Hello everyone

[rpsfam1]

my name is Robert and I go by RP. Im 58 yrs old and was recently diagnosed as t2d. My AIC was drawn about 3 weeks ago and was found to be 10.5%. I'm overweight and have high BP as well. I've never had any diabetes in my family. I'm currently on metformin for the t2d and metropolol for the high BP. My Dr. is only having me do a BG  test twice daily - fasting BG in the morning ad then before dinner at night. I'm not scheduled to see them again until the end of the month, but Im curious as to why they are not having me test 2 hrs after eating like many others seem to do. Anyone else testing just 2x a day, or do you have any insight into why they are only having me test 2x a day?

Thanks in advance,
RP

[skb]

Hello RP,

Welcome aboard. I'm also a T2 and I also test 2 times a day, Fasting and Before Dinner. That is not to say that, that is what you should also be doing. Because, I have this "condition" since 2007 and have carried out some extensive testing on myself. Now that I am in control of my situation, those 2 tests are enough for me.

Coming to the inputs that you have given. Our Converter (in the Right Panel) tells me that an A1c of 10.5 equates to an average BG of 296.5, which obviously is very high. If I assume a 100 point swing in either direction from the average, you could be running between a BG of 200 - 400 through the day. So your first task is to lower that number. If you stick around on the forum for a while, you will learn all there is to be done, to successfully do that. All of our old members are veterans at this. For starters, I'd suggest you read our Articles "Eat to your meter" and "Why Low Carb High Fat" from our Home Page. You could even click our Logo to access these pages.

I quite agree with your view that you should be testing a lot during these times, and that a post meal test would have more value at this stage than a pre-meal. I have no idea why your Dr has suggested that. If he is OK with you using that strip for post meal numbers, it would be very helpful indeed.

Do hang on. The others will chime in with more helpful insights. We've beaten this condition with our own instincts and so will you. I'd also recommend that you see the "My Story" thread on the Forum for more knowledge on the subject.

[rpsfam1]

Hi SKB,

I was diagnosed when I was hospitalized for bp that was 210/110 and irregular heartbeat. I had been under a great amount of stress for about 1.5 yrs an was living off fast food, processed food, and other wonderful things. When I was hospitalized, my fasting - yes, fasting - BG was 347. They did a full cardiac workup on me but thankfully everything came back great-stress test, coronary artery die tests, ekg, ultrasounds etc. no indications of any coronary artery disease, plaque or heart muscle irregularities. What a huge relief that was. It seems the irregular rhythms (PVCs)were the result of very high BG and the high BP from stress. Today marks 3 weeks since I was released and Im doing much better. My BG has dropped a lot and rather quickly. Although Ive made some significant changes in my diet and have made a concerted effort to reduce the stress I feel, Im guessing its the metformin (1000mg twice a day) that has resulted in such a drastic drop in my BG. My morning BG now is between 99 and 114 everyday, and my predinner is always below 100 now (84 last night).

Thanks,
RP

[bigskygal]

Wow RP, that was quite an experience! I am glad you have gotten things more under control and are feeling better.

I also only test twice a day now, but in the early days of diagnosis I was testing up to 11 times a day. Fasting, before each meal, one and two hours after each meal and at bedtime. The process is explained in the Eat to the Meter link skb gave you. I was diagnosed in 2012 and after a few years of extensive testing I know what foods I can and can't safely eat so now I test less. If I try a new food though I will test around it to be sure it is safe.

[skb]

I was diagnosed when I was hospitalized for bp that was 210/110 and irregular heartbeat. I had been under a great amount of stress for about 1.5 yrs an was living off fast food, processed food, and other wonderful things.

Been there, done that. Arrhythmia is one of the known complications of high BG. JFYI, I was going through the same conditions for all of 2019 and it still continues in 2020. On Jan 11th 2020 I found my resting heart rate at 168 with all the other add-ons of nausea and a spinning world. I knew that high Bg was a contributor, having been off the bandwagon for a while.

I immediately course corrected with a stricter dietary regime and restarted with my physical workouts which had been abandoned for months. Thankfully, I've never had any episodes since then. Stress is omnipresent but food and exercise will definitely take care of that.

I'm happy to see your numbers and hope that your next A1c will be close to 7% and dropping. If you adapt to a LCHF way of eating all of your ills will be a part of history and your weight will be more to your liking. Good Luck.

[rpsfam1]

That sounds exactly what I have begun to do - thanks for the encouragement SKB!

[skb]

That sounds exactly what I have begun to do - thanks for the encouragement SKB!

Great. I'm sure you will be bringing us good news each day.
Did you check out our BG Tracker App ? It's in the Right Panel.