Recent type 2 diagnosis.

[Chasmac17]

Following a routine blood test for a different issue I was advised that my blood sugar was high. I then had a fasting sample done, still too high, then I had the Oral Glucose test with two samples and the sugary drink in between. Apparently the reading was 14.5?? and here I am. I have had hypoglycemia episodes for years but was never formally diagnosed as diabetic.
Unfortunately I have not had a follow up interview with the GP due to the current crisis and my retinal scan appointment has been cancelled. I am expecting a telephone call from the practice nurse to discuss things and it was also suggested I register here. I have not been prescribed any medication but I am aware I will need to alter my diet. From the reading I have done so far I will need to monitor my blood glucose levels but I have no idea which type of meter I need. I assume I have to buy this myself. I have also registered with the NHSScotland MyDiabetesMyWay web site as I live in Scotland.
Any other suggestions of what to do would be helpful.
Thanks

 

[Docb]

A couple of basic things to start you off.....

The normal test for diabetes is to measure your HBA1c from a blood test. This gives a sort of average of how your blood glucose levels have been over the last couple of months or so. A reading of 48 is the break point. Above that and you are officially diabetic. Below that and you are not, although if close to 48 you might be on your way. Would be worth asking when you get the chance whether that was measured and what it was.

For most diabetics, diabetes is all about the inability of the body to handle carbohydrate in the diet. You eat carbohydrate, it gets converted to glucose, the glucose gets absorbed into the blood and if your inbuilt glucose control systemis out of kilter for some reason, your blood glucose goes higher than what is good for you. Its for that reason that reducing carbohydrate intake is often a good way of getting things back under control.

Others will be along with more ideas. The trick, at least it's what I think, is to understand the basics before you get complicated.

 

[trophywench]

Can I ask, was the result of 14.8 from a sample of blood sent off to the laboratory, which you had to wait a while for the result, or measured with a drop of blood from your fingertip there and then?

HYPOglycaemia is unnaturally LOW blood glucose whereas diabetes is HIGH blood glucose - medically called HYPERglycaemia. Which have you had and how was it diagnosed?

 

[CathyB]

Hi @Chasmac17 welcome to the forum. As Docb has said, it it total carbohydrates that we need to reduce, especially rice, pasta, potatoes and bread although there are some low carb breads that some of us do eat, I like LivLife which is a highly seeded small loaf but tasty for either toast or sandwiches. I found testing crucial for working out what foods worked best for me, I tracked my readings in a food diary, testing before the meal and again 2 hours after, it didn’t take long to see where I needed to make changes. Cauliflower has been my saviour, mashed with a little mustard makes a great alternative for potatoes or cauliflower rice. It took time to get my numbers back down from 22 to a steady 5.5 but to be honest I wouldn’t change back to my old ways now, I love my diet and feel better than I have in years!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Chasmac17

Welcome to the forum! Glad you have found us, and sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

When it comes to managing your diabetes, it’s best to make changes to your menu and activity levels gradually - partly because they need to be sustainable long term, but also because very rapid and sudden changes to blood glucose levels can actually cause problems with some parts of the body including eyes and nerves.

One of the biggest questions when newly diagnosed is often ‘what can I eat’ and while there are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you will be wanting to cut out straight away, you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits.

The really tricky thing is that blood glucose responses to food are highly individual, and it can be impossible to say which forms and amounts of carbohydrate will ‘spike’ your BG without checking for yourself. But the good news is that it is possible to check this for yourself and tailor your own ideal way of eating that suits you and your BG levels.

You can use a BG meter, checking before and after meals, and noting what the differences are. That way you can identify any carbs that seem to be causing BG upheaval and varying or reducing them (sometimes just having things at a different time of day makes a difference)

If you are interested in using a BG meter to find out how different foods affect you, you may find test-review-adjust by Alan S helpful.

One of the most affordable meters members here have found is from SD, and has been recently updated to the SD Gluco Navii which has test strips at around £8 for 50

For a bit more background information, the ‘useful links’ thread is a mine of helpful information - useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes

Members here frequently recommend Maggie Davey’s Letter and Gretchen Becker’s book, as very helpful starting points.

Good luck, and keep asking questions!

 

[Chasmac17]

Can I ask, was the result of 14.8 from a sample of blood sent off to the laboratory, which you had to wait a while for the result, or measured with a drop of blood from your fingertip there and then?

HYPOglycaemia is unnaturally LOW blood glucose whereas diabetes is HIGH blood glucose - medically called HYPERglycaemia. Which have you had and how was it diagnosed?

The sample result came from a laboratory after the 2 fasting tests with the sugary drink in between. I have had a problem with Hypoglycaemia for years and I used to take dextrose tablets when I had an episode and I was fine after about 10 minutes. I have had various blood tests over the years with no high sugar results but it was only after the most recent fasting tests that the GP confirmed I have type 2 diabetes.

 

[Keith Archibald]

Following a routine blood test for a different issue I was advised that my blood sugar was high. I then had a fasting sample done, still too high, then I had the Oral Glucose test with two samples and the sugary drink in between. Apparently the reading was 14.5?? and here I am. I have had hypoglycemia episodes for years but was never formally diagnosed as diabetic.
Unfortunately I have not had a follow up interview with the GP due to the current crisis and my retinal scan appointment has been cancelled. I am expecting a telephone call from the practice nurse to discuss things and it was also suggested I register here. I have not been prescribed any medication but I am aware I will need to alter my diet. From the reading I have done so far I will need to monitor my blood glucose levels but I have no idea which type of meter I need. I assume I have to buy this myself. I have also registered with the NHSScotland MyDiabetesMyWay web site as I live in Scotland.
Any other suggestions of what to do would be helpful.
Thanks

Hi. I am exactly same as you. I’ve been diagnosed but all appointments cancelled. The nurse rang me and said had to change lifestyle and cut out sugar. That’s it. I don’t know if I’m meant to check sugar or how and when
I was prescribed metformun

 

[grovesy]

Hi. I am exactly same as you. I’ve been diagnosed but all appointments cancelled. The nurse rang me and said had to change lifestyle and cut out sugar. That’s it. I don’t know if I’m meant to check sugar or how and when
I was prescribed metformun

Many Type 2 are not supplied with meters and test strips.

 

[Keith Archibald]

Yeah I suppose ur right. Il just watch the old diet until this is all over. Will see you all on the other side.