New n nervous

[Pine Marten]

Oh yes, don't worry, it's best to take things one step at a time anyway, so get your numbers and let us know. We can then be in a better position to help.

 

[adrian1der]

Hi @Hayleykjjt There might be more confusion here. The HbA1c is an average over a roughly three month period. It measures glucose bound to your red blood cells which live for around 3 months. This is usually given as a number like 48. Then there is a finger prick test which measures your blood glucose at a moment in time. This will return a number like 5.6 as the units are different and they measure different things. Then there is the old % way of giving an HbA1c which is what is in @Pine Marten signature.

 

[Hayleykjjt]

Will the gp give me a finger prick device to start with or is that at a later time? Thank you so much for all this help and advice xx

 

[adrian1der]

Will the gp give me a finger prick device to start with or is that at a later time? Thank you so much for all this help and advice xx

Unless you go on insulin then no is almost certainly the answer. If it is then I would strongly recommend self funding

 

[Hayleykjjt]

Unless you go on insulin then no is almost certainly the answer. If it is then I would strongly recommend self funding

So how do you know you are going in the right direction if not tested each day? My head is like a washing machine at the min!!! Just whizzing around with so much in it!!! You guys are fantastic xx

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

So how do you know you are going in the right direction if not tested each day? My head is like a washing machine at the min!!! Just whizzing around with so much in it!!! You guys are fantastic xx

There is reluctance from many GPs to give out BG monitors unless people are on meds which can cause hypos. Partly this is down to prescribing cost. But there is some research that shows that people get depressed or anxious or confused by numbers they don’t like and/or don’t understand.

BUT

That same research also admits that there is a part of the T2 population (a very large part if this forum is anything to go by!) who are actively interested in seeing what effect different foods have on their BG, and to actively use the results to improve their BG outcomes.

There are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you will want to cut out straight away, you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits.

You can use a BG meter, taking a reading before and again 2hrs after eating, to see what the differences are, to identify any types or amounts carbs that seem to be raising your BG a lot (initially in a way the numbers themselves matter less than the differences between them).

Once you can see how you respond to different meals you can begin experimenting to aim for a rise of 2-3mmol/L or less by reducing portion size of carbs or trying different types (sometimes just having the same things at a different time of day makes a difference). You’ll be gradually tweaking and tailoring your meals and snacks to find a way of eating that suits your tastebuds, your waistline and your BG levels 🙂

If you are interested in this approach you may find test-review-adjust by Alan S a helpful framework.

The most affordable meters members here have found are the SD Gluco Navii or the Spirit Tee2 - which both have test strips at around £8 for 50

Hope the chat with your nurse goes well. Come back to us with any questions and to let us know how it went.

 

[Pine Marten]

So how do you know you are going in the right direction if not tested each day? My head is like a washing machine at the min!!! Just whizzing around with so much in it!!! You guys are fantastic xx

Exactly! I agree with the advice above from @everydayupsanddowns, and it's often a matter of cost unfortunately that GPs are reluctant to give out meters. But you are absolutely right, you don't know if you're going in the right direction if you don't test - it's like driving a car blindfold.

When I first started testing I found it very interesting to see the different effects that different foods had, and often not what you might expect. I found that certain gravy granules sent my numbers up, so we started making our own gravy. Pastry really sent my numbers up, so pies had to go too...

On the other hand I found that chocolate eclairs from Tesco were pretty good - presumably because the pastry is very light 🙂 ....so it really is a matter of test and see what happens.

 

[Hayleykjjt]

There is reluctance from many GPs to give out BG monitors unless people are on meds which can cause hypos. Partly this is down to prescribing cost. But there is some research that shows that people get depressed or anxious or confused by numbers they don’t like and/or don’t understand.

BUT

That same research also admits that there is a part of the T2 population (a very large part if this forum is anything to go by!) who are actively interested in seeing what effect different foods have on their BG, and to actively use the results to improve their BG outcomes.

There are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you will want to cut out straight away, you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits.

You can use a BG meter, taking a reading before and again 2hrs after eating, to see what the differences are, to identify any types or amounts carbs that seem to be raising your BG a lot (initially in a way the numbers themselves matter less than the differences between them).

