High Blood Sugar Levels / Type 2

[P. ONeill]

Long story short my doctor advised me a while back to watch my sugar intake, cut down on the alcohol and move a bit more. My blood sugar levels were slightly high but nothing to be overly concerned at, at the time. We’d been through the worst of covid, my diet had gone to pot, I wasn’t exercising as much but I knew I could sort it. And I did. I’m 52.
I took on all the advice, cut way down on the alcohol, felt a lot better and checked my bloods periodically. They were averaging 5.2 with a slight peak in the mornings.

Over the last few weeks I’ve felt dreadful at times not well enough to get out of bed. Confused, lethargic. Lost interest in most things, no motivation. I should state that I am not depressed. I was at 5.5 on May 3rd and then 15.8 on May 4, but there was no real trigger. With an average of 11.0 over the next two weeks. I’m not currently taking any medication.
Nothing has changed, I drink alcohol only one night a week, no desire to drink at times, diet is ok.

Has anyone experienced anything like this or is it time to see my doctor again.

All advice greatly appreciated.

[Nigel Worc's]

See your doctor and welcome to life as a type 2 !

One day your cells are accepting the insulin your body produces, the next day it doesn't.

What you're experiencing happened to me in the early days, thirty odd years ago now........I've been on insulin for decades and I don't experience it anymore and haven't for a long time.

At a guess they'll issue you something like metformin, that encourages your cells to accept the insulin, I still take it or I'd reject the insulin I inject.

The nice thing about metformin is you won't go low, your body will reduce the insulin, or indeed increase it as it was designed to do in the first place.

Good luck.....now ring the doctor.

[P. ONeill]

Nigel Worc's said:

Good luck.....now ring the doctor.

Metformin was mentioned a while back. Looks like that’s the road I’ll be going down. How does it work/affect things? What are your experiences overall living with type 2. Is it controllable?

Have just booked the appointment.

[CinnamonFan]

Metformin works by inhibiting the production of hepatic glucose. Lessens glucose absorption in the intestines and improves insulin sensitivity.

Basically my understanding is ypur body produces less glucose itself and it becomes more receptive to the sugars you eat. Overall reducing your blood glucose level.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus can be revsersed with a good diet & medicine. You will need to learn just how much sugar is in pre packaged food. White flour/simple carbohydrates send blood sugar north rapidly. Ask if your GP surgery has a diabetic nurse you can talk to.

What was your Hba1C? Are you pre diabetic or was it 48+? You usually need 2 separate tests showing 48+ for diabetes type 2 diagnosis.

Edited by CinnamonFan on Wednesday 18th May 21:38

[mike9009]

Well done for booking an appointment. The sooner you book the better.

One off blood sugar results are only an indication that your body/ pancreas is not coping. A HBA1C blood test from the doctor will tell the real story....be prepared based on those results..... What time were you taking the tests, it makes a significant difference to the result. If you are 11 before breakfast it is significantly worse than an hour after eating a large meal. However, IME, 'normal' people are generally never over 10. What is your blood sugar first thing before eating anything and what is it before evening meal?

Are you overweight too?

Alcohol is not the only issue with T2 diabetics. High carb intake especially sugars will put your pancreas under stress. Even healthy fruit or fruit juices are not great because of the fructose. Pizza, curries, Chinese, cakes all take a significant toll too.

Take the advice seriously or you will relatively quickly be in a world of complications, including blindness, kidney failure and amputations. I say that to shock a little, but I have some personal experience of this, having been T1 diabetic for over 40 years and knowing quite a few other diabetics. (Including amputees and personally having a lot of work completed to keep my vision - laser treatment, injections in the eyes, vitrectomy (check this out on the web), and cataracts operations)

The good news is, if you take it seriously, T2 diabetes can be controlled and even reversed, but it depends on the starting point of diagnosis. My dad was diagnosed T2 a few years ago and has managed to reverse it through only diet and consequently a subtle weight loss (13st to 11st ish)

I wish you luck and although I am T1, if you want to chat things through a little, give me a PM. (Promise I won't be all doom and gloom )

[mike9009]

This is an example of a non diabetics blood sugar level throughout one day.



