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Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
Newbie type 2
- Thread starter Smithy53
- Start date
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Pine Marten
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi @Smithy53, welcome to the forum.
How did you come to be diagnosed, did you have any symptoms? If you didn't get told your HbA1c result (the blood test from your arm that gives a diagnosis) then make sure you ask for it at your appointment and don't be fobbed off - it's very important. A number over 48 means you have diabetes, so the lower the number is the more likely that with a few tweaks you'll be able to control it, perhaps just by altering your meals a bit and doing some exercise. Come back when you have had the appointment and we'll be able to help more. Good luck! 🙂
How did you come to be diagnosed, did you have any symptoms? If you didn't get told your HbA1c result (the blood test from your arm that gives a diagnosis) then make sure you ask for it at your appointment and don't be fobbed off - it's very important. A number over 48 means you have diabetes, so the lower the number is the more likely that with a few tweaks you'll be able to control it, perhaps just by altering your meals a bit and doing some exercise. Come back when you have had the appointment and we'll be able to help more. Good luck! 🙂
Hi welcome. I was diagnosed type 2 in March this year. I’m in Scotland if I can be of any help let me know. This forum is great really helped me when first diagnosed. I found the information provided to me by the nurse wasn’t great, I had to fight to get help & the person who has helped me the most was the dietitian I was referred to she was amazing. I changed my diet on my own overnight as soon as I was diagnosed. I saw the dietitian about 2months later (first appointment), she was a wealth of information about diabetes and has helped me further refine my diet. I very quickly started struggling with low levels and daily hypos. She was the person who wrote to my doctor asking for more tests, to refer me to hospital & also to prescribe folic acid, had been diagnosed as deficient in it and told to eat more spinach which I did but she said I needed help. Now 4 months from diagnosis I’m starting to feel better (hypos only every other day now waiting on hospital appointment). You can control it by diet and if you do everything you need to do within the first 6 years it can be reversed. My diagnosed level was 59 my latest test my level was 45 that’s in 3 months. I won’t be tested for another year but I am hopeful for a non diabetic level. Blood glucose monitoring has been key for me knowing what to eat and when & to be able to get the right help, my nurse didn’t want me monitoring & I put my foot down & if I hadn’t the dietitian wouldn’t have been able to help me as much as she has & my low levels & constant hypos would have went without investigation. The nurses on the diabetes uk helpline are amazing so call them if you have concerns. I hope your doctors provide a good service to you but if you have to fight to be heard it’s important. Sending you positive thoughts.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
You sound to have had lots of help from the dietician which is brilliant. Interesting about the folic acid though as I also had low folate. My daughter (a doctor) suggested it might be because in reducing carbohydrates I had reduced my intake of things that would be fortified with folate like bread and cereals. As I eat lots of green veg, like spinach, cabbage, broccoli and salads, I was surprised.
I have had 3 months of folic acid pills and have to have a repeat blood test, so we will see.
Cherrelle DUK
Much missed Online Community Coordinator
Hi Smithy53, welcome to the forum.
Just popping in to say hi. Glad to hear that you've got your appointment so soon. Might be worth taking some notes with you so you can get the info you need to take the required course of action.
You'd need to know what your HbA1c number is (blood sugar level over a three month period) and what medications they want you to take if any.
It'll be useful to do finger prick tests at home so you can see the impact that your meals are having on your blood sugar levels so might be worth talking about that too.
Do let us know how you get on and feel free to ask any questions you may have.
Just popping in to say hi. Glad to hear that you've got your appointment so soon. Might be worth taking some notes with you so you can get the info you need to take the required course of action.
You'd need to know what your HbA1c number is (blood sugar level over a three month period) and what medications they want you to take if any.
It'll be useful to do finger prick tests at home so you can see the impact that your meals are having on your blood sugar levels so might be worth talking about that too.
Do let us know how you get on and feel free to ask any questions you may have.
Hi, oh dietitian has been amazing. interesting you had the same. I never really ate a lot of carbs before diagnosed anyway(gluten intolerant) They have not talked about repeating those bloods just put me on a repeat prescription of folic acid. The next time I’ll speak to someone is when I see the hospital or next year at my repeat bloods. I will def ask to get it checked again to see if it has improved I guess the worry is if I stop taking them does it dip again. The dietitian did think my low levels could be my body adjusting to the super healthy diet now but did suggest I increase my carbs at breakfast to see if it helps so double up on my porridge in the morning. I’m giving it a try to see if it helps
Hi there, i Initially went to the doctor as I thought I was experiencing the menopause and wanted to go on HRT. Had to go for a BP check which indicated high BP, was immediately put on meds for that and bloods taken, which indicated high BS. Apparently government guidelines in the UK (according to my GP) requires 2 fasting blood checks before diabetes is confirmed. After the 2nd test my GP called to say, diabetes 2 and an appointment with the diabetic nurse would be arranged, that was it and this is where I am now.
I bought a glucose monitor and have been doing the finger prick tests myself, usually first thing in the morning and before a meal and a couple of hours afterwards. Number ranges are between 8 and 9 in the morning and then fluctuate throughout the day, usually the lowest is 7. Are these good results without any medication?
I will definitely as about this HbA1c test as I’m not sure if that’s the test I’ve had done, although they were both taken from my arm.
Hi Cherrelle,
thank you for the warm welcome. Not sure of my HbA1c number but will ask.
I bought a glucose monitor and have been doing the finger prick test at home. Numbers are 8-9 first thing in the morning and then fluctuate throughout the day, lowest reading is usually 7 (ish) are these a good range without medication?
I was going to take the results with me to my appointment. to show the nurse, but have read on some posts that they haven’t been interested, what do you think?
goodybags
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi @Smithy53 your Hba1c number will be one of the things they were looking to determine when they took your bloods recently, the results will be a number above 48 if your diabetic,
it’s good to know what your Hba1c number is, so you and hopefully your healthcare team team can decide the best way to manage and reduce your levels.
it’s good to know what your Hba1c number is, so you and hopefully your healthcare team team can decide the best way to manage and reduce your levels.
Rick B
Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- At risk of diabetes
Hi Smithy53. You asked about blood sugar readings and what is considered a good range. Here's a useful link: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html
Good luck with the management of your condition.
Pine Marten
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi @Smithy53, thanks for the info. I would take the results to show the nurse - you never know, she may be one of the enlightened ones! And if not, you're still in a good position as you've shown initiative and taken steps to take control yourself. Your readings aren't too bad, but to be honest you really need to know your HbA1c number, as that is much more informative. And it's your health and you have a right to know
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