In denial mode

[Satsuma]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post. I was diagnosed with diabetes about 4 weeks. My blood results were 65 and was told it should be 48. I don't even know what this means. The GP surgery prescribed Metformin (500 mg to be taken twice a day)

If I am honest, I feel shame with this diagnosis as it would seem that I have brought it on myself. I know I am overweight and get caught up with 'I will start tomorrow' mantra though recently I have been more focused about eating healthy. To date, I have resisted taking the medication and have been told that one of the side effects of this medication is Vitamin B12 depletion which can lead to intense fatigue. I am keen to go into remission through diet and exercise. I also read somewhere that taking zinc, magnesium and chromium and gymnema is meant to be good - if so, what dosage?

I have not been sleeping well for the past 2-3 years and already feel tired - though have been told that insufficient sleep does lead to weight gain and diabetes - and so the cycle continues...

I am so pleased to find this forum and have read some posts. The support that is given by the forum members is so nice.

I welcome your thoughts

 

[Bruce Stephens]

My blood results were 65 and was told it should be 48. I don't even know what this means.

It's HbA1c, but really (for someone who doesn't have diabetes) it ought to be under 42. However, 48 is a good goal for most of us who have diabetes.

What is HbA1c?

HbA1c is your average blood glucose (sugar) levels for the last two to three months. If you have diabetes, an ideal HbA1c level is 48mmol/mol (6.5%) or below. If you're at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, your target HbA1c level should be below 42mmol/mol (6%).

www.diabetes.org.uk

 

[Leadinglights]

Welcome to the forum
You do have a bit of work to do to get your HbA1C down to normal but it is perfectly possible with some lifestyle changes.
There are lots of factors which can push people into the diabetic zone, stress, not sleeping among them but it is largely that your body cannot cope with the amount of carbohydrates in your diet so an obvious step is to reduce what you are eating.
Remember it is ALL carbohydrates which convert to glucose not just sugar.
This link may help you with some ideas for making changes to your diet, it is a low carbohydrate approach based on REAL food which many find successful in both losing weight and reducing blood glucose.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk

Hopefully your GP will allow you some time to implement the likestyle changes even though you have been prescribed metformin.
Increasing exercise if you can, will also help and that can be brisk walking.

 

[Deleted member 21371]

I was more than happy to take the tablets, concentrate on losing weight, on a low fat diet, then did a 800 calorie shake based diet.
I aimed to reverse my diabetes, rather than just use diet control, but you need to find a method that suits you.

 

[Satsuma]

Thank you everyone for your insights - really useful. I had not considered my body not coping with the high intake of carbohydrates. I am more mindful about my carbohydrate intake - reduced processed food considerably and now I have more energy

The article made so much sense, thank you for the link.

Perhaps I just need to be bite the bullet or is it the tablet 🙂 and use medication to reverse my diabetes...

 

[ColinUK]

The metformin won't reverse your diabetes. It will improve your insulin response and lower your blood glucose levels and that's a good thing.

If you're cutting down on carb consumption, also a good thing, be aware not to slash it to a very low level in one go but rather roughly assess what you're currently consuming and trim that by 1/3rd. Sit with things at that level for a couple of weeks and then cut that level by 1/3rd. Stay with that for a couple of weeks and cut it by 1/3rd and repeat....

That prevents any possible impact that a dramatic cut in carb consumption can have on eyesight.

 

[ColinUK]

Regarding the shame you mentioned I think it's safe to say that you're not alone in feeling that. I try to change my shame into a positive drive to take control of things and make better food choices. I don't always succeed in that but it's an intent I have!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Satsuma

Well done on cutting back on the processed foods - lots of potential health benefits there!

Reducing your overall carb intake is likely to make it easier for your body to deal with your menu effectively.

Try not to absorb any feelings of shame you may have about medication, or your diabetes diagnosis itself. Such feelings are unlikely to help you, and may sap energy and stickability for your efforts to improve your long-term health.

In terms of b12 and reduced energy, this tends to happen over a long time (a number of years), whereas some of the tiredness you have already been feeling could well be related to your elevated BG levels which can cause fatigue and lethargy right now.

Perhaps it would be worth seeing how things are going at your next check, and then reviewing progress with your Dr / nurse to see if you feel metformin could offer support to your BG lowering efforts?