Talk to me about Type 2 Diabetes please
Discussion
Hey all, i've recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes - my GP has prescribed metformin 500mg 3 times a day. My 'level' was 96 when it was first discovered and since taking the tabs my last blood test came back as 62. - i don't understand what that means other than it's going in the right direction.
To say that i worry a lot about medical conditions would be an understatement, growing up my only experience of health issues was a family member going to do the docs because they felt unwell, the word Cancer being mentioned, and then going to a funeral a few months later. (7 uncles, an aunt, 2 nans and my dad over the course of 10 years)
The upshot is - researching conditions on the net scares me - i've tried to read stuff but as soon as i get to 'losing feet' or going blind i have to stop reading.
Can someone give me a nice fluffy overview of what i should/shouldn't be doing and how to tell if i have too much or not enough sugar in my system.
The GP referred me to a diabetes clinic but due to covid and everything else that's not running at the mo and they don't know when it will restart.
Thank you
To say that i worry a lot about medical conditions would be an understatement, growing up my only experience of health issues was a family member going to do the docs because they felt unwell, the word Cancer being mentioned, and then going to a funeral a few months later. (7 uncles, an aunt, 2 nans and my dad over the course of 10 years)
The upshot is - researching conditions on the net scares me - i've tried to read stuff but as soon as i get to 'losing feet' or going blind i have to stop reading.
Can someone give me a nice fluffy overview of what i should/shouldn't be doing and how to tell if i have too much or not enough sugar in my system.
The GP referred me to a diabetes clinic but due to covid and everything else that's not running at the mo and they don't know when it will restart.
Thank you
Since you've recently been diagnosed, you may be able to reverse it. Buy an elliptical trainer (or any other cardio equipment that you prefer) and stick it in front of the TV. Try to make a habit of using it every other day for around 40 minutes or so. Steadily increase it to an hour, then steadily increase that to an hour a day. Reduce what you eat by a bit (something that can be sustained for a long period of time).
That's the first step. Best of luck.
That's the first step. Best of luck.
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a couple of years ago. Annoying my doctor 'missed it' during a test a few years before that. I had a hba1c test of around 90. I didn't want to take medication, so scanned around the internet for other things to do.
I cut out all carbohydrates, lost 25kg and now have a 'normal' hba1c test of around 40. I'm not 'cured' as such as I'm sure if I went back to eating the way I did then it would come back, but I got my wish of no medication.
I cut out all carbohydrates, lost 25kg and now have a 'normal' hba1c test of around 40. I'm not 'cured' as such as I'm sure if I went back to eating the way I did then it would come back, but I got my wish of no medication.
Generally T2 are consuming too much carbohydrate.
Insulin is the key to allowing your cells to absorb carbs.
Simplistically too many carbs mean the body has to produce more insulin, so much the body becomes resistant to it. Vicious circle.
Reduce carbs, lose weight and improve. Some people (Tom Watson is one) manage to reverse T2 (in the early stages)
Insulin is the key to allowing your cells to absorb carbs.
Simplistically too many carbs mean the body has to produce more insulin, so much the body becomes resistant to it. Vicious circle.
Reduce carbs, lose weight and improve. Some people (Tom Watson is one) manage to reverse T2 (in the early stages)
As stated, you need to reduce your sugars by changing your diet. Reduce carb intake and foods such as pastries, crisps, sweets etc
Lose some weight
I was on metformin and my readings were about 85. I joined slimming world and lost 3 stone, got my sugars down to 45 and had all medication removed in order to manage through diet
Lose some weight
I was on metformin and my readings were about 85. I joined slimming world and lost 3 stone, got my sugars down to 45 and had all medication removed in order to manage through diet
Two years in - In good shape and always had a relatively decent diet.
Diet & exercise & water!
Carbs are the devil unfortunately - always check the nutrition label, sugar free does not mean carb free. Carbs (a basic explanation) are turned into sugar. I try to remain carb free or very low (below 5%).
For me it was a lifestyle change, bread, pasta, beer, chocolate etc all became an occasional treat. Fortunately there are some great resources for diet out there. Keto works, you just have to be a little inventive. Meal planning, more cooking from scratch and having a good stock of easy low carb recipes works for me. It has certainly improved my cooking skills.
Exercise – as much as you can. Walking, weights – anything that gets you mobile. And hydrate, hydrate hydrate – everyone should any way Type 2 or not.
I do not deny myself completely - a night off the diet if out or particularly fancy something – do it – but make it a real treat.
It becomes second nature, thankfully my diet is now fresher and tastier than it was before so its not all bad news, my Fat Head Pizza is legendary amongst family and friends.
https://sugarfreelondoner.com/ - this is my favorite site – CAKES!!!
