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Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
Hi, I have been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
- Thread starter KHB
- Start date
- Status
Sunshine time
Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi KHB
Welcome I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I'm very new to diabetes myself so I understand how you feel. Although I haven't got any proper advice but just wanted to say hello and I'm sure someone will be able to advise you on here on your question.
Welcome I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I'm very new to diabetes myself so I understand how you feel. Although I haven't got any proper advice but just wanted to say hello and I'm sure someone will be able to advise you on here on your question.
Cherrelle DUK
Much missed Online Community Coordinator
Hi KHB, welcome to the forum.
Sorry to hear about the results of your eye check. It's really difficult to say as it depends on the condition of your eyes. They may need to do a full diabetic eye exam to really get a sense of what needs doing.
It's good to hear that you have been making changes as they will really help you get your blood sugar numbers in check.
I know it's much easier said than done but do try not to worry until you know what the full situation is. Getting your numbers in control and adjusting your your diet is probably the best place to focus at the moment.
Sorry to hear about the results of your eye check. It's really difficult to say as it depends on the condition of your eyes. They may need to do a full diabetic eye exam to really get a sense of what needs doing.
It's good to hear that you have been making changes as they will really help you get your blood sugar numbers in check.
I know it's much easier said than done but do try not to worry until you know what the full situation is. Getting your numbers in control and adjusting your your diet is probably the best place to focus at the moment.
Hi Cherrelle, thank you for your positive response to me.
I bought a blood glucose monitoring system and have used it tice so far. I really do not know what is a good number re blood sugar. I was 8.9 yesterday after eating and 5.8 today before eating. Are these numbers okay? Is there a chart or something I could use so I can monitor myself and actually understand the results. Any and all help is really appreciated.
I bought a blood glucose monitoring system and have used it tice so far. I really do not know what is a good number re blood sugar. I was 8.9 yesterday after eating and 5.8 today before eating. Are these numbers okay? Is there a chart or something I could use so I can monitor myself and actually understand the results. Any and all help is really appreciated.
Hi,
Thank you for your response and hello! I don't know what the 'good' numbers are or what they should be. I have changed what I eat, I have cut out all of the 'white' foods and zero chocolate and cakes etc. I was told at my surgery that I have diabetes because my number was 49. It is all rather confusing, I just want to know if all this deprivation on my part is working!
Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
The 49 will be your Hba1c level, aka glycated haemoglobin. It indicates the concentration of glucose the red blood cells have encountered in their lifetime, which is usually about 3 months.
At 49 you are just in the range for diabetes, so you'll probably only need to reduce the carbohydrates you eat by a fairly modest amount to see lower numbers.
The good news is that starches and sugars are all about the same to our digestion - so you can decide which you want to cut down, or cut out completely and which you eat. There is no benefit in eating brown carbs, by the way - it is all starch and ends up as sugar.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
As said with an HbA1C of 49mmol/mol you are just in the diabetic zone so with some changes to your diet you should be able to get it down, the number to aim at is below 42mmol/mol. Many people on here started with figures much much higher and were put on medication but where you are that shouldn't be needed.
Reducing portions of high carb foods like cereals, potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and cakes, biscuits, pastry and sugary drinks hopefully will do the trick. Basing your meals on meat, fish, eggs, cheese, dairy, salads and vegetables with reduced portions of high carb foods give you plenty of options for tasty meals.
It is fantastic you have a monitor so having a testing regime to give you useful information is a good idea. Testing before you eat and after 2hours will tell you if you have tolerated the amount of carbs if the increase is less than 2mmol/l and ideally no more than 8.5mmol/l but those are numbers to aim at but which you might not get to start with.
The numbers you gave because they were not before and after the meal it is hard to say if Ok but I would suggest the post meal of 8.9 was a bit higher than desirable. So if a before meal is 5.8 you don't want an after of more than 7.8, otherwise your meal was a bit carb heavy.
It is all a learning process with diabetes, people often say 'every day is a school day' even for those years into their diagnosis. So for you it is early days and you are in a good position to manage it.
Reducing portions of high carb foods like cereals, potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and cakes, biscuits, pastry and sugary drinks hopefully will do the trick. Basing your meals on meat, fish, eggs, cheese, dairy, salads and vegetables with reduced portions of high carb foods give you plenty of options for tasty meals.
It is fantastic you have a monitor so having a testing regime to give you useful information is a good idea. Testing before you eat and after 2hours will tell you if you have tolerated the amount of carbs if the increase is less than 2mmol/l and ideally no more than 8.5mmol/l but those are numbers to aim at but which you might not get to start with.
The numbers you gave because they were not before and after the meal it is hard to say if Ok but I would suggest the post meal of 8.9 was a bit higher than desirable. So if a before meal is 5.8 you don't want an after of more than 7.8, otherwise your meal was a bit carb heavy.
It is all a learning process with diabetes, people often say 'every day is a school day' even for those years into their diagnosis. So for you it is early days and you are in a good position to manage it.
SB2015
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome to the forum @KHB
I hope that the posts that you have already had have reassured you. With an HbA1c of 49 just small changes could bring you out of the diabetic range. It may be that the changes you have already made will be sufficient. As you already have a monitor you will be able to keep a check on things day by day, rather than waiting three months to find out what impact the changes you have made have had. @Leadinglights has already explained how to make good use of the testing that you do, and your results alongside a food diary will give you a picture of the impact of certain foods. This can help you to decide on what changes you need to make to the foods that you are eating and/or portion sizes. Small consistent changes can make a big difference.
Keep in touch and fire away with any questions that arise. Nothing is considered silly on here. Just ask.
I hope that the posts that you have already had have reassured you. With an HbA1c of 49 just small changes could bring you out of the diabetic range. It may be that the changes you have already made will be sufficient. As you already have a monitor you will be able to keep a check on things day by day, rather than waiting three months to find out what impact the changes you have made have had. @Leadinglights has already explained how to make good use of the testing that you do, and your results alongside a food diary will give you a picture of the impact of certain foods. This can help you to decide on what changes you need to make to the foods that you are eating and/or portion sizes. Small consistent changes can make a big difference.
Keep in touch and fire away with any questions that arise. Nothing is considered silly on here. Just ask.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @KHB
Sorry to hear about your eyes, hopefully that’s something that can be treated effectively - we have a number of members who have had cataracts done.
I would say ‘no’ it certainly isn’t all doom and gloom. Diabetes is serious, but it’s also a conditiin which can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy. At your starting point, you may find that relatively modest tweaks to your menu and cutting back on sweet treats except for rarer occasions will be very effective.
Try not to be disheartened about your diagnosis, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis became a catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier and more active life. Perhaps changes that they had been intending to make for years. Often you don’t realise how weary, worn down and lethargic you have been feeling. Erratic and elevated blood glucose levels can be exhausting and are linked with low mood, but this may have come on quite gradually, so sometimes it‘s hard to notice until it stops!
Making a few positive changes to improve your BG levels can give you more energy, a clearer mind, and a brighter outlook. Plus the regular medical checks you get after a diagnosis with diabetes mean that any potential problems may be spotted earlier, and can be sorted out sooner.
Good luck, and keep asking questions 🙂
adrian1der
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Status