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Diabetes support

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Original poster

Newly diagnosed type 2, BMI 23, weight loss?

29 replies

Polyethyl · 15/01/2020 11:17

My DH is newly diagnosed type 2. He has a BMI of 23. He is active. He doesn't eat junk food, nor sweets, nor sugary drinks. He drinks alcohol moderately, he never binges.
All the advice doesn't seem to apply to him.
Fasting has put some people into remission. Should someone who isn't fat lose weight? Should he fast?

OP posts:
littlequestion · 15/01/2020 21:52

Is he definitely type 2? Sounds unusual...how high was his blood sugar?@ when diagnosed?

Original poster
Polyethyl · 16/01/2020 08:50

Yes. Definitely type 2. Diagnosed yesterday. Put on metformin and told to come back in 3 weeks.

OP posts:
Fantail · 17/01/2020 05:00

It is possible with people who are a healthy weight to be T2, but it is also possible for adults to be diagnosed as T1, which can also present as a slower onset (T1.5 or LADA).

Has he had the test for antibodies to exclude T1?

LostInTheColonies · 17/01/2020 05:22

About 10% of T2 isn't lifestyle-related (for want of a better term!). DM is prediabetic & v slim...

Low carb is officially recommended for T2, and there're now quite a lot of T1s who eat this way to keep blood glucose in a safe range. Pretty controversial for t1 though.

bakebeans · 09/02/2020 20:29

That doesn’t sound like he has been definitely diagnosed type 2. Bmi 23 and weight loss?
Have the checked his pancreas antibodies and to see whether the pancreas is making its own insulin known as a C-peptide test. This is normally the hospital or specialist service that can request these tests as expensive and can take a few weeks to come back. This happened to a relative of mine and they were caught early despite being aged 70

Itsagrandoldteam · 09/02/2020 20:36

Sir Steve Redgrave is type 2 diabetic, he found out when he was training for the Olympics, it can happen to anyone.

Rosieposy4 · 09/02/2020 20:37

Odd to be put on metformin straightaway as well, i think he needs a second opinion.

BuffaloCauliflower · 09/02/2020 20:39

There can be a large genetic element, doesn’t need to be weight related, though it is less usual

HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 09/02/2020 20:43

I would urge him to go back and see his doctor sooner, or a different doctor for a second opinion, there are other types of diabetes and other illnesses that can be misdiagnosed as diabetes. Type 2 would be very unusual with his BMI

GrumpyHoonMain · 09/02/2020 20:43

When diabetes appears out of the blue without any previous concerns regarding fasting glucose / other risk factors, I would be requesting investigations for pancreatic cancer. Often sudden-onset Diabetes can be one of the first symptoms.

MIW01 · 02/03/2020 14:52

Hello @Polyethyl your DH's situation sounds similar to mine. I was diagnosed with diabetes on Monday. I don't meet any of the criteria for Type 2 - I'm 34, normal BMI, no family history, active and been eating a low carb, real food diet.

My HbA1c is 99 and my blood sugar is around 20 permanently which are both very high so I am having blood tests to find which type it is. I am also going to see the diabetes maternity team to see if they want to put me on insulin to get blood sugar down asap as it is very risky for it to be so high. This may also delay my hysteroscopy to remove my polyp.

Original poster
Polyethyl · 02/03/2020 15:07

Sorry to hear that. And I wish you well. Good luck with your treatment.

Thank you for the various suggestions people made for follow up tests. Unfortunately my DH has refused to discuss it with me.
I can see that he's taking the pills he's been given, and I can see that he has been to appointments, and he's made some changes to his diet (even though he was always a healthy eater). But he won't discuss it. I asked to accompany him to an appointment, he refused. So I am giving him space about this. I think he's quite shocked.

OP posts:
DonPablo · 02/03/2020 15:11

A percentage of people diagnosed with T2 aren't overweight. But the liver and pancreas are fatty. Losing 10 kg usually reverses this and therefore the diagnosis. All according to Professor Roy Taylor

Life Without Diabetes: The definitive guide to understanding and reversing your Type 2 diabetes www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1780724098/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_GhsxEb76V3KRJ?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Original poster
Polyethyl · 13/03/2020 07:50

Covid 19 meant that my husband actually talked about this. His HBA1C was 14 to start with and is now 13.
His colestorol has come down a lot.

So my DH is coming to terms with the diagnosis and now he has to come to terms that he is at a higher risk of Covid.
It's a lot to take on board.

OP posts:
GoatsDoRome · 13/03/2020 07:55

Are you sure about the Hba1c levels? Is that mmol or percentage? If mmol that’s in the normal range and not even pre diabetic

GinandGingerBeer · 13/03/2020 08:09

Many GPs diagnose T2 in adults as they still think T1 is only diagnosed in childhood/teenage/young adults.
This is not the case and he needs a GAD antibody rest to clarify.
My GP tried fobbing me off with 'you'll just be T2 take a pill everyday'
I. Fact I was a few hours away from being in DKA & I was diagnosed T1 @ 45.

MIW01 · 13/03/2020 08:21

@Polyethyl thank you. I think that's % in which case it's very high. Mine is about 11.5% and I believe healthy is below 6.5%

@DonPablo I've heard about this but don't even know what type I am atm. Waiting for blood tests to come back and they may take even longer now with Corona Virus!

I've been put on basal insulin and metformin.

Original poster
Polyethyl · 13/03/2020 08:38

Yes percentage.

OP posts:
Original poster
Polyethyl · 13/03/2020 08:40

The doctors are clearly taking it seriously, from the numerous appointments he's been going to.
Previously he hasn't been telling me anything, so I think it's a big step forward that he's told me his scores.

OP posts:
MrsWooster · 13/03/2020 08:45

There was a Mumsnet discussion recently with the doctor responsible for the Newcastle diet-Roy Taylor? Very informative about the effect of even a few grams of visceral fat around the pancreas. It may help your Dh if he’s feeling a sort of ‘shame’ about a disease that’s far too associated with patient fault-see some replies from pp about “can’t be diabetes, he’s not fat..”.

Hoggleludo · 13/03/2020 10:10

@rosyposy

Not when there is no weight issue. As diet won't help. So the first line of call is medication.

Original poster
Polyethyl · 13/03/2020 11:02

Shame and fear of people thinking it must be his fault are definitely factors.

OP posts:
BovaryX · 13/03/2020 11:06

That is a very high sugar reading. Does he eat alot of bread? The reason I ask is because it is full of sugar and can seriously spike glucose levels

Original poster
Polyethyl · 13/03/2020 11:12

No. Our bread is multiseed and he eats a normal amount. He is an excellent cook. Always cooks from fresh. Since the diagnosis he's cooking recipies from low GI books. He has never had a sweet tooth, and so he's never been a snacker from the biscuit tin.
He has always gone to the gym, fenced, mountain climbing, run round the park.

OP posts:
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