Reversing Type 2 Diabetes

[Pot Bellied Fool]

bomb said:

New to this thread - I have just had my blood tests back. End of March my HbA1c was 61. Today its 47.

That's fantastic work! Well done, keep going and it'll drop even further - you're almost out of the woods already!

[bomb]

Its been a very hard slog, but I had a phone call at 6pm this evening from the hospital - we want you back in for another blood test as your WBC, ( White blood cell count) is very, very low.

So, not out of the woods yet ! FFS.

Amaazing what they can tell from your blood.

[bomb]

Pot Bellied Fool said:

bomb said:

New to this thread - I have just had my blood tests back. End of March my HbA1c was 61. Today its 47.

That's fantastic work! Well done, keep going and it'll drop even further - you're almost out of the woods already!

Update, after another test I am now at 45. Another couple of points knocked off the figure. Looking good as far as sugar levels are concerned, but bloody hell, its a lot of cycling to get there !

[Google [bot]]

bomb said:

Its been a very hard slog, but I had a phone call at 6pm this evening from the hospital - we want you back in for another blood test as your WBC, ( White blood cell count) is very, very low.

So, not out of the woods yet ! FFS.

Amaazing what they can tell from your blood.

That’d be the anti- rejection medication wouldn’t it?

[bomb]

Google [bot] said:

That’d be the anti- rejection medication wouldn’t it?

I don't know, but probably Its back up again, so in better shape again.

[Consigliere]

Just bumping this thread to see how people are getting on.

I was diagnosed many years ago but never paid any attention and always told myself I could make changes with diet and exercise. I do great for the first few weeks and then it all goes to pot. Probably got diagnosed around 10 years ago, and after a small stint in hospital last year due to something unrelated, I went to see the doctor and got some meds as diet and exercise was a failure all to my own doing.

I've never really spoken about it but hoping that this chat (like a support group in a way) may motivate me to do something about it. I only have myself to blame but that cant change the past.

Its a lifestyle and change of mindset - its bloody hard though!

[oldagepensioner]

Pieman68 said:

Does anybody have any additional info or has anybody on here achieved it?

Currently a diagnosed type 2 diabetic, medicated using 1 x 800Mg Metformin tablet a day

6 months ago the HBAC1 was running around 85Mmol. Through a change of diet I have recently lost 1.5 stone and my latest reading is down to 51Mmol

As I understand it below 42 is normal reading - question is how much of this is the diet and how much the medication? What reading would you think would be desirable before stopping medication and trying to manage through diet alone? And from that point at what point are you considered to have reversed the condition

I'm 42 now and if I can control this to the point where I don't have to take medication (and cost the NHS money) for the 25-30 years then I would love to achieve this

My wife is type 2 diabetic and when diagnosed was offered either drugs or dietary options.She went for diet and exercise lost over 4 stone and got her sugar count down from 53 to 42 and is sticking to it so it can be done.

[boxst]

I'm still okay, had a H1BAC test two weeks ago and it's 45. It was over 80 originally and I just lost lots of weight and now watch what I eat and drink.

[Snoggledog]

I've just been diagnosed myself with an apparently alarming score of 99. I'm now on a feel good type course that the NHS seem to be running now for newbies. At this point in time, I really don't have a clue what to do apart from get fit and lose weight.

[boxst]

Snoggledog said:

I've just been diagnosed myself with an apparently alarming score of 99. I'm now on a feel good type course that the NHS seem to be running now for newbies. At this point in time, I really don't have a clue what to do apart from get fit and lose weight.

Don't eat anything sweet, don't eat carbohydrates (potatoes, pasta, rice etc..). Cook meals with more vegetables to bridge the gap. It'll take a few months but will get better.

The course from the NHS is a good start (for them), but it just says 'cut down on...' 'eat wholemeal bread' etc... where-as for quick results you need to cut all the things out and if you wish slowly reintroduce them after a year and see how you get on.

Obviously I'm not a doctor, and just quoting what worked for me.

[Phil.]

Snoggledog said:

I've just been diagnosed myself with an apparently alarming score of 99. I'm now on a feel good type course that the NHS seem to be running now for newbies. At this point in time, I really don't have a clue what to do apart from get fit and lose weight.

Reduce carbs dramatically, cut out alcohol and move more, especially after meals if you can.

Dr David Owen has developed a series of infographics explaining the equivalent sugar rating of most foods. There is a summary here:

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

Also consider adopting a Keto diet for a while to help you lose weight and reduce your score faster. There’s loads of Keto advice and recipes available.

