Forum : General Discussion on Diabetes : Your diabetes-related thoughts, questions, challenges, successes welcome here. http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/ Hi all, Moderators, I would appreciate your response to this. I was diagnosed w/ T2 6 months ago. 2 months into the ADA prescribed plan, I was experiencing strange BG highs and lows. So I read Dr.B's book (w/ extreme skepticism and receipt in hand for a quick return.) What he said made sense and I thought 3 weeks couldn't hurt. At my 3 month follow-up my A1c was 5.7. I had lost 13 lbs and all other numbers were "very good". Enter a new diabetologist (endo in diabetes). New doc was adamant about metformin despite my new numbers. I said wait&see. At 2nd check up my numbers have decreased further. Now new doc says that a Glucose Tolerance test is required to see if I need insulin. Doc did not substantiate choice except to say that new research indicates that immediate insulin therapy for new T2s has been found to be very beneficial. I am skeptical about insulin being considered for a T2 who is already bringing her numbers down consistently. But I am not a medical professional. So is there any validity to this approach? Thank you. PS Presently I am not on any meds. http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=CABAAFCD-CB95-4DE7-3A0905B4AE00BCD9&r=1 2010-09-01T00:38:06-04:00 new to forum Hi all, Moderators, I would appreciate your thoughts on this. I was diagnosed w/ diabetes 6 months ago. 2 months into the ADA program, I was experiencing inexplicable highs and lows. I read Dr. B's book w/ extreme skepticism and receipt in hand for a quick return. What he said made sense and I thought 3 weeks couldn't hurt. I kept at it and at my 3 month check up my A1c was 5.7 and all other numbers were "very good". My BP was normal for a first time in a year. I had lost 13 lbs. I have a new diabetologist (endo who specializes in diabetes). Doc is adamant about metformin. I said let's wait and see and at 2nd visit my A1c is lower yet. And I have now lost 5 more lbs. Doc now wants to do a Glucose Tolerance test to see if I need insulin therapy. She has not substantiated her decision except to say that new research indicates that immediate insulin therapy for new T2s is very beneficial. It seems absolutely nonsensical to me to consider insulin for someone who's doing well on present therapies. But, I am not a medical professional. So is there any validity to this thinking? Thank you FYI Presently, I am not on any medication. Therapy is diet and exercise. http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=CAB17D7E-C7AA-C294-0BD4984143895F8A&r=2 2010-09-01T00:28:03-04:00 new to board: new doc=more meds? Hi all, Moderators, I would appreciate your thoughts on this. I was diagnosed w/ diabetes 6 months ago. 2 months into the ADA program, I was experiencing inexplicable highs and lows. I read Dr. B's book w/ extreme skepticism and receipt in hand for a quick return. What he said made sense and I thought 3 weeks couldn't hurt. I kept at it and at my 3 month check up my A1c was 5.7 and all other numbers were "very good". My BP was normal for a first time in a year. I had lost 13 lbs. I have a new diabetologist (endo who specializes in diabetes). Doc is adamant about metformin. I said let's wait and see and at 2nd visit my A1c is lower yet. And I have now lost 5 more lbs. Doc now wants to do a Glucose Tolerance test to see if I need insulin therapy. She has not substantiated her decision except to say that new research indicates that immediate insulin therapy for new T2s is very beneficial. It seems absolutely nonsensical to me to consider insulin for someone who's doing well on present therapies. But, I am not a medical professional. So is there any validity to this thinking? Thank you FYI Presently, I am not on any medication. Therapy is diet and exercise. http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=CAB0AEC4-A701-AFF6-B6D170A7A6E76A4B&r=3 2010-09-01T00:27:10-04:00 new to board: new doc=more meds? I am also wondering about the triglycerides going up, or, at least, not going down. Since following the lowfat vegan diet (it's been a year now), I don't count carbs and eat more frequently. Hate to admit it, but I also eat too much, and too many refined carbs. I'm wondering if this is the problem with the triglycerides, since I just read this at http://www.healthy-heart-guide.com/lowering-triglycerides.html: "Your body transforms the carbohydrates you eat into glucose to be used for energy by your cells. Once the cells have what they need, the excess glucose is sent back to your liver and converted to glycogen. Glycogen can then be stored in your muscles. ... Once you've reached your capacity of glycogen, excess glycogen is sent back to your liver again, where it becomes triglycerides, which are stored as fat. ... ... (S)ome of these triglycerides are not stored as fat, but remain in your blood stream ...." I look forward to what the moderators say. Andy http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=0B099E3E-9D43-5DDA-531BFBA742365C34&r=4 2010-07-25T19:17:13-04:00 triglycerides I just learned I am diabetic. My A1C was 13.5 and my triglycerides were 760. Beside getting a prescription for Metformin, and Glemipiride, my Dr wanted to prescribe Lovaza for the triglycerides. He said I was heading toward a heart attack. BP 120/80 I said I wont do the Lovaza because I'm vegetarian. But on second thought, if my triglycerides don't come down by my next visit, I may add fish oil supplements. I have finished reading Dr Barnard book on reversing Diabetes, so I am doing all I can to stick to a Plant-based, low GI, low fat, diet, but I do like a little