Diabetes - newly diagnosed. Could it be....?

Hi, I'm hoping for a bit of advice. I have just been diagnosed as Type 2 diabetic (fasting blood test gave out 10.5 and 15.5 mmo/l on two separate occasions). My first question....are these levels low, high or about typical for a Type 2 diagnosis? I'm to have one more blood test tomorrow and from the results of that, my GP will discuss treatment and a care plan. Does anyone know if I might be put onto medication, or are the levels low enough for it to be controlled by diet?

Second question - I had an attack of acute pancreatitis just under a year ago (gallstones turned out to be the culprit and a cholecystectomy sorted it all out nicely!). Prior to, and during the pancreatitis, my blood sugar levels were always completely normal, if not a little on the low side. Could there possibly be a link between the onset of this diabetes and the pancreatitis? Just seems a little odd to me that this has come out of apparently nowhere!

Many thanks.

There may be a relationship between the old gallstones and the newest diagnosis, but it has to do with paybacks for the old diet. The same dietary habits and lifestyle that put one at risk for developing gallstones put you at higher risk for diabetes- things like a diet high in fat, high in sugars, weight and exercise. Ideally you would like a level of less than 7mmo/l on a fasting plasma glucose. Your readins seem to bounce a bit, but on the high side. The doctor will probably prescribe medication to start with, so you are covered while you give the diet and exercise a go. You are well in the range to control it that way, if you are willing to try and can stick with it. Just to give you an idea of what changes you will need to look at making- you will want to exercise about 150 minutes per week, spread over about 3 days (not consecutive days) per week, and a weight reduction of about 5-10 percent of your current weight. Obviously that will take some time to achieve, and in the meantime the tablets will help prevent damage to your kidneys from the glucose spillover. Your doctor will probably evaluate your progress and check your glucose levels every 3-4 months for a while, to adjust the medications in response to your needs. Don't be discouraged if you get tablets to start with, or if things don't respond as quickly as you might like to see. Most of all, don't give up. If you can control it with just diet and exercise, great. If it takes the tablets, that's fine too. Be willing to do what it takes, because the most important thing is to control it. Work with a dietician, ask for the referral, and design a diet tailored to your needs and likes. That way you have a much better idea what you need to do, and a plan that will work for you because it was made with your needs in mind. It doesn't mean goodbye to the sweets forever, it just means less sweets less often- but they can most certainly be allowed for in the diet. Another thing the doctor will be checking is your cholesterol levels, because high cholesterol will also be a factor. It will probably seem as if you are supporting vampires for a while, until the dust settles. Again, hang in there and keep your goal of control in mind. Honestly, it just doesn't matter why things have happened- no point regretting things you didn't know before, nor kicking yourself for them. Just do what you need to do to get it in control and keep it that way. Soon enough it will become second nature to you, and you will live a healthier life for it. Good luck.

I think those are rather high to be honest, i am diabetic but am able to control it at the moment with diet and exercise after fasting my level is 7.5 max
I am newly diagnosed myself though so i am not an expert on the subject its not easy making the changes you need to make but if you can control it at least for a few years without drugs then i guess it worth trying.
How old are you, whats your weight etc feel free to contact me if you wana chat about things as we ar eboth new to this maybe we can help each other along
Good luck anyway x

could well be the pancreas works basicly in reverse for diabetics, type two diabetcs normaly keep blood sugar levels under control with tablets you need to aim for around 6-7, 10.5 is high but it also depends on when you took the reading, if you have just eaten it will be high anyway, dont worry about insulin injections with type two, but you will have to cut out sweet things and start to read tins and packages when shopping from now on, and aim for stuff with a sugar content of 4% or less, you can still have a treat but save them for special occaisions

A range of 4 to 7 mmol/l (72 to 126 mg/dl) before a meal is normal.
A level of < 10 mmol/l (180 mg/dl) 90 minutes after a meal is normal.
A range of 7 to 8 mmol/l (126 to 144 mg/dl) at bedtime is normal.
After a 12 hour fast, a range of 3.9 to 6.5 mmol/l (70.2 to 117 mg/dl) is normal. (a level of 6.7 to 7 mmol/l (120.6 to 126 mg/dl) is considered a sign of prediabetes)
The link between pancreatitis and diabetes is a complex one.

First and foremost don't worry - I've been a diabetic for years on insulin. When I was first diagnosed, my blood sugars were up in the 30's and I went into ketoacidosis which wasn't very pleasant. 10.5 and 15.5 are rather on the high side, maybe you are beyond the "just diet and exercise" stage, but discuss that with your doctor as he/she will be the one best suited to answer that question. When I was first detected my blood sugars where mid teens up to the 20's and I felt crap. Always tired. Don't take advice from people on here about what is likely to happen with your care. The diabetic nurse will fill you in on all that will happen and your GP will give you all the relevant advice necessary to you.

Your acute pancreatitis could have been a catalyst to you developing type 2 diabetes, but again that is a wide open question, and on the whole generally doubtful.

Good luck with all your care, and diabetes management.

Edit: Be cautious about the advice from "Dr Frank" there is reasonable doubt to think that he is actually a GP. Your doctor is the best one to advise not some bogus trumped up wannabe like "Dr Frank"

Hi Lily,
We are in the same boat. I 'm a Type 2 diabetic too.
For this Type 2 situation, do not be too alarm.
For sure, I believe you are over weight. If you are overweight, focus on this area to reduce your weight first bu control your diet especially "high carbohydrate food".
And exercise regularly.

If you can focus on these two areas for a start, you will see improvement on your situation.

I checked my blood sugar every week to monitor my reading and maintained at between 6 to 8 mmo/l.
I do not take any medicine all these period, for about 5 years already. But you must carry out the two areas that I mentioned.

Good luck.

SeeLay
email: seelaytan@yahoo.com.sg
P.S. Will be happy to share with you on this issue!

Answering the 2nd question first, a very severe attack of pancreatitis might damage some of the islet cells, but if that were the case it would probably also have done sufficient damage to the exocrine functions as well, that this would also be noticeable.

Assuming that you are overweight, which 99% of type 2 diabetics are, this is the more likely cause, though I would have found it easier to chat about this if your height, weight and age had been in the question.

In early type 2 diabetes there is some small scale American studies that show that dramatic weight loss, together with even more dramatic vigorous exercise levels can even reverse the diagnosis. However it is quite likely, since most people cannot tolerate a regime that gruelling, that you will be offered a combination of metformin plus diet, and also advise to lose weight and increase exercise.

You can fill out a form and get a free diabetes testing meter to see if you have diabetes or not.

You need to talk to a specialist - an endocrinologist.

Those levels you give are pretty high, I was diagnosed about 4 years ago, my levels were around 9. I am now on Metformin 850mg 3 times per day and I have to check my blood sugar level every day. They like your levels to be below 7 so I should imagine they will try to control yours with tablets and diet first. If it remains high they will just keep adjusting it until they find the right level of medication.
As for your second question, when you go for your next blood test ask your doctor if your previous problems could be responsible.

Edit* My cousin who is a chronic diabetic and is on insulin 6 times per day and 3 tablets per day advised me when starting to take the Metformin to start off with 1/4 of a tablet each time for a few days then increase to half a tablet, then 3/4 etc... Metformin can really upset your stomach at first, believe me you could spend all day on the loo!

Cant help.... but soilder j, what have you got against dr frank? If you read regurlarly you will note he gives informed comment on medical matters, why should you feel the need to post a pointless jibe that makes u look the muppet you obviously are?