Newly diagnosed TYPE 2

I was told to test after fasting this morning, but I may have messed it up.  I have no thyroid and I didn't think about it.  i took my synthroid, then took my bath and then tried my testing.  What sorts of things affect your testing.  Have to try again in the a.m. It's just such a habit for me to take my thyroid meds the very second I wake up.  Kind of anal about that.  LOL...

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

Your thyroid meds will not affect your blood sugar levels.  You can take them as usual, with just a sip of water if necessary, even before the testing.

Why do you think you messed it up?  What was your result?

[hope4thegoodstuff]

It seemed so high for having been fasting.  Reading was 151.
Right now dietician has me on a schedule for checking.  Fasting, two hours after different meals.  Getting me started on counting carbs which is not as scary as I thought it would be...so far.
My second day was down to 140 fasting.

[hope4thegoodstuff]

Thanks for coming back to me.  I'll appreciate any and all information.

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

151 fasting or even 140 fasting is high.  Ideal fasting is < 95.  Maximum ideal 1 hour after eating is 140 and 2 hours after eating is 120.

The doctors may tell you that higher numbers are acceptable, but the numbers above are the ones to avoid long-term complications.

If diet, exercise and weight loss don't work, make sure your doctor puts you on meds (oral or insulin, if required) to get your numbers down.

it is a steep learning curve, but definitely doable.

best wishes

[Zoelula]

I agree with Sally, though I use the figure of 140 for two hours after eating; lower, of course is better but 140 is where studies show complications begin so many of us aim for that goal.

I'm curious if you have had your Type determined. Many doctors diagnose Type 2 merely by age. (I myself was misdiagnosed type 2 at age 58 but am in fact Type 1 (LADA). Having another autoimmune disorder such as thyroid is common for Type 1 which is an autoimmune disorder (type 2 is not). If you are also normal weight or thin, or have been losing weight this would be another indication you are type 1, not 2. The tests include c-peptide to see how much insulin you are producing, but the definitive test is antibody testing.

[gus201]

I was diagnosed type 2 in May of last year.  Up to about three weeks ago,my glucose levels had been pretty much under control.  I was recently put on Prandin taken before each meal.  That has brought the levels down.  My question is, can Prandin cause a great deal of flatulance and gastric reflux?  I have been having a great deal of it since I started on it.  I also have a great deal of constipation due to Vicodin for pain.

[hope4thegoodstuff]

When they told me what I was my blood sugar was only reading 119 in the office.  But my AC something something something...sorry...don't remember that........that was at 7 and it should be below 6.  They gave me that tester to use and since then I have never been that low again. Which makes me think...I have done something wrong.  I will call the diatician in the a.m. and see if I need to reset my meter somehow.  

[Zoelula]

If your A1C is 7.0, then you have diabetes. Didn't your doctor explain that and what you need to do to treat it? I'm not sure what you mean by "I've never been that low again". I don't think you need to reset the meter. It is reading high because you have diabetes. What you need to do is learn more about diabetes and how to treat it, whether from your doctor, online, by reading Blood Sugar 101 by Jennie Ruhl or however. You also need to get antibody and c-peptide testing to find out your type.

As Sally said, you need to learn about lowering carbs, exercise and weight loss to lower your numbers, and taking an oral med as needed. You need to focus on learning how to control your diabetes, not reseting your meter which I'm sure is fine.

[hope4thegoodstuff]

Am learning about counting carbs.  That is what the dietician has advised.  Only been doing so for about a week now.  Yes, this is all very new for me.  I am very heavy, but have lost 7 pounds this week.  You have no idea of the things that I have tried to loose weight and I start counting carbs and I'm dropping what seems to be very fast.. Perhaps too fast if the goal is 2 lbs a week.  

About 2 months ago, my glucose non fasting was 166.  That is the first time I have ever shown be high.  I stopped drinking chocolate flavored coffee (sweetened) that I drank every morning on my way to work (kind of a long drive and I get very sleepy).  My sugar dropped to about 134.  After that I just (on my own started to cut out a few carbs (all my favorite things) and it came down to 119.  But the A1C was 7 so, the PA that I go to decided to get me to a diatician.  When they tested my blood with the new meter at the dieticians office, it was 110.  So she started some training on eating....put me on a variable time table for testing and that is why I was wigging out, because every time I test it is up about 150...give or take a few.  That's fasting or not and that is counting carbs.  I have started to use the tracker for food here...I will print that and let her see and see, where I am going wrong.  But it's still very little information.  I am to go back on the 7th or 8th of sept.

