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EMcKT

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Been dipping in and out since being diagnosed late February as T2. Lots of helpful info here, more than I got from DN. All she emphasised was cut carbs, go as low as I can.....she said. I am not tons overweight and do eat lowish carb anyway. Used Michael Mosley's book along with the Carb and Calorie counter. Very useful tool.
Just had a repeat blood test and my level is down from 94 to 52, but Vit D is up from 23 to 133, normal range is 50--200. I have a biochemistry background and with some extra reading, it is quite clear that there is close relationship these two factors. At my first appt with DN, she was vague and did not seem to 'get this'. I have cut out my sherry, cut down gin and diet tonics, although I have just had a glass of red in the garden.
Have a repeat visit on Monday with her, so am looking forward to hearing what joys she will come up with. I am aware that I have more to do and will stick to what I am doing, but a huge number of my aches and pains have eased and it seems to me that we should be aware of Vit D in this glorious unsunny country.
 
EMcKT said:
Been dipping in and out since being diagnosed late February as T2. Lots of helpful info here, more than I got from DN. All she emphasised was cut carbs, go as low as I can.....she said. I am not tons overweight and do eat lowish carb anyway. Used Michael Mosley's book along with the Carb and Calorie counter. Very useful tool.
Just had a repeat blood test and my level is down from 94 to 52, but Vit D is up from 23 to 133, normal range is 50--200. I have a biochemistry background and with some extra reading, it is quite clear that there is close relationship these two factors. At my first appt with DN, she was vague and did not seem to 'get this'. I have cut out my sherry, cut down gin and diet tonics, although I have just had a glass of red in the garden.
Have a repeat visit on Monday with her, so am looking forward to hearing what joys she will come up with. I am aware that I have more to do and will stick to what I am doing, but a huge number of my aches and pains have eased and it seems to me that we should be aware of Vit D in this glorious unsunny country.
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One of the things I found when I went low carb was my folate was low and I think that was because I had cut out or reduced foods because they were high carb but were fortified with vitamins and minerals. I was given a course of folic acid and it has not been picked up as a problem since.
If you are doing low carb then there may be some new ideas in this link. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
 
Funnily enough my B12 is lowish at 192.... Range is 200+++++++. Suggesting is retest in three months before considering B12 supplements.....Injections. G P has still to be seen . I do have appetite problems, in that I am seldom hungry but managed five days in France last week. Not a croissant passed my
 
EMcKT said:
Funnily enough my B12 is lowish at 192.... Range is 200+++++++. Suggesting is retest in three months before considering B12 supplements.....Injections. G P has still to be seen . I do have appetite problems, in that I am seldom hungry but managed five days in France last week. Not a croissant passed my
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Are you taking Metformin as that can sometimes interfere with B12 absorption from foods so injection would be needed rather than the oral route as it wouldn't be absorbed. It does only look a little low but definitely worth keeping and eye on.
 
Congrats on a great reduction in HbA1c. Well done!
Did they give you the strong vitamin D supplement to bring your levels up or have you just been supplementing with over the counter capsules? I had to have the strong prescription supplement last year but that is the first time it has been flagged up and was fine at my next check. I have been diagnosed 5 years and my management the last 4 years has been pretty stable so I am not sure that there is a direct link between diabetes or even well or poorly managed diabetes and Vitamin D, so would be interested to hear more about what you have found on that front.

I definitely noticed a significant reduction in joint pain when I went low carb and higher fat. Whether that is because vitamin D is fat soluble and I was getting more in my diet as a result of eating more fat or more likely the carbs and particularly sugar was causing inflammation in joints. Either way, there have been LOTS of benefits to going low carb and it really seems to suit my body so I am happy to stick with it.
 
EMcKT said:
Been dipping in and out since being diagnosed late February as T2. Lots of helpful info here, more than I got from DN. All she emphasised was cut carbs, go as low as I can.....she said. I am not tons overweight and do eat lowish carb anyway. Used Michael Mosley's book along with the Carb and Calorie counter. Very useful tool.
Just had a repeat blood test and my level is down from 94 to 52, but Vit D is up from 23 to 133, normal range is 50--200. I have a biochemistry background and with some extra reading, it is quite clear that there is close relationship these two factors. At my first appt with DN, she was vague and did not seem to 'get this'. I have cut out my sherry, cut down gin and diet tonics, although I have just had a glass of red in the garden.
Have a repeat visit on Monday with her, so am looking forward to hearing what joys she will come up with. I am aware that I have more to do and will stick to what I am doing, but a huge number of my aches and pains have eased and it seems to me that we should be aware of Vit D in this glorious unsunny country.
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Hello @EMcKT, welcome to forum. Some interesting comments from you. In a way you got more than some people recall from their DNs at their initial Diagnosis appts. Some of that is because Diabetes Nurse in a Surgery is usually a Nurse who doesn't necessarily have extra training in Diabetes management but nevertheless is the focal point in a Surgery for all those on their books with Diabetes. Thereafter its a bit of luck in how long that Nurse has had that role and how heavy their workload is in general.

I've forgotten what the detailed explanation was, but in general one's pancreas is responsible for the production of vitamins A, D, E and K. So if your recent diligence with carb reductions and lowered HbA1c (extremely well done, by the way) has led to a reduction of visceral fat, which in turn has led to a revitalisation of many pancreatic functions then there is clear benefit from helping one's pancreas overall. But the biochemistry no doubt adds accuracy to the perceived improvement in general well- being.

As a matter of curiosity, which of Michael Moseley's book did you use?

Anyway, welcome aboard.
 
