Hi everyone, I was newly diagnosed in January. I had a HbA1c reading of 73, specialist wants it down to at at least 50 on my next visit in May. I am on 2000mg metformin, cut out all full sugar sodas which given my high intake was surprisingly easy still struggling to get to grips with food though. Lost a stone in weight but under no illusions I still have several stones to loose. I just had the results of my first eye screen which are worrying me. They said there were some diabetic eye changes but no cause for concern and to return in 12 months for another screening has anyone experienced this? I am trying to get better with food but I am also worried I won’t meet my target reading at my next appointment.
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Type 2 newbie first eye screening results and I am worried
- Thread starter elle0206
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Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
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- Type 2
I have had 'the letter' saying some background retinopathy but then the next screening has detected none.
The more you can get your blood glucose to lower level then there is every chance any changes will correct themselves.
You mention cutting out full sugar sodas but it is going to need a bit more than that as all carbohydrates convert to glucose so looking at your intake of the high carb foods like potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, pastry, breakfast cereals, tropical fruits as well as the more obvious cakes, biscuits, sugary drinks including fruit juice. Basing meals on meat, fish, eggs. dairy vegetables and salads and fruit like berries still give options for tasty meals.
Many find that a low carb approach is successful and this link may help you with some ideas for modifying your diet. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Other people find a low calorie or shakes-based regime suits them but whatever you choose has to be enjoyable or it will not be sustainable, your diet really is not A DIET but a new normal way of eating.
The more you can get your blood glucose to lower level then there is every chance any changes will correct themselves.
You mention cutting out full sugar sodas but it is going to need a bit more than that as all carbohydrates convert to glucose so looking at your intake of the high carb foods like potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, pastry, breakfast cereals, tropical fruits as well as the more obvious cakes, biscuits, sugary drinks including fruit juice. Basing meals on meat, fish, eggs. dairy vegetables and salads and fruit like berries still give options for tasty meals.
Many find that a low carb approach is successful and this link may help you with some ideas for modifying your diet. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Other people find a low calorie or shakes-based regime suits them but whatever you choose has to be enjoyable or it will not be sustainable, your diet really is not A DIET but a new normal way of eating.
Thank you both that has eased my mind about the eye screening. Yes I agree I have also cut out biscuits, chocolate, cakes etc it’s more the carb side of thing I am struggling with but I am trying to make positive changes in that regard and watching portion sizes. Thank you for the link that’s very helpful. I completely agree about it being the new normal way of eating and it being enjoyable thats definitely where I have fell down in the past in terms of “diets”. Thanks
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Sugar is itself a carbohydrate - it just happens to have nearly 100% carb in it, ie more than any other food known to modern man, hence it makes perfect sense to start with getting rid of it out of your normal diet as soon as poss.
So - what carb are you having difficulty getting rid of - that in lettuce? in carrots? in mango? bread? spuds? pasta? rice? - what?
So - what carb are you having difficulty getting rid of - that in lettuce? in carrots? in mango? bread? spuds? pasta? rice? - what?
Hi it’s things like bread, potatoes, pasta rice etc.
Grumpy_Old_Lump
Member
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- Type 2
If they have asked you to return for further screening In 12months then everything is as they would expect.
Just make sure you do the follow ups.
Speaking from experience myself who didn't follow up.
I have severe sight Impairment (Registered Blind).
One only get one chance with your eyes look after them & yourself.
Don't worry it will be fine
Just make sure you do the follow ups.
Speaking from experience myself who didn't follow up.
I have severe sight Impairment (Registered Blind).
One only get one chance with your eyes look after them & yourself.
Don't worry it will be fine
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
OK - you don't have to entirely cut any of them out of your diet unless you want to, but would simply be a jolly good idea to start cutting down on any or all of them. So weigh however much of the thing you normally put on your plate - and cut it by 10% for the next week. Then reduce it by another 10% and plod your way downwards in easy steps.
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Welcome to the forum @elle0206
Sorry to hear you've had that letter - quite why they have to phrase it in such terrifying terms is beyond me. The backgroud changes that have been detected are likely to be very minor, and as @Leadinglights and @Lucyr have said, it's not unusual for the background changes to disappear at subsequent checks if you can gradually reduce your BG levels steadily towards a healthier range.
While making improvements is beneficial, don't push to get everything back down into range in double-quick time. Taking things more gradually is kinder on the fine blood vessels and gives the body time to adapt. Bouncing from high levels straight back down into target can sometimes trigger temporary changes to the eyes, so it's often best to take things gently in stages 🙂
As other's have suggested, the "see you in 12 months" is a good indication that the eye screening service isn't overly worried, and hasn't spotted anything massively worrying at this stage.
Well done on the weight loss and changes to your menu you've made already. Keep going!
Sorry to hear you've had that letter - quite why they have to phrase it in such terrifying terms is beyond me. The backgroud changes that have been detected are likely to be very minor, and as @Leadinglights and @Lucyr have said, it's not unusual for the background changes to disappear at subsequent checks if you can gradually reduce your BG levels steadily towards a healthier range.
While making improvements is beneficial, don't push to get everything back down into range in double-quick time. Taking things more gradually is kinder on the fine blood vessels and gives the body time to adapt. Bouncing from high levels straight back down into target can sometimes trigger temporary changes to the eyes, so it's often best to take things gently in stages 🙂
As other's have suggested, the "see you in 12 months" is a good indication that the eye screening service isn't overly worried, and hasn't spotted anything massively worrying at this stage.
Well done on the weight loss and changes to your menu you've made already. Keep going!
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