Steroid induced diabetes newbie

[Fouldsy]

Hi
I’m new I have just been diagnosed with steroid induced diabetes thanks to my severe asthma and a recent exacerbation.
I know nothing about diabetes I’m the first person I know to have it so nobody to lean on.
Can I just ask a silly question can you snack between meals (fruit sandwiches) I had toast for breakfast and I’m starving I would normally have fruit or biscuits or crisps mid morning but I realise I need to modify this but is snacking ok or can it play with your levels
Also is soup ok for lunch?
Thanks

 

[Inka]

Welcome @Fouldsy 🙂 Do you know what your ‘number’ was when you were diagnosed with diabetes? Are you on any meds for the diabetes?

Yes, you can snack but I’d go for options with minimal carbs eg nuts, a piece of cheese, cold meat, celery, etc Soup for lunch should be ok. It’s the carbs you have to watch so choose your accompaniments to the soup with that in mind.

 

[Fouldsy]

84 ?? From the blood test
GP did a prick test 3pm yesterday it was 13.5 2 hours after a tin of potato and leak soup for lunch
She’s put me on metformin 500mg and gliclazide 40mg

 

[Inka]

84 will be your HbA1C, which was the figure that interested me. So you’re quite a fair way into the diabetic range (which is above 48). Hopefully the meds and any changes you make will improve that.

Your GP tested your blood sugar with a finger prick and yes, that was above ideal at 13.5 but hopefully that will improve. Do you have your own meter so you can test at home? That’s a really useful thing to do in relation to food/meals as you can see what works for you as an individual.

 

[Flower]

Hello @Fouldsy and welcome 🙂

This information about steroid induced diabetes is from the Diabetes UK site. Not what you're asking I realise but useful.

Steroid-induced diabetes

Steroids can cause high blood glucose (sugar) levels. That’s why some people who take steroids go on to develop diabetes. This is known as steroid-induced diabetes, and is more common in people who are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes. What are steroids? Steroids are also known as...

www.diabetes.org.uk

 

[Fouldsy]

Thanks Flower I’ve a lot of reading to do
I was given a meter and I’m doing test 4 times a day before meals

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Fouldsy

Sorry to hear about your asthma requiring steroids, which have then put your metabolism under stress and triggered diabetes

While there are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you will want to cut out straight away, you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits.

So while snacking is possible, you may have to rethink your go-to nibbles for some more BG-friendly options. You may want to consider tweaks to your breakfast too, to see if there might be options that would keep you going until lunch.

Rapid rises in BG levels (which have difficulty leaving the bloodstream) can trigger feeling of hunger, and tiredness. So reducing BG variations can have added benefits there too. 🙂

 

[Fouldsy]

Thanks for your help.
It’s a bit overwhelming I’ve been pretty poorly for 2 months with my asthma including a week in hospital during a pandemic and just when it seems to be setting down I get another bombshell so your response is much appreciated.
I still don’t know what I can and can’t eat I have so many food allergies it’s mind blowing to know what to eat or not my diet is so restricted as it is and my dietitian referral is potentially months away due to the pandemic so it rather worrying

 

[Fouldsy]

84 will be your HbA1C, which was the figure that interested me. So you’re quite a fair way into the diabetic range (which is above 48). Hopefully the meds and any changes you make will improve that.

Your GP tested your blood sugar with a finger prick and yes, that was above ideal at 13.5 but hopefully that will improve. Do you have your own meter so you can test at home? That’s a really useful thing to do in relation to food/meals as you can see what works for you as an individual.

Thanks for your response it’s most appreciated

 

[Drummer]

My Hba1c was 91 at diagnosis, and to control it, reducing blood glucose to normal levels I needed to stop eating grains and high starch vegetables, and high sugar fruits. I could see that by testing after eating.