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New to type two Diabetes and new to Forum

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Lori

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Type 2
Hi. I am completely new to all of this and would be grateful for some feedback.
I had symptoms of type 2 diabetes over a couple of years but I presented with suspectef UTI and kidney pain which rarely showed positive but all the symptoms. More recently antibiotics made me quite poorly. I had a lot of right sided flank pain and waist pain and was diagnosed with gastritis when I attended A&E in January 18. My fasting blood sugar was 6.7 and non fasting was 7 the three month average test. I was sent to see the diabetic nurse because I was in the prediabetes category and left the appointment with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. I was prescribed sukkarto. Today is the third day and the upset tummy has just kicked in. I had had foot pain and h hand pain for quite a while but didn't mention it because it was the kidney pain and UTI symptoms that bothered me. I was waking in the night to eat and needing the loo really thirsty but put it down to water infection. More recently I have been waking up feeling sick with a real sinking feeling that just made me very tearful. When I had UTI symptoms I became really confused before the antibiotics kicked in and then felt really ill whilst taking them. I am so concerned. I can't understand why it's taking so long for them to suspect diabetes. I have been on the same dose of thyroxine for years as I say my as I say my levels are fine. I would have thought my levels were too low to be classed as type 2?? Can anybody help??Also I have to take water everywhere with me. If I walk just up stairs I'm thirsty. I am on thyroxine 75mg and also indapamide and lisinopril for for high blood pressure. Can anybody relate to these funny feelings and tearfulness? Many people have much higher levels but I seem to have lots of symptoms.
 
Hello @Lori , Welcome to the forum. Hopefully I can help a little, others with more experience will be along later.
People who have T1 can have much much higher glucose levels, than T2 at Diagnosis.
If the blood tests were the Hb1ac , those number you gave show that you have just crossed over into the diabetic range. Pre diabetes is 42 to 47
Have a look at this conversion chart between the old and not so new Hb1ac measurements.
http://baspath.co.uk/Hba1c_table.pdf

The thirst you have could well be due to high blood glucose (BG) levels as well as the need to pee more, it’s our bodies way of trying to wash out some of the excess glucose.
The trouble is sweet urine is a wonderful breeding ground for those bugs that cause UTI’s
I too have had symptoms of a uti and the gp after doing the dip stick test wasn’t convinced, even though I was.
My advise is to have another s@mple tested and get your other symptom checked out again.

If our BG levels are to high We often often feel tired and ill.

My guess is, that like most with T2 who are not on medication that can cause hypo’s (yours normally doesn’t, it’s a slow release. Metformin ) are given a glucose meter and testing strips so you can check how high your levels are and how the various carbohydrates affect you.
You see many people think Diabetes is to do with eating sugary stuff! , the reality is, sugar is a fast acting carbohydrate and it’s carbohydrates we diabetics our bodies can’t handle very well, so reducing our carbohydrate intake a bit will help us a lot, we have no problems with protein and providing we do t have a medical condition that requires cutting down on fats, we don’t have a problem with good fats either

Just to give you an idea of what to eat.
So if you eat meat, all meat is fine as are high meat content sausages and burgers ,eggs cooked anyway you like, cheese, mushrooms, cream, butter, and veg that grows above ground ( though healthy we have to be careful with fruit as it has fructose, some people are fine with berries, grapes are little sugar bombs )

Things that aren’t so good for us are potatoes esp mashed, pasta, rice, bread esp white , many breakfast cereals. Though we do find suitable substitutes like, cauli mash, Burgen lindseed and sunflower bread or Lidle protein rolls Some people are fine with wholemeal bread , some veg that grow below ground are high carb and fruit juice has lots of fructose, though it’s a natural sugar it’s still sugar ie a fast acting carb.

My advise is see if they will give you a glucose meter and test strips on repeat prescription , if they won’t , consider self funding your own, the SD Codefree glucose meter and test strips is the cheapest one we know of to self fund, the ongoing cost of their strips are around £8 for 50, it’s only available online. other brands are £15 to £30 for 50.
Back later with some links unless others provide them first

The good thing is, now your on meds for diabetes, once the claim form is put in and you receive the certificate you are now entitled to free prescriptions for all your meds. I believe the gp/ diabetic nurse can fill it in and send it off. It been a while since I needed one as due to age I get mine free.

