FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ​

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Frequently Asked Questions

It is known as glycated haemoglobin test. It is an average blood sugar and is used to indicate an individual’s blood sugar over a 2 or 3 month period. The levels can be used to determine if an individual has pre-diabetes, diabetes or if their medication(s) are in need of adjustments.  

Sometimes you may have symptoms that can lead a suspicion of diabetes, however a diagnosis is made when you have had 2 blood tests with hba1c levels above 48mmol/mol. 

They are part of 3 major nutrients found within our foods. There are 3 main types sugars, starch and fibre.

We all need foods containing carbohydrates in our diet. The quantity eaten is dependent on your activity levels, age and weight targets. 

Rice, Pasta, Yams, Potatoes, bread to name a few. It is important to note that there are hidden within foods and in some cases fruits. 

It is a system to rank foods in order to how quickly the food (once eaten) can raise blood sugar levels.

These foods break down quickly leading to a sharp rise in the body’s blood glucose level. Examples of foods with high glycemic index include white bread, potatoes, white rice, sugar etc.

These are foods that break down slowly, causing a gradual rise in the blood sugar over time. Examples include wholegrain foods, vegetables, beans and lentils, etc.

It depends, fruits are considered to contain mostly carbohydrates and as such they contribute to the total calorie intake which needs to be considered carefully. Speak to the dietitians for specific advice.

Answer: it is a condition where the pressure within blood vessels are constantly raised.

As fruits are considered to have carbohydrates, it is important to pay attention to the calories you consume and maintain a balanced diet. One serving of fruit contains about 15g of carbohydrate but this is dependent on the type of fruit consumed. An example of 15g carbohydrate in fruits are 11/4 cup of strawberries, ½ a medium banana etc. 

Yes. However, prior to starting your fast, we encourage you to speak to your diabetes team especially if you are on insulin or on some diabetes medications which may reduce your blood sugars. We also advice that you check your blood sugars regularly as your blood glucose may drop too low. 

Diabetes and thyroids are both problems linked to the endocrine system. When an individual has a combination of thyroid disease and diabetes, it can have an impact in the control of their blood glucose. If you are concerned about thyroid disease and diabetes, speak to your healthcare team.

A fat like waxy substance found within the cells of the body. It helps your body to digest fat. There are 2 main types of cholesterol which is vital for people with diabetes. Low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL). 

it is often referred to as the bad cholesterol. A build or rise in the bad cholesterol can increase plaque in the blood vessels which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. The lower your bad cholesterol, the better 

They are referred to as the good cholesterol. They help to protect against heart disease by eliminating the bad cholesterol from your blood stream through the liver. The higher the HDL the better the protection your heart has.

Insulin is safe effective when stored between 2 – 8 0C when not in use. Once open it can be stored at room temperature (below 30°C). Do not refrigerate. Do not freeze. We advice you write the date opened on the insulin pen/vial and discard 28 days after opening.
Some climates can be hot. Insulin kept outside the fridge should be stored away from direct sunlight.

This is when the blood sugar level is low. It is more prominent with people with diabetes, especially those who use insulin or use certain medications like gliclazide etc. 

Some of the symptoms include sweating, dizzy, tingling lips, feeling shaky, fast or pounding heartbeat, easily irritated, feeling hungry etc.