Hello

[jdn]

Following an op recently, I am now on insulin for my Type 2 and using Libre 2 which is amazing technology. Look forward to learning more about the condition from members in due course.

 

[Inka]

Welcome @jdn 🙂 What insulin(s) do you take?

 

[ianf0ster]

Hello @jdn and welcome to the forum

Rather than wait for you to ask, here is some basic information:
Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed by abnormally (even dangerously) high Blood Glucose (a sugar). Type 1 diabetics can't make (enough) insulin and so will always need to inject it. But Type 2 diabetics suffer from 'insulin resistance' which means that the insulin they make doesn't have as big an effect in pushing glucose out of the blood stream as it should. And in many cases we actually produce very large amounts of insulin indeed!
Since you are a Type 2 on insulin, you fall somewhere in between and need to be careful about reducing the carbs you eat because the amount of insulin you take will be based on an expected amount of carbs being eaten.- and you don't want your Blood Glucose to go too low !

What causes the high blood glucose to keep refreshing is the carbohydrates we eat. All carbohydrates start turning into sugars as soon as we eat them (sometimes even while still in our mouths). So we need to try and limit the amount of carbs we eat. Not only sweet sugary things, but even starchy things like grains and starchy underground veg too.
Things to reduce/avoid are: potatoes and other starchy veg (parsnips, possibly carrots), flour and grains (even wholemeal), tropical fruit and particularly fruit juices - these often have more natural sugar than a sweet carbonated drink has added sugar and although natural sugars are very slightly better than refined sugar , they are still a big problem for us.

What is good to eat are foods with either no or with low carbs: Meat, Fish, Eggs, Full Fat Dairy (don't fear natural fats - fat is an essential macro nutrient where carbohydrates are not essential), leafy green veg, nuts and seeds, low carb 'fruit' such as berries, rhubarb, avocado etc.

 

[Wheelz]

Hiello @jdn I'm also a type 2 using insulin (Novorapid and Lantus). I was initially diagnosed T1, but stayed on insulin after getting correct diagnosis. I much prefer using insulin than the idea of taking oral meds as I feel it gives me much more control over my blood sugar. Over the years (diagnosed 2013) I've become really good at carb counting & dosing my insulin, plus I've never been a fan of taking tablets.
Are you self funding the Libre 2? My doctor won't give me one since I'm T2 (but honestly I haven't pushed him on it that hard). I had a libre 2 once (free sample) and it was indeed amazing technology.

 

[jdn]

Welcome @jdn 🙂 What insulin(s) do you take?

Hi Inka, the pen I use is a Humulin Kwik pen with Isophane insulin. Cheers

 

[jdn]

Hiello @jdn I'm also a type 2 using insulin (Novorapid and Lantus). I was initially diagnosed T1, but stayed on insulin after getting correct diagnosis. I much prefer using insulin than the idea of taking oral meds as I feel it gives me much more control over my blood sugar. Over the years (diagnosed 2013) I've become really good at carb counting & dosing my insulin, plus I've never been a fan of taking tablets.
Are you self funding the Libre 2? My doctor won't give me one since I'm T2 (but honestly I haven't pushed him on it that hard). I had a libre 2 once (free sample) and it was indeed amazing technology.

Hi Wheelz, My Libre 2 is supplied by the NHS. The pen I have is Isophane insulin. Cheers

 

[jdn]

Hello @jdn and welcome to the forum

Rather than wait for you to ask, here is some basic information:
Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed by abnormally (even dangerously) high Blood Glucose (a sugar). Type 1 diabetics can't make (enough) insulin and so will always need to inject it. But Type 2 diabetics suffer from 'insulin resistance' which means that the insulin they make doesn't have as big an effect in pushing glucose out of the blood stream as it should. And in many cases we actually produce very large amounts of insulin indeed!
Since you are a Type 2 on insulin, you fall somewhere in between and need to be careful about reducing the carbs you eat because the amount of insulin you take will be based on an expected amount of carbs being eaten.- and you don't want your Blood Glucose to go too low !

What causes the high blood glucose to keep refreshing is the carbohydrates we eat. All carbohydrates start turning into sugars as soon as we eat them (sometimes even while still in our mouths). So we need to try and limit the amount of carbs we eat. Not only sweet sugary things, but even starchy things like grains and starchy underground veg too.
Things to reduce/avoid are: potatoes and other starchy veg (parsnips, possibly carrots), flour and grains (even wholemeal), tropical fruit and particularly fruit juices - these often have more natural sugar than a sweet carbonated drink has added sugar and although natural sugars are very slightly better than refined sugar , they are still a big problem for us.

What is good to eat are foods with either no or with low carbs: Meat, Fish, Eggs, Full Fat Dairy (don't fear natural fats - fat is an essential macro nutrient where carbohydrates are not essential), leafy green veg, nuts and seeds, low carb 'fruit' such as berries, rhubarb, avocado etc.

Thanks ianfOster for the info. Cheers

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi jdn, welcome to the forum.

Just a quick hello, hope that you're able to navigate around and gave a read as there's a wealth of info on the site.

Feel free to ask any questions you have and we'll do our best to help.