Diabetes

[NorTracNY]

I want to say thank you to all of you that have posted to this thread. My doctor told me I had diabetes a couple of years ago and wanted to put me on metformin. After reading the scare sheet on that, I decided there was no way that was going to happen. That’s about the time I ran across this thread and I read every last page. Lots of good info here.

So 2-1/2 years ago, A1C was 7.7and I weighed 210-215. Eric, I believe it was you who posted a lot of info about a low carb, high fat diet. I decided to give it a shot. I started walking a couple miles 3-4 times per week. Results a year later were A1C down to 6.0 and weight down to 170-175. As of yesterday, down to 5.8 A1C and 174 lbs.

God is good!

Edit: one thing I failed to mention is that I’m a cardio patient. As of spring of 2025, I was able to get off of my blood pressure meds, which I was told would never happen due to having had a double bypass 13 years ago. I’m still on a statin drug (simvastatin), which I am convinced is the cause of my diabetes. My doctor told me yesterday that there is evidence of that very thing. There are different types of statin drugs apparently, and we will be discussing changes when I see him again in 6 months.

Correct, you most statin do come with a risk of diabetes. That's great that you're doing so well focusing on a low carb/high fat diet. Keep up the great job. Many doctors don't believe what you have done is even possible.

 

[dodge man]

I’ve recently been diagnosed. A1C of 6.7, glucose of 146. I also have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Needless to say I’ll be taking medication for all three. I was losing weight before this all came out, my goal was to lose 20 pounds this year. I’m almost halfway there on the weight loss. There is a family history of diabetes so I’m surprised but not shocked.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

I’ve recently been diagnosed. A1C of 6.7, glucose of 146. I also have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Needless to say I’ll be taking medication for all three. I was losing weight before this all came out, my goal was to lose 20 pounds this year. I’m almost halfway there on the weight loss. There is a family history of diabetes so I’m surprised but not shocked.

First thing I recommend you do is buy a good, digital portion scale. You will probably have to relearn what you eat. Basically, the coarser a carb is, and the higher the fiber content the lower the glycemic index, a measure of how fast it hits your blood stream as glucose. Easy example is to compare quick cook, old fashioned oatmeal and cut oats. 40-grams is a serving of all three, and the nutrition data is identical per serving. The quick cook is rolled on tighter rollers than the old fashioned, this is finer grained. It cooks digests and gets into your bloodstream about twice as fast. The cut oats are cut and not rolled, and take twice as long to cook, and take twice as long to hit your bloodstream as glucose.

Good luck. It is your disease to manage, your health care team can give you pointers, but in the end it is mostly up to you, to eat a sensible diet, and exercise.

 

[ArlyA]

I’ve recently been diagnosed. A1C of 6.7, glucose of 146. I also have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Needless to say I’ll be taking medication for all three. I was losing weight before this all came out, my goal was to lose 20 pounds this year. I’m almost halfway there on the weight loss. There is a family history of diabetes so I’m surprised but not shocked.

How much overweight are you? You are wise to move on this asap.

 

[mjonesnh]

I’ve recently been diagnosed. A1C of 6.7, glucose of 146. I also have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Needless to say I’ll be taking medication for all three. I was losing weight before this all came out, my goal was to lose 20 pounds this year. I’m almost halfway there on the weight loss. There is a family history of diabetes so I’m surprised but not shocked.

Glucose 585 and A1C 14.0 in January 2021. Started Metformin and Insulin the day it was found. Made drastic changes to diet with low carb and low sugar foods. Started walking daily and exercising. Came off insulin in Oct. 2021 and Metformin in Jan. 2022. Still walking 100miles/month and A1C 6.0. Can be tough to reverse old habits but is possible with determination. Your numbers are more in the moderate range and you will be able to lower them hopefully with a diet change. Quite possibly lower your BP and cholesterol at same time if you can lower your A1C

 

[ArlyA]

Glucose 585 and A1C 14.0 in January 2021. Started Metformin and Insulin the day it was found. Made drastic changes to diet with low carb and low sugar foods. Started walking daily and exercising. Came off insulin in Oct. 2021 and Metformin in Jan. 2022. Still walking 100miles/month and A1C 6.0. Can be tough to reverse old habits but is possible with determination. Your numbers are more in the moderate range and you will be able to lower them hopefully with a diet change. Quite possibly lower your BP and cholesterol at same time if you can lower your A1C

And move around more. Dodge didn't mention how much he was already doing.

