Very Pleased

[LydiaDustbin]

My HbA1c in December came back as 50 so I started the Newcastle Diet on 9 Jan and upped my exercise. I've lost almost half a stone and had a follow up HbA1c on 23 Jan. Dr has just texted me that it's down to 46 and therefore I'm not diabetic (although I am pre diabetic) so that's fabulous news. I'm thrilled! I shall continue the diet as I still need to lose another 2 stone anyway, and it'll be interesting to see how much more I can reduce the A1c when we test again in 6 to 12 months time. Also my blood pressure yesterday was the lowest it's ever been at 106/68 so it's all good. The doc is pushing statins though as mine at 6.4 is, supposedly, too high (NHS guidelines these days want it below 5) but as I pointed out to him, way back in 1991 when I was in my late 20s, my work tested my cholesterol and it was 6 point something. At that time I was very fit and thin (did Chinese kickboxing twice a week and walked everywhere). It was also tested about five years ago when I was a fat amorphous blob and it was 6 point something then as well, so, to me, that's my normal level, so I've turned statins down for now. My late parents were also made very ill by their statins and came off them so I'm very wary, but will obviously reassess if it increases significantly. So, good news for now!!

 

[childofthesea43]

My HbA1c in December came back as 50 so I started the Newcastle Diet on 9 Jan and upped my exercise. I've lost almost half a stone and had a follow up HbA1c on 23 Jan. Dr has just texted me that it's down to 46 and therefore I'm not diabetic (although I am pre diabetic) so that's fabulous news. I'm thrilled! I shall continue the diet as I still need to lose another 2 stone anyway, and it'll be interesting to see how much more I can reduce the A1c when we test again in 6 to 12 months time. Also my blood pressure yesterday was the lowest it's ever been at 106/68 so it's all good. The doc is pushing statins though as mine at 6.4 is, supposedly, too high (NHS guidelines these days want it below 5) but as I pointed out to him, way back in 1991 when I was in my late 20s, my work tested my cholesterol and it was 6 point something. At that time I was very fit and thin (did Chinese kickboxing twice a week and walked everywhere). It was also tested about five years ago when I was a fat amorphous blob and it was 6 point something then as well, so, to me, that's my normal level, so I've turned statins down for now. My late parents were also made very ill by their statins and came off them so I'm very wary, but will obviously reassess if it increases significantly. So, good news for now!!

I would lay money on your HbA1c reducing a good deal more were you to achieve the further weight loss you’re aiming for. I’d avoid statins like the plague. I had that conversation with my GP just a few days ago, my cholesterol having risen a bit to 6.1, and he agreed when I pointed it out that within every 140 people in our age group and on statins there would be at most one death from heart attack or stroke prevented by those statins. He agreed that it’s only at population level that statins offer any benefit in costs to the NHS but at the individual level it’s irrelevant. And statins push up blood glucose so are antithetical to your T2D management.

 

[Deleted member 21371]

I would lay money on your HbA1c reducing a good deal more were you to achieve the further weight loss you’re aiming for. I’d avoid statins like the plague. I had that conversation with my GP just a few days ago, my cholesterol having risen a bit to 6.1, and he agreed when I pointed it out that within every 140 people in our age group and on statins there would be at most one death from heart attack or stroke prevented by those statins. He agreed that it’s only at population level that statins offer any benefit in costs to the NHS but at the individual level it’s irrelevant. And statins push up blood glucose so are antithetical to your T2D management.

If that one is me, I'm ok with that.

 

[Deleted member 21371]

My HbA1c in December came back as 50 so I started the Newcastle Diet on 9 Jan and upped my exercise. I've lost almost half a stone and had a follow up HbA1c on 23 Jan. Dr has just texted me that it's down to 46 and therefore I'm not diabetic (although I am pre diabetic) so that's fabulous news. I'm thrilled! I shall continue the diet as I still need to lose another 2 stone anyway, and it'll be interesting to see how much more I can reduce the A1c when we test again in 6 to 12 months time. Also my blood pressure yesterday was the lowest it's ever been at 106/68 so it's all good. The doc is pushing statins though as mine at 6.4 is, supposedly, too high (NHS guidelines these days want it below 5) but as I pointed out to him, way back in 1991 when I was in my late 20s, my work tested my cholesterol and it was 6 point something. At that time I was very fit and thin (did Chinese kickboxing twice a week and walked everywhere). It was also tested about five years ago when I was a fat amorphous blob and it was 6 point something then as well, so, to me, that's my normal level, so I've turned statins down for now. My late parents were also made very ill by their statins and came off them so I'm very wary, but will obviously reassess if it increases significantly. So, good news for now!!

Brilliant result.
Keep at it, it worked well for me. 🙂

 

[LydiaDustbin]

I would lay money on your HbA1c reducing a good deal more were you to achieve the further weight loss you’re aiming for. I’d avoid statins like the plague. I had that conversation with my GP just a few days ago, my cholesterol having risen a bit to 6.1, and he agreed when I pointed it out that within every 140 people in our age group and on statins there would be at most one death from heart attack or stroke prevented by those statins. He agreed that it’s only at population level that statins offer any benefit in costs to the NHS but at the individual level it’s irrelevant. And statins push up blood glucose so are antithetical to your T2D management.

Ooh, that's interesting about it affecting blood glucose - you'd think the GPs would be aware of that

 

[Deleted member 21371]

Ooh, that's interesting about it affecting blood glucose - you'd think the GPs would be aware of that

It's a possible side effect, not common, and not any greatly measurable increase.
I take them, and I'm fine on all counts.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Well done on your progress so far @LydiaDustbin ! That’s great news 🙂

HbA1c relies on red blood cells which have a maximum life of around 120ish days before they are ‘recycled’. So it’s quite likely that some of the red blood cells in your current check are still circulating from December - so the drop in A1c is even more impressive!

As for statins - I can understand your caution given your experience, and having seen your parents not get on with them.

It’s a personal decision, but the majority of the clinical evidence does support their use to help reduce risk (which is elevated in people with diabetes, even if well managed). The majority of people who take them have no issues.