Newly diagnosed type 2

[Barry snakeman]

Hi my name is Barry I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 4 weeks ago I was told my blood reading was 117 I don't understand what this means I know I have to get it down .been trying to find out what foods to eat and I've started jogging .

 

[Leadinglights]

Welcome to the forum
The blood result you have been given is your HbA1C which is a test to diagnose diabetes, any number 48mmol/mol and over gives you a diabetes diagnosis so yours is very high. The test is the average blood glucose over the previous 3 months. I would think at that level you would have experienced some symptoms like thirst, frequent loo visits and maybe blurry vision.
Exercise is good but ease in gently if you have previously done little. The main thing you can do is to reduce the carbohydrates in your diet, those being foods like potatoes, bread, rice, pasta, pastry, tropical fruits as well as cutting out cakes, biscuits and sugary drinks. Basing meals on meat, fish, eggs, cheese, diary, vegetables and salads and fruits like berries.
This link might help you find a way of modifying your diet as it is a low carb approach, that being less than 130g per day though some people do go lower. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/ A low carb regime has been found to be successful in reducing blood glucose and losing weight if you need to.
Also have a look at the Learning Zone (orange tab at the top) for a better understanding of managing the condition.
At the level you are, have you been prescribed any medication as that is often given asap with levels that high.

 

[Barry snakeman]

Yes I take 4 Metformin a day .I've got a monitor and my readings are now around 7.8 to 8.5 done this by eating meat and veg and salads

 

[Leadinglights]

Yes I take 4 Metformin a day .I've got a monitor and my readings are now around 7.8 to 8.5 done this by eating meat and veg and salads

Well done that is good progress, when are you testing. If you test before you eat and after 2 hours you could identify any problem meals if the increase is more than 2-3mmol/l.
Just be careful of reducing carbs too quickly as that can cause eye and nerve issues.
It is suggested that reducing carbs by one third for a few weeks, then another third for a couple of weeks etc until you get to where you need to be.

 

[Barry snakeman]

When I had potatoes with my meal it went up to 15

 

[Drummer]

When I had potatoes with my meal it went up to 15

Well - it would do for most type 2s.
The advice is to keep the alteration between starting to eat and two hours later to an increase of three at the most, two whole numbers is probably best.

 

[Barry snakeman]

Well - it would do for most type 2s.
The advice is to keep the alteration between starting to eat and two hours later to an increase of three at the most, two whole numbers is probably best.

Thankyou only seen nurse once which was ok but don't really know what I can and can't eat that's why I'm eating meat veg and salads

 

[Barry snakeman]

Thanks for all your help I'm looking at that low carb link you sent me cheers

 

[Leadinglights]

Thankyou only seen nurse once which was ok but don't really know what I can and can't eat that's why I'm eating meat veg and salads

Do you eat eggs, cheese, fish as those are all good. Full fat yoghurt, berries, nuts and seeds. The thing is to try things and if the increase is more than 3mmol/l reduce the portion or cut out or find substitutes.
You could try edamame bean or black bean pasta, butternut squash, celeriac, you can make your salads more interesting with additions of olives, avocado, and have coleslaw with it.

 

[Barry snakeman]

Yes I will start having cheese and yogurt thanks for your help

 

[Ditto]

Hello and welcome @Barry snakeman . 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Well done on your great start @Barry snakeman

Those BG levels look great, and if you can keep up your steady progress they suggest that your long-term check will have reduced by the time you get a follow-up appointment.

The HbA1c you had of 117 is a measure of the amount of glucose that has been circulating in your bloodstream over the past 3-4 months. It’s a measuring a different thing to your fingerstick readings, so the numbers are very different, but the eventual target for your HbA1c is 48mmol/mol or below.

Diabetes is a marathon, not a sprint - so it’s best to make gradual progress. Partly because it needs to be sustainable long-term, but also because a more gentle shift towards lower average glucose levels is kinder on the nerve endings and fine blood vessels.

Good luck, and let us know how things go 🙂

 

[Barry snakeman]

Well done on your great start @Barry snakeman

Those BG levels look great, and if you can keep up your steady progress they suggest that your long-term check will have reduced by the time you get a follow-up appointment.

The HbA1c you had of 117 is a measure of the amount of glucose that has been circulating in your bloodstream over the past 3-4 months. It’s a measuring a different thing to your fingerstick readings, so the numbers are very different, but the eventual target for your HbA1c is 48mmol/mol or below.

Diabetes is a marathon, not a sprint - so it’s best to make gradual progress. Partly because it needs to be sustainable long-term, but also because a more gentle shift towards lower average glucose levels is kinder on the nerve endings and fine blood vessels.

Good luck, and let us know how things go 🙂

I will thankyou