Notice after each meal how the blood sugar raises and then returns back down again.

I have the same device continually measuring my blood sugar. (Freestyle Libre) My blood sugars are nowhere near this as I am injecting a synthetic insulin to compensate for the carbs I eat.....

[P. ONeill]

For want of a better phrase the last few posts have certainly given me food for thought.

I’ve gained a lot of weight over lockdown which certainly hasn’t helped. I’ve had one HBA1C test which suggested pre-diabetes but as I said previously my numbers are way up since then. 12.3 this morning before breakfast.

My diet is pretty much carb loaded, oddly enough my wife is a disciple of Keto, but I could never stick to it.

[mike9009]

P. ONeill said:

For want of a better phrase the last few posts have certainly given me food for thought.

I’ve gained a lot of weight over lockdown which certainly hasn’t helped. I’ve had one HBA1C test which suggested pre-diabetes but as I said previously my numbers are way up since then. 12.3 this morning before breakfast.

My diet is pretty much carb loaded, oddly enough my wife is a disciple of Keto, but I could never stick to it.

I tried to email you. That before breakfast blood sugar would worry me, no wonder you feel awful. Essentially, overnight the pancreas is not producing enough insulin to bring the blood sugar levels back within the 'normal' range (between 5 and 6). Try drinking lots of water, this will clear the excess sugar through your urine and 'might' help. When is your doctors appointment? I would be looking at taking some more urgent action, today if possible. E-consult or 111 or something similar.

[skeggysteve]

My wife has been type 2 for years, sugar levels controlled with metformin and diet.

Then suddenly about 2 years ago she complained of not feeling very well. Did her sugar level and it was well over 20, called our doctors and they told me to get her to them ASAP. They were worried about something like a Keto thing.

Anyway next day she is seen by the diabetic nurse and now injects insulin 4 times a day. They gave her a new bs tester/meter and we email the results every 2 weeks and speak with the nurse every month to adjust the insulin dose as necessary.

One unexpected bonus is that if either of calls the doctors we get to speak to someone straight away!

OP It could be a big change but you very quickly get used to it so please don't worry about it.

Just to make you smile - we asked what to do if her sugar levels get to low (below 5) nurse says eat 3-4 jelly babies! Apparently years ago Lucozade (sp) was the go to, but they changed the recipe.

[mike9009]

skeggysteve said:

My wife has been type 2 for years, sugar levels controlled with metformin and diet.

Then suddenly about 2 years ago she complained of not feeling very well. Did her sugar level and it was well over 20, called our doctors and they told me to get her to them ASAP. They were worried about something like a Keto thing.

Anyway next day she is seen by the diabetic nurse and now injects insulin 4 times a day. They gave her a new bs tester/meter and we email the results every 2 weeks and speak with the nurse every month to adjust the insulin dose as necessary.

One unexpected bonus is that if either of calls the doctors we get to speak to someone straight away!

OP It could be a big change but you very quickly get used to it so please don't worry about it.

Just to make you smile - we asked what to do if her sugar levels get to low (below 5) nurse says eat 3-4 jelly babies! Apparently years ago Lucozade (sp) was the go to, but they changed the recipe.

All very familiar. I was diagnosed at 7 years old. I was losing weight drinking pints of water, going for a pee every 20 minutes etc. Went to the GP, blood sugar was 44, called an ambulance. Straight into hospital and put on two drips.

I had acute ketoacidosis (spelling), with potential kidney damage.

Not great, but I am still here!!

I was a naughty diabetic. As a kid, to get chocolate from my mum I used to OD on insulin injections. 'look mum, my blood sugar is low!' Also, a few hospital visits.....

Diabetes control is far easier nowadays. As a seven year old I used to draw two different insulins into a syringe, flick the syringe to remove bubbles and inject using quite a large needle twice
a day Insulin pens were a revelation. A blood test would take five minutes, using a small trebuchet device and waiting for a coloured strip to develop.

