My 23 year old daughter was diagnosed as type 2 in August this year. This followed a year of feeling unwell....anxious, depressed, weepy, angry, tired...... She eventually was admitted to a psychiatric ward after a breakdown as anger and emotions were her biggest symptoms. In hospital her blood sugars were tested and found to be 35+most days and hba1c was 84. Prescribed metaformin....with a week felt so much better and more able to cope with life. 3 months later sugars are 12-17 and hba1c is 72. Metaformin increased from 1 day and night to 2 day and night. Feel this is still high. She’s hoping to return to work....12 hour shifts as a nurse. Any advice very much appreciated. She lives 4 hours away and worries me!
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Newly diagnosed
- Thread starter donnab
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Eddy Edson
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- In remission from Type 2
Hi donnab! Her sugars and HbA1c are still quite high, but heading in the right direction. Now that she's on a full Metformin dose you'd expect them to come down further - typically the "starter" dose is mainly to see how well you tolerate it, and you have to wait for the full dose to see much impact.
Beyond that, usually mainly up to dietary changes, maybe some weight loss, and a bit more exercise.
Food: The best advice IMO is to self-test blood sugar before and after eating to see what foods have what effect on her. Everybody's different, so take any specific food advice with a pinch of salt, but it's generally a matter of working out what kind of carbs in what kind of proportions have the most impact.
You'll see plenty of people around here have managed to get their BG levels down from where your daughter is now to "normal" levels, so there's every chance she'll be able to do it too, with a bit of focus.
I found this pic very helpful to get my head around HbA1c and BG:
It relates HbA1c (top numbers) to average daily BG (bottom numbers). She'll want to get her HbA1c down into the greener end of the spectrum, so below 48 for most people, which means targeting avg daily BG less than around 8. But it doesn't have to happen all at once and actually it's probably better in some ways to do it over maybe 12 months, rather than all at once.
This is a very helpful, knowledgeable place so do feel free to ask a lot of questions!
Beyond that, usually mainly up to dietary changes, maybe some weight loss, and a bit more exercise.
Food: The best advice IMO is to self-test blood sugar before and after eating to see what foods have what effect on her. Everybody's different, so take any specific food advice with a pinch of salt, but it's generally a matter of working out what kind of carbs in what kind of proportions have the most impact.
You'll see plenty of people around here have managed to get their BG levels down from where your daughter is now to "normal" levels, so there's every chance she'll be able to do it too, with a bit of focus.
I found this pic very helpful to get my head around HbA1c and BG:
It relates HbA1c (top numbers) to average daily BG (bottom numbers). She'll want to get her HbA1c down into the greener end of the spectrum, so below 48 for most people, which means targeting avg daily BG less than around 8. But it doesn't have to happen all at once and actually it's probably better in some ways to do it over maybe 12 months, rather than all at once.
This is a very helpful, knowledgeable place so do feel free to ask a lot of questions!
Hi Donnab,
I'm 29 and was diagnosed with Type 2 in April 2018. A couple of years ago I had to take time off work due to stress and was put on a short course of antidepressants as I was angry, tired and emotional... I believe this was the start as not soon after the GP told me I was pre-diabetic.
Since being diagnosed I am now on a low carb diet, which you will see is very popular with diabetics, but have seen a great improvement in my glucose levels. Not only that my digestive system seems much happier which makes me happier overall on a daily basis... No sluggish feelings and more energy. I do suggest making diet changes slowly as the the overload of information and changes in the body can bring different emotions (I had a small breakdown when my boyfriend told me maybe I shouldn't eat a Subway sandwich lol!!). Food preparation especially with a full time job makes life a little easier!!!
Just make sure she knows she can reach out for support at difficult times, you wouldn't believe how a good 'diabetes' chat and a cup of tea does wonders... Xx
I'm 29 and was diagnosed with Type 2 in April 2018. A couple of years ago I had to take time off work due to stress and was put on a short course of antidepressants as I was angry, tired and emotional... I believe this was the start as not soon after the GP told me I was pre-diabetic.
Since being diagnosed I am now on a low carb diet, which you will see is very popular with diabetics, but have seen a great improvement in my glucose levels. Not only that my digestive system seems much happier which makes me happier overall on a daily basis... No sluggish feelings and more energy. I do suggest making diet changes slowly as the the overload of information and changes in the body can bring different emotions (I had a small breakdown when my boyfriend told me maybe I shouldn't eat a Subway sandwich lol!!). Food preparation especially with a full time job makes life a little easier!!!
Just make sure she knows she can reach out for support at difficult times, you wouldn't believe how a good 'diabetes' chat and a cup of tea does wonders... Xx
Thank you for taking the time to reply...I will pass this on to her.
Thank you so much. I just hope she can manage to be organised as it’s not her strong point!
KARNAK
Much Missed Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi @donnab welcome to the forum 🙂. What a pleasant and informative forum you have joined, its good mum has decided to get involved and we look forward to hearing of your daughters progress. As @Eddy Edson advised she is heading in the right direction, time and knowledge will keep her and you focused and reduce those figures to the benefit of her health and your peace of mind. Read all you can from the forum but not Dr Google and ask any question, take care and regards to your daughter.
KARNAK
Much Missed Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi @Wilson welcome to the forum, some good advice and as a New Member we thank you. Really sorry about the Subway
I think we can all if not most relate to that but as D`s we know carbs are the enemy, doesn`t stop us craving for it though. 🙄 @Drummer shows this in her post, she feels great what a wonderful statement !!! Keep posting we`re listening, take care.Thanks Ted@KARNAK, it's been a learning curve over the last few months and breaking certain relationships with food. Occasionally, stubborn little me has had the carbs and dealt with consequences and it was the only way for me to learn my lesson!
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