' hypotheses, and yes it will indeed be progressive, I'm pretty certain about that ....

Deep sigh.

Most of us are no longer living in a former century. Shame your GP seems to be.

 

[Lynne888]

It's really encouraging to read your success story. You've done brilliantly. I'm currently trying to lose weight and reduce my Hba1c from 50. I have more carbs than you but generally, my reading are pretty much the same as when I started this new regime 6 weeks ago. It's early days, another 6 weeks until I have another Hba1c but I was still bothered today when I had readings above 8. I DID have half a banana (I love them but it's only the second half I've had in 6 weeks). BG has stayed over 8 all day since. I feel I might be going in the wrong direction which worries me because I just don't know what I'd do if my Hba1c was above 50 when I go back - but I shall plod on! My GP is much like yours. Didn't tell me anything when I went to see her, just handed me a leaflet an a prescription. She said I didn't need a BG monitor but it was suggested on here I should get one. Thank goodness I did or I would have no clue at all how things are going!

 

[Leadinglights]

It's really encouraging to read your success story. You've done brilliantly. I'm currently trying to lose weight and reduce my Hba1c from 50. I have more carbs than you but generally, my reading are pretty much the same as when I started this new regime 6 weeks ago. It's early days, another 6 weeks until I have another Hba1c but I was still bothered today when I had readings above 8. I DID have half a banana (I love them but it's only the second half I've had in 6 weeks). BG has stayed over 8 all day since. I feel I might be going in the wrong direction which worries me because I just don't know what I'd do if my Hba1c was above 50 when I go back - but I shall plod on! My GP is much like yours. Didn't tell me anything when I went to see her, just handed me a leaflet an a prescription. She said I didn't need a BG monitor but it was suggested on here I should get one. Thank goodness I did or I would have no clue at all how things are going!

At least having your monitor shows you that banana is not too disastrous but reserved for a once in a while occasion.
As long as your other readings are good then hopefully you will have a good HbA1C.
As mentioned it is better to bring level down gradually to avoid those disconcerting eye and nerve issues.

 

[Lynne888]

At least having your monitor shows you that banana is not too disastrous but reserved for a once in a while occasion.
As long as your other readings are good then hopefully you will have a good HbA1C.
As mentioned it is better to bring level down gradually to avoid those disconcerting eye and nerve issues.

Thanks for your reply. I'm hoping spiking over 8 (or 9) on the rare occasion won't mean I'm not doing enough to reduce the Hba1c. I'm dreading having it done just incase it's higher! I've lost a stone but it's coming off slowly. I don't mind that but I'd like to see an improvement when I have the Hba1c done.. otherwise I dread to think what my GP will throw at me. I've thought about paying for a private test to see how things are going but after 6 weeks it's probably not going to show any difference.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks for your reply. I'm hoping spiking over 8 (or 9) on the rare occasion won't mean I'm not doing enough to reduce the Hba1c. I'm dreading having it done just incase it's higher! I've lost a stone but it's coming off slowly. I don't mind that but I'd like to see an improvement when I have the Hba1c done.. otherwise I dread to think what my GP will throw at me. I've thought about paying for a private test to see how things are going but after 6 weeks it's probably not going to show any difference.

I would have thought not a lot of point sooner than 3 months especially as you have your monitor and the more you keep those numbers in the 4-7mmol/l range and keep any over 8 to a minimum you should show a lower HbA1C and going in the right direction.

 

[SB2015]

Well done @Smiler123
You have found a way of living that is working for you, and as others have said your GP should be awarding gold stars to you and learning from you!!!

 

[SB2015]

I've thought about paying for a private test to see how things are going but after 6 weeks it's probably not going to show any difference

Hi @Lynne888 Well done on the progress that you are already seeing with the changes that you are making. The GP Practices won’t repeat an HbA1c test for at least three months since the test is using The cells in your blood some of which will be hanging around for that long, so you won’t see the impact of your efforts in a shorted time. As others have said your daily finger prick tests will give you a good idea of what is going on, and if you wait three months you are likely to have more positive feedback.

With regard your spikes, people without diabetes will rise after a meal. It is whether your body has enough insulin that you are able to use to bring your levels back down again. One tip I took on board to reduce my post meal spikes was ‘don’t sit down for 15 min after a meal’. I have found that it is a good tip , which I don’t always follow but I know that when I do I get fewer spikes. We generally just go for a walk of 15 min or more.

 

[Lynne888]

That’s really good advice. Thank you. I can’t exercise or even stand for long due to waiting on both knees being replaced. I try to do a bit of chair yoga. It’s not great but it’s all I can do atm. I guess I will just have to continue as I am regarding food changes and wait to see what happens after the 3 months. BG readings are much the same as the first week I started though so I am anxious no progress is being made! I hope I’m wrong!