Newbie saying hi

[jenub109]

Hi everyone,
Newly diagnosed T2D, a bit of history about myself I suffer from PCOs so have always been borderline but then got gestational diabetes oh and being over weight so pushed it all over the edge, combine that with my unhealthy eating Habits and family history of both sides lo and behold my Hbac1 came back at 113 (shocking) nurse was worried why so high all of a sudden told me to retest after a week with no sugar so went on low carb and no sugar diet and week later bloods came back at 98 which is somewhat of an improvement but not much, I’ve declined the meds for now and have asked for 3 months to clean up my act.
Looking for some inspiration and motivation to bring the levels down as don’t want to be on meds.
So that’s me….. how is everyone else?.
Jen

 

[Leadinglights]

Welcome to the forum
That is seriously high HbA1C, you must be feeling pretty unwell with such high blood glucose. I am quite surprised that they have agreed to no medication as often people are put on medication ( too hastily ) with an HbA1C half of yours.
It is good that you have taken measures to bring your glucose levels down, just be careful of not cutting too much too quickly as it is kinder on your body and you will be less likely to get issues with your eyes and nerves that some people can get.
Have a look at this link for some ideas for making some changes to your diet whilst still having filling tasty meals. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Low carb is suggested as being no more than 130g total carbs per day but it is not NO carbs.

 

[Drummer]

@jenub109 that is a big drop in just a week - you could well be in normal numbers in 6 months.
I don't need medication to be in the low numbers of prediabetes, which seems to be OK at my age, 72.
I set a maximum of 40 gm of carbs a day to maintain those numbers.

 

[Inka]

Welcome @jenub109 🙂 You say “why so high all of a sudden” - when was your last HbA1C before your 113 and what was the result?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

told me to retest after a week with no sugar so went on low carb and no sugar diet and week later bloods came back at 98

I wonder if the retest was just confirming the original result? An HbA1c is rarely taken more frequently than every 3 months (and your nurse would know this) because it measures how many red blood cells have been affected by glucose over their lifetime of about 3-4 months.

Within a week, the vast majority of the blood cells in the second result would have had the same exposure to historic glucose concentrations, and only a small proportion would have been recycled and replaced.

So be encouraged by the reduction so far. And aim for a changed way of eating that you can maintain over the longer term. 🙂

We have several members, including @Martin.A who started in 3-figures, and were able to reduce their HbA1c very effectively with a moderate or low carbohydrate menu and/or weight loss. 🙂

 

[jenub109]

Welcome to the forum
That is seriously high HbA1C, you must be feeling pretty unwell with such high blood glucose. I am quite surprised that they have agreed to no medication as often people are put on medication ( too hastily ) with an HbA1C half of yours.
It is good that you have taken measures to bring your glucose levels down, just be careful of not cutting too much too quickly as it is kinder on your body and you will be less likely to get issues with your eyes and nerves that some people can get.
Have a look at this link for some ideas for making some changes to your diet whilst still having filling tasty meals. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Low carb is suggested as being no more than 130g total carbs per day but it is not NO carbs.

Thank you will check out the webpage, I didn’t have many symptoms other than the excess toilet trips lol

 

[jenub109]

@jenub109 that is a big drop in just a week - you could well be in normal numbers in 6 months.
I don't need medication to be in the low numbers of prediabetes, which seems to be OK at my age, 72.
I set a maximum of 40 gm of carbs a day to maintain those numbers.

Thank you yes I’ve gone low carb and have lost 5kg but that I know is water weight but hoping I can carry on

 

[jenub109]

Welcome @jenub109 🙂 You say “why so high all of a sudden” - when was your last HbA1C before your 113 and what was the result?

Welcome @jenub109 🙂 You say “why so high all of a sudden” - when was your last HbA1C before your 113 and what was the result?

In 2021 they were meant to do yearly as I have always been pre diabetic but fell under the radar and 2021 was only because I had my baby the year before and was gestational ‍♀️

 

[jenub109]

I wonder if the retest was just confirming the original result? An HbA1c is rarely taken more frequently than every 3 months (and your nurse would know this) because it measures how many red blood cells have been affected by glucose over their lifetime of about 3-4 months.

Within a week, the vast majority of the blood cells in the second result would have had the same exposure to historic glucose concentrations, and only a small proportion would have been recycled and replaced.

So be encouraged by the reduction so far. And aim for a changed way of eating that you can maintain over the longer term. 🙂

We have several members, including @Martin.A who started in 3-figures, and were able to reduce their HbA1c very effectively with a moderate or low carbohydrate menu and/or weight loss. 🙂

Thank you for your encouraging words, yes trying to lower weight and stop my junk binging lol
Nurse did say a week won’t lower the bloods but asked anyways for repeat but they did lower to 98 so that has motivated me somewhat and then came across this forum

 

[Drummer]

Thank you yes I’ve gone low carb and have lost 5kg but that I know is water weight but hoping I can carry on

But it is still weight lost - I never had anyone saying it was just water weight when I put on weight - it was always fat fat fat and all my fault and i was to blame - I was even called a very bad diabetic, so I don't take any of that gaslighting any more.

You have lost a marvellous 5Kg, lowered HbA1c by an amazing amount and should be congratulated on the impact you have made and the start of what is obviously going to be a triumphant return to normal numbers, as long as you are 'just' a plain ordinary type 2, using diet and determination.

Personally I find I prefer the foods I can eat to stay low carb, as in pork chops and mushrooms for tonight. Do scout around for ideas on what to eat, maybe try a few herbs and spices for variety.
I will be having pork chops again tomorrow, but with mashed swede, an egg beaten in and then fried with a sprinkle of something from the dried herb bottles for a bit of excitement on the taste buds once it is hot and crispy.

 

[jenub109]

But it is still weight lost - I never had anyone saying it was just water weight when I put on weight - it was always fat fat fat and all my fault and i was to blame - I was even called a very bad diabetic, so I don't take any of that gaslighting any more.

You have lost a marvellous 5Kg, lowered HbA1c by an amazing amount and should be congratulated on the impact you have made and the start of what is obviously going to be a triumphant return to normal numbers, as long as you are 'just' a plain ordinary type 2, using diet and determination.

Personally I find I prefer the foods I can eat to stay low carb, as in pork chops and mushrooms for tonight. Do scout around for ideas on what to eat, maybe try a few herbs and spices for variety.
I will be having pork chops again tomorrow, but with mashed swede, an egg beaten in and then fried with a sprinkle of something from the dried herb bottles for a bit of excitement on the taste buds once it is hot and crispy.

Awww thanks so much, Yh hopefully carry on and don’t go on meds. Yh I’m a chicken sort of person not too keen on red meat, love fish aswell I Do use lots of spices and chilly But being an Indian the carbs just piled on with the chapatis biryanis currys I do have a chapati 2/3 times a week but given up rice potatoes pasta and all processed foods.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Nurse did say a week won’t lower the bloods but asked anyways for repeat but they did lower to 98 so that has motivated me somewhat and then came across this forum

Glad you are seeing it as a step in the right direction!

Keep going 🙂