Over the past few months, as outlined in a few posts here, I’ve been going quite often to my GP. In that time I have been diagnosed with high blood pressure (which somehow is no surprise to me; I’ve always reacted badly to stress), and also an under-active thyroid (which I didn’t even have a clue about). As a result, I’m taking 3 different tablets for my high BP, which is maybe a tad over the top but it’s helping me. I’m also taking a tablet for the thyroid problem.
I had to go through a battery of tests to make sure everything was okay, which included blood tests. The first blood test showed a blood sugar level of 9.5, not too high but enough to cause some concern. Then I had to go for an ultrasound. No, I’m not pregnant, but they had to check whether they are functioning normally, which they are. My second blood test came back with a blood sugar level of 7.5, lower than the first one but enough confirm the diagnosis.
I have diabetes, more specifically mature-onset diabetes.
I’ve always been on the heavy side. If you were to measure my BMI you would discover I’m in the obese area of the scale. I’ve also had trouble with my weight for most of my life. At school I was fat, but very surprisingly wasn’t the one who ate all the pies.
But now, as a result of the diagnosis, my relationship with food has changed. I have to watch what I eat, and also be careful not to over-eat. Now, if I feel myself getting full, I stop eating. I’m now a Nutritional Information label reader. High carbs good, high sugar bad. There’s some foods I have to avoid, like battered fish and fried food, sugary foods too.
I haven’t quite reached the stage of getting more tablets for the diabetes, indeed that is he next step if I can’t control things by diet.
As soon as I got the diagnosis, I was able to see a nurse to discuss diet, and my aim was to lose half a stone by the time I have my next doctors appointment. I have lost a stone. So at least now I’m doing something right.
That weight loss has made all the difference. When I wake up after a nights sleep, I feel as though I have slept, waking up refreshed. I’m looking less tired than what I used to. My energy levels have increased quite significantly. I’m feeling miles better.
I have a load of visits to the doctors, and also a visit to the nurse to take my pint of blood (a pint? More like an armful.) and then waiting for the next blood sugar reading. I haven’t yet got a blood sugar reader, but I suppose that’s the next step.
An interesting footnote: I have been diagnosed with diabetes, but since then, one of my cousins was diagnosed with diabetes a week after me (his is a lot worse than mine. Withs a blood sugar level of 27, he was admitted to hospital and placed on a drip for a couple of days).
