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Rachellou

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Type 2
Hi everyone,
My name is Rachel and I am type 2. I actually found out through some blood tests that my rheumatology appointment did, they actually must have thought that I knew I was Diabetic because they told me it was uncontrolled at 96%. I have read some information on the website but I am awaiting some appointments with the healthy eating appointments but I don't know where to start. She never mentioned that I have to check my levels or anything. Just to watch what I eat, check the carbs and sugars. Are we meant to be doing testing? I can be a fussy eater and don't eat at regular times.
 
Hello @Rachellou and welcome to the forum.
The 96 could be your Hba1c level - mine was 91 at diagnosis and I got a similar reaction.
If so then an assessment of your carb intake would be the place to start if you'd like to give control by diet a trial. A glucose tester might help to assess the impact of foods - testing 2 hours after starting to eat a meal is the usual way to see how you deal with it. The meters are available online - there is information about them available on the forum. It is usually best to find one which has fairly cheap test strips even if you have to pay for it - often the free meters have expensive test strips and that is the main cost of testing.
 
HbA1C is measured in mmol/mol and indeed 96 sounds as if that is what it is, and definitely gives you a diabetes diagnosis the threshold being 48mmol/mol so you are a fair way up the ladder. I would be surprised if you were not prescribed medication but even so dietary changes will be as, if not more effective.
This link has explanation of a low carbohydrate approach based on real food which many have found successful in both losing weight if you need to and reducing blood glucose.
https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Your blood glucose is certainly at a level that should be taken seriously, it is surprising you have not experienced symptoms of thirst and frequent loo visits which is what often sends people to the GP.
You should get some checks of your feet and have retinal screening of your eyes and I would expect you should get another HbA1C test in about 3 months to see if your lifestyle changes have been effective.
If you can increase your exercise, walking is good, that will also help.
 
Welcome to the forum @Rachellou

Has your diagnosis come on suddenly? Or has it been building up for some time? Were you getting symptoms (eg thirst and needing to wee more often), or did it come as a complete surprise? Did you have any unintentional weight loss?

And are you seeing rheumatology for an autoimmune condition? eg rheumatoid arthritis?

Forgive the barrage of questions, but autoimmune conditions can sometimes group together, and sometimes non-specialist healthcare professionals can assume T2 based largely on age, even if someone isn’t particularly overweight at diagnosis.

Not saying this is the case for you, but it may be worth considering, if the standard T2 treatments don’t seem to be working as they are expected to. There are extra checks for GAD antibodies, and cPeptide that can help to clarify if you might have an autoimmune form of diabetes.

Hope you get some helpful guidance at your appointment, and that it comes through speedily. Has it been suggested that you start on any medication?
 
Hi and welcome but sorry you need to be here and finding out in such circumstances.

You mention that this was flagged up at the rheumatology clinic. Can I ask what condition you are treated for there and does it involve steroids? You are obviously not obliged to disclose anything about your health situation that you are not comfortable discussing, but it all adds to the bigger picture and helps us make more appropriate suggestions.
For instance, if it is something autoimmune like Polymyalgia Rheumatica, which is an autoimmune condition, then together with your sudden high HbA1c result it should be considered that you might be Type 1 (also autoimmune). If you are on steroids long term, then it might be steroid induced diabetes.
Have you spoken to your GP or practice nurse since this was flagged up? You certainly should have more support than a referral to a "healthy eating session" with levels that high. NICE guidelines would be to start medication immediately at that level.
 
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Clearly Mike and I are thinking along the same lines at the same time but he must type faster than me 🙄
 
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