My Wife has just been diagnosed as type 2 at 23.

[Captainfalcon8]

Basically, im looking for advice we're treating it seriously: will she still be able to live a normal life span if we treat it well despite being so young for a type 2? that's something im VERY worried about, any advice would also be appreciated.

Her h1ac level was 55, an at home test had her all the way up at 26 mmols the same day when she got back, but shed had only sweet stuff the whole day: and that was of the back of a couple of days of eating pretty much just junk i believe.

we went to a out of hours gp who gave us metformin and tested for blood ketones and she was ketone free, , 3 days later with a low dose of metformin and getting her to eat as diabetic friendly as ive been able to muster so far and she's averaging anywhere from 7 to 9 mmols 2 hours after meals and 6.5 to 7 fasting.

Any advice or thoughts? she sees the gp tomorrow for a proper follow up and moving things forward. Her bmi is very high for those wondering.

[[Admin edit: the two threads were merged to avoid duplication]]

 

[Ieva DUK]

Hi @Captainfalcon8 and welcome to the forum!

I've merged your two threads to ensure that all the answers to your queries stay in the same place.

First of all, I'm really sorry about your Wife's diagnosis, it often comes as a shock to the person and their surrounding family, so I'm glad she's not alone in this and has someone who's supporting her. There's no reason as to why she wouldn't be able to have a 'normal life span' - Diabetes knowledge and technology has really advanced (and is continuing to do so), so people are more informed and 'equipped' to deal with the diagnosis. Of course, it depends on a lot - any other existing health conditions, lifestyle changes etc.

The GP will hopefully be able to give you more clarity, they often set up an appointment with a Diabetes Nurse too, as well as a following HbA1c test (has she just had the one?). The usual route is going for dietary changes, some form of exercise and weight loss (if that's determined as needed), however the biggest thing about any changes is that they need to be sustainable, something that's enjoyable and long-lasting, so that they can become 'the new norm'. Some people jump into things 'full swing' and make drastic changes. Others have noticed that doing small changes, step by step, has helped them in maintaining them and building up on them. Everyone is different and their diabetes management often is different too. For the purposes of information, you might find our Learning Zone useful (big orange button at the top left) - it has all the most essential information in easily manageable chunks.

For your appointment, I often see people suggest bringing a notebook as there will be a lot on info thrown your way. Encourage your Wife to ask questions and if things still be unclear or something will pop up in your heads afterwards - feel free to ask those questions here. The forum's users here have decades worth of knowledge and experience gathered, no question is ever silly. We take the good with the bad, so if your Wife needs support, wants to rant or simply see how others are managing their diabetes - have her look around the forum. We're a friendly bunch, despite this being - to quote one of our users - ' a club no one wants to join'.

 

[Captainfalcon8]

Hi @Captainfalcon8 and welcome to the forum!

I've merged your two threads to ensure that all the answers to your queries stay in the same place.

First of all, I'm really sorry about your Wife's diagnosis, it often comes as a shock to the person and their surrounding family, so I'm glad she's not alone in this and has someone who's supporting her. There's no reason as to why she wouldn't be able to have a 'normal life span' - Diabetes knowledge and technology has really advanced (and is continuing to do so), so people are more informed and 'equipped' to deal with the diagnosis. Of course, it depends on a lot - any other existing health conditions, lifestyle changes etc.

The GP will hopefully be able to give you more clarity, they often set up an appointment with a Diabetes Nurse too, as well as a following HbA1c test (has she just had the one?). The usual route is going for dietary changes, some form of exercise and weight loss (if that's determined as needed), however the biggest thing about any changes is that they need to be sustainable, something that's enjoyable and long-lasting, so that they can become 'the new norm'. Some people jump into things 'full swing' and make drastic changes. Others have noticed that doing small changes, step by step, has helped them in maintaining them and building up on them. Everyone is different and their diabetes management often is different too. For the purposes of information, you might find our Learning Zone useful (big orange button at the top left) - it has all the most essential information in easily manageable chunks.

For your appointment, I often see people suggest bringing a notebook as there will be a lot on info thrown your way. Encourage your Wife to ask questions and if things still be unclear or something will pop up in your heads afterwards - feel free to ask those questions here. The forum's users here have decades worth of knowledge and experience gathered, no question is ever silly. We take the good with the bad, so if your Wife needs support, wants to rant or simply see how others are managing their diabetes - have her look around the forum. We're a friendly bunch, despite this being - to quote one of our users - ' a club no one wants to join'.

Thank you, it's good to hear that its not a death sentence, i thought being diagnosed so young would cause a lot more problems but ive been encouraged by a few people that won't be the case if we get it under control 🙂. Shes had several tests before because shes on an antipsychotic that can cause insulin resistance, once a year though this year shes had two, this one and one near the start of the year. With her mmol level being only 55 and it seemingly being up within just the past few months it looks to me like we caught it early. But you'd know better im still new.

 

[JimmyBlue]

@Captainfalcon8 you and your wife must be really struggling with this diagnosis, I was 40 years older than your wife when I got mine six months ago, and I still have days when it gets to me.

As @Ieva DUK said in her mail, make sure to take notes at the meeting with the diabetes nurse but also write down your questions so that you can document the answers and get the information you need. My wife and I did this before my first session with the diabetes nurse and it really helped as otherwise you can get lost in everything that is being said. Also make use of this forum to ask questions, rant/rage and look for help. The support that is given comes from people who have lived with this illness for many years and they know what works and what doesn't. My only warning is be prepared for some variation in answers as nothing works for everyone as we are all different.

