Hi There, recently diagnosed with Type 2

[ClaireDiane]

Hi everyone, my name is Jackie. I was given the diagnosis at the end of April. Bloods come back with a HbA1c reading of 93! A bit high I was informed! Put onto Metformin and told not to bother with a monitor to keep a check on my sugar levels? Whilst seeing the nurse, my initial monitor reading was 11.3. I am currently taking 2 tablets at night and one in the morning, upping the morning dose next week. I did buy a monitor and my readings are all over the place! I have lost 8lbs in 4 weeks by cutting down on carbs. I don't have a massive amount to lose - maybe another half a stone! I have read through the forum on here and have taken to measuring levels pre and post foods - not every day. I seem to be having issues with good old oatmeal. One day I was 9.9, two hours later, 8.1 (30g oats with kiwi fruit and skimmed milk). Today it was 6.9 pre overnight oats - 2 hours later 11.4..... bit of a jump! I did use full fat Greek yoghurt this time and blueberries. Struggling to find out what to have for breakfasts as its usually around 10 am I eat as I am at work! Might try normal porridge and milk tomorrow and see if it spikes as much!! Taken to walking on weekends for a good 2 - 3 hrs at a time and blood levels are always around 5 - 6 on my return. After finishing work yesterday - they were over 9 again - sitting down at desk!! I do get up and walk around, but generally being office based, tied to my desk for the most part!! Oh well, thats probably it in a nutshell!!

With type 2 they don’t recommend daily testing of your blood glucose unless on insulin or a medication that can cause hypos e.g. gliclazide. Instead they just do your HbA1c every 3 or 6 months which gives them a better indication of how things are going. Testing regularly can make you worry a lot with your readings all over the place. I questioned whether I should test my blood glucose when I was diagnosed 4 years ago and was told what I’ve just said. There is no harm in occasionally checking it though especially if you’re feeling your blood sugars are particularly low or high so you see how different foods & exercise affects you but you won’t get a meter on the nhs. Unfortunately now I’ve had to go onto insulin so have to keep testing - before meals & before driving.

 

[Jackiejh]

With type 2 they don’t recommend daily testing of your blood glucose unless on insulin or a medication that can cause hypos e.g. gliclazide. Instead they just do your HbA1c every 3 or 6 months which gives them a better indication of how things are going. Testing regularly can make you worry a lot with your readings all over the place. I questioned whether I should test my blood glucose when I was diagnosed 4 years ago and was told what I’ve just said. There is no harm in occasionally checking it though especially if you’re feeling your blood sugars are particularly low or high so you see how different foods & exercise affects you but you won’t get a meter on the nhs. Unfortunately now I’ve had to go onto insulin so have to keep testing - before meals & before driving.

Hi Claire, I did get my own monitor, but use it as a guide to see what foods I can have without too much spiking! Being in the early diagnosed stage I assume I am still learning!!

 

[Christy]

With type 2 they don’t recommend daily testing of your blood glucose unless on insulin or a medication that can cause hypos e.g. gliclazide. Instead they just do your HbA1c every 3 or 6 months which gives them a better indication of how things are going. Testing regularly can make you worry a lot with your readings all over the place. I questioned whether I should test my blood glucose when I was diagnosed 4 years ago and was told what I’ve just said. There is no harm in occasionally checking it though especially if you’re feeling your blood sugars are particularly low or high so you see how different foods & exercise affects you but you won’t get a meter on the nhs. Unfortunately now I’ve had to go onto insulin so have to keep testing - before meals & before driving.

I, like many others, am type 2 and are self funding a meter. I used to test on waking, before & after each meal and before bed. Now I only test if I'm eating something I haven't had before. Whilst I appreciate it may cause anxiety, to many it is an invaluable tool. We all need to work out what helps us as individuals. I wouldn't want to wait 3 or 6 months to find my food choices weren't helpful.

 

[Lucyr]

Hi all, just an update. Just had results back and levels are now at 55 (93 on diagnosis end April). Waiting for call from nurse to hear her opinion! Lost stone overall since then too. Its going the right way!!

Great news, well done

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi all, just an update. Just had results back and levels are now at 55 (93 on diagnosis end April). Waiting for call from nurse to hear her opinion! Lost stone overall since then too. Its going the right way!!

That’s a terrific reduction @Jackiejh - you should feel very proud of yourself!