Stage 2 diabetes and high cholesterol

[Hotchocolate253]

Hi I have just been diagnosed with stage 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. I would like to get a healthy diet and exercise program.

[wobblybee Administrator Pioneer]

🙂 This link may be helpful.

what is a healthy, balanced diet for diabetes?

diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-di...

[TaraJR]

I'd strongly recommend you get FULL thyroid tests done - T4, T3, TSH and thyroid antibodies. GP should be able to do them all, but you may have to push.

High cholesterol often comes with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroid). If your dr suggests statins you must know your full thyroid status first, as it's isn't advised to take statins if you are hypothyroid.

Join HealthUnlocked Thyroid forum for expert advice

healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk

[Hotchocolate253 in reply to TaraJR]

Hi thanks for the advice. My doctor has suggested statins but I have refused. He has prescribed medication for diabetes and I wanted to take these but also loose some weight and then have another blood test to check my cholesterol before taking statins.

[TaraJR]

Hypothyroidism almost always makes you gain weight, and makes it hard to lose the weight, until treatment is good, and your levels are optimal.

I can't recommend thyroid tests highly enough. SO many people have a thyroid that isn't right, yet drs don't always test it or understand it fully.

[SouthernSally]

Is there heart disease or stroke in your family? If not I'd strongly consider staying away from statins. High cholesterol in and of itself is not necessarily a bad thing. I have naturally high cholesterol (around 300.) I am thin, I have lowish blood pressure (90 something/70 something) and my triglycerides are normal. Not having high triglycerides is important, IMO. Decades ago, it took my third or fourth GP to convince me to take lipitor. Seven or eight years ago I decided enough. I went for a calcium heart scan, which detects plaque around your heart, and I scored a zero. I had none. My GP at that time agreed it was OK to stop taking them.

All that being said, if you have familial risk for heart disease or stroke I'd consider taking a statin. Otherwise, IMO the advice given about checking your thyroid and your own desire to eat healthy may help. What's considered healthy is another story. There are many myths in the world of nutrition. Lots of breads, grains, and pasta are not great substitutes for fat and protein. Do your own research.

This is my experience and I'm no medical doctor. Take my advice with a grain of salt.

[Hotchocolate253 in reply to SouthernSally]

Thanks for the information. The doctor who I have never met told me a computer had made the diagnosis. I intend to try and eat less and move more and have another blood test in 6 months. As far as I know no heart problems in my family

[caroline_eatwell]

I would try reducing your carbohydrate intake and cutting out snacking. I went low carb 13 years ago and put my own diabetes in remission and my story is on my website watchyourwaist.net . There is some great information on diabetes.co.uk or Jason Fung or the Public Health Collaboration on YouTube. Eating less and moving more generally doesn't do anything helpful!