Newly diagnosed - first in shock and now determined

[wakko]

Hi and hello all,

I had my two blood tests recently, where I was diagnosed with Diabetes 2 (HbA1c 7.3/57), high cholestrol (6.7 ratio) and very high Serum ferritin (iron with 720 ug/L). I initally asked for a blood test because I felt quite fatigued recently and thought something was wrong with my thyroid levels. However my GP said he wants me to try controlling it with diet and exercise first, with no medication for the next 3 months (probably standard advice).

Needless to say I was shocked at first and more devasted when I researched the risk and progressiveness of this disease. I am 38 years old, live and work in London and father of a little daughter of 17 months and I want to be healthy father for her as long as possible. I was sad first but now I am more angry at myself for neglecting activity and leading a careless diet (actually I didn't eat much fast food or was never a big drinker, but I guess I shoved to many carbs and sweets into my sorry body). However the first week I spent researching, reading books and online articles like a maniac (with a lot of conflicting info, especially on diet) to bring myself up to speed.

Had my NHS nurse appointment 2 weeks later after diagnosis, but didn't learn anything new - altough friendly, it was templated advice and not much input. I also felt their knowledge on diets is a bit antiquated. While I think I need to help myself (started low carb diet, regular gym/running and got an appointment scheduled with a nutritionist), I think it would make sense to join your community with people who have much more experience than myself. I got into a shopping binge and bought glucose testing gear, a fancy scale and dozen medical and diet books. I am determined - and yes I am putting pressure on myself seeing the 3 months as a deadline to avoid medication.

So, first I need to reduce my stress levels, eat healthy and lose that fat around my belly (BMI 28) and get more healthy in general.

However the things that keep me awake at night:

1. Anyone had high iron levels in correlation with their blood sugar?
   
2. With low carb diet and currently no medication I started measuring (GlucoRX nexus device) after waking up, before/after meals and before bed. So far I get figures between 5.3 to 6.7 mmol/L - weirdly it peaks at late night or early morning to 7.1 mmol/L before I have eaten and restores back 5.x/6.x after I had breakfast (so is my liver reacting to dawn phenomenom/Somogyi?)
3. I am starting a new exciting but stressful job that will require travel across timezones, public speaking on events and generally working in a competitive enviromment - worried about routine as I need to sort out exercise and diet between flights, hotels, long running meetins and events, etc. - any tips?
   
4. In terms of diet I am looking at 5:2, Keto and Mediterranean - currently following a mix of the last two. I am not sure about the 2 days fasting in 5:2 and the high fat (I know the benefit about good fats) in Keto, where I am worried if it would clash with my cholestrol?
5. Currently I can see blood sugar also peaking after the gym but then restoring after - I am weightlifting as well and slighlty worried about retinopathy as I haven't had my eye test yet.
6. For any Bupa members in the UK, is there any additional benefit for getting a referal to a specialist? I assume they leave the chronic disease element to the NHS and deal with complications around it..

As you can see, I still need to do a lot more homework.

I probably need to see if others have posted about these topics already (I am at risk duplicating info) and if not need to post more specifc/shorter on topic.

Apologies for the wall of text, but if you are reading this I wish you all the best with your health and plans!

 

[KARNAK]

Hi @wakko welcome to the forum 🙂. Your BGL (Blood Glucose Levels) are to be commended, your HbA1c is a little high but I`m sure you can reduce that doing the regime you are undertaking. I can`t advise you on your Serum ferritin level as I have no knowledge on the subject but can say stress is likely to upset your BGL. Keep an eye on the carbs and start a food diary so you will know what causes spikes in your levels and adjust accordingly. Other members will be along shortly to give you advice and point you in the right direction, take care.

 

[wakko]

Hi @wakko welcome to the forum 🙂.