Once you can see how you respond to different meals you can begin experimenting to aim for a rise of 2-3mmol/L or less by reducing portion size of carbs or trying different types (sometimes just having the same things at a different time of day makes a difference). You’ll be gradually tweaking and tailoring your meals and snacks to find a way of eating that suits your tastebuds, your waistline and your BG levels 🙂

If you are interested in this approach you may find test-review-adjust by Alan S a helpful framework.

The most affordable meters members here have found are the SD Gluco Navii or the Spirit Tee2 - which both have test strips at around £8 for 50

Hope the chat with your nurse goes well. Come back to us with any questions and to let us know how it went.

Hey x thanks for the reply. Been and my HbA1c is 67 so on metformin gotta have bloods took again etc - so.much info all at once !! Xx

 

[trophywench]

On the other hand I found that chocolate eclairs from Tesco were pretty good - presumably because the pastry is very light 🙂 ....so it really is a matter of test and see what happens.

Well so did I - but you know what? Those from Morrisons actually taste better! We have found over the last year that Tesco's ones usually taste of cardboard - weird - whereas the M's ones don't seem to absorb the flavour of their boxes.

 

[Hayleykjjt]

Hey everyone xx I've ordered a monitor thing but was wondering what is the best time of the day to do the test? I really have no idea what im doing - doc just gave me tablets n off I went xx

 

[adrian1der]

First thing in the morning will give you an approximate fasting level. Then test before food and two hours afterwards. Ideally you are looking for no more than a rise of 2 and below 8 if I remember correctly two hours after eating. I know it seems like a lot but you will soon get to know what ingredients you can, and can't tolerate

 

[adrian1der]

Normal and Diabetic Blood Sugar Level Ranges

Normal blood sugar ranges and blood sugar ranges for adults and children with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and blood sugar ranges to determine diabetes.

www.diabetes.co.uk

will help

 

[Hayleykjjt]

Thank You so much for this xx my HbA1c was 67 x

 

[adrian1der]

About where I started as well....

 

[Hayleykjjt]

About where I started as well....

You have been very helpful so thank you xx

 

[Deleted member 25429]

You have been very helpful so thank you xx

It does become easier .. just takes time and patience

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I've ordered a monitor thing but was wondering what is the best time of the day to do the test?

Check immediately before eating, and 2hrs after the first bite.

I made more suggestions in my earlier post here https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/new-n-nervous.92249/page-2#post-1054448

🙂

 

[Pine Marten]

Well so did I - but you know what? Those from Morrisons actually taste better! We have found over the last year that Tesco's ones usually taste of cardboard - weird - whereas the M's ones don't seem to absorb the flavour of their boxes.

Interesting. We haven't been in Morrisons for quite a while, the queues got very long and I always found our branch rather depressing. Might bear it in mind though.

 

[karelizco]

Thank You so much for this xx my HbA1c was 67 x

Hi Hayley, I was diagnosed as T2 3 days before Christmas boo sucks to that!!. I have been on a journey of discovery too and this forum has been so helpful. I did get a finger prick monitor and its been really helpful, its amazing what foods shoot my glucose up and others (like wholemeal pasta and rye bread) which doesnt. There is a tesco Rye Sourdough bread which is very low in sugar which I love. You will learn over time what works for you. I havent had a very helpful nurse either but was put on metformin 1000 ml and with lower sugar foods and a little more excercise I am hopefully affecting change. I am having my 3 month check next week and Im hoping that my results will have come down from 61! We are all here for you if you have any questions, Im still learning but there are others as you can see from above that are far more experienced.

 

[Hayleykjjt]

Hi Hayley, I was diagnosed as T2 3 days before Christmas boo sucks to that!!. I have been on a journey of discovery too and this forum has been so helpful. I did get a finger prick monitor and its been really helpful, its amazing what foods shoot my glucose up and others (like wholemeal pasta and rye bread) which doesnt. There is a tesco Rye Sourdough bread which is very low in sugar which I love. You will learn over time what works for you. I havent had a very helpful nurse either but was put on metformin 1000 ml and with lower sugar foods and a little more excercise I am hopefully affecting change. I am having my 3 month check next week and Im hoping that my results will have come down from 61! We are all here for you if you have any questions, Im still learning but there are others as you can see from above that are far more experienced.

Thank you xx it's such a comfort to be on here xx I hope your levels come down at next check up. Xx