Suddenly Type 2

[EngelseBoer]

Hi All

The reason behind the title is that within the space of 3 blood tests, conducted over but a few months of each other, I have gone from non-diabetic, to pre-diabetic and straight into type 2. With my limited knowledge of diabetes, having had a colleague with type 1 and seen a neighbour, with undetected, chronically high blood sugar levels, go from a fast-paced, always very active and fit, lithe man in his 50's, to suddenly being a cripple as necrosis set in, it scares the hell out of me.

I also had a type 1, diabetic English Bull Terrier, who first lost one eye, then the other due to diabetes. Then two years later, necrosis set in, in one of her forelegs, which although treated successfully the first time, when it set in again a few months later, I did the humane thing and had her put to sleep. The detestable thing for me was that with soft calls and finger-clicks, she trustingly followed me into the Vet's chambers and to her death. Still to this day, 15 years later, it is something I find hard to process.

Anyway, my diagnosis follows a mild heart attack eight months ago and subsequent regular blood tests.

With my high cholesterol levels, I am told to drastically reduce my animal-fat intake; meat, cheese, (all the things I love)
and with my increasing sugar levels, now avoid other foods stuffs I was raised on; rice, potatoes, breads, pastas, sugars.....

Really doesn't seem like there is much left to eat, and it's depressing. I have always been quite a carnivore, with limited herbaceous intake and I have never been fond of fish as I find most fish rather unpalatable.

I know I must change my food habits but am finding it quite difficult. As an example, I have never really been a sweet-tooth, with my go-to desserts being cheese and biscuits (now a no-no) or pain ice cream (also a no-no now), Now though I find that I crave chocolates, which I never did before.

What happened to my 50-year-old neighbour really scares me and I know I much change. For this, I do need help and support.

Well, I guess that's enough from this sorry 63-year-old

Blessings
Mickey

 

[Inka]

Welcome @EngelseBoer Do you know your HbA1C result - the one that put you into the Type 2 diabetes zone?

Diabetic complications are a risk, but if you can control your blood sugar, you’ll greatly reduce that risk. Remember too that some people can ‘reverse’ Type 2 and get back to non-diabetic numbers.

 

[EngelseBoer]

Hi Inka
I had to call and enquire - the number was 49.

Following the heart attack, I started eating (as directed) much more fruit (something I rarely ate) which I would have with low-sugar granola for breakfast. I guess this has elevated my sugar. The main fruits being blueberries, raspberries, kiwi fruit and grapes. Also Bananas, which I see now is a chronically high sugar equivalent

Blessings
Mickey

 

[Lily123]

Welcome to the forum

49 isn’t too far over the diabetes threshold which is 48.

It’s more the carbs your looking at reducing rather than sugar (although this can help)

 

[Inka]

Hi Inka
I had to call and enquire - the number was 49.

Following the heart attack, I started eating (as directed) much more fruit (something I rarely ate) which I would have with low-sugar granola for breakfast. I guess this has elevated my sugar. The main fruits being blueberries, raspberries, kiwi fruit and grapes. Also Bananas, which I see now is a chronically high sugar equivalent

Blessings
Mickey

Well, that’s very good news - you’re only just into the diabetes zone 🙂 Hopefully a few small changes kept up over time will drop your HbA1C back down. Yes, bananas are quite high in carbs as are grapes. It’s the carbs you need to watch not just sugar. The berries are fine and possibly the kiwis might be too.

 

[Leadinglights]

This link may give you some ideas for reducing your carbohydrates, some do's and don'ts as well as menu ideas based of real food. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
You may need to pick and choose bearing in mind you other conditions.
I use a low sugar granola (Lizi's ) but also have some Keto Hana granola which is only 9g carb per 100g. It is a bit expensive but I mix it 50/50 with the Lizi's.
Kiwi's are about the same carb wise as blueberries and a bit more than strawberries, blackberries or raspberries. Melon is not too bad. Grapes and bananas best avoided.

 

[EngelseBoer]

This link may give you some ideas for reducing your carbohydrates, some do's and don'ts as well as menu ideas based of real food. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
You may need to pick and choose bearing in mind you other conditions.
I use a low sugar granola (Lizi's ) but also have some Keto Hana granola which is only 9g carb per 100g. It is a bit expensive but I mix it 50/50 with the Lizi's.
Kiwi's are about the same carb wise as blueberries and a bit more than strawberries, blackberries or raspberries. Melon is not too bad. Grapes and bananas best avoided.

Ta
Yes, I use Lizi's too

 

[ianf0ster]

I was diagnosed as Type 2 2yrs after a 3x CAB (though no heart attack). My Hba1C was a little higher than yours.
I can now see how the dietary advice after the bypass was wrong for me and helped cause the Type diabetes, since I had already been persuaded about low fat and high whole grains and fruit being 'good' over 10yrs before that.

I have switched back to eating low Carb, high Protein and moderate Fat (what is considered high fat these days, but was normal back in my childhood in the 1950's and 60's). Many people find that on low carb their HDL goes up and their Triglycerides and LDL go down - so don't be afraid of meat, eggs and even cheese. In my case (a slim type 2 now in remission) my HDL roughly doubled and my Triglycerides almost halved, but my LDL also went up, however depending upon which heart risk calculator I use, my risk is still much reduced (in part because my HBa1C is now normal - not even pre-diabetic).

 

[EngelseBoer]

Hi Ian,

Thanks for your input. I am trying the low-carb thing, and now paying more attention to the sugar equivalents of different fruits to avoid those high equivalents like bananas and grapes. It's all rather new to me so I am on a steep learning curve at present.

I've also quite taken to goat meat, which is certainly far healthier than lamb, beef, or pork, and even healthier than chicken. I am eating more fish, but I certainly prefer meat.

I love cheese but I have cholesterol issues so have to can't eat that like I used to - Trying to be good

We'll see what the next blood tests reveal

 

[bulkbiker]

With my high cholesterol levels, I am told to drastically reduce my animal-fat intake; meat, cheese, (all the things I love)
and with my increasing sugar levels, now avoid other foods stuffs I was raised on; rice, potatoes, breads, pastas, sugars.....

Some bad and some good advice there.

Animal fats should be fine, the stodge less so.

I'd question your definition of "healthy" meat though.. in my view all meat/fish is "healthy" ... it's the stuff we usually have with it that isn't. Many people have normalised their cholesterol levels eating a meat based diet.
Do you have a full lipid breakdown?

 

[EngelseBoer]

Hi B
Well as far as "healthier" goes....
QUOTE; Goat meat is a healthier alternative to other red meats like beef, lamb, and pork. It is naturally lean, very nutritious, and has a range of health benefits. The meat has less fat, less saturated fat, more iron, and about the same amount of protein compared to beef, pork, lamb, or chicken. END QUOTE

So, in trying to do better, I'll eat more of that and less of the others

No, I do not have a full lipid breakdown of my blood - I trust my doctors do have and I will ask for that at the next visit

Blessings
Mickey