 

[Nickelpickel]

i have been an insulin dependent diabetic since 1980, type 1. 28yrs 0ld when diagnosed. got sick one day, it knocked me to my knees. that sickness caused my diabetes, went to my pancreas. i was put on insulin shots for 20 years and then a pump in 2002. i have gotten neuropathy, retinopathy, no kidney problems yet, had a stroke 1 1/2 yrs ago that affected my right side(lost total control of rt. side)-(about 80% came back after being in urgent care part of hospital 1 month and nursing home 1 month), takes forever for anything to heal, had at least 5 eye laser surgeries, had back surgery after rupturing 2 disc, that worked but because i was diabetic it took 3 times longer to heal than what the back surgeon thought and ruptured it again while doing physical therapy because it took so long to heal. can't think of what else the uncontrolled diabetes caused but that is more than enough.

for the last 10 years i have volunteered at a diabetic center at the hospital in mt. home, ar and it wasn't until i had my stroke that i really started to take diabetes really serious.

it is ALL ABOUT DIET AND EXERCISE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO CHANGE WHAT YOU EAT BUT HOW YOU EAT IT AND PORTION CONTROL. the best advice i can give anyone with A1c out of the range of 5.0 to 7.0 to find a dietician and go to them and let modify your diet. even if i cost you a couple thousand dollars (which it won't), it is money well spent. you'll live longer, , feel better, and generally be in better health.

its like having high blood pressure, you go to the doctor to get your pressure regulated, only you go to a dietician to get you eating habits regulated. you can still eat pretty much anything you want, you just have to incorporate it into your diet.

i now have A1c's around 6.7 instead of 9,0's to 11.0's

from what i remember your blood sugar should be between 70 and 110. about 2 hours after you eat your sugars should be below 150. if I'm wrong, please chime in and correct me.

good luck with everyone diabetes!!!!!

rob

I’ve read the
numerous post and would have to say this one best answers your specific question. Im
an MD owner of a kubota LS L390, i’m a similar age as most of us but because i battle diverticulitis my weight n diet are pretty good. So yes you would like to keep your fasting blood sugars under 105, that’s ideal if you can
live a life that keeps them under 110-112 or so you’ll be fine. Similarly a couple hours after eating under 140 is ideal, but 140-160 ok, no if you are a one number guy A1C
is it as it reflects more of a longer term measure of your glucose metabolism up to 5.7% is aok-normal yet above 5.7 to 6.4 or so is pre-diabetes.

 

[dodge man]

How much overweight are you? You are wise to move on this asap.

I weigh about 236 now. My ideal weight would be 180 on the low end and 220 on the high end. I used to weigh about 280 but I lost that weight over 5 years ago. I get at least a moderate amount of exercise every day, I’m often surprised when I check my phone I’ve walked over two miles. I bike ride when the weather allows.

They started me on Metformin today, a statin and BP med so I’m set on the meds. I’ve been on the BP meds for a few days and so far no side affects, I’m hoping the new meds don’t cause any.

I appreciate the responses. We just got back from the store and bought some things that should help.

 

[RandyT]

I weigh about 236 now. My ideal weight would be 180 on the low end and 220 on the high end. I used to weigh about 280 but I lost that weight over 5 years ago. I get at least a moderate amount of exercise every day, I’m often surprised when I check my phone I’ve walked over two miles. I bike ride when the weather allows.

They started me on Metformin today, a statin and BP med so I’m set on the meds. I’ve been on the BP meds for a few days and so far no side affects, I’m hoping the new meds don’t cause any.

