Recently diagnosed

[Jules S]

Hello, I have recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
Female 56yrs
Hba1c is 53
I am limiting carbs and am reducing portions now.
My glucose levels on a morning are around 6.0 rarely do they go under.
My cholestrol is high at 7.3
GP recently sent me for an ECG, waiting for results.
For the last 3 months I have made sure I walk at a brisk pace at least 4 times a week for 40 mins.
I may be being a bit naive and I am taking this seriously, I have changed diet and upped exercise since diagnosis but I don't think the figures other than cholestrol are too bad?
Happy for anyone to put me right and offer any help they can.
GP wants me on metformin and statins at the moment I have said no but will if I have to.
Thanks to anyone who can throw some light on this.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hello, I have recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
Female 56yrs
Hba1c is 53
I am limiting carbs and am reducing portions now.
My glucose levels on a morning are around 6.0 rarely do they go under.
My cholestrol is high at 7.3
GP recently sent me for an ECG, waiting for results.
For the last 3 months I have made sure I walk at a brisk pace at least 4 times a week for 40 mins.
I may be being a bit naive and I am taking this seriously, I have changed diet and upped exercise since diagnosis but I don't think the figures other than cholestrol are too bad?
Happy for anyone to put me right and offer any help they can.
GP wants me on metformin and statins at the moment I have said no but will if I have to.
Thanks to anyone who can throw some light on this.

Welcome to the forum
It sounds as if you have made a good start on getting to grips with getting your blood glucose down. Low carb is an approach which many find successful and with an HbA1C of only just over diagnostic threshold there is no reason why it cannot be done with dietary changes, though some may need meds.
A suggested starting point for a low carb approach is no more that 130g carbs not just sugar per day so it is important to look at the carb value in the nutritional information on the back of packets rather than traffic light system on the front.
I found the principals in this link was successful, there are some do's and don'ts as well as recipes and menu plans. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Getting a home blood glucose monitor is something people find helpful as it gives you the control over managing your condition as you can do some strategic testing of your meals to see what your tolerance is to the carbs and make adjustments accordingly. Testing before you eat and after 2 hours will give you a good indication that the meal was OK if the increase is no more than 2-3mmol/l or no more than 8-8.5mmol/l. 4-7mmol/l is the aim for before meals.
A couple of monitors with the cheaper strips are the GlucoNavii or TEE2 which can be bought on line.

 

[Jules S]

Thank you for your reply.
I aim to have no more than 80g of carbs a day, I will go lower some days and will adjust if need be.
I was 11 stone in November and have lost almost a stone and have another stone to come off but its difficult and weight loss stalling. On top of diabetes I am hypothyroid so I think this may hinder weight loss too. I am aiming for 800-1000 cals a day.
This morning my glucose level was 6 mmol after a slice of wholemeal bread with butter ( yes still carbs I know which is turned to sugar alth at a slower rate) it was 6.9, so that seems acceptable from what you previously said and its good to know.
Thanks for your input, much appreciated.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thank you for your reply.
I aim to have no more than 80g of carbs a day, I will go lower some days and will adjust if need be.
I was 11 stone in November and have lost almost a stone and have another stone to come off but its difficult and weight loss stalling. On top of diabetes I am hypothyroid so I think this may hinder weight loss too. I am aiming for 800-1000 cals a day.
This morning my glucose level was 6 mmol after a slice of wholemeal bread with butter ( yes still carbs I know which is turned to sugar alth at a slower rate) it was 6.9, so that seems acceptable from what you previously said and its good to know.
Thanks for your input, much appreciated.

Those look like good levels, just a word of warning about reducing your carbs too quickly so your blood glucose reduces rapidly as that can cause issues with your eyes and nerves. I reduced my carbs to 70g per day and had problems with my vision which took several months to settle down. I didn't know that could be a problem until I read on here.
Low carb is not NO carb but having protein and healthy fats is important as well.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Jules S

Sounds like you have made a great start with some really considered changes and tweaks to your menu. Well dine on upping your activity and exercise too - that can really help your body process glucose, and can improve insulin sensitivity.

Many folks who arrive with newly diagnosed are keen to avoid medication if possible, but that’s not really an option as a T1, so in a sense we are spared that particular worry.

The statistics and clinical trial data overwhelming show that risk of cardiac events like heart attack and stroke (which are statistically higher in people with diabetes) are reduced by taking a statin - but you aren’t the only member on the forum to be a little resistant to taking one. At a population level it makes complete sense, but it can be difficult to understand and interpret your own individual risk when it is so multifactorial, and when you don’t feel particularly ‘ill’.

As far as the stats go, the suggestion would be to take a statin and see how you get on. Most people tolerate them well, and have no discernable side effects at all. If one statin happened to disagree with you there are usually others you can try which may suit you better.

If you’ve been making those changes for 3 months it might be about the time when your Dr will ask for a follow-up HbA1c to see how things are progressing. You could ask for one if you were keen to know how the changes you’ve been making are working out.

