Just curious... low carb, portion control and metformin

[Sharron1]

I have managed to keep myself to low carbs about 100-130 grm daily. I eat porridge daily, eat a handful of blackberries and strawberries daily and occasionally have a slice of toast but do keep away from rice, pasta and potatoes . I test myself out of Interest and almost every time the result is 5 5-5.9. Is that due to the low carb and portion control? I think the strips or monitor are all ok. I also sometimes push the boat out and have a slice (not a wedge) of cake and still the result is 5 5-5.9. As the title reads i am simply curious. Is it a combination of all three? I suspect there is no real answer as diabetes is a fickle mistress.

 

[Sussexmax]

I have managed to keep myself to low carbs about 100-130 grm daily. I eat porridge daily, eat a handful of blackberries and strawberries daily and occasionally have a slice of toast but do keep away from rice, pasta and potatoes . I test myself out of Interest and almost every time the result is 5 5-5.9. Is that due to the low carb and portion control? I think the strips or monitor are all ok. I also sometimes push the boat out and have a slice (not a wedge) of cake and still the result is 5 5-5.9. As the title reads i am simply curious. Is it a combination of all three? I suspect there is no real answer as diabetes is a fickle mistress.

I’m sure you’re right and it is a combination of the three! For me low carb is essential to tolerate the metformin, and I agree with you about portion control. I had almost a week off metformin and was disappointed that my score went up a bit, as I was hoping that it wasn’t really doing anything for me! Having said that, I’ve had three HbA1c tests in the last seven months and all of them produced the exact same result in the high 30s… how random is that?!!

 

[Sharron1]

I’m sure you’re right and it is a combination of the three! For me low carb is essential to tolerate the metformin, and I agree with you about portion control. I had almost a week off metformin and was disappointed that my score went up a bit, as I was hoping that it wasn’t really doing anything for me! Having said that, I’ve had three HbA1c tests in the last seven months and all of them produced the exact same result in the high 30s… how random is that?!!

I suppose that's why I still occasionally self-test just to make sure my food choices and portions are still ok. Due my hba1c soon, that should be interesting. As, I wrote a fickle mistress indeed

 

[Eddy Edson]

I have managed to keep myself to low carbs about 100-130 grm daily. I eat porridge daily, eat a handful of blackberries and strawberries daily and occasionally have a slice of toast but do keep away from rice, pasta and potatoes . I test myself out of Interest and almost every time the result is 5 5-5.9. Is that due to the low carb and portion control? I think the strips or monitor are all ok. I also sometimes push the boat out and have a slice (not a wedge) of cake and still the result is 5 5-5.9. As the title reads i am simply curious. Is it a combination of all three? I suspect there is no real answer as diabetes is a fickle mistress.

My guess is that your glucose regulation is now just "normal" and there's no particular reason to restrict carbs unless you want to.

 

[Sharron1]

My guess is that your glucose regulation is now just "normal" and there's no particular reason to restrict carbs unless you want to.

That is a lovely guess. Thank you. But I will simply keep with my food choices , 'just in case'. Hba1c due soon, that should be interesting, will also ask my same query re metformin 'should I reduce the number of tabs to see what happens?"

 

[Sussexmax]

I suppose that's why I still occasionally self-test just to make sure my food choices and portions are still ok. Due my hba1c soon, that should be interesting. As, I wrote a fickle mistress indeed

Totally agree! I do the same to help me keep on track. I feel by doing so and also by weighing myself quite regularly I’ve got to understand my body and know what it needs and will tolerate. Always intriguing to know what the next HbA1c will be, hope yours continues to go down!

The one thing I’m unsure of is whether I’d like to be able to come off the medication: On the one hand I’d love to be able to say I was in remission and on the way to beating diabetes, but part of me feels ‘safe’ and protected by the metformin, especially given its other health benefits.

 

[Sharron1]

Totally agree! I do the same to help me keep on track. I feel by doing so and also by weighing myself quite regularly I’ve got to understand my body and know what it needs and will tolerate. Always intriguing to know what the next HbA1c will be, hope yours continues to go down!

The one thing I’m unsure of is whether I’d like to be able to come off the medication: On the one hand I’d love to be able to say I was in remission and on the way to beating diabetes, but part of me feels ‘safe’ and protected by the metformin, especially given its other health benefits.

Snap.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I suppose that's why I still occasionally self-test just to make sure my food choices and portions are still ok. Due my hba1c soon, that should be interesting. As, I wrote a fickle mistress indeed

I suppose you could always experiment with a slightly freer menu if you were feeling a bit restricted? But if you are happy with your current approach I guess there’s no need!

Reading posts from others over the years, I’ve seen some people who had to keep ‘carb creep’ in check to maintain levels, while others seemed to reset their metabolism and were able to eat whatever they wanted as long as they maintained the weight they had lost.

Hope you get an encouraging HbA1c result, and hope any suggested change of medication goes smoothly. 🙂

 

[Sharron1]

I suppose you could always experiment with a slightly freer menu if you were feeling a bit restricted? But if you are happy with your current approach I guess there’s no need!

Reading posts from others over the years, I’ve seen some people who had to keep ‘carb creep’ in check to maintain levels, while others seemed to reset their metabolism and were able to eat whatever they wanted as long as they maintained the weight they had lost.

Hope you get an encouraging HbA1c result, and hope any suggested change of medication goes smoothly. 🙂

Thank you. Tbh I don't miss the heavier carby stuff as that wasn't ever in my diet. Am quite looking forward to the discussion with the nurse re any reduction in metformin....wonder what the reason for hmmn , long silence will be this year!!!

 

[Sussexmax]

Thank you. Tbh I don't miss the heavier carby stuff as that wasn't ever in my diet. Am quite looking forward to the discussion with the nurse re any reduction in metformin....wonder what the reason for hmmn , long silence will be this year!!!

Fingers crossed your HbA1c will be further lowered, and interested to hear how your discussion regarding reducing metformin goes… as it’s a conversation I’d like to have on my next visit to the surgery!

 

[Sharron1]

Fingers crossed your HbA1c will be further lowered, and interested to hear how your discussion regarding reducing metformin goes… as it’s a conversation I’d like to have on my next visit to the surgery!

Thank you. Good luck.