Thanks for the warm welcome 🙂

 

[stephknits]

Hi Wakko, welcome to the forum. Your levels are looking great and as you rightly say, you tend to get higher levels in the morning as your body helps you wake up. Your levels are still within range then.
Again with exercise your levels can rise for a while with strenuous exercise and then drop. There are lots of people on here who exercise regularly and give great advice. As far as I understand it, it is fine to exercise as long as your blood sugars are not too high - I seem to remember over 12, but that might be a type 1 thing.
Do have a look through the food sections as there are some great ideas for carb substitutes and recipes.

 

[wakko]

Thank you stephknits! Yes, I am monitoring blood levels before and after exercise - today it went up 8.0 but came down to 5.6 after few hours. Will have a look through the food sections.

 

[trophywench]

Hiya - again I know nowt about ferritin levels, but that test was presumably done to rule out anaemia so just goes to prove you aren't anaemic LOL

I think as far as that's concerned, I'd ask you what an Endo asked me 30-odd years ago about one or other test results (other than BG) I'd had done - Well - what were your levels for this, prior to your being diagnosed diabetic? Answer of course was that we were both clueless because I'd never had whatever it was, tested before I was diabetic!

I can only presume you aren't considered to be at death's door at that level else your GP would have sprung into some sort of action on your behalf - but he hasn't. Hence although naturally you're concerned about it not being 'normal' as it has been identified that your body is struggling with something else (diabetes) and probably has been for a while hence the tiredness, the best thing to do is sort out what it's struggling with first and see what happens to ferritin and other things related to diabetes, in a while after you get the diabetes better controlled. It's amazing the number of 'other' things that are affected by this that or the other being out of kilter. Once I started to learn a bit more about the way a body actually worked, I was gobsmacked they ever work properly in the first place!

Hence I'd say to you - concentrate on what YOU can do about your diabetes - and cutting down on carbs, testing properly and taking appropriate action from the information gleaned from the testing is the right way to go for now.

Can someone please put the link up for 'Test Review Adjust' please, cos it's an essential bit of reading for where you are right now. Good luck!

 

[Ljc]

@wakko . Here is the link that @trophywench requested for you
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/10/test-review-adjust.html

Sorry I can’t help with Ferritin levels

 

[Sharron1]

Hi,

Wow you have been busy. I can only say as diagnosed T2 in July, this forum has been so helpful. I (try) and maintain a low carb diet, I used to take self test BGLs in order to see what foods and portion sizes worked. I have stopped that now as I have almost sorted out the food stuff. i keep a food diary, which was so useful when this all started. Although if I try something new I do a test just to see. I also used to test in the morning but have stopped that as well, as I was advised that the porridge I have for breakfast is good but will spike the levels. The DN told me that everyone's BGLs peak first thing in the morning. . My own nervousness is resolved by whenever I am out for work or whatever I take a hard boiled egg and a salad. While I am aware I don't live in the middle of nowhere, there are plenty of shops when I can buy food, having this snack on me just makes me feel better! Good luck.

 

[SB2015]

Welcome @wakko

This is a good place to come as there is plenty of help and support available.

I cannot answer some of your specific questions but I am aware that A number of those with T2 have recommended the book Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker
This takes you through the practicalities of managing the condition.

It is a shock to be diagnosed with Diabetes but it is manageable.
Keep asking questions and peoplewill happily help.

 

[wakko]

I can only presume you aren't considered to be at death's door at that level else your GP would have sprung into some sort of action on your behalf - but he hasn't. Hence although naturally you're concerned about it not being 'normal' as it has been identified that your body is struggling with something else (diabetes) and probably has been for a while hence the tiredness, the best thing to do is sort out what it's struggling with first and see what happens to ferritin and other things related to diabetes.Hence I'd say to you - concentrate on what YOU can do about your diabetes - and cutting down on carbs, testing properly and taking appropriate action from the information gleaned from the testing is the right way to go for now.

Thanks Jenny aka trophywench (and all others here)! GP suspects its a "fatty liver" related to T2 and is doing some further liver tests to be sure. Yes, sound advice with focusing on what is in my control!