Hi, I'm not sure if I'm doing this right but I'll give it a go, I've been diabetic for about a year, had no information about it from my GP & a little bit confused about what sort of things I'm allowed to eat & scared of eating the wrong foods, i take Metformin twice a day but the other morning I think I had a Hyper because my sugar levels were high & it scared me, I work in a kitchen 10 hours a day & our breaks are not regular, please help.
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Living with type 2 diabetes
- Thread starter Miacat
- Start date
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My blood sugar level was at 10.5 but I'm not sure what you mean about HbA1C, nurse has never really explained anything to me.
A level of 10.5 is high, but not a dangerous level if it's only temporarily at that level.
HbA1C is a measure of glycated blood cells which is used as a way of seeing how your Blood Glucose has been averaged over the average life of your blood cells (which normally live for around 3 months)before they are absorbed and replaced.
Normally blood glucose levels drop over night when we are asleep, between meals (if we have 3 or fewer meals per day and avoid snacks) and after exercise (though exercise may also encourage the liver to dump more glucose into the bloodstream, in order to fuel more exercise). So a single finger-prick blood glucose level isn't that meaningful unless particularly high or particularly low.
HbA1C is a measure of glycated blood cells which is used as a way of seeing how your Blood Glucose has been averaged over the average life of your blood cells (which normally live for around 3 months)before they are absorbed and replaced.
Normally blood glucose levels drop over night when we are asleep, between meals (if we have 3 or fewer meals per day and avoid snacks) and after exercise (though exercise may also encourage the liver to dump more glucose into the bloodstream, in order to fuel more exercise). So a single finger-prick blood glucose level isn't that meaningful unless particularly high or particularly low.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Not having breaks is not too much of a concern as long as it doesn't mean you just grab high carbohydrate snacks as that will be increasing blood glucose levels.
If you have been given metformin then I assume you are a fair way into the diabetic zone which is an HbA1C above 47mmol/mol. Metformin is best taken with food not because it acts directly on the food but help with preventing any stomach issues some people can get.
As far a what to eat then both what you have and portion size is important and that will have just as much if not more impact than the medication.
This link may help you with some ideas for meals and some do's and don'ts as well as a good explanation of good diabetes management. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
If you have been given metformin then I assume you are a fair way into the diabetic zone which is an HbA1C above 47mmol/mol. Metformin is best taken with food not because it acts directly on the food but help with preventing any stomach issues some people can get.
As far a what to eat then both what you have and portion size is important and that will have just as much if not more impact than the medication.
This link may help you with some ideas for meals and some do's and don'ts as well as a good explanation of good diabetes management. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Here’s some information about HbA1C:
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/hba1c
Knowing your result will give you an idea of how far you are into the diabetes zone, and so how much you need to modify your diet.
10.5 is a little high, but not horribly so.
Hi Miacat, welcome to the forum.
Managing diabetes can be a lot to get your head around to start with but hopefully you'll get the hang of things once you find a way forward that works for you.
We've got some info on our main site regarding what to eat and how to manage things, so feel free to have a look https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/i-have-type-2-diabetes.
Do feel free to ask any questions you may have an we'll do our best to help.
Managing diabetes can be a lot to get your head around to start with but hopefully you'll get the hang of things once you find a way forward that works for you.
We've got some info on our main site regarding what to eat and how to manage things, so feel free to have a look https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/i-have-type-2-diabetes.
Do feel free to ask any questions you may have an we'll do our best to help.
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
It’s very unlikely that’s connected to your 10.5. It sounds more like dehydration/heat exhaustion or simply low blood pressure or getting up too quickly. Whatever caused it, do be careful though, and do speak to someone if it persists.
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