New here, thinking I could be Type 2

[Jind44]

Hi, thanks for letting me join.
I have some underlying conditions and am on steroids regularly, last September I was on a short course of steroids and started with thirst etc. I took my blood sugars as I had a meter because my dad and brother had diabetes so I have always worried I would get it, anyway I took the reading and it was 15.2. I made appointment with GP and reading was high while I was there and glucose in my wee. They did a HbA1C and it was 41, (previously 34 a few months before during a health check)so they said it’s just the steroids and to monitor it when off them. When off them levels were normal didn’t think much of it. As soon as on steroids they rise again. Not been on them since November though.

Then 3 weeks ago I started getting blurred vision and tired, I’ve other conditions also like high BP so thought probably this but I’d get meter out and check, when I checked I was 11.9. This was after a bowl of bran flakes. So after this I tried a fasting level and was 7.8. I have found in the morning after breakfast, it’s always at its highest around 11-14. Even trying different breakfasts. I’ve been unsure about contacting GP as they totally dismissed me last time and just blamed the steroids.

This morning I was 6.9 when I woke up, I had 2 weetabix and it went to 12.3. So I contacted GP and they booked a fasting blood test for 3 weeks time! I’ve been told need high fibre diet hence the bran flakes and weetabix choices.

I have been trying to reduce carbs but feeling as soon as I eat levels rise. If I starve levels come down to about 6 but when I eat anything they rise. Even a cup of tea no sugar makes them go up, Does this sound like Type 2 this time.

 

[Drummer]

We can't give you a diagnosis, but I will say that there are some far better ways of getting fibre than eating it mixed with starches and sugars.
Eating a low carb diet is a good way to control blood glucose, and it can improve other things as well. That is quite important as several people have had falls, one of them rather serious due to continuing to take medication at the same rate and their blood pressure going low.
Meat fish and seafood, eggs cheese, full fat yoghurt and cream are all low carb and used as the basis for many meals.
You could start making swaps for the highest carb foods that you eat. The test for diabetes shows the effects of the last three months or so, and even if you improve your glucose levels over the next three weeks it should still show up any carb intolerance.

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi Jind44,

Welcome to the forum. As you've been off the steroids for a while, it seems like a good time to get in touch with your GP so that they can look into this properly.

You seem to be doing the right things so hopefully your GP can confirm whether you have diabetes of not and if so, start a treatment plan.

 

[Leadinglights]

We can't give you a diagnosis, but I will say that there are some far better ways of getting fibre than eating it mixed with starches and sugars.
Eating a low carb diet is a good way to control blood glucose, and it can improve other things as well - you might need to reduce medication for high blood pressure. That is quite important as several people have had falls, one of them rather serious due to continuing to take medication at the same rate and their blood pressure going low.
Meat fish and seafood, eggs cheese, full fat yoghurt and cream are all low carb and used as the basis for many meals.
You could start making swaps for the highest carb foods that you eat. The test for diabetes shows the effects of the last three months or so, and even if you improve your glucose levels over the next three weeks it should still show up any carb intolerance.

My understanding is that an HbA1C does not need to be a fasting test so I wonder if that is what has been arranged or just a spot fasting test which will not really tell anything useful.

 

[pm133]

We can't give you a diagnosis, but I will say that there are some far better ways of getting fibre than eating it mixed with starches and sugars.
Eating a low carb diet is a good way to control blood glucose, and it can improve other things as well - you might need to reduce medication for high blood pressure. That is quite important as several people have had falls, one of them rather serious due to continuing to take medication at the same rate and their blood pressure going low.
Meat fish and seafood, eggs cheese, full fat yoghurt and cream are all low carb and used as the basis for many meals.
You could start making swaps for the highest carb foods that you eat. The test for diabetes shows the effects of the last three months or so, and even if you improve your glucose levels over the next three weeks it should still show up any carb intolerance.

Hi @Jind44,

I know @Drummer is trying to be helpful here but please do not act on any advice to reduce any high blood pressure medication you are on without explicitly talking to your GP first.

If you are on any medication at all, I would also say that it would be better to talk to your GP about going low carb. It isn't for everyone and it might not be good for you depending on your current health.

For these reasons, nobody should be giving you specific medical advice on this forum. It could easily be misinterpreted and might potentially be disastrous for the person involved.

 

[Jind44]

Hi @Jind44,

I know @Drummer is trying to be helpful here but please do not act on any advice to reduce any high blood pressure medication you are on without explicitly talking to your GP first.

If you are on any medication at all, I would also say that it would be better to talk to your GP about going low carb. It isn't for everyone and it might not be good for you depending on your current health.

For these reasons, nobody should be giving you specific medical advice on this forum. It could easily be misinterpreted and might potentially be disastrous for the person involved.

Thank you for your response, it did worry me about the BP medication. I have wondered if its that causing the spikes. But I wouldn’t stop anything without my GP advice though thank you.

I feel my post came across wrong, I’m sorry I rambled a bit. I was hoping to speak to my GP or nurse yesterday but couldnt get past reception and was told just to book a blood test!

What I was wondering was certain food spikes my levels, but when I don’t eat they are normal so perhaps this isn’t diabetes just that I am eating the wrong things that’s all I was trying to ask but it come out wrong.

My Dad’s levels before he died were always high and food pushed it up even more thats why I’ve been unsure. And steroids with me meant I have high readings all day.

I have so many questions, but I am not after a diagnosis I have arranged a blood test for that but as it’s 3 weeks ago just trying to get some info.

Thank you for replying though I do appreciate it.

 

[Jind44]

My understanding is that an HbA1C does not need to be a fasting test so I wonder if that is what has been arranged or just a spot fasting test which will not really tell anything useful.

