New member recently diagnosed

[6pac]

Hi there
My names Andy and I live in South Manchester. I had a fasting blood test last week and the very next day I had a telephone call off my doctor.
He told me my cholesterol and triglyceride levels were very high. This didn’t come as a surprise as I have FH.
Anyway the next day he rang again and told me he’d missed something on the test results and I’m also a diabetic with a reading of 90 mmol/mol.
I had no idea what this meant so it was straight to the internet for some information. That’s where I came across this website and it’s been a godsend, although I must admit it’s been a bit of a shock as well, the amount of info is mind boggling. I have a lot to learn.

 

[ianf0ster]

Hi @6pac and welcome to the forum.
Most find it best to ask a lot of questions and then choose one of the 2 main paths to achieving Type 2 remission.

The most valuable tools are the following:
1. If using the Prof Taylor (very low calorie diet weight loss method). A good bathroom scales.
2. If using the Low Carb Dr David Unwin, Dr Aseem Malhotra (eat as many calories as you need not to feel hungry) method. A Blood Glucose meter (SD Gluco Navii or Spirit TEE2+ are 2 of the ones most used).

 

[Leadinglights]

Absolutely good advice about the blood glucose monitor and establishing a routine of testing the effect your meals have on blood glucose then you know what you need to be reducing in terms of the amount of carbohydrates you eat. An increase or no more than 2-3mmol/l after 2 hours would indicate your meal was OK, as your levels reduce then a 2 hour post meal of 8-8.5 mmol/l is what you want to aim at.
This link gives some good pointers for modifying your diet for a low carb approach. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/ it is based on REAL food.
If you opt for the low carb regime then the suggested amount of carbs is no more than 130g per day total carbs not just 'sugar' is needed to reduce blood glucose though many go lower but they determine what suits them by using their monitor.

 

[6pac]

Thanks for the info, I’ll look into it.
I don’t think I can achieve remission as I had a severe case of pancreatitis in 2018 that caused quite a bit of damage and I’ve had four less severe bouts since then due to a cyst on my pancreas. (Well I hope it’s a cyst, that’s what they said it looked like on the scan) I was told that when the pancreas is damaged it’s permanent and only gets worse, never better so I don’t think the diabetes will ever go into remission. Does this sound right?
I’m assuming I’m going to have to stick to a low carb (and low fat) diet forever.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

I was told that when the pancreas is damaged it’s permanent and only gets worse, never better so I don’t think the diabetes will ever go into remission. Does this sound right?
I’m assuming I’m going to have to stick to a low carb (and low fat) diet forever.

Depending on the damage it's possible you'll be Type 3c rather than Type 2. In which case the good news is you needn't worry so much about your diet, but the bad news is you'd need to be on insulin. (Not that being on insulin is necessarily a terrible thing but it does complicate life somewhat.)

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks for the info, I’ll look into it.
I don’t think I can achieve remission as I had a severe case of pancreatitis in 2018 that caused quite a bit of damage and I’ve had four less severe bouts since then due to a cyst on my pancreas. (Well I hope it’s a cyst, that’s what they said it looked like on the scan) I was told that when the pancreas is damaged it’s permanent and only gets worse, never better so I don’t think the diabetes will ever go into remission. Does this sound right?
I’m assuming I’m going to have to stick to a low carb (and low fat) diet forever.

There are quite a few people on here who have had various issues with their pancreas from total or partial removal of their pancreas or as in your case pancreatitis. They are thus diagnosed as Type 3c rather than Type 2 and receive rather different treatment so don't assume that what is suitable for a standard Type 2 will be appropriate for you.
I think for many they are treated as Type 1 but it can depend on how much functional pancreas they have. They will also take CREON to replace the enzymes that the pancreas would also produce to aid digestion.

 

[6pac]

Thanks, these posts are giving me some great ideas for the questions I need to ask when I see a doctor. I was prescribed creon after my last hospital admission but I’ve never taken it due to the fact that I wasn’t loosing weight and my stools were normal.
This is the first blood test I’ve had since getting out of hospital around three months ago.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks, these posts are giving me some great ideas for the questions I need to ask when I see a doctor. I was prescribed creon after my last hospital admission but I’ve never taken it due to the fact that I wasn’t loosing weight and my stools were normal.
This is the first blood test I’ve had since getting out of hospital around three months ago.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/type-3c-diabetes you may find useful

 

[6pac]

I’d just like to thank everyone for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it.
It’s given me some direction instead of just bouncing from article to article which was becoming overwhelming.
Thanks again.

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi 6pac, welcome to the forum.

Some great info above and yes, you'll probably be treated as a type 3c. The link on our site is very useful and we have quite a few 3c's on the forum so feel free to have a look around and don't hesitate to ask any questions or share any concerns.

 

[6pac]

T

Hi 6pac, welcome to the forum.

Some great info above and yes, you'll probably be treated as a type 3c. The link on our site is very useful and we have quite a few 3c's on the forum so feel free to have a look around and don't hesitate to ask any questions or share any concerns.

Thanks for the welcome Cherrelle.