Ask as many questions as you need to we’ll do our best to help
 
Last edited:
Welcome, Lori.
 
Ljc said:
Hello @Lori , Welcome to the forum. Hopefully I can help a little, others with more experience will be along later.
People who have T1 can have much much higher glucose levels, than T2 at Diagnosis.
If the blood tests were the Hb1ac , those number you gave show that you have just crossed over into the diabetic range. Pre diabetes is 42 to 47
Have a look at this conversion chart between the old and not so new Hb1ac measurements.
http://baspath.co.uk/Hba1c_table.pdf

The thirst you have could well be due to high blood glucose (BG) levels as well as the need to pee more, it’s our bodies way of trying to wash out some of the excess glucose.
The trouble is sweet urine is a wonderful breeding ground for those bugs that cause UTI’s
I too have had symptoms of a uti and the gp after doing the dip stick test wasn’t convinced, even though I was.
My advise is to have another s@mple tested and get your other symptom checked out again.

If our BG levels are to high We often often feel tired and ill.

My guess is, that like most with T2 who are not on medication that can cause hypo’s (yours normally doesn’t, it’s a slow release. Metformin ) are given a glucose meter and testing strips so you can check how high your levels are and how the various carbohydrates affect you.
You see many people think Diabetes is to do with eating sugary stuff! , the reality is, sugar is a fast acting carbohydrate and it’s carbohydrates we diabetics our bodies can’t handle very well, so reducing our carbohydrate intake a bit will help us a lot, we have no problems with protein and providing we do t have a medical condition that requires cutting down on fats, we don’t have a problem with good fats either

Just to give you an idea of what to eat.
So if you eat meat, all meat is fine as are high meat content sausages and burgers ,eggs cooked anyway you like, cheese, mushrooms, cream, butter, and veg that grows above ground ( though healthy we have to be careful with fruit as it has fructose, some people are fine with berries, grapes are little sugar bombs )

Things that aren’t so good for us are potatoes esp mashed, pasta, rice, bread esp white , many breakfast cereals. Though we do find suitable substitutes like, cauli mash, Burgen lindseed and sunflower bread or Lidle protein rolls Some people are fine with wholemeal bread , some veg that grow below ground are high carb and fruit juice has lots of fructose, though it’s a natural sugar it’s still sugar ie a fast acting carb.

My advise is see if they will give you a glucose meter and test strips on repeat prescription , if they won’t , consider self funding your own, the SD Codefree glucose meter and test strips is the cheapest one we know of to self fund, the ongoing cost of their strips are around £8 for 50, it’s only available online. other brands are £15 to £30 for 50.
Back later with some links unless others provide them first

The good thing is, now your on meds for diabetes, once the claim form is put in and you receive the certificate you are now entitled to free prescriptions for all your meds. I believe the gp/ diabetic nurse can fill it in and send it off. It been a while since I needed one as due to age I get mine free.

Ask as many questions as you need to we’ll do our best to help
Click to expand...
Hi thank you for your reply
 
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Reactions: Ljc
scottishlass said:
Welcome, Lori.
Click to expand...
Hi thank you for your reply. My cholesterol is about or was about 5.2 I have had blurred vision and will wait to hear about an eye check that the diabetic nurse will arrange. I hope things continue to go with you well for you
 
Here’s links to the SD Codefree meter I promised earlier
Home health
http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/

Amazon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Codefree-G...fm-21&linkId=f39210144fdc26c27738e45b6d957003

We use the mmol/l measurement in the UK, you’re entitled to claim vat relief, it’s a simple online form on those sites.
You’ll need to buy more test strips and lancets as they only provide 10 of each in the starter pack .

How long have your eyes been blurry. Many of us experience blurred vision when our BG levels start coming down If it is this causing it, it will settle down of its own accord in about a month. I hope they will reassure you when you have the eye check.
 
Last edited:
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