Just diagnosed yesterday with Pre-Diabetes

[robertamacmillan]

Hi.

Well I have just found this forum and SO glad that I did. I feel like a rabbit in the headlights! Any help and tips would be great..... I had a Fasting reading of 6.1 and then after 2 hours 8.5 if that helps.... Thanks in anticipation.

 

[Hedonista]

Hi and welcome. We're very lucky to get a diagnosis early in this process - I'm not an old hand (diagnosed at the beginning of this year) but through a combination of cutting carbs, losing weight and exercising a bit more, I've got my numbers back into the normal range (so far). There's lots of information on here - so welcome and good luck! x

 

[ButtterflyLady]

Hi.

Well I have just found this forum and SO glad that I did. I feel like a rabbit in the headlights! Any help and tips would be great..... I had a Fasting reading of 6.1 and then after 2 hours 8.5 if that helps.... Thanks in anticipation.

Welcome

I will tag @daisy2 who has a post for newbies about what to eat and how to avoid getting T2 diabetes.

It sounds like you had a glucose tolerance test done. It's also a good idea to get an HbA1c blood test done, which makes it easy to compare with the same test in 3 months. I recommend asking for a printed copy of all your blood test results so you can check them and become more informed about your health.

Doctors often just re-test in 12 months but if you can get an HbA1c test in 3 months time that is ideal.

 

[robertamacmillan]

Welcome

I will tag @daisy2 who has a post for newbies about what to eat and how to avoid getting T2 diabetes.

It sounds like you had a glucose tolerance test done. It's also a good idea to get an HbA1c blood test done, which makes it easy to compare with the same test in 3 months. I recommend asking for a printed copy of all your blood test results so you can check them and become more informed about your health.

Doctors often just re-test in 12 months but if you can get an HbA1c test in 3 months time that is ideal.

Welcome

I will tag @daisy2 who has a post for newbies about what to eat and how to avoid getting T2 diabetes.

It sounds like you had a glucose tolerance test done. It's also a good idea to get an HbA1c blood test done, which makes it easy to compare with the same test in 3 months. I recommend asking for a printed copy of all your blood test results so you can check them and become more informed about your health.

Doctors often just re-test in 12 months but if you can get an HbA1c test in 3 months time that is ideal.

Thank you. I look forward to any information and I will ask my GP for this test too!

 

[robertamacmillan]

Where do I find that post from @daisy2 please?

 

[ButtterflyLady]

Where do I find that post from @daisy2 please?

I'm so sorry I made a mistake with tagging her and should have typed @daisy1 and not daisy2

 

[daisy1]

@robertamacmillan

Hello Roberta and welcome to the forum Here is the information you were promised which is the advice we give to new members. I hope you will find it helpful and ask all the questions you want.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you’ll find over 150,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

• Reduce your carbohydrate intake
• Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes-and-whole-grains.html

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)

• Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l

However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

• structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
• self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to bloodglucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.

 

[Marjack]

Hi
I agree with catladyNZ about the Hba1c test as at the end of 2014 I had a test that was 45. I then had a repeat test 8 weeks later and was 47. This was then used to diagnose me as pre diabetic. Was given a little bit of advice re diet by DN but not that comprehensive.
I went for my flu jab in September and had another test and that was 48, so put me in the diabetic range. I then had a fasting glucose test three weeks later that came back at 6.1 but my Hba1c was still 48.
I have now been diagnosed type 2. I am now waiting to go for all the usual tests.
That is my experience and I would still be pre diabetic if I had only had the fasting Bg test. Hope this helps.
Good luck in reducing your levels

 

[J.nicol]

Pre-Diabetes.
Left unable to speak.

http://www.stroke.org/faces-stroke/jonathan-nicol

 

[A1c8]

Adding good healthy fats to your diet like omega3s from fish and coconut oils can help stabilize sugars. Excersice is also a must to lower glucose levels. I'm sure with the right lifstyle changes you can countinue to lower you glucose levels. Good luck.