That’s interesting, when they checked my HbA1c last year the receptionist said it was a fasting sample but when I got there the nurse said it didn’t need to be.

I had a text to confirm and it says fasting blood test. Perhaps I will call them.

 

[Leadinglights]

You mention steroids which do have a reputation for causing raised blood glucose so that may be the issue. But make sure the blood test you are getting is an HbA1c as that is the test used to give a diagnosis.
Meanwhile if you have a monitor you could usefully keep a food diary noting everything you eat and drink and if you do some tests before you eat and after 2 hours that will give an indication of how your body is tolerating the carbohydrates you have, an increase of more than 2-3mmol/l means the meal was not too good. So you could reduce the portion of the higher carb component. I would not make any drastic changes until you get a diagnosis. Use the time to gather information about how your body handles the food you are having.
As your Dad was diabetic it is not all completely new to you.
Obviously if you start to feel more unwell then speak to your GP, I'm not sure why they would want you to wait 3 weeks for the blood test.

 

[Jind44]

Hi Jind44,

Welcome to the forum. As you've been off the steroids for a while, it seems like a good time to get in touch with your GP so that they can look into this properly.

You seem to be doing the right things so hopefully your GP can confirm whether you have diabetes of not and if so, start a treatment plan.

Thank you, yes I should have a plan soon.
Was just trying to gather some info first, as I only go higher after food and was a little confused.

Thank you for your response.

 

[pm133]

Thank you for your response, it did worry me about the BP medication. I have wondered if its that causing the spikes. But I wouldn’t stop anything without my GP advice though thank you.

I feel my post came across wrong, I’m sorry I rambled a bit. I was hoping to speak to my GP or nurse yesterday but couldnt get past reception and was told just to book a blood test!

What I was wondering was certain food spikes my levels, but when I don’t eat they are normal so perhaps this isn’t diabetes just that I am eating the wrong things that’s all I was trying to ask but it come out wrong.

My Dad’s levels before he died were always high and food pushed it up even more thats why I’ve been unsure. And steroids with me meant I have high readings all day.

I have so many questions, but I am not after a diagnosis I have arranged a blood test for that but as it’s 3 weeks ago just trying to get some info.

Thank you for replying though I do appreciate it.

You're welcome.
You have no need to apologise for anything.
When it comes to rambling, you're talking to the expert. 🙂

 

[Jind44]

You mention steroids which do have a reputation for causing raised blood glucose so that may be the issue. But make sure the blood test you are getting is an HbA1c as that is the test used to give a diagnosis.
Meanwhile if you have a monitor you could usefully keep a food diary noting everything you eat and drink and if you do some tests before you eat and after 2 hours that will give an indication of how your body is tolerating the carbohydrates you have, an increase of more than 2-3mmol/l means the meal was not too good. So you could reduce the portion of the higher carb component. I would not make any drastic changes until you get a diagnosis. Use the time to gather information about how your body handles the food you are having.
As your Dad was diabetic it is not all completely new to you.
Obviously if you start to feel more unwell then speak to your GP, I'm not sure why they would want you to wait 3 weeks for the blood test.

Thank you, that’s really helpful and a good idea about the food diary. I will ask about what blood test it is. It’s in 3 weeks time as that was next available. GP said book for this week but reception said none available for over a month then they squeezed me in for 3 weeks time.
Its a nightmare at my surgery for appointments.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thank you, that’s really helpful and a good idea about the food diary. I will ask about what blood test it is. It’s in 3 weeks time as that was next available. GP said book for this week but reception said none available for over a month then they squeezed me in for 3 weeks time.
Its a nightmare at my surgery for appointments.

We have a local pharmacy who do blood tests as the GP surgery does not do them, usually there are appointments within a day or so. I suppose not everywhere has that available.

 

[Drummer]

Thank you for your response, it did worry me about the BP medication. I have wondered if its that causing the spikes. But I wouldn’t stop anything without my GP advice though thank you.
I feel my post came across wrong, I’m sorry I rambled a bit. I was hoping to speak to my GP or nurse yesterday but couldnt get past reception and was told just to book a blood test!

I'm afraid that your response from the receptionist is rather common these days.
The BP medication isn't likely to be the cause of spikes after eating - and I am sorry if my advice worried you, its just that several people on the low carb forum have had falls - one of them quite a bad one, as they were taking tablets they no longer needed, and that was in my thoughts rather than how to go about things properly.
If you can check your own blood pressure that would be a good idea. I picked up a tester and cuff some time ago and check my own BP from time to time just to know what it is. If you do need to speak to your GP being able to quote your findings might get you past reception.
If you need more fibre then adding it into the dressing on a salad - a heaped teaspoon of psyllium husks or some linseed is quite a heft dose of fibre.

 

[Jind44]

I'm afraid that your response from the receptionist is rather common these days.
The BP medication isn't likely to be the cause of spikes after eating - and I am sorry if my advice worried you, its just that several people on the low carb forum have had falls - one of them quite a bad one, as they were taking tablets they no longer needed, and that was in my thoughts rather than how to go about things properly.
If you can check your own blood pressure that would be a good idea. I picked up a tester and cuff some time ago and check my own BP from time to time just to know what it is. If you do need to speak to your GP being able to quote your findings might get you past reception.
If you need more fibre then adding it into the dressing on a salad - a heaped teaspoon of psyllium husks or some linseed is quite a heft dose of fibre.

Yes seems GP appointments are very few and far between now, I use engage consult sometimes and basically have a text conversation with GP now.
Thank you for the advice, much appreciated. I have a BP monitor and send in readings to the GP so I’ll be able to keep an eye on it. But its something I will look out for.

Thanks for the fibre tips also I will check out the low carb forum.