erikahollister's Journal, 08 Jul 22

Yes! i was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and was pre-diabetic last july, however I did a ton of research and refused any medication the doctor wanted to offer me. I full-heartedly believe, in the short term, diet can change the course of our health. With intermittent fasting and keto, I reversed hypothyroidism in 6months. After 6 more months, no longer keto, but I did carnivore when I had my herniated disc. The doc retested me and my thyroid was even better. I use keto mojo, a blood glucose monitoring device and it also test for ketones. Currently, at the advice of my therapist, im not sticking to any decision diet to heal binge eating disorder and trauma. 

I would love to have a CGM but would have to pay for it myself as I don't qualify. My doctor prescribed it for me but I am not on meds or insulin so medicare said no. I got out of diabetic range through diet and exercise - down from 6.8 to 5.7. I am almost out of pre-diabetic range. I would love to have the feedback you are getting.  

Where I am at, libre is free of charge for the first 2 weeks. You just need to say on their website that you want one and you have a sugar problem. It's only 2 weeks but that already will give a lot of carb addicts plenty of info to control their addiction and insulin resistance. 

I used Metformin unsuccessfully. I’m on Levemir daily and Trulicity 1x wk. 

I’m finally off insulin. My A1c has been below 5.4 for over a year. But now my fasting blood sugar is around 130. Maybe doc will consider metformin at next visit in November. I’m pretty proud of myself. 

Sarah, do you have a CGM? I wonder If you are experiencing the dawn effect with your fasting glucose. a1c being nice like that, I am doubtful your sugar is that high all the time.  

Yohoyoh - I do not have a CGM. Blood sugar this morning finally where I am happy with it, 117. Not sure what the dawn effect is. (At my worst A1c 9.7) 

Dawn effect or phenomenon is when your body raises glucagon (if I remember correctly) in the morning, causing release of energy from fat stores via gluconeogenesis. The exact reasons are not understood, but guess is that your body prepares for morning chores by raising your energy availability. This is normal among all mammals, not just humans. Drugs like metformin are used to lower this effect, but we don't know yet what harm or side effects this may then cause, if it will. I'm no doctor, so this is just me pondering from memory what I have listened to them say on the matter. 

yohoyo yes!!  

Thank you yohoyoh for info. Interesting 🧐  

metformin is an ancient drug, used to lower insulin for hundreds of years. It was originally herbal - derived from lilac. The Ancient Greeks used it. It is very safe. 

Erika, that's odd, since people didn't even know about insulin 100 years ago. 🤔 

Yohoyoh - they knew about sugars. Physicians used to taste the urine, and if it was sweet, they'd take people off sugar and, I guess, treat with herbs. Diabetes has always been with us. 

Happy you are feeling better.  

My cousin took a diabetes nutrition class, and followed it exactly. He also took Metformin. He is stable right now and controlling his "numbers". He only now needs a blood test once a month. 

This is an interesting topic! Thank you for the insights! Erika - best of luck. Thanks for stopping in with a quick update!