Pre diabetic- with a reading of 5.6mmol?

Westwood_30

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
I am a bit annoyed, I went to GP last September because I felt tired and was having general feeling of lack lustre.
I had a full blood screen- They invited me back for the results- I really thought I had some type of diabetes because of the way I was feeling- they told me I was lacking in Vitamin D and had high cholestrol. I took the 3 mth course of vitamin D which helped with my leg pains. I tried to change some aspects of my diet but that has slipped again recently.
They said my blood sugar was fine in September 2016 at a level of 5.6mmol - I have today received a letter from the GP stating that my sugar levels are above the normal accepted levels previously set at 6.1mmol- something to do with the American Diabetic Society lowering the safe blood sugar levels,I am now considered to be prediabetic.
So now I face my fears of what I thought was wrong in the first place, only it has been delayed by 6 mths- change diet, stop smoking, stop drinking, more exercise etc.
I could have made these changes earlier- but hey better start now. Better late than never.
 

Bluetit1802

Legend
Messages
25,216
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
Hello and welcome,

Can you tell us which test you had that resulted in a reading of 5.6mmol?

was it and HbA1c measured as 5.6% DCCT

or was it a fasting blood glucose test measured as 5.6mmol/l ?

They mean different things, so the actual correct measurement units are needed.
 

pollywatkins

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
I really sympathise with your frustration at the results, but agree, we need to know what the reading was actually for. I do not mean to be harsh, but I am sure you know anyway that smoking and poor diet would lead you to poor health and well-being. I myself was in denial about this for a long time and it did actually take a blood result to shake me into action and stop thinking I could somehow get away with eating badly. Hopefully this will also inspire you to look after yourself well as you deserve it. Best wishes.
 

4ratbags

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,334
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
It's never too late to start looking after yourself :)
 

xekwerike

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
I really sympathise with your frustration at the results, but agree, we need to know what the reading was actually for. I do not mean to be harsh, but I am sure you know anyway that smoking and poor diet would lead you to poor health and well-being. I myself was in denial about this for a long time and it did actually take a blood result to shake me into action and stop thinking I could somehow get away with eating badly. Hopefully this will also inspire you to look after yourself well as you deserve it. Best wishes.

Can u help me as well? My own is high too.
 
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Alison Campbell

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,443
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
My reading of research suggests that committee's sit around and decide what the diagnostic levels are. Often the decisions are based on political and financial reasons and not purely based on the levels that ensure the best healthcare outcomes and the least diabetic complications.

The committee also influences the tools used for diagnosis, such as fasting glucose, HBA1C and glucose tolerence tests.

The outcome of this can lead to over diagnosis and some people not being diagnosed at all due to factors like genetics, medication, age and ethnic heritage.

We can only do our best with the tools given.
 

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
@Westwood_30

Hello and welcome to the Forum :) To help you to get on the right track, here is the Basic Information we give to new Members and I hope it will be useful to you. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will be able to help.


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 well over 147,000 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

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.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

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 blood glucose 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.

Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. They're all free.
  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why :)
  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
 

pollywatkins

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Can u help me as well? My own is high too.
This info from Daisy is really useful. I am now half way through week 2 of the 10 week programme and am finding it excellent. Ideas are suggested rather than forced on you, so it is clear it is my choice about how I want to eat which will hopefully improve my health. I think coming on here a lot is probably also helpful.
Best wishes.
 
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jts905

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
I am really impressed you are taking your result seriously and you are starting to address it at a fairly early stage. There is a lot of great information and support on this and other sites; read and learn.

The single most important step I took was to get a BG monitor, take readings 1 and 2 hours after meal, and eliminate or reduce consumption of foods causing spikes.

All the best...
 
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