It may feel initially that there isn’t anything you can eat, that’s probably because you’ve been eating all the wrong foods which has created the situation. Over time you’ll realise there’s plenty of lovely things you can eat but it will take a complete overall of your eating habits. Your taste buds will also take a while to adjust.

It’s a lifestyle change and a journey, so a step at a time is the best approach.

Some days you’ll get fed up with the burden of diabetes, that’s normal, but it’s either adjust your eating habits over the longer term or face a future of horrible health consequences and early death.

Good luck, you’ve already made a start by accepting there is a problem that needs sorting

[Snoggledog]

Thanks chaps for all the useful information. I must admit I'm finding some of this confusing. Some websites say it's fine to eat XYZ but only smaller amounts. Others say swapping to a 'whole X' will improve things, whilst others say remove X entirely will help things. The only thing I've found which most people seem to agree on is that Carbs are bad. The irony here seems to be that people are saying that carbs are bad whilst official websites say carbs are ok in either moderation or in alternative form (wholewheat / wholemeal / brown). As there seems to be little consensus between websites I'm erring more towards listening to people.

The exercise though is a real pain as my knees are shot to oblivion.

[PositronicRay]

Snoggledog said:

Thanks chaps for all the useful information. I must admit I'm finding some of this confusing. Some websites say it's fine to eat XYZ but only smaller amounts. Others say swapping to a 'whole X' will improve things, whilst others say remove X entirely will help things. The only thing I've found which most people seem to agree on is that Carbs are bad. The irony here seems to be that people are saying that carbs are bad whilst official websites say carbs are ok in either moderation or in alternative form (wholewheat / wholemeal / brown). As there seems to be little consensus between websites I'm erring more towards listening to people.

The exercise though is a real pain as my knees are shot to oblivion.

Go on the course and you'll understand more.

In simple terms your body is becoming insulin resistant. The more it produces, the more resistant it gets.

Reduce carbs, reduce weight and therefore requirements for such high insulin production.

[Mr Magooagain]

I'm type 2 officially since last week. I'm 65 years old and weigh 13.4 today I was 13.11 two weeks ago.

I had been feeling rough for a few months. Mainly light headed with the odd dizzy spell.

I'm still working as a builder/plasterer and had an extremely tough few months of work leading up to Christmas.
Over Christmas I didn't feel good and my blood pressure was up a bit along with the usual muzzy head etc.
I stopped drinking alcohol then.

Got a set of bloods done early January that came in at fasting blood sugar 1.33 g/L 7.38mmol/L
Doctor said that's fine.

My wife spoke to her doctor at a different practice and he said that my tests needed looking into.

So last week after changing to the wife's Doctor I have a new set of tests now.
They read at. 1.48 g/L. 8.21mmol/L
Also has the A1cIFCC tested at 6.04%. 43mmol/mol

I'm now on 500mg Metformine twice a day.

Ive had an hour and a half meeting with a dietician yesterday that has helped a lot and reduced my confusion over food types. My wife came with me as she's the cook!

I've yet to get used to it all and I'm feeling bouts of tiredness etc but since yesterday's meeting I'm feeling a bit better already

Breakfast at the moment is 30 g of oats with a couple of weetabix,200ml of milk. A piece of fruit.
My milk is direct from the cow and the dietician says it's ok.
I can have a couple of potatoes now and again.
If I want a glass of red wine with dinner once a week or so then that's ok.
60 grams of whole meal bread with lunch.

She's given us a complete list of all the foods I can have and what quantity I should have.

Exercise is a given for me with my work but I also walk about 5 klm a day or more dog walking.

Just to note that I'm in France so some of the limits on the blood tests are slightly different.
I asked the doctor if I was pre diabetic and he said no you are diabetic.

Hopefully the diet will get me off the medication ASAP.

[Phil.]

This is what I don’t understand.

Diabetes diagnosed. Metformin prescribed. Recommended to eat 100g+ carbs per day (that’s what the diet above is providing). Accept the long term health consequences.

Surely a reduction in carbs and the the corresponding reduction in insulin is the only way to reduce the long term health impact of diabetes?

[Mr Magooagain]

Phil. said:

This is what I don’t understand.

Diabetes diagnosed. Metformin prescribed. Recommended to eat 100g+ carbs per day (that’s what the diet above is providing). Accept the long term health consequences.