Finally, I miss beer (still have one now and again) but…………… Savvy Blanc and most spirits are zero/low carb. Lucky I love wine, whiskey and gin!
Good luck mate – it takes an effort but is doable and after a while you wont notice what you cant have.
Diet & exercise & water!
Carbs are the devil unfortunately - always check the nutrition label, sugar free does not mean carb free. Carbs (a basic explanation) are turned into sugar. I try to remain carb free or very low (below 5%).
For me it was a lifestyle change, bread, pasta, beer, chocolate etc all became an occasional treat. Fortunately there are some great resources for diet out there. Keto works, you just have to be a little inventive. Meal planning, more cooking from scratch and having a good stock of easy low carb recipes works for me. It has certainly improved my cooking skills.
Exercise – as much as you can. Walking, weights – anything that gets you mobile. And hydrate, hydrate hydrate – everyone should any way Type 2 or not.
I do not deny myself completely - a night off the diet if out or particularly fancy something – do it – but make it a real treat.
It becomes second nature, thankfully my diet is now fresher and tastier than it was before so its not all bad news, my Fat Head Pizza is legendary amongst family and friends.
https://sugarfreelondoner.com/ - this is my favorite site – CAKES!!!
Finally, I miss beer (still have one now and again) but…………… Savvy Blanc and most spirits are zero/low carb. Lucky I love wine, whiskey and gin!
Good luck mate – it takes an effort but is doable and after a while you wont notice what you cant have.
My advice would be to be careful of anything that you read online for a number of reasons - I was diagnosed after being admitted to hospital for an infection - my initial reading was 116 if I remember correctly. I did the whole reading online thing and ended up quite confused by it all - the reason being that diabetes is an individual condition and no two cases are the same.
For me, after putting me on Metformin and trying me with gliclazide for a few days they just said sod it and I started on insulin.
T2 diabetes is not always about weight/lifestyle - I'm 5'10 and was about 57Kg at the time - I've never been overweight and it hasn't been a factor - in fact I got told off for losing weight at a recent review. So you are looking to be/maintain a healthy weight, not get underweight. That said, exercise will help you use carbs and improve how your body uses carbs, so that's not a bad thing to do in moderation.
A normal point in time blood sugar range is between 4 and 7 mmol/l - a HBa1c test is an average of this over 2/3 months and the target is 48 if you are diabetic or 42 if you are in the "at risk" category. There's lots of talk about "remission" but personally I tend to ignore this.
Different people have different approaches - some use exercise to "use" additional carbs, some eat a low carb diet to not build carb levels up in the first place - its all about what works for you. Personally I go low carb as that reduces the highs that I get and makes it easier to manage my insulin, but it depends upon you and your life - choose a method that fits in with you.
One important thing that T2's need to consider is how to monitor your blood sugar. I would recommend getting a blood glucose reader and test strips. Using this two/three times a day will help you "map" your blood sugar during a day and get a feel for how you are doing. If you "really" want to see what your levels are then you could use a Freestyle Libre for a couple of weeks - that will continuously record your sugar levels, so you can see exactly what impact you have on your levels.
Final thing - it really is quite straightforward to manage - even on insulin. My HBa1c tends to hover around 40, and I don't get hypos or any issues really. If I were you I'd try to to worry too much and get some more information about your case by using test strips or monitors, then you can properly assess what you might need to do.
For me, after putting me on Metformin and trying me with gliclazide for a few days they just said sod it and I started on insulin.
T2 diabetes is not always about weight/lifestyle - I'm 5'10 and was about 57Kg at the time - I've never been overweight and it hasn't been a factor - in fact I got told off for losing weight at a recent review. So you are looking to be/maintain a healthy weight, not get underweight. That said, exercise will help you use carbs and improve how your body uses carbs, so that's not a bad thing to do in moderation.
A normal point in time blood sugar range is between 4 and 7 mmol/l - a HBa1c test is an average of this over 2/3 months and the target is 48 if you are diabetic or 42 if you are in the "at risk" category. There's lots of talk about "remission" but personally I tend to ignore this.
Different people have different approaches - some use exercise to "use" additional carbs, some eat a low carb diet to not build carb levels up in the first place - its all about what works for you. Personally I go low carb as that reduces the highs that I get and makes it easier to manage my insulin, but it depends upon you and your life - choose a method that fits in with you.
One important thing that T2's need to consider is how to monitor your blood sugar. I would recommend getting a blood glucose reader and test strips. Using this two/three times a day will help you "map" your blood sugar during a day and get a feel for how you are doing. If you "really" want to see what your levels are then you could use a Freestyle Libre for a couple of weeks - that will continuously record your sugar levels, so you can see exactly what impact you have on your levels.