sweet nosh every once in a while. http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=CD8274C8-B3CE-990D-51A03F65B5964DEE&r=5 2010-07-13T20:32:45-04:00 triglycerides If I felt uncomfortable with my dr's bedside manor, or Rx on my health, I would seek a second opinion. In looking up Metformin on wikipedia, i noticed it is being prescribed for a lot of off-lable uses as well. http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=CD7AA1CB-A528-DE2B-51EB1AB7C128E137&r=6 2010-07-13T20:24:13-04:00 New dr says "new thoughts" on diabetes... I agree with diegoND. Get a second opinion. And if it's an endocrinologist all the better. I have been a diabetic for about 25 years. I take insulin due to my love of eating and an occasional stomach problem while taking metformin. I have been a vegan for 2 years now and my A1C's are always low 6's. I am steadily decreasing my intake of insulin. I've lost 80 lbs. and look forward to being off insulin completely. http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=B73CB620-F04B-FBF8-E6D921CD16DFF536&r=7 2010-07-09T12:44:56-04:00 New dr, new "thoughts" on diabetes? Hm Get a second Opinion. My Doctor knows everyone is different and that what works for one may not work for another. Generally getting everyone on Metformin is not a good practice. http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=A97DB206-D3AB-F038-2A8B4B5FA3F6EF67&r=8 2010-07-06T20:41:13-04:00 New dr, new "thoughts" on diabetes? Hm Would love to hear from a moderator on this! I went to see a dr for the first time in 2 years (bad, I know, but extreme dr anxiety) and had a ton of blood work done. I've been a vegetarian for 1.5 years, vegan on and off, currently vegan for 4 months. Diagnosed with diabetes several years ago, but able to keep my A1c under 7 with diet & exercise. New dr wanted me on Metformin right away, without even seeing my current A1c or despite me telling her that I exercise regularly & have lost 50 lbs in the past year. Said that she "would love to have everyone on it." Also said, I didn't need to daily test anymore, that getting A1c checked every three months was enough. "Diabetes is considered a 'risk factor' not a 'disease' anymore", she said. Hmmmmm I received my A1c back and it's 7.7. Not good, highest it has ever been. The word from the nurse is that the doc wants me to "up" the Metformin to 3x daily, yet I only received the scrip late last week and haven't even started taking it yet. The A1c level has nothing to do with meds! Does any of this sound right? Is there new thinking about diabetes that I haven't heard about? Or should I be looking for a new doc? http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=7F895688-00C4-964A-76ED125E736CEA90&r=9 2010-06-28T17:09:53-04:00 New dr, new "thoughts" on diabetes? Hm Would love to hear from a moderator on this! I went to see a dr for the first time in 2 years (bad, I know, but extreme dr anxiety) and had a ton of blood work done. I've been a vegetarian for 1.5 years, vegan on and off, currently vegan for 4 months. Diagnosed with diabetes several years ago, but able to keep my A1c under 7 with diet & exercise. New dr wanted me on Metformin right away, without even seeing my current A1c or despite me telling her that I exercise regularly & have lost 50 lbs in the past year. Said that she "would love to have everyone on it." Also said, I didn't need to daily test anymore, that getting A1c checked every three months was enough. "Diabetes is considered a 'risk factor' not a 'disease' anymore", she said. Hmmmmm I received my A1c back and it's 7.7. Not good, highest it has ever been. The word from the nurse is that the doc wants me to "up" the Metformin to 3x daily, yet I only received the scrip late last week and haven't even started taking it yet. The A1c level has nothing to do with meds! Does any of this sound right? Is there new thinking about diabetes that I haven't heard about? Or should I be looking for a new doc? http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=7F870FB5-BC34-DDED-8CCEA6C6BE739EF0&r=10 2010-06-28T17:07:24-04:00 New dr says "new thoughts" on diabetes... i am taking part in a vitamin D study, called grassroots D. they send you a home test (blood drop) and hope participants will do it every 6 months for 5 years. at the time of my first test, i was taking 2,000 units a day, and thought, "no problem...i'll be in good shape." well, i had a very low level....26. the protective levels need to be much higher. i raised my dose to 8-10,000/daily, and my second test came back at 54. my doctor and pharmacist both said that dose was fine....and i have read that raising your D level is good for diabetes....also that being overweight can "suck it up"...we all know being overweight "sucks".....guess it literally sucks up vitamin D. http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=4CEE3DFA-B849-D28D-AB3D2F03BC441EFD&r=11 2010-06-18T21:19:28-04:00 Vitamin D Deficiency... I have found that several friends of mine who live in areas with long winters or not a lot of sun like Oregon and Washington they tend to have D deficiencies and even with massive pharmaceutical supplementation have not seen much improvement. I think that exposure to sunshine is extremely important and you should get out in the sun 10-15 minutes per day without sunscreen. The supplements hopefully will help but I still think it is important to try and get the vitamin D naturally as well if you can. http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=475D57BF-D252-3BAB-C2AD8D65112E9299&r=12 2010-06-17T19:23:06-04:00 Vitamin D Deficiency... Fruit sugar causes significant increases in blood fats (triglycerides) in some people. Fruit also stimulates