 

[Jules S]

Those look like good levels, just a word of warning about reducing your carbs too quickly so your blood glucose reduces rapidly as that can cause issues with your eyes and nerves. I reduced my carbs to 70g per day and had problems with my vision which took several months to settle down. I didn't know that could be a problem until I read on here.
Low carb is not NO carb but having protein and healthy fats is important as well.

Yes thank you. Will take that on board, all advice gratefully received.

 

[Jules S]

Welcome to the forum @Jules S

Sounds like you have made a great start with some really considered changes and tweaks to your menu. Well dine on upping your activity and exercise too - that can really help your body process glucose, and can improve insulin sensitivity.

Many folks who arrive with newly diagnosed are keen to avoid medication if possible, but that’s not really an option as a T1, so in a sense we are spared that particular worry.

The statistics and clinical trial data overwhelming show that risk of cardiac events like heart attack and stroke (which are statistically higher in people with diabetes) are reduced by taking a statin - but you aren’t the only member on the forum to be a little resistant to taking one. At a population level it makes complete sense, but it can be difficult to understand and interpret your own individual risk when it is so multifactorial, and when you don’t feel particularly ‘ill’.

As far as the stats go, the suggestion would be to take a statin and see how you get on. Most people tolerate them well, and have no discernable side effects at all. If one statin happened to disagree with you there are usually others you can try which may suit you better.

If you’ve been making those changes for 3 months it might be about the time when your Dr will ask for a follow-up HbA1c to see how things are progressing. You could ask for one if you were keen to know how the changes you’ve been making are working out.

Thanks for your advice.
I appreciate I am in a much better position than you with type 1.
I am hoping to do a little more work before asking for repeat tests to be done but rest assured they will be on my case soon if I don't arrange an apt with nurse pract.
Difficult to do anymore exercise. I work full time and have a lot on although at weekends I do try to get out for a hour a day, trying to do more stresses me as I can't fit in everything I need to do.
Please keep advice coming I am very grateful and the comments on the figures has raised my spirits as I wasn't too sure about them.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks for your advice.
I appreciate I am in a much better position than you with type 1.
I am hoping to do a little more work before asking for repeat tests to be done but rest assured they will be on my case soon if I don't arrange an apt with nurse pract.
Difficult to do anymore exercise. I work full time and have a lot on although at weekends I do try to get out for a hour a day, trying to do more stresses me as I can't fit in everything I need to do.
Please keep advice coming I am very grateful and the comments on the figures has raised my spirits as I wasn't too sure about them.

I think you will be surprised just how much exercise you actually are doing as you sound as if you are busy. If you wear a step counter you are probably doing more than you think.
Exercise doesn't have to be going to the gym or running miles unless that is your thing.
When I was at work with a pretty active job I was doing anything between 15,000 and 20,000 steps a day, it was hard to do that much when I retired.

 

[Jules S]

800-1000 calories is quite low! I was recommended 1500cals by dietician and found it difficult. Make sure to eat enough of the right foods to maintain a healthy body. Good luck

 

[Jules S]

Thanks, yes I have done quite a bit research into what I need to eat however a lot of contradictary advice on the internet on that matter, which causes confusion.
If I eat more cals I dont lose any weight and I need another stone off. This 2000 cal lark bandied about for a woman makes me laugh if I had 2k cals a day I would be huge.
I am fortunate that I am not hungry I eat plenty of the right fats but also while keeping carbs low will still have them.
May try porridge tomorrow and see what that does.
Thank you for your advice

 

[Drummer]

Thanks, yes I have done quite a bit research into what I need to eat however a lot of contradictary advice on the internet on that matter, which causes confusion.
If I eat more cals I dont lose any weight and I need another stone off. This 2000 cal lark bandied about for a woman makes me laugh if I had 2k cals a day I would be huge.
I am fortunate that I am not hungry I eat plenty of the right fats but also while keeping carbs low will still have them.
May try porridge tomorrow and see what that does.
Thank you for your advice

I have been surprised, after so many decades of being told how I needed to avoid fats and eat high carb foods and go low calorie, to fail every time, no matter how hard I tried. It was almost as though I was being lied to about what makes people fat. When I did low carb I was told how bad it was for me to succeed on that diet.
When I was diagnosed type 2 I went low carb from that moment. I avoid high carb and low fat versions of foods.
I don't need to think about calories - perhaps after half a century of ridicule and accusations I automatically eat small portions or maybe it isn't all that important after all.
Suddenly, seven years ago, I lost weight and the type 2 receded. I checked my blood glucose and it was normal eating no more than 50gm of carbs a day. I do not eat anything over 10%carbs, other than some high cocoa chocolate, but in small amounts.
I think that lowering blood glucose to normal levels allows the metabolism to recover if it can, and I felt so much better quite quickly.
Normal advice on losing weight seems not to work for quite a few people, and I would advise aiming for changing blood glucose levels by avoiding high carb foods of any type as it seems to do the impossible on several fronts. There are other options available, but if it works it is really rather easy.

