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New to this and confused ‍♀️

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Tish

Tish

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi, I have had one of the 3 monthly blood test and it was 52, I then had it repeated 2 weeks later and it was again 52, was called in to see the nurse and she told me I am type 2, but have to have it confirmed by my gp - so off I went for a fasting test which has come back high too - so going to see GP on Monday next week to be confirmed. The nurse told me that I would be put straight onto tablets. But should I not be able to control through diet first? I have a blood checker and as the site says I have been testing before breakfast (it's normally around 7.2) and then I test again before tea, then 2 hours after. What is confusing me, is my bloods are around 5.8 /6.2 before I eat in the evening then 2 hours after it can be 8.4 6.9, why is it dipping so low before eating? Also tonight when I tested and it was 5.8 I had 2 mango chicken goujons(no batter) broc and asparagus with cous cous - yet 2 hours after it was 8.4? Am so confused by the low reading before eating. Is this normal? And if below 8.5 would this be considered as ok if type 2 after eating?
 
Hi Tish, welcome to the forum....

Those BG levels are not particularly bad, though your A1C (52) does put you into the diabetic range.
Depending on activity levels and food that you consume your BG will rise & fall during the day, your problem is insulin resistance rather than constantly rising BG levels. You will find that as you adjust your diet & lifestyle then your BG levels will start to even out; the key is to eat to avoid large spikes, look for between 2-3 MMol rise after 2 hours (obviously nearer 2 is better.

As for the drugs, I wouldn't worry too much about being put on Metformin, though at those levels there is a case for just diet & exercise only.

I am impressed that you started testing before an official DX, with a start like that I'm sure you will get this under control fairly easily.
 
Thank you. So when you say it shouldn't rise more than 2-3 mmol is that the other side of the point as in if it were 5.8 it should only go up to 6.1 or is it that it should be going up to 7.8? Still learning all the terminology. I started the testing in the hopes that I could show the doctor when I went that I can control with diet & exercise so he doesn't put me straight into tablets. I've read that they can make you feel sick all the time so am quite worried about being put on them tbh.
 
Hi Tish, welcome. TBH whether your on diabetic meds or not, diet and exersize if you're able to plays a major part in diabetes control. I agree your Levels aren't particularly high. If you wish their is no reason why you shouldn't discuss holding off on medications for a few months to see if you can control your D by exersize and diet alone , some people are able too some not.
We can help with dietary advise ,it's not as bad as you might be thinking and I'm betting we're going to supprise you. The exersize needs to be something you enjoy, it doesn't have to be a workout at the gym either.
Feel free to ask questions, we'll do our best to help.
 
Welcome to the forum, Tish. It sounds like you're already getting to grips with monitoring your blood glucose levels and managing carbohydrate intake. As others have said, exercise / activity is also an important part of life with diabetes. Medication may be needed, but managing diet, exercise and body weight (reducing if overweight, not increasing if normal weight) all reduce the need, so you might not need any, or might need fewer tablets (types and doses) and / or delay starting.
 
Tish said:
Thank you. So when you say it shouldn't rise more than 2-3 mmol is that the other side of the point as in if it were 5.8 it should only go up to 6.1 or is it that it should be going up to 7.8?
Click to expand...
Welcome, when we talk about mmol, we mean the whole numbers, so a rise from 5.8 to 7.8 is fine.
Yes, Metformin can cause tummy problems, but not everyone is affected. I think the more carb you eat, the worse you feel with it. I'd adopted a low carb diet when I was put on it, and didn't have any symptoms. ( I was initially misdiagnosed as Type 2) There is also a slow release version which is gentler on the stomach. Doctors don't usually prescribe that in the first instance because it's more expensive, but worth asking if you get problems.
 
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Hello to Tish.
 
Hello and welcome to the forum Tish. 🙂
 
Thank everyone - good to hear that my blood levels do not appear to be too alarming - am dreading seeing the gp Monday but will be strong and ask for 3 months to trial diet rather than go straight on the tablets
 
Tish said:
Thank everyone - good to hear that my blood levels do not appear to be too alarming - am dreading seeing the gp Monday but will be strong and ask for 3 months to trial diet rather than go straight on the tablets
Click to expand...
When I was first diagnosed many years ago my Hb1ac was 140😱 itsmuch much lower now🙂
 
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