Looking for guidance

[hay you guys]

Hi there,
My name is Dave and I'm new here, hello !
Ok so here it is and if anyone can give guidance it would be appreciated.
I have recently been diagnosed with type 2 with a current hba1c reading of 69 (8.5%)
I have had symptoms of diabetes for over 10 years but UK NHS as good as they are refused to accept overseas medical reports, as a result my diabetes ran unchecked and in addition to constant high unmedicated hba1c reading I have peripheral neuropathy in lower leg and feet (ouch) !
I'm 63, over weight and a bit lazy, I enjoy salads but have absolutely no idea about what carbs are other than managing them may help.
Ok thanks for reading.....

 

[Drummer]

Carbohydrates are starches and sugars.
Hopefully if you get the blood glucose numbers down into normal range then you'll be able to feel the benefits of more normal everything.
69 isn't that bad, compared to the 91 I had at diagnosis, but it needs addressing - however, for an ordinary type 2 low carb is really effective. These days I eat just twice a day. I have meals such as steak and mushrooms with a little onion, or stirfry and pork chops, once in a while I have a dessert of berries and cream, sometimes with sugar free jelly, or full fat Greek style yoghurt.
It is great for normalizing weight.
Oh, I have coffee with cream too. my cholesterol is just slightly above average even though I don't take tablets and eat all the 'wrong' things.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi there,
My name is Dave and I'm new here, hello !
Ok so here it is and if anyone can give guidance it would be appreciated.
I have recently been diagnosed with type 2 with a current hba1c reading of 69 (8.5%)
I have had symptoms of diabetes for over 10 years but UK NHS as good as they are refused to accept overseas medical reports, as a result my diabetes ran unchecked and in addition to constant high unmedicated hba1c reading I have peripheral neuropathy in lower leg and feet (ouch) !
I'm 63, over weight and a bit lazy, I enjoy salads but have absolutely no idea about what carbs are other than managing them may help.
Ok thanks for reading.....

About to go to bed but have a look at this link or good explanation and some menu plans and recipes for a low carb approach which many find successful in reducing HbA1C and losing weight.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.com

 

[hay you guys]

Carbohydrates are starches and sugars.
Hopefully if you get the blood glucose numbers down into normal range then you'll be able to feel the benefits of more normal everything.
69 isn't that bad, compared to the 91 I had at diagnosis, but it needs addressing - however, for an ordinary type 2 low carb is really effective. These days I eat just twice a day. I have meals such as steak and mushrooms with a little onion, or stirfry and pork chops, once in a while I have a dessert of berries and cream, sometimes with sugar free jelly, or full fat Greek style yoghurt.
It is great for normalizing weight.
Oh, I have coffee with cream too. my cholesterol is just slightly above average even though I don't take tablets and eat all the 'wrong' things.

Hi and thanks for the reply, I guess I've been in denial for a while but with other illnesses popping up almost daily now seems to be the time for me to put a bit more effort in.
In addition to the type 2 I have the following medicated conditions including; hypertension, Alzheimer's, high cholesterol, early dementia and skin cancer, I also drink to much and a self confessed couch potato.
I am finding it difficult to gain consistent medical advice and treatment from local GP hence reaching out in this forum.

 

[hay you guys]

About to go to bed but have a look at this link or good explanation and some menu plans and recipes for a low carb approach which many find successful in reducing HbA1C and losing weight.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.com

Hi, thank you for your reply and the helpful link which I will take a look at.
Currently on holiday in Bali (from Scotland) after cancer surgery and realise I've been ignoring my health far to long.
Thanks again.

 

[Maz2]

Welcome to the Forum. I am sorry to hear about all your medical problems. You will though find a lot of good advice here with regard to the Type 2 diabetes. They have certainly helped me.

I think the GPs are just so overwhelmed that they just don't have time. Is there a diabetic nurse at your surgery you could speak to? We have two at ours and also one GP who specialises in diabetes. However, we have one of the highest incidences of diabetes in the country and the surgeries are overwhelmed. They are doing their best though round here.

 

[Drummer]

Hi and thanks for the reply, I guess I've been in denial for a while but with other illnesses popping up almost daily now seems to be the time for me to put a bit more effort in.
In addition to the type 2 I have the following medicated conditions including; hypertension, Alzheimer's, high cholesterol, early dementia and skin cancer, I also drink to much and a self confessed couch potato.
I am finding it difficult to gain consistent medical advice and treatment from local GP hence reaching out in this forum.

Hopefully the benefits of low carb eating will administer a kick in the proverbial to get improvements.
My cholesterol has gone down, my blood pressure puzzles nurses as it is so good, my brain seems to be firing on all cylinders - I do word games and am in the top 0.15% of players now - I took Atorvastatin which hit me hard, but that was 7 years ago.
I don't use seed oils these days and my skin reacts to the sun by tanning rather than turning lobster pink and painful. That really did surprise me.
Things can improve, and I am pretty pleased with all the alterations.

