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Prediabetes

steph81170

steph81170

Well-Known Member
Messages
93
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Hi, can anyone give me any idea how long it takes to reduce my blood sugar levels once I have stared to follow a low carb/higher fat diet?
 
I doubt anyone can. It all depends on you, your commitment, your diet, what your glucose levels were when you started and lots of other things. With a bit of luck, a low carb diet, regular testing, and commitment, it shouldn't take very long, but how long is anyone's guess I'm afraid :) .
 
Bluetit1802 said:
I doubt anyone can. It all depends on you, your commitment, your diet, what your glucose levels were when you started and lots of other things. With a bit of luck, a low carb diet, regular testing, and commitment, it shouldn't take very long, but how long is anyone's guess I'm afraid :) .
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Thanks for your reply. My levels when I first started dieting seriously, about a month ago, were averaging 6.4.,yesterdays reading was 6.2 so it's heading the right way but not as fast as I had hoped - I suppose I'm just impatient . . .
 
steph81170 said:
Thanks for your reply. My levels when I first started dieting seriously, about a month ago, were averaging 6.4.,yesterdays reading was 6.2 so it's heading the right way but not as fast as I had hoped - I suppose I'm just impatient . . .
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Are these just morning fasting numbers?
If so, they can take forever to come down in some people, and are not the best indicator of how you are doing. There are too many factors that influence them, most of which we have no control over. You need to test at other times and average those - before lunch, before evening meal, 2 hours after first bite of food, and bedtime. When you see all those numbers coming down you know you are on the right track. You should see your lowest numbers before evening meal (provided you haven't been snacking in the afternoon)
 
Bluetit1802 said:
Are these just morning fasting numbers?
If so, they can take forever to come down in some people, and are not the best indicator of how you are doing. There are too many factors that influence them, most of which we have no control over. You need to test at other times and average those - before lunch, before evening meal, 2 hours after first bite of food, and bedtime. When you see all those numbers coming down you know you are on the right track. You should see your lowest numbers before evening meal (provided you haven't been snacking in the afternoon)
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Yes, they are only morning numbers
Bluetit1802 said:
Are these just morning fasting numbers?
If so, they can take forever to come down in some people, and are not the best indicator of how you are doing. There are too many factors that influence them, most of which we have no control over. You need to test at other times and average those - before lunch, before evening meal, 2 hours after first bite of food, and bedtime. When you see all those numbers coming down you know you are on the right track. You should see your lowest numbers before evening meal (provided you haven't been snacking in the afternoon)
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OK, that's interesting - will try that other testing times. Thank you. Should I ask my doc. for an HbA1c test?
 
steph81170 said:
Yes, they are only morning numbers

OK, that's interesting - will try that other testing times. Thank you. Should I ask my doc. for an HbA1c test?
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When did you last have an HbA1c? They need to be at least 2 months apart, if not 3 because they average the glucose over the previous 2 to 3 months. As you haven't been testing meal times etc it may be better to make sure your daily levels are dropping before another HbA1c.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
When did you last have an HbA1c? They need to be at least 2 months apart, if not 3 because they average the glucose over the previous 2 to 3 months. As you haven't been testing meal times etc it may be better to make sure your daily levels are dropping before another HbA1c.
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I've only ever had the early morning fasting test (done in a lab. - I live in France, that's where they do them) so have never had a HbA1c.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
In that case I would ask for one. I hope you have a pleasant surprise!
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I will - thank you! and thank you so much for replying to my questions, you have made me feel so much better. It's very early days for me and a huge learning curve - there is SO much to learn, I was becoming rather dispirited until this afternoon, so feeling happier now
 
steph81170 said:
I will - thank you! and thank you so much for replying to my questions, you have made me feel so much better. It's very early days for me and a huge learning curve - there is SO much to learn, I was becoming rather dispirited until this afternoon, so feeling happier now
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Let us know how you go on, and any further questions, just ask. We are all here to help. :)
 
Hi Bluetit1802. Results for Hb1Ac yesterday (first one I've had) were 6.1. After eating low-carb for 6 weeks, my finger-prick readings (testing as you suggested 4/5 times a day) are coming down! :) I will have another Hb1Ac test in 3 month's time, so we shall see!
 
steph81170 said:
Hi Bluetit1802. Results for Hb1Ac yesterday (first one I've had) were 6.1. After eating low-carb for 6 weeks, my finger-prick readings (testing as you suggested 4/5 times a day) are coming down! :) I will have another Hb1Ac test in 3 month's time, so we shall see!
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That isn't a bad HbA1c at all and is only slightly over the threshold, and confirms you are pre-diabetic.

Do record all your levels somewhere and make notes of the foods you ate so you can easily see which foods are good or not so good for you. Carry on like this and you should come down by your next test. :)
 
Bluetit1802 said:
That isn't a bad HbA1c at all and is only slightly over the threshold, and confirms you are pre-diabetic.

Do record all your levels somewhere and make notes of the foods you ate so you can easily see which foods are good or not so good for you. Carry on like this and you should come down by your next test. :)
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Have been keeping a graph for the last six weeks and as you say, noting foods and fluctuations. Also trying to estimate grams of carbs. consumed - bit tricky!
Thanks for your help and support!
 
steph81170 said:
Have been keeping a graph for the last six weeks and as you say, noting foods and fluctuations. Also trying to estimate grams of carbs. consumed - bit tricky!
Thanks for your help and support!
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There is a book and an app called Carbs & Cals, available from Amazon. This is an amazing book that takes a lot of the guesswork away. There are thousands of foods, each photographed individually on a plate so you can see the portion size, and it gives the weight, carbs, calories, protein, fibre and fat contents. It isn't expensive.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
There is a book and an app called Carbs & Cals, available from Amazon. This is an amazing book that takes a lot of the guesswork away. There are thousands of foods, each photographed individually on a plate so you can see the portion size, and it gives the weight, carbs, calories, protein, fibre and fat contents. It isn't expensive.
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Brilliant! Many thanks for that info. Off to Amazon to buy it now!! :happy:
 
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