Leadinglights said:
Are you taking Metformin as that can sometimes interfere with B12 absorption from foods so injection would be needed rather than the oral route as it wouldn't be absorbed. It does only look a little low but definitely worth keeping and eye on.
Click to expand...
Yes. Was put straight onto Metformin and I have had no problems with it four tablets a day. To be honest, I was so unwell with aches and pains, muscle weakness, and finally a constant thirst!!!! I hang my head in shame as I let it go on too long and I should have known better
 
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rebrascora said:
Congrats on a great reduction in HbA1c. Well done!
Did they give you the strong vitamin D supplement to bring your levels up or have you just been supplementing with over the counter capsules? I had to have the strong prescription supplement last year but that is the first time it has been flagged up and was fine at my next check. I have been diagnosed 5 years and my management the last 4 years has been pretty stable so I am not sure that there is a direct link between diabetes or even well or poorly managed diabetes and Vitamin D, so would be interested to hear more about what you have found on that front.

I definitely noticed a significant reduction in joint pain when I went low carb and higher fat. Whether that is because vitamin D is fat soluble and I was getting more in my diet as a result of eating more fat or more likely the carbs and particularly sugar was causing inflammation in joints. Either way, there have been LOTS of benefits to going low carb and it really seems to suit my body so I am happy to stick with it.
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Yes, I was given whacking big ones for six weeks and now husband has bought me a years supp,y!!!! I know that they say it can take a while to kick in but I felt sooooo much better very very quickly.
 
Proud to be erratic said:
Hello @EMcKT, welcome to forum. Some interesting comments from you. In a way you got more than some people recall from their DNs at their initial Diagnosis appts. Some of that is because Diabetes Nurse in a Surgery is usually a Nurse who doesn't necessarily have extra training in Diabetes management but nevertheless is the focal point in a Surgery for all those on their books with Diabetes. Thereafter its a bit of luck in how long that Nurse has had that role and how heavy their workload is in general.

I've forgotten what the detailed explanation was, but in general one's pancreas is responsible for the production of vitamins A, D, E and K. So if your recent diligence with carb reductions and lowered HbA1c (extremely well done, by the way) has led to a reduction of visceral fat, which in turn has led to a revitalisation of many pancreatic functions then there is clear benefit from helping one's pancreas overall. But the biochemistry no doubt adds accuracy to the perceived improvement in general well- being.

As a matter of curiosity, which of Michael Moseley's book did you use?

Anyway, welcome aboard.
Click to expand...
Husband bought the Eight week blood sugar one, I did get a bit fed up with it, I li,e books with pictures and was not really interested in the case studies, but it gave me a start
 
Probably the combination of the change of diet and the vitamin D supplement making you feel so much better so quickly, plus your BG levels starting to come down as the high BG levels will also cause inflammation in the body and joints are particularly susceptible I think. I stop supplementing through the summer as I am out doors a lot but will start again in October.
 
To be fair, the DN I saw is the lead in our practise and had just been at a lecture about Michael Mosley etc etc so she was on a high about him!!! What a shame!!!! She did tell me about the Diabetic Awarenesses course but felt that I really did not need it. I am intelligent, her words, and although my biochemistry is rusty, I have googled and read loads on here. Trouble is, his nibs likes food and not the same as me, so I am either cooki ng two meals or he sorts himself out. Happy with weight loss although it's more inches than weight but have had to buy a new wardrobe
 
rebrascora said:
Probably the combination of the change of diet and the vitamin D supplement making you feel so much better so quickly, plus your BG levels starting to come down as the high BG levels will also cause inflammation in the body and joints are particularly susceptible I think. I stop supplementing through the summer as I am out doors a lot but will start again in October.
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Yes, I think it all happened at once. We lost a beloved daughter in law two years ago, so suddenly, and I went downhill from that and just did not pick up. Grief, as they say, takes many forms and I let myself drown. Silly as I should have known better. Some of the aches I put down to age.......they don't tell you how you should feel mid 70s!!!!!!!! Oh well, on the upward, or should I say, downward slope. Thanks everyone.
 
Oh Goodness! Very sorry to hear of your sad loss and totally understandable that it will have knocked you all sideways and very easy to let things slide in such circumstances but you are clearly on the right track now and hopefully now that you are seeing such benefits in your general health, you will be motivated to maintain that. I certainly feel that I am now healthier than I was pre-diagnosis because I have changed my diet and exercise more regularly, so there have actually been positives to come out of my diabetes. .
 
EMcKT said:
To be fair, the DN I saw is the lead in our practise and had just been at a lecture about Michael Mosley etc etc so she was on a high about him!!! What a shame!!!! She did tell me about the Diabetic Awarenesses course but felt that I really did not need it. I am intelligent, her words, and although my biochemistry is rusty, I have googled and read loads on here. Trouble is, his nibs likes food and not the same as me, so I am either cooki ng two meals or he sorts himself out. Happy with weight loss although it's more inches than weight but have had to buy a new wardrobe
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I think that is why the Freshwell program is good as it uses real food and is better suited to family meals with maybe a few extras for your Hubby.
 
Certainly plan to use some of the recipies later. Just now I am happy with salads, protein and veggies bits . His nibs is supporting me, he says, but is losing a bit of weight as well. Beer???????? Oh well......
 
Well done on your terrific progress so far @EMcKT

I say a conference presentation about Vit D some years ago - there are so many conditions and ailments it can help with. And even moreso (if I recall correctly) if you can actually get it from sunlight.

Good to hear you are feeling so much better 🙂
 
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Well done @EMcKT on such good progress. It shows how your systematic approach and finding what works for you has paid off.
 
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