NeetaMD
Newbie
- Messages
- 2
- Location
- Gloucestershire
- Type of diabetes
- Prediabetes
- Treatment type
- Diet only
- Dislikes
- People being unkind
I have just had 18 months of intense investigations, mostly under gastroenterologist, after symptoms of unexplained weight loss, chronic diarrhoea, tiredness. My GP is convinced I may have cancer and I have had several scans, endoscopy, colonoscopy, every conceivable blood and stool tests but (thankfully) all clear.
However! I have been atypical of someone with pre diabetes despite raised HbA1c, slim, fit, low stress, healthy lifestyle and the only change I made after attending the Pre-diabetes course was to add in some moderate intensity exercise (running) to my already active life. When I tried a Freestyle Libre monitor in spring 2023 I was getting highs of up to14.4 mmol/L but clearly with good enough Insulin response to return this to near normal later.
I have recently had more blood tests for cortisol levels (plus others) and all ok. I didn’t know they were going to test plasma glucose as well which was also ok but possibly only because I had run, in a fasted state to the appointment .
As far as my HbA1c and plasma glucose shows I don’t have diabetes but I not so sure that this isn’t what is brewing and that my regular exercise is just keeping any deterioration slowed down? I have two immediate family members with different autoimmune diseases.
I am currently trying out another 2 weeks of Freestyle Libre CGM and for example today I ate a regular lunch with readings of 12.6 at 1hr15 after and still 9.2 at 2 hrs after. Because I time restrict my eating and never snack I wonder if it will have a reducing effect on my overall HbA1c as I am in a fasted state for 15 hrs a day despite any highs I might have during my eating window?
I am also finding now that after a heavy carb meal I can feel really unwell, dizzy, headache and nausea like I’m dehydrated. I now also drink a lot and am out to the toilet several times a night. The only activity that makes me feel well these days is fasting and exercise. If I was to reduce my carbs to lower my HbA1c I would lose more weight which I can ill afford.
I’m thinking of doing a DIY OGTT to see how I respond to a measurable amount of carbs under strict conditions and using a finger prick tester to monitor my response.
I’m not sure what to do next. I’m amassing some data to speak to the GP (again) but concerned she’ll think I’m just a hypochondriac although all I want is to just feel well again.
It’s really hard to decide if my response to carbs is within normal range or if I should be concerned. (My husband did a finger prick to check his sugar levels 1hr after eating the same portion of the same meal as me. His was 5.5 when mine was 12.2!)
Any helpful suggestions please?
………………………..
I am a 70 year old retired nurse from the UK. I come from a family of health professionals and have a keen interest in all things health related. I am anxious to remain fit and healthy into my old age. I am keen to be proactive and make good health choices.
Had mild Gestational Diabetes in1996
HbA1c
2022 Mar - 45 mmol/mol
2022 Jun - 43
2023 Mar - 44
2024 Jan - 44
2024 Jun - 43
2025 Mar - 41
2025 Nov - 43
2023 (all year)
Attended Xyla in person Pre-diabetes course. I followed the advice but no improvement in HbA1c!
2024 Mar
2 weeks Freestyle Libre monitoring (self directed)
Highs of up to 14.4 mmol/L after eating with often a rapid return to normal. Fasting levels around 5.5 to 6.5 mmol/L
EXERCISE
Always been a regular brisk walker. Current average around 8000 steps daily.
2023 Oct - Started Running. I now run5k 3 x week including local Parkrun on occasions.
WEIGHT
2022 Jun 66.5kg
2022 Dec 63kg
2023 Jun 62kg
2023 Dec 59kg
2024 Apr 56.5kg
2024 Aug 54kg
2025 Feb 54.5kg
2025 Jul 51.5kg
2025 Dec 51kg
DIET
I have never been overweight and have not intentionally dieted to lose weight but have lost around 15 kg over the last 2 years. I am now underweight for height and I can’t afford to lose more!
I have been practising time restricted eating for about 6 years and have an eating window of between around 12:30 and 21:30. This helps my cholesterol levels and the symptoms of chronic diarrhoea I suffer from.
I am an early adopter of low GI food choices and have eaten brown rice, wholewheat pasta, granary bread and new potatoes etc.. for years. However I love to bake but I often use ‘healthy’ recipes eg. from DiabetesUK website.
I eat a good number and variety of fruit, vegetables and nuts every day according to current advice. I don’t snack between meals. I’m not a fussy eater and eat most things.