OP, take care.....


Mike

[P. ONeill]

mike9009 said:

I tried to email you. That before breakfast blood sugar would worry me, no wonder you feel awful. Essentially, overnight the pancreas is not producing enough insulin to bring the blood sugar levels back within the 'normal' range (between 5 and 6). Try drinking lots of water, this will clear the excess sugar through your urine and 'might' help. When is your doctors appointment? I would be looking at taking some more urgent action, today if possible. E-consult or 111 or something similar.

Thanks, I’m not even sure what email address I used when setting up this account, I’ll check later.
Level was down to 8.2 this evening before dinner. I am drinking nothing but water. Still have an emergency can of coke in the fridge but that’s more for reassurance. I’ll not go looking for one if I know it’s there. I have a medical appointment in two weeks, for a different matter, so I am going to be very strict between now and then and see how I am then. Hopefully things should have calmed down.
Coincidentally there was an article about diabetes on the radio today while I was driving. It was like I was meant to hear it. Scary, but I have to take ownership of this.

I missed a call from my doctor today, the procedure after covid seems to be a phone appointment before a physical appointment. To be honest, the doctors surgery can be Bedlam, his wife runs the place and does a terrible job, when she’s not there it’s fine. Sometimes a phone appointment is much less stressful. She’s Type 2.

Thanks for your support and advice. For a bunch of strangers on the internet you all can be very helpful at times.

[mike9009]

P. ONeill said:

mike9009 said:

I tried to email you. That before breakfast blood sugar would worry me, no wonder you feel awful. Essentially, overnight the pancreas is not producing enough insulin to bring the blood sugar levels back within the 'normal' range (between 5 and 6). Try drinking lots of water, this will clear the excess sugar through your urine and 'might' help. When is your doctors appointment? I would be looking at taking some more urgent action, today if possible. E-consult or 111 or something similar.

Thanks, I’m not even sure what email address I used when setting up this account, I’ll check later.
Level was down to 8.2 this evening before dinner. I am drinking nothing but water. Still have an emergency can of coke in the fridge but that’s more for reassurance. I’ll not go looking for one if I know it’s there. I have a medical appointment in two weeks, for a different matter, so I am going to be very strict between now and then and see how I am then. Hopefully things should have calmed down.
Coincidentally there was an article about diabetes on the radio today while I was driving. It was like I was meant to hear it. Scary, but I have to take ownership of this.

I missed a call from my doctor today, the procedure after covid seems to be a phone appointment before a physical appointment. To be honest, the doctors surgery can be Bedlam, his wife runs the place and does a terrible job, when she’s not there it’s fine. Sometimes a phone appointment is much less stressful. She’s Type 2.

Thanks for your support and advice. For a bunch of strangers on the internet you all can be very helpful at times.

No probs. . Don't drink the coke! Your blood sugar will not go low, that is a symptom of injecting too much insulin, which you won't be doing at the moment.

Gentle exercise will help lower your blood sugars too, even a walk for a few miles. Keto will definitely help, if you can stomach it. . Just be careful you don't turn yourself into a really fatty diet. Avoid pizza at all costs, that's the thing that ruins any vague control I might have....

If you 'need' a drink gin and slimline tonic is good...avoid cider/ alcopops like the plague.

Just doing this will help you feel better within a day or so, but you do need to see a doctor.....

[P. ONeill]

9.2 this morning. Still not where it should be, but lower than it was. Feeling better. Got a little bit more exercise yesterday. Still waiting on a call from the doc.
I can use this as my online diary, but your comments are more than welcome.

[Nigel Worc's]

P. ONeill said:

9.2 this morning. Still not where it should be, but lower than it was. Feeling better. Got a little bit more exercise yesterday. Still waiting on a call from the doc.
I can use this as my online diary, but your comments are more than welcome.

9.2 first thing isn't that bad.....I wouldn't even feel that, I was 8.3 this morning.

You do not need a hypo stop, throw the coke away, only insulin dependent types need hypo stops, and even then very rarely, very very rarely.

