Am I still prediabetic?

[Barbara57]

I've been following the low carb programme for nearly 2 months. My recent yearly review blood test shows HbA1c of 36 mmol/mol. If I can maintain this through a low carb diet does it mean I'm no longer prediabetic?

 

[KennyA]

I've been following the low carb programme for nearly 2 months. My recent yearly review blood test shows HbA1c of 36 mmol/mol. If I can maintain this through a low carb diet does it mean I'm no longer prediabetic?

Well done! If your HbA1c shows anything under 42 you are not "pre-diabetic" anymore. "Normal" levels are usually described (in the UK anyway) as being 38-42 - that is "normal" in the sense that the A1c of most people who are not diabetic falls in that range. Graph attached (from a Dutch study) might be helpful. You'll see though that it doesn't neatly fall into the 38-42 range that the UK medical system normally uses.

36 is therefore slightly low. It happens to be the same as my last reading - I'm not worried at all about it being slightly under where most people are. My take on this has always been that while current BG has been fine for a while now, if I ate carbs the way I used to I would very soon have rising BG levels again. So the low levels avoid the harm that a higher level does, but for me anyway it doesn't in any way imply a "cure".

 

[MrsA2]

I've been following the low carb programme for nearly 2 months. My recent yearly review blood test shows HbA1c of 36 mmol/mol. If I can maintain this through a low carb diet does it mean I'm no longer prediabetic?

In brief, yes and well done
BUT you may always be sensitive to carbs and could tip over the line again

 

[Robbity]

Well done!

While you've achieved a definite non-diabetic HbA1c level, it's still possible to remain "diabetes prone"... and sometimes issues other than carbs may be the culprits in pushing your glucose levels up again , often on a temporary basis. So take care!

I've been able to stay mainly at low end pre-diabetic levels long term, and see the occasional non-diabetic results - my glucose tends to bounce around slightly, generally for non-dietary reasons. However there are many low carbers here who have done far better than me and have kept their non-diabetic status.

 

[Barbara57]

Well done! If your HbA1c shows anything under 42 you are not "pre-diabetic" anymore. "Normal" levels are usually described (in the UK anyway) as being 38-42 - that is "normal" in the sense that the A1c of most people who are not diabetic falls in that range. Graph attached (from a Dutch study) might be helpful. You'll see though that it doesn't neatly fall into the 38-42 range that the UK medical system normally uses. View attachment 57027

36 is therefore slightly low. It happens to be the same as my last reading - I'm not worried at all about it being slightly under where most people are. My take on this has always been that while current BG has been fine for a while now, if I ate carbs the way I used to I would very soon have rising BG levels again. So the low levels avoid the harm that a higher level does, but for me anyway it doesn't in any way imply a "cure".

Thanks Kenny.That's good to hear. I know that keeping it low means sticking to the diet in the long term but it's encouraging to know that changes can be made in a relatively short time.

 

[Barbara57]

In brief, yes and well done
BUT you may always be sensitive to carbs and could tip over the line again

Thank you Mrs A2. I think you are right. Mother and grandmother both had diabetes.The days of high carb eating are over for me.

 

[Barbara57]

Well done!

While you've achieved a definite non-diabetic HbA1c level, it's still possible to remain "diabetes prone"... and sometimes issues other than carbs may be the culprits in pushing your glucose levels up again , often on a temporary basis. So take care!

I've been able to stay mainly at low end pre-diabetic levels long term, and see the occasional non-diabetic results - my glucose tends to bounce around slightly, generally for non-dietary reasons. However there are many low carbers here who have done far better than me and have kept their non-diabetic status.

Thank you Robbity. Yes..I think I'll always be diabetic prone... it's partly genetic.The blood test result has been encouraging as I really haven't got to grips with the results on the glucose monitor . There are just so many factors involved.