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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
- Thread starter Trouble1
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adrian1der
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi Helen and welcome. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be diagnosed? This is a great help in asking any questions you might have. There are lots of friendly and knowledgeable people on here who will be delighted to help
Toucan
Forum Host
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Trouble1
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I was diagnosed yesterday and I will be starting on metformin once a day for 2 weeks. I am very worried about it and the help from here I hope will ease it for me.
Toucan
Forum Host
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi Helen, thanks for your reply.
I know it's easy to say, but try not to worry. Diabetes is a serious condition, but it can be positively managed and you can do a lot to help yourself and there is a help and support available.
Many of us have been in that situation of new diagnosis, and it can be a shock, but there are good solutions and often people end up with a healthier improved situation.
It will mean making changes that lower your blood glucose levels, and the 3 main tools for doing this are diet, exercise and medication.
I would suggest starting by reading Maggie Davey's letter, which gives a lot of information on how this lady approached the problem.
It does all take time to find what’s right for you and adjust your lifestyle, but please be patient, it will be very worthwhile,
I know it's easy to say, but try not to worry. Diabetes is a serious condition, but it can be positively managed and you can do a lot to help yourself and there is a help and support available.
Many of us have been in that situation of new diagnosis, and it can be a shock, but there are good solutions and often people end up with a healthier improved situation.
It will mean making changes that lower your blood glucose levels, and the 3 main tools for doing this are diet, exercise and medication.
I would suggest starting by reading Maggie Davey's letter, which gives a lot of information on how this lady approached the problem.
It does all take time to find what’s right for you and adjust your lifestyle, but please be patient, it will be very worthwhile,
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hiya - so what led you to see your GP? - that's what we're trying to find out, what symptoms led you to see him/her? And, if you know it, what did he say your blood glucose was, which led him/her to diagnose you Type 2?
grovesy
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
A HBA1C that is used to diagnose would usally be a double figure, a 7.9 sounds more like a one off Blood Glucose result.
Docb
Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi @Trouble1 and welcome to the forum.
One of the first things to get to grips with is where on the diabetes spectrum you are and get an answer to the simple question, how big a job have I got on my hands. The best guide to this something called a HbA1c test result, this being the test on which your GP will have based his diagnosis.
This is where the fun starts. There are two ways of expressing the result. The first, and most commonly used in UK, is as a number which will be somewhere between 30 and 150 where anything over 48 gets you a diabetes diagnosis. The number you have, 7.9 does not fit into this range. The second way of expressing the result is as percentage and then it will be somewhere between 5% and 15%, and I am guessing that your 7.9 should be 7.9%. Measured this way, anything over 6.8% will get you a diagnosis of diabetes.
Where does this leave you. It would be sensible to get your surgery to clarify what the 7.9 number was referring to and what the subsequent result was. If my guess is right, and it is on the percentage scale, then you are over the diagnosis limit but nowhere near as far over as many on here were at diagnosis. When that is cleared up you can put a plan into place to get back down under the diagnosis level. Lots on here have done just that and will only be too happy to share their stories to help you plan your way forward.
One of the first things to get to grips with is where on the diabetes spectrum you are and get an answer to the simple question, how big a job have I got on my hands. The best guide to this something called a HbA1c test result, this being the test on which your GP will have based his diagnosis.
This is where the fun starts. There are two ways of expressing the result. The first, and most commonly used in UK, is as a number which will be somewhere between 30 and 150 where anything over 48 gets you a diabetes diagnosis. The number you have, 7.9 does not fit into this range. The second way of expressing the result is as percentage and then it will be somewhere between 5% and 15%, and I am guessing that your 7.9 should be 7.9%. Measured this way, anything over 6.8% will get you a diagnosis of diabetes.
Where does this leave you. It would be sensible to get your surgery to clarify what the 7.9 number was referring to and what the subsequent result was. If my guess is right, and it is on the percentage scale, then you are over the diagnosis limit but nowhere near as far over as many on here were at diagnosis. When that is cleared up you can put a plan into place to get back down under the diagnosis level. Lots on here have done just that and will only be too happy to share their stories to help you plan your way forward.
Trouble1
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I'm really confused with all the numbers that were being spoken about so I don't know. My anxiety levels didn't help with me being upset. All I know is I need look at my diet and exercise and start on metformin. I have got a few questions written down and will get in touch with the nurse.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @Trouble1
Sorry your diagnosis has been upsetting and has triggered your anxiety
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. Diabetes is a serious condition, but it’s also one that 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.
It can feel a bit overwhelming at the start though, so take things slowly and be kind to yourself. This isn’t something you have to ’fix’ all at once. Diabetes is generally a slow-moving foe, and you have time to find your feet, and to make gradual and sustainable changes towards a healthier, more energised you.
Many members on the forum have found Gretchen Becker’s book T2 diabetes the first year a very helpful and informative read.
Good luck and keep asking questions here 🙂
Sorry your diagnosis has been upsetting and has triggered your anxiety
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. Diabetes is a serious condition, but it’s also one that 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.
It can feel a bit overwhelming at the start though, so take things slowly and be kind to yourself. This isn’t something you have to ’fix’ all at once. Diabetes is generally a slow-moving foe, and you have time to find your feet, and to make gradual and sustainable changes towards a healthier, more energised you.
Many members on the forum have found Gretchen Becker’s book T2 diabetes the first year a very helpful and informative read.
Good luck and keep asking questions here 🙂
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