For those with diabetes, how did you know/find out?

[SexyGreyFox]

my wife had introduced me to Dr Atkins Diet

What an argument I had 17 years ago when the Diabetic Nurses gave me a diet sheet and my first reaction was "That's the Atkins Diet"
They wouldn't have it but like the Desmond Course for Diabetics it's all about low carbs.

 

[Nigel Kingdon]

TBH I've been extoling the virtues of no/low carbs ever since. It never ceases to amaze me at how long it's taken for those who should know better, and who have the power to curb the 'food industry' excesses in 'carbs because they are cheap' in the face of the growing obesity epidemic. In the original book Dr Atkins cites the fact (int the 60's when the book was written) that NO peer-reviewed research into basic food nutrition had been done since the UK Government tests on mice prior to the outbreak of WW2 the the purposes of rationing. I don't believe there has been any significant progress on that. The NHS continues to trot out the 'calorie controlled diet and exercise line', despite the evidence.

 

[Nutty667]

Anyone who's managing T2 through diet I recommend you check out The Glucose Goddess on Youtube/Instagram. French biochemist lady who specialises in blood glucose. She has some hacks for preventing glucose spikes. Food ordering when you eat is one I've seen mentioned. Vinegar in water drank before meal. Anyway check her out.

 

[spile]

Simple mantra for me…
More processed = increase in weight = increased chance of T2
So avoid fruit juice, cereals, and sadly bread and crisps.

 

[SexyGreyFox]

I forgot to mention that the Tier 3 Diabetic Nurses now realise my body isn't working right and I've had my second Mounjaro jab this morning.

 

[malachi]

Simple mantra for me…
More processed = increase in weight = increased chance of T2
So avoid fruit juice, cereals, and sadly bread and crisps.

I don't suffer from T2 but it runs through my family and Im very active person. After having my full body health check last year, unless I do something stupid, I wont ended up getting it.

For the past 2 years, I have moved onto drinking mainly water. But I love orange and apple juice. Back in May, I purchased a juicer. I have control over what's inside my juices instead of all this added sugar off the shelf juices have.

Best purchased I made in years.

 

[inam22]

4 years ago I went to my GP because of increase in urine frequency, Doctor recommended few blood test and my HbA1c blood test results came back to 6.5% which was start of diabetic range. With the change of lifestyle and regular exercise I have mange to bring my HbA1c back to 5.7% which falls into borderline prediabetic and normal range.

 

[nlel1975]

With the change of lifestyle and regular exercise I have mange to bring my HbA1c back to 5.7% which falls into borderline prediabetic and normal range.

If you're at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, your target HbA1c level should be below 42mmol/mol (6%). So you are doing just fine, you’re in the normal range. I was at risk, and with small diet changes and some exercise I’ve got mine down to 5.6%. Just keep doing what you are doing.

 

[Nutty667]

I don't suffer from T2 but it runs through my family and Im very active person. After having my full body health check last year, unless I do something stupid, I wont ended up getting it.

For the past 2 years, I have moved onto drinking mainly water. But I love orange and apple juice. Back in May, I purchased a juicer. I have control over what's inside my juices instead of all this added sugar off the shelf juices have.

Best purchased I made in years.

Juice is terrible for spiking for your blood glucose btw. Better to eat the whole fruit, the fibre slows sugar absorption.

 

[malachi]

Juice is terrible for spiking for your blood glucose btw. Better to eat the whole fruit, the fibre slows sugar absorption.

I need quick sugar as I spend most of my time drinking water when taking fluids...Lol. Even on night's out.

I haven't touched alcohol since 15th September. Want to make it to 100 days, just before Christmas

 

[HoneyBadger]

I’ve been a T2 diabetic for about 10 years and largely ignored it until recently. I now have to inject insulin and have had to have injections in my left eye due to a leak which formed when they did lazer work to cauterise another leak. I’ve had to surrender my driving license and have a special one issues that lasts 3 years and covers less categories. Wish I could wind back the clock, it didn’t help my GP in Kent wasn’t interested. The ones in York are very much interested. Apparently my hba1c was circa 136 and was for several years. They are amazed at 45, I’ve not yet had a heart attack or stroke.

