Serious Dieting AND taking medication query

[Dianbeatthis]

Hello there - I am in my 50s, over 14 stone at 5ft 4. Been teepering in the pre-diabetic (Type2) zone for past 10 years but have always reassured my Dr that I’ll manage it by dieting/low-carbing. Have lost a stone or two but then it goes back on etc...

Have been having some health issues relating to possible reflux and had a load of fasting blood tests 1st thing in the morning.

Dr called me to say my Blood glucose was 19.8 and that my HbAC1 was 101 and that I need to go on medication to lower the glucose circulating in my blood stream ASAP. I’ve never had a reading above 6 before and was alarmed so agreed to take the metaformin and Gliclazide.

I’m in a quandary though. I bought the Michael Moseley books as soon as they came out (intermittent fasting one and the Blood Sugar diet 800 one) so I’m completely across all the theories of low-carbing and reversing Type 2 (I followed Zoe Harcombe 10 years ago too!) But I’ve failed to stick to them all for more than 3-6 months.

Obviously now I am totally incentivised to stick to this approach. My question is, can you seriously low carb or do the 800 cals diet while you’re taking Metaformin and
Gliclazide? There are all sorts of contraindications about fasting or not getting enough carbs while taking them - the big fear being your blood sugar dropping too low.

I want to reverse this but I’m scared. Will I become ill trying this now? I’m actually having whole meal bread for breakfast instead of just eggs and bacon because I don’t want to make a drastic change. My intention would be to ditch bread altogether but it’s the only full-on carbs in my diet at the moment. I’m sure to lose weight anyway because I’m not drinking alcohol or having crisps, White baguettes, pasta etc..

My fear is that I lose weight and go to the Drs and my glucose readings are down, and he puts it all down to the drugs rather than my dieting. I won’t know either whether it was the diet or the drugs. With my readings as they are, I don’t feel confident enough to say ‘I won’t take the drugs I’ll do the diet instead’ because I’m alarmed by those figures and believe some medication might be needed at this point in time.

I’ve no idea how to ‘test’ my blood sugars but I think that might be a good plan. Is there a kit or device I can get from the chemist that anyone could recommend?

Should I low-carb anyway and see what happens?

I also tested positive for Heliobacter and am on heavy duty antibiotics for this. Plus statins, blood-pressure, GERDS medication. I’m starting to rattle!

Any advice gratefully appreciated!

You don’t have to do the MM diets to low carb though. They work for some people but if they haven’t worked for you in the past they may be too extreme. Second Nature is a more moderate low carb diet which is used in some NHS areas for diabetes. Or, you could ask your GP for a dietician referral, and then just measure what you eat according your their recommendations on something like the nutricheck app.

Thanks Giveme. You’re right I should go down a more moderate diet route. In fact I‘ve just been landed another bombshell at the ENT appointment I went to to check my throat because of my reflux issue. Consultant said ‘so your thyroid results were abnormal weren’t they?‘ as if that was the reason I was there. This was news to me. She then proceeded to show me results from 2019 and 2012 that indicated a possible thyroid issue but which were never communicated to me. And the last results (that informed my type 2 diagnosis) were abnormal too. So I’ve now learnt I have hypothyroidism. She took another blood test to check for antibodies and is writing to my Dr to prescribe thyroxine.

For years I’ve felt exhausted, depressed and anxious. I’ve asked directly is my thyroid OK? But then I’ve been overweight and the focus has been on my pre-diabetes and losing weight. But I’ve piled the weight on. I’ve found it so difficult to lose it.

So now I have to research Type 2 AND hypothyroidism. I’m hoping some drugs will give me a new lease of life but from the little I’ve read so far, that’s not necessarily the case.

Got to be positive though. First thing to do is get myself educated.

I’ve been told I can take metformin and low carb - but I don’t know about the other medication that you are on. My husband did an X-pert course (referred by the gp) to help him manage his diabetes. It was really good. He had to take medication as well but could reduce it after he’d managed to lose some weight and his hbac1 had come down a lot. Can you ask your gp about the course? They are doing them online via zoom at the moment because of covid x

Blimey - you are in the wars - however it will get sorted out, and you are right re research. Once you’ve done some reading I would book an appointment with your GP (a double if they are still allowed) to discuss your care and health holistically - it sounds like communication has been poor and this needs to change. Talk to practice manager about switching GPs if necessary.

Absolutely insist on a referral to a dietician - of course you can work out some yourself but you absolutely should get professional support as it’s easy to get confused with so much info out there.

I know some people have success with 800 and we are all different, but overall I think the key with weight loss plans is to adopt a moderate plan that you can imagine using 80-90% of the time for the rest of your life - that’s the best way of knowing you will be able to actually keep the weight off and support your health long term.

Also join the diabetes organisations etc, you’ll get support on the boards there.

Can I just ask if you were already on statins when you had your last hb1ac as I think that this increases blood sugars in some people?
I recommend diabetes.co.uk forums - lots of knowledgeable people there including links for reasonable glucose monitors and strips.
I try to follow low carb diet (

Thank you for your replies. I will get onto those forums and start educating myself.

In answer to the question about whether I am on statins - yes I am. Was offered them as soon as hit 50 but didn’t want to take them initially but with increasing weight and blood pressure readings thought it would be prudent.

I feel like I’m falling apart with old age - didn’t expect it to happen so early!

I am on metformin & liraglutide (injectable type 2 drug) & do keto/low carb. Once you know what you’re doing it’s very easy to control your weight. But a blood sugar of 20 is really pretty high. Getting that under control needs to be your priority right now. Take the drugs to control the blood sugar, then work out how best to lose weight. Good luck!

Oh, I have had diabetes since I was 19 & I’m 46 now. I’m kind of half way between type 1 & type 2 so have experience of most types of medication 😬.