I love healthy food and cook all meals from scratch with only occasional meals out or takeaways. I am not vegetarian or vegan.
I have inherited high cholesterol and have been on Statins for 15 years. I don’t particularly try to cut my cholesterol intake (which isn’t high) as the source is less to do with my diet but because I make it in my liver.
However! I have been atypical of someone with pre diabetes despite raised HbA1c, slim, fit, low stress, healthy lifestyle and the only change I made after attending the Pre-diabetes course was to add in some moderate intensity exercise (running) to my already active life. When I tried a Freestyle Libre monitor in spring 2023 I was getting highs of up to14.4 mmol/L but clearly with good enough Insulin response to return this to near normal later.
I have recently had more blood tests for cortisol levels (plus others) and all ok. I didn’t know they were going to test plasma glucose as well which was also ok but possibly only because I had run, in a fasted state to the appointment .
As far as my HbA1c and plasma glucose shows I don’t have diabetes but I not so sure that this isn’t what is brewing and that my regular exercise is just keeping any deterioration slowed down? I have two immediate family members with different autoimmune diseases.
I am currently trying out another 2 weeks of Freestyle Libre CGM and for example today I ate a regular lunch with readings of 12.6 at 1hr15 after and still 9.2 at 2 hrs after. Because I time restrict my eating and never snack I wonder if it will have a reducing effect on my overall HbA1c as I am in a fasted state for 15 hrs a day despite any highs I might have during my eating window?
I am also finding now that after a heavy carb meal I can feel really unwell, dizzy, headache and nausea like I’m dehydrated. I now also drink a lot and am out to the toilet several times a night. The only activity that makes me feel well these days is fasting and exercise. If I was to reduce my carbs to lower my HbA1c I would lose more weight which I can ill afford.
I’m thinking of doing a DIY OGTT to see how I respond to a measurable amount of carbs under strict conditions and using a finger prick tester to monitor my response.
I’m not sure what to do next. I’m amassing some data to speak to the GP (again) but concerned she’ll think I’m just a hypochondriac although all I want is to just feel well again.
It’s really hard to decide if my response to carbs is within normal range or if I should be concerned. (My husband did a finger prick to check his sugar levels 1hr after eating the same portion of the same meal as me. His was 5.5 when mine was 12.2!)
Any helpful suggestions please?
………………………..
I am a 70 year old retired nurse from the UK. I come from a family of health professionals and have a keen interest in all things health related. I am anxious to remain fit and healthy into my old age. I am keen to be proactive and make good health choices.
Had mild Gestational Diabetes in1996
HbA1c
2022 Mar - 45 mmol/mol
2022 Jun - 43
2023 Mar - 44
2024 Jan - 44
2024 Jun - 43
2025 Mar - 41
2025 Nov - 43
2023 (all year)
Attended Xyla in person Pre-diabetes course. I followed the advice but no improvement in HbA1c!
2024 Mar
2 weeks Freestyle Libre monitoring (self directed)
Highs of up to 14.4 mmol/L after eating with often a rapid return to normal. Fasting levels around 5.5 to 6.5 mmol/L
EXERCISE
Always been a regular brisk walker. Current average around 8000 steps daily.
2023 Oct - Started Running. I now run5k 3 x week including local Parkrun on occasions.
WEIGHT
2022 Jun 66.5kg
2022 Dec 63kg
2023 Jun 62kg
2023 Dec 59kg
2024 Apr 56.5kg
2024 Aug 54kg
2025 Feb 54.5kg
2025 Jul 51.5kg
2025 Dec 51kg
DIET
I have never been overweight and have not intentionally dieted to lose weight but have lost around 15 kg over the last 2 years. I am now underweight for height and I can’t afford to lose more!
I have been practising time restricted eating for about 6 years and have an eating window of between around 12:30 and 21:30. This helps my cholesterol levels and the symptoms of chronic diarrhoea I suffer from.
I am an early adopter of low GI food choices and have eaten brown rice, wholewheat pasta, granary bread and new potatoes etc.. for years. However I love to bake but I often use ‘healthy’ recipes eg. from DiabetesUK website.
I eat a good number and variety of fruit, vegetables and nuts every day according to current advice. I don’t snack between meals. I’m not a fussy eater and eat most things.
I love healthy food and cook all meals from scratch with only occasional meals out or takeaways. I am not vegetarian or vegan.
I have inherited high cholesterol and have been on Statins for 15 years. I don’t particularly try to cut my cholesterol intake (which isn’t high) as the source is less to do with my diet but because I make it in my liver.