Final thing - it really is quite straightforward to manage - even on insulin. My HBa1c tends to hover around 40, and I don't get hypos or any issues really. If I were you I'd try to to worry too much and get some more information about your case by using test strips or monitors, then you can properly assess what you might need to do.
You don't need to do keto, but you do need to lose weight.
My FiL is 76 and has been T2 for years. He finally decided to do something about it after a stressful few years caring for his wife and gaining more weight. He ate less, lost two stone and his numbers improved. Then he asked the diabetes nurse what more he needed to do and she said another half stone. He's now no longer diabetic. (He didn't do more exercise because of his arthritic hip that he's finally had replaced.)
You need to find a way that works for you. That may be keto, that may be another diet, or a club, or just reducing your portion size.
My FiL is 76 and has been T2 for years. He finally decided to do something about it after a stressful few years caring for his wife and gaining more weight. He ate less, lost two stone and his numbers improved. Then he asked the diabetes nurse what more he needed to do and she said another half stone. He's now no longer diabetic. (He didn't do more exercise because of his arthritic hip that he's finally had replaced.)
You need to find a way that works for you. That may be keto, that may be another diet, or a club, or just reducing your portion size.
I came across this guy on Youtube a while ago Dr. Jason Fung.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoyL4iGArWn5Hu0V_...
It seems in some cases T2 can be reversed with Intermittent fasting and or a Ketogenic diet.
This guy has around 20 yrs experience working with diabetic and obese patients, and I think he does a good job of explaining the causes, and what you can do to avoid it or reverse it.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoyL4iGArWn5Hu0V_...
It seems in some cases T2 can be reversed with Intermittent fasting and or a Ketogenic diet.
This guy has around 20 yrs experience working with diabetic and obese patients, and I think he does a good job of explaining the causes, and what you can do to avoid it or reverse it.
BlackG7R said:
I came across this guy on Youtube a while ago Dr. Jason Fung.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoyL4iGArWn5Hu0V_...
It seems in some cases T2 can be reversed with Intermittent fasting and or a Ketogenic diet.
This guy has around 20 yrs experience working with diabetic and obese patients, and I think he does a good job of explaining the causes, and what you can do to avoid it or reverse it.
I've listened to both his books on audible last year and since then lost 5 stone and got my sugars to a normal level. As with many folk it was all about the cabs. Ditching bread,rice,pasta etc has done me the world of good. I've also recently tried the libre2 sensor and that is a fantastic tool, expensive but bloody great to check your sugar levels whenever you wanthttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoyL4iGArWn5Hu0V_...
It seems in some cases T2 can be reversed with Intermittent fasting and or a Ketogenic diet.
This guy has around 20 yrs experience working with diabetic and obese patients, and I think he does a good job of explaining the causes, and what you can do to avoid it or reverse it.
RobL38 said:
I've listened to both his books on audible last year and since then lost 5 stone and got my sugars to a normal level. As with many folk it was all about the cabs. Ditching bread,rice,pasta etc has done me the world of good. I've also recently tried the libre2 sensor and that is a fantastic tool, expensive but bloody great to check your sugar levels whenever you want
Absolutely amazing, well done Rob. How does the libre2 work, can you talk me through it please?Pixelpeep Z4 said:
RobL38 said:
I've listened to both his books on audible last year and since then lost 5 stone and got my sugars to a normal level. As with many folk it was all about the cabs. Ditching bread,rice,pasta etc has done me the world of good. I've also recently tried the libre2 sensor and that is a fantastic tool, expensive but bloody great to check your sugar levels whenever you want
Absolutely amazing, well done Rob. How does the libre2 work, can you talk me through it please?All sorts of info, instant BG reading plus historic data tends etc. Cost around £100 pcm
Clifford Chambers said:
Pixelpeep Z4 said:
RobL38 said:
I've listened to both his books on audible last year and since then lost 5 stone and got my sugars to a normal level. As with many folk it was all about the cabs. Ditching bread,rice,pasta etc has done me the world of good. I've also recently tried the libre2 sensor and that is a fantastic tool, expensive but bloody great to check your sugar levels whenever you want
Absolutely amazing, well done Rob. How does the libre2 work, can you talk me through it please?All sorts of info, instant BG reading plus historic data tends etc. Cost around £100 pcm
Pixelpeep Z4 said:
Clifford Chambers said:
Pixelpeep Z4 said:
RobL38 said:
I've listened to both his books on audible last year and since then lost 5 stone and got my sugars to a normal level. As with many folk it was all about the cabs. Ditching bread,rice,pasta etc has done me the world of good. I've also recently tried the libre2 sensor and that is a fantastic tool, expensive but bloody great to check your sugar levels whenever you want
Absolutely amazing, well done Rob. How does the libre2 work, can you talk me through it please?All sorts of info, instant BG reading plus historic data tends etc. Cost around £100 pcm
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