[hope4thegoodstuff]

My antibodies may be high anyway as I am a hashimotos gal with my thyroid.  My antibodies were over 300 when they found the cancer in my thyroid and removed it.  But no one has ever explained to me if the antibodies just hang around in there or do they go away...I am just not sure.

And yes, I do need to learn alot.  I'll check out the book shown above.  I kind of like to read up on everything I can.  It seems as though I can come here when I have questions.  

Here's one.  What all do I need to keep track of...right now, I'm doing the meter counts and the carbs.  What else do I need to know?

[Zoelula]

Sounds like you are doing a lot on your own which is great. Most of us find we sort of have to do that and our doctors may guide us a bit along the way; but we deal with it 24/7 and get to know our own responses.

For testing you might do something we call "testing with a purpose" Random blood sugars are virtually meaningless and it made me a bit skeptical to hear your doctor does them. Fasting blood sugar is important (first thing in the morning, before eating or drinking) and the goal is to have them under 100. Then I would suggest as a new type 2 that you test two hours after various meals. Like one day breakfast, another lunch another dinner. This gives you information as to how the food you are eating affects your blood sugar. How many carbs has your doctor suggested? when you test after eating you can see if you are able to eat that food or that amount of that food and stay in target. Two hours after eating you want to be under 140.

As for antibodies, there are separate antibodies for things. I also have thyroid disease but I have the GAD antibody in addition which means I am type 1, LADA subtype.

Since you like learning and reading I'm sending you a PM with another website where there are a lot more diabetics dealing with this condition on a daily basis (both types).

[hope4thegoodstuff]

They advised 3 carbs x 3 meals and 1 carb x 3 snacks.  
At this point, I don't always get 3 carbs and my snacks are often less than a carb.  So I may need to work on it.  I know my calories seem to be quite low, but that is probably a good thing...
Is there a such thing as not getting enough?  I'm eating.  Food.   : )
I am still in the process of switching over.  I have yet to hit the store to get lite dressings, but I have switched all of my drinks to diet.  Green tea and soda.  Got the little bottles too...not that it matters with those...they don't have a lot of value.  I need to drink more water on weekends, but do fine during work hours. I have kind of given up on fruit juices.  Which I will miss as I drink a lot of juice.  I have a juicer, but have yet to use it....I'll have to check into if that will be helpful or not.  
Thanks for the info.

[Zoelula]

When you say "3 carbs" I'm guessing you mean carb exchanges at 15 grams per exchange? That is kind of an outdated method, so be aware when you hear others talk about "3 carbs"  they really mean 3 carbs not 45 carbs. 45 carbs x 3 meals and 15 for 3 snacks is a total of 180 grams of carbs a day which is pretty high. The ADA recommends very high carb amounts. Most of us have found it is a LOT easier to control blood sugars by eating lower carb. I eat about 100 a day and many people eat less than that. But the bottom line is to "eat to your meter". If you are content with what you are eating, please don't force yourself to eat 180 carbs a day! If it keeps you under 140 two hours after meals than you are doing well.

Sounds like you are making lots of changes which is great. Be sure you enjoy the new foods you are eating so you don't get bored with them. Yes, I miss fruit juices as well, but find they are impossible for me. I can eat fres fruit in moderate amounts..thank goodness!

[Super_sally888]

Oh, on the weight loss.  When you first start controlling calories and carbs you may lose weight very quickly, particularly at the beginning, when you are very heavy to begin with.  This is mostly water.  After a few weeks things will settle down and the weight loss will slow and reflect fat loss.

I would think you should be eating about 1800 to 2400 calories a day (but do be guided by the dietician also).  

Less than the 180 carbs is perfectly fine.  You should be choosing foods that also satisfy you, so you're not hungry.

Sounds like you are well on track.  

Best wishes.