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Question about the Keto diet. Is it healthy or a fad?
Healthy Living | Last Active: Sep 30 8:17pm | Replies (60)Comment receiving replies
I had been treating my type II diabetes with Actos and Metformin for nearly 30 years. Well controlled. Then I moved and got a new Doctor Who took me off of both and put me on a single medicine and told me to go on a keto diet. My morning glucose numbers got slightly better but after about a month of bunless cheeseburgers I found it just impossible to continue. My hemoglobin A-1 C went from about 7 to 9 in a brief period of time subsequent to my leaving that diet. I’ve never gotten back to where I was, although I’m headed that way slowly but surely. And it has been for years. So it may work for you but I just did not have the discipline. And now of course with the CKD on top of the type II, I find that I must eat not only bunless cheeseburgers, but bunless , cheeseless and burgerless cheeseburgers!
Replies to "I had been treating my type II diabetes with Actos and Metformin for nearly 30 years...."
I am assuming that the new doctor did complete bloodwork? The current protocol is to discontinue & replace Metformin if kidney functions begin to decline, which is quite typical in people who have had diabetes for a long time, especially if they are older.
Other health conditions that lead to discontinuing it include impaired liver function and heart disease.
Sometimes, when you see the same doc for a long time, a certain complacency occurs and if things seem to be going well, adjustments don't get made. A new doctor, who doesn't know you so well, is more likely to rely on test numbers in establishing treatment.
My husband had this happen recently when his kidney function declined (was discovered by his primary.) It has taken several months to get things back in balance, but his A1C is now back below 7.0.
As to the Keto diet, I always remember my Dad, who was not formally educated, but was extremely well read and wise. His mantra in life was "all things in moderation." It is my first reaction whenever people talk about extreme diets or workout plans.
Did your doctor explain the reason for stopping metformin?
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I would get a second opinion. For one thing, you were doing well on the previous meds for 30 years. So why did he change the meds? Secondly, for what it's worth, I've asked several doctors about the trendy keto diet, including an endocrinologist, and they are unanimous in thinking it too extreme. And my cardiologist has patients who tried it and caused other issues including hypercholesterolemia.
There are other eating plans that focus on limiting breads, processed foods, high sugar, high fat that nonetheless offer a wide array of things to eat. Including lots of vegetables. Surely they can be modified to fit diabetics' needs?