 

[hay you guys]

Welcome to the Forum. I am sorry to hear about all your medical problems. You will though find a lot of good advice here with regard to the Type 2 diabetes. They have certainly helped me.

I think the GPs are just so overwhelmed that they just don't have time. Is there a diabetic nurse at your surgery you could speak to? We have two at ours and also one GP who specialises in diabetes. However, we have one of the highest incidences of diabetes in the country and the surgeries are overwhelmed. They are doing their best though round here.

Hi there, thank you for the reply.
Things have been a bit overwhelming over the past year with multiple conditions rearing their respective heads but I'm slowly getting to grips with reality and with the help of medical professionals and groups like this one I am getting a better understanding of how to better manage things.
I totally agree that the GP's are all overwhelmed and although doing their best are struggling to meet demand.
At my local clinic there is just a single GP who specialises in diabetes, there are unfortunately no diabetes nurses which is a shame as there is a high demand for this support.
I have been prescribed 2000mg of Metformin daily to help bring the type 2 down to a more manageable level but having a cancer diagnosis and reading this medication has been withdrawn in the USA due to unacceptable high levels of carcinogens I am a bit wary and would like to hear other people's opinions on this medication.
Thanks again.

 

[Maz2]

Hi there, thank you for the reply.
Things have been a bit overwhelming over the past year with multiple conditions rearing their respective heads but I'm slowly getting to grips with reality and with the help of medical professionals and groups like this one I am getting a better understanding of how to better manage things.
I totally agree that the GP's are all overwhelmed and although doing their best are struggling to meet demand.
At my local clinic there is just a single GP who specialises in diabetes, there are unfortunately no diabetes nurses which is a shame as there is a high demand for this support.
I have been prescribed 2000mg of Metformin daily to help bring the type 2 down to a more manageable level but having a cancer diagnosis and reading this medication has been withdrawn in the USA due to unacceptable high levels of carcinogens I am a bit wary and would like to hear other people's opinions on this medication.
Thanks again.

Not heard that about Metformin myself. Maybe others know more about it.

 

[Maz2]

Hi there, thank you for the reply.
Things have been a bit overwhelming over the past year with multiple conditions rearing their respective heads but I'm slowly getting to grips with reality and with the help of medical professionals and groups like this one I am getting a better understanding of how to better manage things.
I totally agree that the GP's are all overwhelmed and although doing their best are struggling to meet demand.
At my local clinic there is just a single GP who specialises in diabetes, there are unfortunately no diabetes nurses which is a shame as there is a high demand for this support.
I have been prescribed 2000mg of Metformin daily to help bring the type 2 down to a more manageable level but having a cancer diagnosis and reading this medication has been withdrawn in the USA due to unacceptable high levels of carcinogens I am a bit wary and would like to hear other people's opinions on this medication.
Thanks again.

Had a look at this. It seems it is one particular company's products and sounds like a batch contamination rather than the drug itself. It sounds to be me a little like when the recall a food product as something went wrong with the manufacturing or packing process.

Will stand correct if have misunderstood it though.

 

[Maz2]

Should be "stand corrected."

 

[snowball12]

Had a look at this. It seems it is one particular company's products and sounds like a batch contamination rather than the drug itself. It sounds to be me a little like when the recall a food product as something went wrong with the manufacturing or packing process.

Will stand correct if have misunderstood it though.

Yes that's my understanding too. I have taken Metformin for a number of years

 

[hay you guys]

Yes that's my understanding too. I have taken Metformin for a number of years

From the research i have done it was indeed a contaminated batch recall although this was one of many similar recalls with scientists claiming Metformin is particularly susceptible to this contaminant during process which causes the unacceptably high levels of carcinogens.
There does not seem to be anything reported in the UK but then again not everything is reported especially if the benefit out way the risks.
Can anyone advise if 2000mg daily is a normal dosage ?

 

[Leadinglights]

From the research i have done it was indeed a contaminated batch recall although this was one of many similar recalls with scientists claiming Metformin is particularly susceptible to this contaminant during process which causes the unacceptably high levels of carcinogens.
There does not seem to be anything reported in the UK but then again not everything is reported especially if the benefit out way the risks.
Can anyone advise if 2000mg daily is a normal dosage ?

It is generally the maximum dose that IF needed people would build up to over a few weeks. Diet is also important don't forget.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Can anyone advise if 2000mg daily is a normal dosage ?

Like others as far as I’m aware the cancer risk from Metformin was USA specific, and doesn’t affect supplies in the UK.

Most people seem to be started on 500mg per day, and this is gradually increased over a number of weeks to allow the body to become accustomed to the medication over a longer time frame.

Welcome to the forum!