improved results but advice appreciated

[MrJames]

Hi , I have just had the result of a hba1c and they were 68. I know this is high but looking back at a letter from the hospital when I was diagnosed after a pre op blood test I was referred as my hba1c was 102 at 12% and my bs levels were 19.6 (didn't really know what this was at the time). Now the first test was on February 25th 2017 and following this I radically changed my diet and lost a good few kgs. The second test was around 6th April so there has only been around six weeks in between and a drop of 44. My doctor has today prescribed metformin but I feel that it would have been better to wait for another month or two to see what happens. My question is if my first Dr didn't prescribe at 102 and recommended diet why would this Dr prescribe at 68, it will obviously still be high as there has not been a three month period between diagnosis/lifestyle change and now. Am I missing something here? I tried to put this point across but Dr was very determined and just said 68 was too high

 

[Lindarose]

Hi Mr James. I would have thought you had a very good reason to justify giving it a bit longer before medication. You've obviously done really well in the time you've had to improve diet and lifestyle. If your doctor is adamant then I suppose you have 2 choices. Either go with what he suggests and hopefully come off the meds as soon as your levels get right down. Or don't take them and after your next review try to discuss things again. Always difficult if your doctor isn't open to discussion. Well done by the way 🙂

 

[MrJames]

Thanks lindarose really pleased with the reduction both in numbers and weight to be honest. I think if I had been put on meds from the start I wouldn't have questioned it but as one Dr said diet first then i think i should at least have a full three month run before test. They also told me not to bother testing as I had been doing so at least twice daily but the way I look at it if you don't test how can you know what effect each food has on your levels. Seems I always feel more confused after a trip to the drs

 

[trophywench]

Ah well - I believe in this case, you're perfectly right and he's err, a bit misguided about the need to test.

Yeah - everyone including you already knows 68's too high - but it's a FANTASTIC reduction in just a couple of months so I'd leave it a bit longer too.

However there is no doubt that being higher than non-diabetic probably for quite a long time before it was actually discovered, can still have a knock-on effect on your general health - whether that be likelihood of organ (eyes, kidneys, heart, nervous system) damage or something else - and Metformin, whilst not directly reducing BG does assist with reducing any insulin resistance your body may have, and is also considered to be heart and kidney protective - AND weight loss. Sooo, it might actually help generally, even though you can't 'see' it helping your body. You can't 'see' if the previous highs have affected your organs the blood vessels in your eyes or your peripheral nervous system either, though, can you?

Take the Metformin and continue to test, is on balance what I'd do I think. As Linda says - you can always stop taking them later once you see if you can get down to a better level and stay there, can't you?

 

[RobK]

Firstly MrJames great to see your on the right track and well done, Back at the end of Feb this year my HBA1C was 80 and the diabetic nurse wanted me on Metformin asap, I was convinced that if I behaved and started a strict diet and excercise plan I could get my numbers down without meds, I had a chat to a lokum doctor and she was 100% with me that I should be given the chance over three months to improve things before going onto Metformin.
First thing I did was buy a tester and then got to work on losing weight and dieting.

I have a review the end of May so hopefully things will be heading in the right direction, I am aware though that if I dont behave I will have no choice but to go on meds.

Good luck and hope it all sorts itself out.

 

[MrJames]

Thanks for he advice,when i first found out I spoke to my mate who is t2 and went to the first drs appointment fully expecting to get some pills and "carry on as usual" as he put it. The Dr however told me to sort out my diet quit drinking and lose around 35kg. For some reason this struck a chord and i went full steam no sugar/low carb and have been monitoring my BG levels which are vastly improved and done all of the above along with a five mile daily walking rotuine. I will take the pills but will leave it a couple of days just to think a bit as a visit to Dr always leaves me confused. As lindarose and trophywench say i can always come off if things go well. I will carry on as i have been and who knows. Robk wish you the best with your review sounds like you have followed the same route as me. I feel twenty times better than i have for years and am also more active than i could ever imagine so taking that as a positive. Plus fish,sweet potato and kale have made up for the loss of rice,kebabs and chips. Unfortunately water isn't cutting it compared to beer🙂