 

[Jules S]

I think you will be surprised just how much exercise you actually are doing as you sound as if you are busy. If you wear a step counter you are probably doing more than you think.
Exercise doesn't have to be going to the gym or running miles unless that is your thing.
When I was at work with a pretty active job I was doing anything between 15,000 and 20,000 steps a day, it was hard to do that much when I

I have been surprised, after so many decades of being told how I needed to avoid fats and eat high carb foods and go low calorie, to fail every time, no matter how hard I tried. It was almost as though I was being lied to about what makes people fat. When I did low carb I was told how bad it was for me to succeed on that diet.
When I was diagnosed type 2 I went low carb from that moment. I avoid high carb and low fat versions of foods.
I don't need to think about calories - perhaps after half a century of ridicule and accusations I automatically eat small portions or maybe it isn't all that important after all.
Suddenly, seven years ago, I lost weight and the type 2 receded. I checked my blood glucose and it was normal eating no more than 50gm of carbs a day. I do not eat anything over 10%carbs, other than some high cocoa chocolate, but in small amounts.
I think that lowering blood glucose to normal levels allows the metabolism to recover if it can, and I felt so much better quite quickly.
Normal advice on losing weight seems not to work for quite a few people, and I would advise aiming for changing blood glucose levels by avoiding high carb foods of any type as it seems to do the impossible on several fronts. There are other options available, but if it works it is really rather easy.

 

[Jules S]

That's brilliant you are in remission and clearly found a way that works for you, gives me hope I will too. Thanks

 

[Felinia]

Well done on a great start. With an HbA1c of only 53 it's well worth giving diet and lifestyle changes without going straight onto Metformin, so I hope you are giving that a try for 3 months. With your weight loss and exercise I'm optimistic you will see a reduction in your HbA1c by then. Regarding statins it's worth trying them as your cholesterol is high. I personally couldn't take them despite trying several, so my GP suggested a daily cholesterol lowering drink which did reduce my level. Also there are other cholesterol lowering medications, which are no longer first choice since statins were introduced.

 

[Jules S]

I think you will be surprised just how much exercise you actually are doing as you sound as if you are busy. If you wear a step counter you are probably doing more than you think.
Exercise doesn't have to be going to the gym or running miles unless that is your thing.
When I was at work with a pretty active job I was doing anything between 15,000 and 20,000 steps a day, it was hard to do that much when I retired.

Gym and running definitely not my thing . Dont mind walking and at the moment quite enjoy it, I even go out in the rain and gales, dedication !!! . I dont have a very active job and can sit for hours at a desk which I know isnt good for you so I try to get out after work. At the weekends I am more active as lots to do so not so much of an issue then.
Had dinner tonight my glucose was 6.3 before dinner then 2 hrs after it was 6.2 and that was after having something a bit naughty.
I really am confused I expected it to be high, I think my problem is the morning readings which are never below 6mmol so do you think this sounds like a problen with my liver dumping glucose?
Thanks in anticipation of responses as interested to hear what others think on this matter

Well done on a great start. With an HbA1c of only 53 it's well worth giving diet and lifestyle changes without going straight onto Metformin, so I hope you are giving that a try for 3 months. With your weight loss and exercise I'm optimistic you will see a reduction in your HbA1c by then. Regarding statins it's worth trying them as your cholesterol is high. I personally couldn't take them despite trying several, so my GP suggested a daily cholesterol lowering drink which did reduce my level. Also there are other cholesterol lowering medications, which are no longer first choice since statins were introduced.

Thank you for replying.
You are making me along with another kind member here rethink my reluctance to statins. I may try and see how I get on.I have an underactive thyroid and have it on good authority that even when "properly" medicated which we never are as no medication replaces the body's thyroid production correctly, statins cause an issue and should be avoided as cause muscle damage. Raised this with GP and all he says is I am medicated correctly and wont consider alternative meds. I am drinking the cholestrol lowering yogurts and have cleaned up diet although and I should really give it up I like a beer or glass or 2 of wine twice a week.
Will decide when I have next blood tests and see what they say.
Thanks

 

[Leadinglights]

Many do find those morning reading stubbornly slow to come down and for some people who are dietary managed they never do but the guide of 4-7 fasting and before meals means at 6mmol/l you are in that range. There does not seem to be any realistic way of making a difference. Testing in bed can sometimes give you something a bit lower but as long as you compare under the same conditions then you will be getting a good idea of the trend which is more important than individual readings.

 

[Jules S]

Thanks for that. Would you say that if my overnight fasting is 6mmol (it was 5.8 wahoo this morning) its not an issue and as long as I keep an eye on levels before and after meals I will be able to avoid metformin?
Will have to see what hba1c is next time I am tested which wont be long. Hopefully with the glucose readings being positive this should reflect in this too.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks for that. Would you say that if my overnight fasting is 6mmol (it was 5.8 wahoo this morning) its not an issue and as long as I keep an eye on levels before and after meals I will be able to avoid metformin?
Will have to see what hba1c is next time I am tested which wont be long. Hopefully with the glucose readings being positive this should reflect in this too.

6mmol/l ish is probably what many people report, some days it may be a bit more some less. Readings will have some variation anyway due to the inherent allowable variability of the blood glucose monitors

 

[Jules S]

Ok thanks.