In terms of impact on lifespan, if diabetes is managed properly then I don't believe that there is an issue. Certainly, the changes I have made are things that I have identified as something I believe I can continue with going forward. The major changes are moving to a low carbohydrate diet (less than 130 grammes of carbs per day) which was achieved in my case by simply removing potatoes, pasta, rice and bread from my diet.

Look at the Freshwells app (Google and Apple stores both have it) for information on possible recipes that can support this type of lifestyle and I can also recommend the SugarFreeLondoner website (just used the recipe for low carb shortbread).

Your wife's HbA1c is not the highest, many of us had much higher when diagnosed, mine was 86 but others have been above 100+. A change in diet and reducing carbs or adding in some exercise might also help bring it down to below 47 quite quickly.

 

[Leadinglights]

It is fantastic you are here to support your wife and there is a lot you can do to get good management of the condition.
With an HbA1C of only 55mmol/mol many would be given the opportunity to make some life style changes, diet and getting more exercise before prescribing medication but it will be diet that has the most impact.
The Freshwell program is one many have found successful in reducing blood glucose and losing weight which is also a good thing, this is the link to that, https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/

 

[Maz2]

I am sorry to hear about your wife. That is quite young but it does happen.

Do take the advice given on here as it is so helpful. I went pre-diabetic a few years back and, thanks to advice on here and my own efforts, I got back to normal. unfortunately, it has gone back up slightly so having to start again.

She is young and can turn it around. It is certainly not a death sentence and if she tries to stick to a lower carb diet she hopefully will get the hba1c back down. When I lowered my carbs my friends thought I would be half starved but I have to say that I have to say that I am very rarely hungry these days whereas when I was on a high carb diet I was always wondering how long to the next meal.

The late Michael Moseley's books are quite good as is a book by David Cavan called "Reverse your Diabetes. " The title really means better control. I find them very helpful and the recipes are nice too.

I don't know how you both feel about cooking from scratch as you are young and most probably have jobs and families. I am retired so have plenty of time so am always looking for new things to make. The freshwell website is very good which others have mentioned. There are low carb websites with recipes on the internet which can also be useful.

Holland and Barratt I noticed have started selling zero carb noodles, pasta, and rice so that is another option. These foods are bland anyway and need something with it so I don't suppose the zero carbs would make much difference to the taste. I bought a zero carb couscous but haven't tried it yet.

 

[Drummer]

One great thing about using a low carb diet to control type 2 is the way that losing weight suddenly becomes possible - I had decades of trying to lose weight on a high carb low fat set of diet sheets and it just never happened. Once diagnosed type 2 and following what was basically Atkins 'New Diet Revolution' way of eating, all my clothes were suddenly rather too large.
I used a blood glucose tester to check my blood glucose levels after meals and found that the carb levels I discovered using Atkins for weightloss were exactly those which gave me normal glucose. My GP actually screamed at me when I revealed I was doing Atkins and threatened to take me off their books if I continued to lose weight by that method.

 

[Docb]

Just to echo the thoughts of others that there is no need to panic. Getting her glucose levels down needs to be done but quite how you go about that will depend on your circumstances. You say your wife is on an antipsychotic which suggests there are factors in your position which most of us do not have to take into account when working out what to do.

Read around the forum and you will soon get a feel for the things that can be done to lower blood glucose - I sum them up as weight, diet, exercise, pills - and work out the best approach for your wife taking all things into account. There will be a way forward, you just have to tease it out.

 

[Maz2]

One great thing about using a low carb diet to control type 2 is the way that losing weight suddenly becomes possible - I had decades of trying to lose weight on a high carb low fat set of diet sheets and it just never happened. Once diagnosed type 2 and following what was basically Atkins 'New Diet Revolution' way of eating, all my clothes were suddenly rather too large.
I used a blood glucose tester to check my blood glucose levels after meals and found that the carb levels I discovered using Atkins for weightloss were exactly those which gave me normal glucose. My GP actually screamed at me when I revealed I was doing Atkins and threatened to take me off their books if I continued to lose weight by that method.

I suppose it could be that it is not "medically proven". At least I don't think it is but could be wrong. An ex work colleague of mine did the Atkins and she put on weight, her cholesterol and blood pressure went high and she had to be put on meds for it. She stopped it. I suppose what suits one does not suit another.

I know of someone else who did high fat low carb and she lost weight. Not sure if it was Atkins or not though.

 

[Drummer]

I suppose it could be that it is not "medically proven". At least I don't think it is but could be wrong. An ex work colleague of mine did the Atkins and she put on weight, her cholesterol and blood pressure went high and she had to be put on meds for it. She stopped it. I suppose what suits one does not suit another.

I know of someone else who did high fat low carb and she lost weight. Not sure if it was Atkins or not though.

A lot of people 'do Atkins' when they have never read the books.
I had a rather heated discussion with a dietician who kept saying 'Atkins is....' and I replied 'Have you read the books? Can you tell me where it says that?' and in the end she admitted that she'd seen something about it on TV and accepted it as accurate reporting.

 

[mashedupmatt]

Sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis @Captainfalcon8 but as already mentioned, lowering the carb intake and some other adjustments will really help - there are many people on this forum who have vast experience of this who can help - the BG levels before and 2 hrs after food are not too bad at all so you're on the right track - check the Learning Zone (link is at the top of the page) for some low carb recipe ideas as well as the great external resources already mentioned - ask any questions you may have, we're all here to help