Six years a type two diabetic to the day.

Six years to the day, a Saturday I realised I was a diabetic. Suffering all the usual symptoms, always tired, blurred vision, planning my life around public toilets on my satnav and constant thirst. I went out and bought a Blood Glucose test Meter on a Saturday morning. Result 26, a visit to my Doctor on the following Monday who said “I have no reason to doubt the meter readings” Down to the local Hospital, a lot of blood tests revealed HbA1c close to 12. A diabetic and no doubt about it.

For  a few months I accepted the advice from my medics, lose some weight, cut out using sugar and do more exercise. This dropped my average BG readings to between 12 and 14. A one way ticket to diabetic complications. I joined the DCUK forum and a Man called Fergus Craig, a long term type one diabetic was talking about low carbing, and his Hba1c in the fours, and running marathons. It made perfect sense to me, I had no idea high carbohydrate food was the reason for my very poor diabetes control, I did not realise carbs means sugar.

Within five days my BG numbers were in the fours and fives. Over the next three months I lost 50lbs in weight and my HbA1c was from memory 5.4*. So amazed was my Doctor he called me in and said “are you being treated elsewhere” the meeting was going well, till I mentioned low carb, he said “If it works for you OK” I am no one special, low carb works for all diabetics. I was so grateful to Fergus, and others for changing my life around, I know what uncontrolled diabetes can do, it has killed members of my family, I have devoted much of my spare time to spreading the word. As have many of my friends.

For six years I have asked numerous medical professionals, how do I hold non diabetic blood glucose number on two metformin pills per day other than low carb, the silence has been deafening.

* Going from very high BG numbers to non diabetic too quickly using diet or medication or both, can cause permanent eye damage. I did not know this at the time. I got lucky, no damage, do not take the risk. Take weeks or even months to gradually bring numbers down. Remember this is not a race. 

Eddie