It wasn’t before I saw the doctor. I had very high triglycerides (500+), high fasting blood glucose (450), HbA1c of 14.5%. Before seeing the doctor and getting the test I had extreme blurry vision two days in a row. The ophthalmologist recommended glucose being tested because this is a common symptom of diabetes mellitus.
I was lucky, at that time all our health care was through an institution that had a full range of specialists. I had type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Here’s the lifestyle changes I made, a carbohydrate restricted diet, regular, daily exercise and took the oral meds I was prescribed. After a few months the meds had to be stopped because they were causing hypoglycemia.
For the next 10 years diet and exercise were sufficient to keep my BG near normal. A word to the wise, T2DM is a progressive disease. At some point the insulin secreting Beta cells wear out from overwork.
While continuing to restrict carbohydrates and exercise my BG started rising again. That’s when Metformin was added. Later another progression and a one per day insulin. Still later multi dailly injection and a pump. I still eat right and exercise. When I got my BG to near normal years ago, I felt so much better and realized how ill I had been. I never want to feel like that again.
As to your situation, If you are in the very early stages of T2DM and not advanced like me, diet and exercise may work for life.
Are you aware of the damage high blood glucose levels do to the body? Here’s a list:
Damages the capillaries especially the very fine ones in the retina and kidneys. This leads to poor healing especially in the feet and legs, blindness and kidney failure.
Nerves all of them can be damaged. The ones in legs and arms are the most vulnerable. Peripheral neuropathy causes a loss of real sensation while causing pain. In combination with poor circulation this can lead to ulcerated sores that may become gangrenous and amputation.
The large blood vessels are not immune, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of strokes and heart attacks.
Now as to eating butter, I don’t have an issue with cholesterol. My endo has me on Crestor a statin, but it is precautionary. My triglycerides are keep below 100 with a prescription Omega 3 called icosopatent ethyl.
The driving force in T2DM is cellular resistance to accept insulin abnormally. Abnormal because the cells should be accepting insulin so glucose (fuel) can enter.
2 things happen, BG rises and so does insulin. Whenever there is excess glucose in the blood, and the liver and muscles cannot store it, the liver converts glucose into - wait for it- triglycerides. These are lipids (fats) and get stored in fat cells.
Please take this seriously.
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