New guidelines

[JMyrtle]

Hi everyone,
I heard this from a reliable source over the week-end.
Apparently the health dept. are concerned about the number of over 60s being diagnosed with type 2.
Are they concerned about the patient, no, just the cost!
So it has been suggested that newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics over sixty years of age with no other health problems such as high cholesterol, blood pressure or eye problems should not be given medication unless their HbA1c reading is over 60.
Instead advice on diet and regular blood tests, eye tests and foot checks should be given with no further action taken unless the blood glucose readings increase.
Apparently the risk in older patients is much less than younger ones because our remaining life span is much shorter and " something else will get us first"
Sounds like the same reasoning concerning the breast screening for the ladies in their late 60s, but then they will be bumping us all off when we reach 65 soon!

 

[DaveB]

That shouldn't be a problem as questionable NHS targets for BP and cholesterol mean that most over-60s will fail one of those criteria and hence be eligible for medication anyway 🙂 I wonder what sort of diet advice these people will be given? Could it be low sugar, low fat and low salt and don't worry about the other carbs....

 

[mikeyB]

In the US they would be hard pressed to find any T2 who wouldn’t fail any of those criteria. I agree with DaveB, most over 60s would fail at least one. Otherwise, it’s not a completely daft idea, because it’s those other criteria that kill you.

 

[JMyrtle]

Probably explains why with a cholesterol of 4.5, b/p of 118/70, HbA1c of 58 and no eye problems I was originally told no cakes, no biscuits, no sugar, no sweets and come back in six months.
Maybe things aren't so bad after all as my daily readings are between 7 and 8 before breakfast, between 5 and 6 before dinner and between 7 and 8 two hours later so maybe no meds for me in the near future.
All I need to do now is stay there.
However what does confuse me is yesterday the only carbs I ate was one slice of wholemeal Kings mill, a satsuma, a banana and one tablespoon of fried rice ( mainly veggies) giving me a two hour after reading of 6.1.
This morning my morning reading was 7.1, I understand the principal of the "dawn drop" but where did my liver get the glucose from in the first place if I haven't eaten anything to supply it?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

The liver and muscles hold stored glucose all the time, and can release it whenever needed.

For example if you suddenly had to run for the bus (or outrun a sabre-toothed cat) before breakfast, you wouldn’t need to stop to find some berries or a beehive full of honey first - you’ve got built-in glucose batteries!

Helpful for out cave dwelling forebears - not so handy for us lot these days 🙄

 

[JMyrtle]

Thanks Mike, sometimes things are too clever for their own good.
Predinner reading 5.1 lowest ever so will be interested to see what the two hour reading will be following an egg salad with home made cole slaw and one small new potato.

 

[JMyrtle]

Seems new potatoes are ok for me.
No reaction to one yesterday so had four small ones today and b/g 6.00 before eating raised to 6.1 two hours afterwards.
I also tried pancakes with one egg, one and a half spoonfuls of ground almonds and half a spoonful of strong bread flour to provide just enough glutin to hold the mix together.
Again no raised b/ g after two hours so at least there is something I can now have when I get desperate for something "sweet" although it just was lemon juice and Canderel.😉

 

[Mark Parrott]

Seems new potatoes are ok for me.
No reaction to one yesterday so had four small ones today and b/g 6.00 before eating raised to 6.1 two hours afterwards.
I also tried pancakes with one egg, one and a half spoonfuls of ground almonds and half a spoonful of strong bread flour to provide just enough glutin to hold the mix together.
Again no raised b/ g after two hours so at least there is something I can now have when I get desperate for something "sweet" although it just was lemon juice and Canderel.😉

If you like pancakes, I can recommend cream cheese pancakes, just made with plain cream cheese, eggs & a bit of sweetener. Think i've posted the recipe on here somewhere.

 

[JMyrtle]

You mention cream cheese.
I've developed an easy recipe for a carb free cheese sauce.
Mix a spoonful of cream cheese with a little cream and parmesan, pour over cooked cauliflower, broccoli, leeks or celery, what ever you fancy really and " ping" for a couple of minutes.
I use the one with chives and garlic but if you wanted to make say a pepper sauce you could use plain with a little brandy and ground black pepper.
Unfortunately Port is a no go which is a shame!

 

[Drummer]

Probably explains why with a cholesterol of 4.5, b/p of 118/70, HbA1c of 58 and no eye problems I was originally told no cakes, no biscuits, no sugar, no sweets and come back in six months.
Maybe things aren't so bad after all as my daily readings are between 7 and 8 before breakfast, between 5 and 6 before dinner and between 7 and 8 two hours later so maybe no meds for me in the near future.
All I need to do now is stay there.
However what does confuse me is yesterday the only carbs I ate was one slice of wholemeal Kings mill, a satsuma, a banana and one tablespoon of fried rice ( mainly veggies) giving me a two hour after reading of 6.1.
This morning my morning reading was 7.1, I understand the principal of the "dawn drop" but where did my liver get the glucose from in the first place if I haven't eaten anything to supply it?

Only? bread, high sugar fruit, more fruit and some rice - I would not dare even think about those foods even in minute quantities - you must really be in remission if you can eat those foods and see such low numbers.

 

[JMyrtle]

Yes those are the foods I'm ok with and don't forget that was over the course of the whole day, not all at once.
What I must avoid is white bread, pasta, rice on it's own ( fried with lots of vegetables is ok) anything more than half a potato and any cakes, biscuits and crisps.
Don't even mention puddings or sugar.
Basically, anything I like I can't have!
However as I said earlier with the new suggested guidelines setting the bar at HbA1c of 60 or below the G.P. has signed me off as normal as my last test was 51, all I have to do is stay there.