 

[Mokkijo]

Hi.

Well I have just found this forum and SO glad that I did. I feel like a rabbit in the headlights! Any help and tips would be great..... I had a Fasting reading of 6.1 and then after 2 hours 8.5 if that helps.... Thanks in anticipation.

I have been Pre-D for 1.5 years. By researching, trial & error, monitoring BS, & going on an under 50 grams carbs/day diet w/exercise daily, I am in normal range. but it took a good 8-10 months so don't give up.

 

[Nariman_]

I have been Pre-D for 1.5 years. By researching, trial & error, monitoring BS, & going on an under 50 grams carbs/day diet w/exercise daily, I am in normal range. but it took a good 8-10 months so don't give up.

Hi Mokkijo,
Could you please explain a bit more about your FBS, OGTT test and HbA1c when you were diagnosed with prediabetes?
Thanks a lot.

 

[Mokkijo]

I was diagnosed 1.5 years ago, I am 50+ & have strong history of familial T2D. I am slender, & never had a weight problem, but the diet I thought was healthy was--in general-- but not for me. I at first cut my "carbs"----only 1 slice of bread as opposed to 2-3,, small bowl of pasta instead of large, no sugar. etc. but after 3 months, this had no affect. Then I went on a low carb--under 50 grams/day diet --and eliminated: all sugar, grains, potatoes, cereal, bread, rice pasta/noodles, pastries, fruit juice etc.As you know ALL carbs turn into glucose--even whole grains).I also increased my exercise from moderate 3-4 X/week to DAILY. I saw astounding affects after 3 months, & after 6 months, my BS are all normal, well below guidelines, which imho are way too high. My FBS runs 80's-90's & my PP run low 100's often returning to 90's after 3-4 hours.

Read "Wheat Belly" by Dr. Davis. He explains how grains have wrecked our health. Dr. Bernstein also has written some great books on the subject of Diabetes.
Frequent testing in the beginning allows you to see the affect certain foods have on your blood sugar .(I can handle small amount of sweet potatoes, others cannot).

Fat & protein are vital for life, simple carbs are not. You get enough carbs from vegetables & fruits (sparingly).

T2D is really all about changing your thinking about the way you look at food & lifestyle.It takes commitment to shop,prepare & cook your meals.

 

[Tapatia]

I was diagnosed 1.5 years ago, I am 50+ & have strong history of familial T2D. I am slender, & never had a weight problem, but the diet I thought was healthy was--in general-- but not for me. I at first cut my "carbs"----only 1 slice of bread as opposed to 2-3,, small bowl of pasta instead of large, no sugar. etc. but after 3 months, this had no affect. Then I went on a low carb--under 50 grams/day diet --and eliminated: all sugar, grains, potatoes, cereal, bread, rice pasta/noodles, pastries, fruit juice etc.As you know ALL carbs turn into glucose--even whole grains).I also increased my exercise from moderate 3-4 X/week to DAILY. I saw astounding affects after 3 months, & after 6 months, my BS are all normal, well below guidelines, which imho are way too high. My FBS runs 80's-90's & my PP run low 100's often returning to 90's after 3-4 hours.

Read "Wheat Belly" by Dr. Davis. He explains how grains have wrecked our health. Dr. Bernstein also has written some great books on the subject of Diabetes.
Frequent testing in the beginning allows you to see the affect certain foods have on your blood sugar .(I can handle small amount of sweet potatoes, others cannot).

Fat & protein are vital for life, simple carbs are not. You get enough carbs from vegetables & fruits (sparingly).

T2D is really all about changing your thinking about the way you look at food & lifestyle.It takes commitment to shop,prepare & cook your meals.

Hi,
No beans either?

 

[AloeSvea]

Hi,
No beans either?

The key is to go as low-carb as your body and likes and dislikes/lifestyle can take! (And of course in terms of your blood glucose goals.)

Here's a link so you can have a gander at the carb content of all kinds of beans:

https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/food/beans/carbohydrate