Surely a reduction in carbs and the the corresponding reduction in insulin is the only way to reduce the long term health impact of diabetes?

I was told it's about having them at the right time of day and what's eaten alongside them.

What I can say is that after seeing the dietitian and acting on her advice I'm feeling better than I have been for this last few weeks.

[Mr Magooagain]

Dinner tonight was a large plate of lettuce with a dressing of rape seed oil. Then

100grams of beef,3 small boiled potatoes,green beans,red peppers,parsnip,Courgettes.

Then a tangerine.


We are going to change the evening dinner meal to have it at lunch time so it gets processed over a more active period of time. That has been recomended.

[Phil.]

Snoggledog said:

Thanks chaps for all the useful information. I must admit I'm finding some of this confusing. Some websites say it's fine to eat XYZ but only smaller amounts. Others say swapping to a 'whole X' will improve things, whilst others say remove X entirely will help things. The only thing I've found which most people seem to agree on is that Carbs are bad. The irony here seems to be that people are saying that carbs are bad whilst official websites say carbs are ok in either moderation or in alternative form (wholewheat / wholemeal / brown). As there seems to be little consensus between websites I'm erring more towards listening to people.

The exercise though is a real pain as my knees are shot to oblivion.

The government’s diet recommendations when it comes to carbs, which they changed in the late 70’s, along with the massive increase in processed foods/drinks that have added sugar, have caused the T2 epidemic across the western world. The NHS is slowly waking up to this but isn’t there yet hence the confusing information. As I said above, check out Dr David Unwin’s work.

Bottom line is carbs = insulin = bad.

[2354519y]

I was prediabetic 4 years ago. HBA1c was 47. It was picked up at the surgery as part of my 40 year old health check. A really useful initiative that got canned, unfortunately.

I also had cholesterol at 7.5 mmol total cholesterol. I followed the intermittent fasting diets. Typically 16 hours per day.
Sometimes, longer. Followed it religiously for about 8 months. Lost 4 stone in around 5 months. HBA1c levels fell to 40 and have stayed there. Cholesterol levels are below 5mmol total cholesterol.

Generally, keep to around 2-3 16 hour fasts a week. Like many others, have eradicated white cards and sugars from my diet.

Have started seriously weight training as this apparently helps store excess glucose in the blood stream in muscle tissue. Have gained around a stone in muscle mass over 18 months.

Have, also started using the running machines at the gym. So I will do a 16 hour fast. Around 14 hours in, I'll go the gym and run 2 miles on the treadmill on an empty stomach. Primarily, to further lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels.

My cholesterol did creep up again last year, when I started being a bit more lax around my diet and started eating carbs again. The running and carb cutting has brought it back to level again.

I was talking to a guy a few weeks ago, who did a similar approach and managed to stay off medication for around 8 years with but has recently been put on metformin.
So I'll keep going and see how long it lasts.

If only I had been given proper dietary advice when I was younger I wouldn't be here now.
But there never really seemed anyone around in the 80s/90s to really put me on track.

[DaveGrohl]

PositronicRay said:

Snoggledog said:

Thanks chaps for all the useful information. I must admit I'm finding some of this confusing. Some websites say it's fine to eat XYZ but only smaller amounts. Others say swapping to a 'whole X' will improve things, whilst others say remove X entirely will help things. The only thing I've found which most people seem to agree on is that Carbs are bad. The irony here seems to be that people are saying that carbs are bad whilst official websites say carbs are ok in either moderation or in alternative form (wholewheat / wholemeal / brown). As there seems to be little consensus between websites I'm erring more towards listening to people.

The exercise though is a real pain as my knees are shot to oblivion.

Go on the course and you'll understand more.

In simple terms your body HAS BECOME insulin resistant. The more it produces, the more resistant it gets.

Reduce carbs, reduce weight and therefore requirements for such high insulin production.

FTFY. Hope you don’t mind.

You would do well to listen to people rather than the establishment. Many people have realised the established advice is way behind results achieved by experimentation. The establishment are really struggling with reality tbh. Don’t be afraid to eat more fat, it’s what will help you to lose weight and, more importantly, keep the weight off, as well as massively help getting glucose/insulin under control. Try looking into fats (it’s a confusing subject), and you’ll realise how far behind the establishment is on this. Get past the first page of google and the world will open up and you’ll realise getting diabetes under control isn’t that difficult after all. Oh, and wholegrain carbs are still carbs.