insulin production, which stuffs these fats into fat cells. Some individuals can have an initial increase in triglyceridess when switching to a plant based diet, in particular when they consume a lot of fruit and processed grains. When I say processed grains I do not mean white bread or white flour. I mean whole wheat bread, instant oats etc... When you grind up the grain into flour it is absorbed much more quickly than the whole intact grain and can cause blood sugar spikes as well as some increases in triglycerides in those who are prone to it. If you are one of those who are more sensitive to starches and sugars you need to limit your intake of fruit to 2-3 servings per day and it should be low sugar fruits. You also need to stick with a more beans and greens type diet and not consume whole grain cereals, whole wheat breads, whole wheat pasta or white potatoes. Breakfast should only be whole intact grains, millet, quinoa, steel cut oats, barley, cracked wheat or scrambled tofu. Lunch and dinners should center around lentils and beans with collards, kale, chard, spinach and other greens, with any other veggies you like, lots of salads as well. Brown rice, sweet potato or yam which are lower GI than white potatoes. For pasta you can use spaghetti squash. Hopefully that helps you, if you need help with menu planning let me know. http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=47590211-ED7B-36B8-494465A99A4CFE6F&r=13 2010-06-17T19:18:22-04:00 please address this concern I took omega 3 all this time. I was told the wheat pasta would raise Tri's. I cannot take Statins or fibro. allergies and muscle pain problems. Rare but true. Dr is not as excited about the increase but I am. Not his problem. Stroke runs in the family. Stress test good. Dr Bernard does not address this in his writings that I can find. Others red flag Tri's but all interlocks cholesterol and Tri's they don't talk about the fact one may go down the other up.Exercise is big but I walk the recommended time per week and a recommend speed. I am suprised and am looking for some information. http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=29357A5C-D766-1A50-57CE01B08E7A49F5&r=14 2010-06-11T22:50:57-04:00 please address this concern i would like to know how the triglycerides went up as well. caroline suggested steel cut oatmeal.....i have eaten it every morning since jan.1. i totally stayed away from white potatoes, flour, pasta, sugar. had sweet potatoes, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, quinoa......added NO sugar to anything...only use some stevia...sparingly...to tea. did not drink alcohol for the first 3 months....have an OCCASIONAL glass of wine now...read that alcohol can lower sugar....just have to make sure it doesn't lower other resolves....lol. the only thing i can figure is that my doctor said the fish oil pills will help triglycerides, and i had quit taking them...... http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=275E7994-B75F-6505-8D34376713BF9D21&r=15 2010-06-11T14:16:29-04:00 please address this concern My cholesterol went down after going vegan. Lose only a little weight after 3 monts. Tri's went up 100points and were high before. I feel better. Where is the fat coming in from no meats, no hydrogenated oil, almost no sugar. Eating mostly beans and wheat pasta as recommended. A1c is good. http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=24E5C8C4-F138-7725-55734593129DC70C&r=16 2010-06-11T02:45:25-04:00 please address this concern Is there a reply to this question. I have the same problem Tri's are going up a lot. How can I change that. http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=239B5743-E7D4-F6F3-EFCB935F843B6165&r=17 2010-06-10T20:44:29-04:00 triglycerides Hello all, last year at my annual physical I had a B12 deficiency.. that is all taken care of now.. in this years physical I have a Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) deficiency.. the result was 7.4L with 32.0L being the lower limits. Has anyone else had this situation and how was it resolved? My doctor is prescribing 5k units of D once a week, with 2k units daily. Can this be right? Are there not other supplements or minerals needed for good absorption? TIA for your thoughts... http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=16D1C042-E77F-D8C7-58C145B00FBB668B&r=18 2010-06-08T09:08:51-04:00 Vitamin D Deficiency... Hello all, last year at my annual physical I had a B12 deficiency.. that is all taken care of now.. in this years physical I have a Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) deficiency.. the result was 7.4L with 32.0L being the lower limits. Has anyone else had this situation and how was it resolved? My doctor is prescribing 5k units of D once a week, with 2k units daily. Can this be right? Are there not other supplements or minerals needed for good absorption? TIA for your thoughts... http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=16D07748-B431-3834-08E2751CE9829DA8&r=19 2010-06-08T09:07:27-04:00 Vitamin D Deficiency... Hello all, last year at my annual physical I had a B12 deficiency.. that is all taken care of now.. in this years physical I have a Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) deficiency.. the result was 7.4L with 32.0L being the lower limits. Has anyone else had this situation and how was it resolved? My doctor is prescribing 5k units of D once a week, with 2k units daily. Can this be right? Are there not other supplements or minerals needed for good absorption? TIA for your thoughts... http://www.pcrmfoundation.org/ghcForum/messages.cfm?messageid=16CF963E-F5F3-851B-CD4DE16805D6385E&r=20 2010-06-08T09:06:30-04:00 Vitamin D Deficiency...