It is all frightening to you at the moment but honestly it is a piece of piss to live with.

There is a book you can get, I have a copy somewhere,it is called something like carbs & cals.

This was invaluable to me in the early days as it shows food and drink, quantities, different portion sizes and the carb value of each one.......so in my case I could work out how much rapid insulin to inject after eating / drinking whatever.

For you it may be useful as you could choose lower carb foods to help yourself out.

The data is actualy printed on just about everything you buy.

Edited by Nigel Worc's on Friday 20th May 11:07

[Nigel Worc's]

A link to the book

https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/chris-cheyette/car...

[P. ONeill]

Thanks for the link to the book. I’ll get it ordered.

My readings have always been higher first thing in the morning, but my averages were ok until recently. I’ve gone with my late afternoon reading as my standard which was nearly always under 6. It’s taken me a while to realise how serious this actually is, but I’m in now.

[Nigel Worc's]

P. ONeill said:

Thanks for the link to the book. I’ll get it ordered.

My readings have always been higher first thing in the morning, but my averages were ok until recently. I’ve gone with my late afternoon reading as my standard which was nearly always under 6. It’s taken me a while to realise how serious this actually is, but I’m in now.

Just don't start worrying about it, it is serious but long term serious , and honestly once you learn a little it is very easy.

You will need to gradually learn about the glucose index too, often referred to as the GI index.

So a couple of small examples for you

Firstly bread, brown bread has a lower GI index than white bread, this means if you have a sandwich of brown bread it releases the energy to you much slower than white bread over a greater period of time.

In practice to me this means that a couple of pieces of white toast give me more of a spike than a small bar of cadburys dairy milk.

Secondly, chocolate only has a medium GI, so that proves there is a god lol (do please note I am talking just chocolate, any fillings are a whole different matter)

Now...you are very new to this, avoid so called diabetic products and keep an eye on a lot of sugar free stuff, the sweetners they use will give you the sts (not all of them but a lot of them do).

[Phil.]

If you're up for spending the amount try one of these sensors. They last 2 weeks and will give you a far better understanding of what different foods do to your glucose levels. I find the results be a bit erratic for the first 24hrs but they soon settle down. Also remember if you compare a result from the sensor with a blood test, that the sensor is providing the reading taken 10-15mins beforehand.

https://www.chemist-4-u.com/abbott-freestyle-libre...

As other have said. Educating yourself is key to managing this condition and there's lots of good advice available now about how to reverse the condition. I wouldn't rely on your doctor to provide you with this information. Metformin is normally their first response rather than education.

Google Dr David Unwin for some great advice. Here's a link to some of his informative sugar charts:

https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/dr-unwins-sugar-inf...

[mike9009]

Nigel Worc's said:

Now...you are very new to this, avoid so called diabetic products and keep an eye on a lot of sugar free stuff, the sweetners they use will give you the sts (not all of them but a lot of them do).

This made me smile! In 1983 ish, my mum felt sorry for me at Easter time. So she searched out some diabetic Easter eggs for me. I wolfed the whole lot down on Easter Sunday. Gawd I felt rough for a couple of days......,.. and have since avoided any 'diabetic' goods


Highly recommend the Libre sensors mentioned above. Transformed my diabetic control and I can imagine they would really help a T2 too.

Edited by mike9009 on Friday 20th May 17:14

[mike9009]

Nigel Worc's said:

You do not need a hypo stop, throw the coke away, only insulin dependent types need hypo stops, and even then very rarely, very very rarely.

Edited by Nigel Worc's on Friday 20th May 11:07

I go hypo (low blood sugar, less than 4) about three or four times a week. Never debilitating, but most T1s I know have a similar amount of hypos too. I do cycle a lot which drops my blood sugar by 7 points in 40 minutes over my 13 mile commute.

Nigel said:

It is all frightening to you at the moment but honestly it is a piece of piss to live with.

Agreed, once you get in the swing of it, you will be fine! So many resources and stuff out there to help......