When Lloyd Pearson went for a routine blood test two years ago he never suspected he would be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
The Melton resident had suffered a heart attack years before and was concerned about his cholesterol levels, but it was his sugar reading that sounded the alarm for his doctor.
Mr Pearson, now 69, told Star Weekly he had been feeling unwell in the lead-up to the test and his vision hadn’t been normal, but he was still shocked with the diagnosis.
“I’ve had to change my lifestyle quite a bit,” he said. “Instead of a couple of sugars in my tea and coffee I have Sugarine. My wife really puts her foot down. [But] eating everything in moderation is fine.”
Mr Pearson also walks every day and enjoys weight training in a bid to keep his diabetes under control without the need for medication – he even cooks some of his own meals.
But what has been his greatest support are the friends he has made through the Melton Bacchus Marsh Diabetes Support Group and its monthly meetings.
“It’s a very positive group; people should take advantage of it,” he said. “You can really learn a lot from it.”
Mr Pearson urged other residents to get routine check-ups and said living with diabetes could often force people to lead a healthy and active lifestyle.
National Diabetes Week will begin this Wednesday. With two million Australians at high risk of type 2 diabetes, Diabetes Australia is launching a new prevention campaign urging all Australians to see if they are at risk of the disease.
Anyone interested in joining the Melton Bacchus Marsh Diabetes Support Group can call convenor Jeann Clark on 9743 6488.