I appreciate the responses. We just got back from the store and bought some things that should help.

Just watch closely for side effects of the statin, because they can sneak up quickly and leave a devastating outcome. I know one person that they put into a wheelchair. my personal experience with them lead to extreme muscle weakness after 37 days of taking Crestor that almost left me stranded in the woods after harvesting a deer one fall. Took months to recover. Was talked into Zetia 4 months ago but they maybe going in the garbage too before long. Currently pausing to determine if cause of night time muscle pain .

Due to also having 150/100 BP currently on 25mg Losartan which has dropped to 117/73. Had A1C of 6.1 which has added Zepbound for weight loss. Down 40 pounds since October.

 

[lilranch2001]

I weigh about 236 now. My ideal weight would be 180 on the low end and 220 on the high end. I used to weigh about 280 but I lost that weight over 5 years ago. I get at least a moderate amount of exercise every day, I’m often surprised when I check my phone I’ve walked over two miles. I bike ride when the weather allows.

They started me on Metformin today, a statin and BP med so I’m set on the meds. I’ve been on the BP meds for a few days and so far no side affects, I’m hoping the new meds don’t cause any.

I appreciate the responses. We just got back from the store and bought some things that should help.

My body revolted over metfotmin….

 

[dodge man]

Glucose 585 and A1C 14.0 in January 2021. Started Metformin and Insulin the day it was found. Made drastic changes to diet with low carb and low sugar foods. Started walking daily and exercising. Came off insulin in Oct. 2021 and Metformin in Jan. 2022. Still walking 100miles/month and A1C 6.0. Can be tough to reverse old habits but is possible with determination. Your numbers are more in the moderate range and you will be able to lower them hopefully with a diet change. Quite possibly lower your BP and cholesterol at same time if you can lower your A1C

May I ask how much weight you lost in the process?

 

[NorTracNY]

If money isn't a concern, or your insurance will cover it, check out Virta. It changed my life. Medications didn't cause the problem and they are only going to treat symptoms of what you've done to yourself the last several decades. I'm not anti-medicine, but they shouldn't be the first line of treatment. I was just borderline "overweight" BMI. I was fairly active and athletic, so I thought I was fine. As A1c crept up, so were other things. I thought inflammation in the joints was something that just comes with age.

I'm now 3 years into my changes. Down 30lbs, A1c down below pre-diabetic, BP 106/63, energy consistent, and joints aches GONE!

 

[mjonesnh]

May I ask how much weight you lost in the process?

34 pounds

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

I weigh about 236 now. My ideal weight would be 180 on the low end and 220 on the high end. I used to weigh about 280 but I lost that weight over 5 years ago. I get at least a moderate amount of exercise every day, I’m often surprised when I check my phone I’ve walked over two miles. I bike ride when the weather allows.

They started me on Metformin today, a statin and BP med so I’m set on the meds. I’ve been on the BP meds for a few days and so far no side affects, I’m hoping the new meds don’t cause any.

I appreciate the responses. We just got back from the store and bought some things that should help.

If you can, get a prescription for a Continuous Glucose Monitor, (CGM). They generally don't like to give them to Type IIs. I have one, because I don't feel any of the symptoms of low glucose until down in the forties, and I'm on the edge of passing out. I had to get hoisted out of a wilderness area with a helicopter, and spend a night in the hospital once and had to leave my truck in the forest, and have one of the guys I worked with bring me back to town a few times. We would get working on a project, and next thing I'd know I couldn't feel my toes. I'd check my glucose levels with the meter, and eat one or two glucose tablets, some dried fruit, and almonds. But once you're that low, it takes a bit to recover.

The CGM. monitors every five minutes, and sounds an alarm if you hit seventy, and makes obnoxious fog horn noises if you get down to sixty. Which is early enough that I can eat a glucose tablet, and get it headed back up, and reinforce that with some dried fruit and nuts.