 

[inam22]

I’ve been a T2 diabetic for about 10 years and largely ignored it until recently. I now have to inject insulin and have had to have injections in my left eye due to a leak which formed when they did lazer work to cauterise another leak. I’ve had to surrender my driving license and have a special one issues that lasts 3 years and covers less categories. Wish I could wind back the clock, it didn’t help my GP in Kent wasn’t interested. The ones in York are very much interested. Apparently my hba1c was circa 136 and was for several years. They are amazed at 45, I’ve not yet had a heart attack or stroke.

This is the problem, GP's are not interested unless you dying. They told me the same thing not worry it's only slightly above the normal range. But if blood sugar stays above the normal range for long time eventually you end up on some sort of medicine.

 

[malachi]

This is the problem, GP's are not interested unless you dying. They told me the same thing not worry it's only slightly above the normal range. But if blood sugar stays above the normal range for long time eventually you end up on some sort of medicine.

I'm going to play devil's advocate here.

But from the time you had acknowledgement that your blood sugar is even slightly above normal range. Isn't then your own responsibility to start making lifestyle adjustments instead of relying on the GP for further conformation?

I get that not all GP's are great but our body is very good at telling us there is something wrong and we need to take action before it gets worse.

 

[platinum87]

I don't suffer from T2 but it runs through my family and Im very active person. After having my full body health check last year, unless I do something stupid, I wont ended up getting it.

For the past 2 years, I have moved onto drinking mainly water. But I love orange and apple juice. Back in May, I purchased a juicer. I have control over what's inside my juices instead of all this added sugar off the shelf juices have.

Best purchased I made in years.

The stuff on the shelf does not have added sugar, the sugar is in the fruit.

The sugar content of fruit is too high due to humans selectively breeding it.

Basically you should treat your juices equivalent to say, chocolate cake, or Haribo

 

[HoneyBadger]

I'm going to play devil's advocate here.

But from the time you had acknowledgement that your blood sugar is even slightly above normal range. Isn't then your own responsibility to start making lifestyle adjustments instead of relying on the GP for further conformation?

I get that not all GP's are great but our body is very good at telling us there is something wrong and we need to take action before it gets worse.

You’re right of course, and I absolutely should have taken it more seriously. But when I tried, I couldn’t get appointments, I complained, as did everyone, they were put into special measures and shut down all online aspects. In the end I contacted my private medical care and they helped get the ball rolling before I moved. I managed to get a couple of appointments with the diabetic nurse, who informed me that everyone was different and my blood sugar, of around 22 was perfectly normal as I was someone who had a high ‘starting level’

When I informed the ladies in York, they asked for the details of the surgery, I think they were going to complain. The difference with the York practice is night and day, they’re a great bunch and I genuinely feel supported.

 

[alexakasloth]

I bet thousands upon thousands of people are pre-diabetic without realising it. At least you know so you can make necessary lifestyle adjustments to keep it at bay

I forgot to reply - had a 6 month follow up and both the test for that and my liver that was high were both back to normal levels. I think diet and loosing 10kg this year has helped.

 

[inam22]

I'm going to play devil's advocate here.

But from the time you had acknowledgement that your blood sugar is even slightly above normal range. Isn't then your own responsibility to start making lifestyle adjustments instead of relying on the GP for further conformation?

I get that not all GP's are great but our body is very good at telling us there is something wrong and we need to take action before it gets worse.

I did my research once I found out my blood results and made all the necessary adjustments. However after 6 months I wanted to get blood tests done again to see if things have improved after all the changes I made but my GP wouldn't do one so in my opinion lack of follow up help from GP was very disappointing.