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Suggest Ways To Control Diabetes
Question: Hello. I recently was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. My first a1c tested 6.9. Later that day, I had a second a1c done by another physician, 6.6 a1c. I was told I was diabetic. Was the interval between the two tests too close? How long should I wait for the second test? Is pre diabetes, or type 2 diabetes reversible?
Brief Answer:
It is possible to reverse
Detailed Answer:
Good day and welcome to HealthcareMagic,
Noted your question. When Hba1c is > 6.5%, diabetes is confirmed. Ideally, once an Hba1c is done in a good lab by an approved method, you have to wait for three months before doing another one, to assess the progress in treatment.
Prediabetes and early type 2 diabetes are very much reversible by adopting life style changes like diet control, weight loss and exercise. You seems to be doing good by losing 60lbs so far. Please meet a nutritionist/dietician and try to acheive ideal body weight. Cut out simple carbohydrates from diet as much as possible and limit carbohydartes in total.
regards
Binu
It is possible to reverse
Detailed Answer:
Good day and welcome to HealthcareMagic,
Noted your question. When Hba1c is > 6.5%, diabetes is confirmed. Ideally, once an Hba1c is done in a good lab by an approved method, you have to wait for three months before doing another one, to assess the progress in treatment.
Prediabetes and early type 2 diabetes are very much reversible by adopting life style changes like diet control, weight loss and exercise. You seems to be doing good by losing 60lbs so far. Please meet a nutritionist/dietician and try to acheive ideal body weight. Cut out simple carbohydrates from diet as much as possible and limit carbohydartes in total.
regards
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Thank you so much Dr. Bing Parameswaran XXXXXXX When you say reversable, does that only mean controllable? Not totally cureable? I'm so scared, as I'm a father and sole breadwinner in my family. Will I ever return to normal? I love bread. I want to eat bread with all 3 meals a day. Do you have any suggestions? By the way, you put a huge smile in my heart, with your answer. May God bless you & yours. Sincerely, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Initial tight control of diabetes is most important
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thank you for the reply. The best time to strictly/tightly control diabetes is during the initial years. If you lose weight significantly and adopt a healthy lifestyle, type 2 diabetes is reversible in many overweight/obese people. In vast majority of people, it is not permanently curable. You may require medicines at some point of time.
Not to worry, it is not a bad disease if you control it well. See things positively, and it is an opportunity for adopting a healthy life style. I recommed a small dose of Metformin + basal insulin ( Lantus ) at diagnosis in most patients as it will help for good control diabetes in the long term. Basal Insulin may only be required for a brief period ( 2-3 months) if taken at right time at diagnosis. Body will remember the initial tight control of diabetes for a long time ( METABOLIC MEMORY) and in the long run, that is good. .
Noted that you love to have bread. But try to limit the portions. Avoid white bread as much as possible. The best way is to meet a dietician who can advice further about diet.
Initial tight control of diabetes is most important
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thank you for the reply. The best time to strictly/tightly control diabetes is during the initial years. If you lose weight significantly and adopt a healthy lifestyle, type 2 diabetes is reversible in many overweight/obese people. In vast majority of people, it is not permanently curable. You may require medicines at some point of time.
Not to worry, it is not a bad disease if you control it well. See things positively, and it is an opportunity for adopting a healthy life style. I recommed a small dose of Metformin + basal insulin ( Lantus ) at diagnosis in most patients as it will help for good control diabetes in the long term. Basal Insulin may only be required for a brief period ( 2-3 months) if taken at right time at diagnosis. Body will remember the initial tight control of diabetes for a long time ( METABOLIC MEMORY) and in the long run, that is good. .
Noted that you love to have bread. But try to limit the portions. Avoid white bread as much as possible. The best way is to meet a dietician who can advice further about diet.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX Parameswaran XXXXXXX My understanding of modern pharmaceuticals, is that they only make matters worse in the long run. For example, start with metaphorbin, leads to more. Then insulin injections, more & more units. Plus harmful side effects, such as weight gain etc.. Is this only treating the symptoms of diabetes instead of the root. Is it possible to control without meds, (naturally) and still produce metabolic memory? If I decide to take your advice, a small dose of metaformin & lantus. How long should I take both before I stop them? Or can I control this the way I prefer, naturally? Respectfully, bear with me. As I'am sadly, uneducated.
Brief Answer:
Natural ways
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Sorry for the delay. . Agree, that some medicines have side effects. I always tell my patients that, bad effects of diabetes are much worse than side effects of medicines used to treat diabetes. It is your local doctor who is the best person to decide about your medications.
However, if you are able to tightly control your sugars with out medicines now, that is great. You may not need any pills in that case. In type 2 diabetes, we have to screen you for other complications such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, eye disease, foot prblems etc, and i am sure your local doctors would have done that already.
I use Lantus if initial Hba1c is > 8.5%. But since you had an Hba1c below 7% on both occasions, you may not need it. Regarding Metformin, it is a wonderful drug , however, if your sugars are good while on diet and exercise, then you may not need it. It is possible to acheive Metabolic memory with out pills or injections, as long as you are able to acheive tight blood glucose control naturally.
A small portion of whole wheat bread or multi grain brown bread is preferred . As much as possible, please avoid bread made from white flour.
Natural ways
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Sorry for the delay. . Agree, that some medicines have side effects. I always tell my patients that, bad effects of diabetes are much worse than side effects of medicines used to treat diabetes. It is your local doctor who is the best person to decide about your medications.
However, if you are able to tightly control your sugars with out medicines now, that is great. You may not need any pills in that case. In type 2 diabetes, we have to screen you for other complications such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, eye disease, foot prblems etc, and i am sure your local doctors would have done that already.
I use Lantus if initial Hba1c is > 8.5%. But since you had an Hba1c below 7% on both occasions, you may not need it. Regarding Metformin, it is a wonderful drug , however, if your sugars are good while on diet and exercise, then you may not need it. It is possible to acheive Metabolic memory with out pills or injections, as long as you are able to acheive tight blood glucose control naturally.
A small portion of whole wheat bread or multi grain brown bread is preferred . As much as possible, please avoid bread made from white flour.
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
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