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Type 2 Definition?

T

Theophilus

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Sorry for perhaps naive question. I'm newly diagnosed with Hb1AC of over 50. So, if I succeed in losing weight and my reading goes down to the 30s, am I still 'diabetic' or not?
 
Of course, we can call ourselves whatever we'd like, but just because your a1c is at a healthy level does not mean you no longer have diabetes. It just means you're well controlled.

I expect my next a1c to be in the 30s and it would be lovely to say that I no longer have diabetes, but the fact of the matter is that my pancreas isn't just going to "Wake-up."

To no longer be a diabetic, you would essentially need to remove the fatty liver, insulin resistance, or actual causes of type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, there's nothing proven to cure those things just yet.
 
My last HbA1c was 26 and I am still diabetic, and get reminded of it every time I eat a few too many Carbs.
 
Hi. Yes, think of it as going into remission as your body still has that genetic make up that can result in diabetes if your weight goes back up.
 
Just an update on this. I was 15stone and HBA1c of 54 on 10th March. Today I am 12 stone 3lbs with HBA1c of 38. My GP this morning, in answer to my question, said that yes I am no longer diabetic, but I have a tendency which, if I put weight back on, will result in me becoming diabetic again.

That makes sense to me....
 
Theophilus said:
Just an update on this. I was 15stone and HBA1c of 54 on 10th March. Today I am 12 stone 3lbs with HBA1c of 38. My GP this morning, in answer to my question, said that yes I am no longer diabetic, but I have a tendency which, if I put weight back on, will result in me becoming diabetic again.

That makes sense to me....
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Sounds about right to me too. You are in control of your condition.
 
Theophilus said:
Just an update on this. I was 15stone and HBA1c of 54 on 10th March. Today I am 12 stone 3lbs with HBA1c of 38. My GP this morning, in answer to my question, said that yes I am no longer diabetic, but I have a tendency which, if I put weight back on, will result in me becoming diabetic again.

That makes sense to me....
Click to expand...
However, the current UK guidance is that you should continue to be screened for diabetic retinopathy.
 
Ah yes, I'm on the list for that, and will hopefully continue to be so. Although I at first thought it was a matter of semantics, it occurs to me to have other practical implications; one being what one needs to declare on insurance forms?
 
I think it's a matter of semantics, but I feel that if I was lucky enough to get to that point, unless I could still retain my non-diabetic status by (god forbid!) going back to my previous weight and eating habits, I'd still be a diabetic, but in remission. However there are some people who appear to have managed to increased their consumption of carbs to earlier levels without any issue.:)

I've now managed to get my results down to the low end of being pre-diabetic, and my doctor has said "I'm very well controlled" which I agree with as I know that have to keep on working hard to remain at this level.

Robbity
 
Clinically, a diagnosis of a major illness is not valid unless the positive result is repeated. You did have two positive results one month apart. Since then, the A1c has swiftly dropped back to the healthy range.

The dogma about diabetes is that it is irreversible. A number of diabetes doctors disagree. I think some people doe get rid of it, and others just keep it in check. You did not mention taking medication, but I think especially if you eventually get to normal numbers without medication, you are not diabetic.

I think one should not judge one's status by the A1c alone. The fasting glucose and glucose tolerance are the other things to measure. The fasting glucose should be regularly under 5.5 mmol/l. As for the glucose tolerance, after a meal, if the glucose rises above about 8.0 or if it takes over 2 hours to return to fasting level, those numbers (which are not official) are not yet diabetic, but they would be excessive and you would want to intensify your control programme.
 
Thanks for that; no, I haven't taken any medication, wanted to try the diet/activity method first.

This fasting glucose, is that the finger prick over the counter tester kit?

And I presume it's the same kit for the glucose tolerance testing?
 
Theophilus said:
Just an update on this. I was 15stone and HBA1c of 54 on 10th March. Today I am 12 stone 3lbs with HBA1c of 38. My GP this morning, in answer to my question, said that yes I am no longer diabetic, but I have a tendency which, if I put weight back on, will result in me becoming diabetic again.

That makes sense to me....
Click to expand...

I'm in a similar position to you. I've lost all the weight I needed to lose and my GP was concerned that I had taken it too low so have now put a bit back on but am keeping a watch of my blood sugar readings to see they don't go up. I can now eat a few more carbs but am still very careful with them. I think my doctor still regards me as diabetic but controlled.
 
I think of diabetes as being a condition whereby the body cannot properly control its blood sugar levels. You may be able to help your body out by taking meds, insulin or simply controlling your diet but that doesn't remove the underlying condition even if your blood sugar levels reduce to a value that wouldn't have led to a diagnosis.
 
Theophilus said:
Blimey that's impressive, 95 to 33! Was that all without medication?

Well done!
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I was put onto Metformin but with a severe reaction my GP took me off after 3 days. I was then given a couple of weeks for my body to recover and given the options of slow release metformin or insulin. I requested, pleaded etc to be able to try lifestyle changes first, Eventually he agreed I could have 3 months. After 3 months I had got it down to 50 and doctor was happy for me to continue with lifestyle changes. Yes 33 for my last 2 tests which I am very happy with. So for me diet, eating to my meter, losing weight, BMI from 25 down to 19.6 and now just over 20 and exercise, mostly walking has really helped. There had been a concern that I had become malnourished from other blood tests so was sent to a dietitian who thought my diet was good, lots of veg, some fruit, protein, fats and restricted carbs, I can now manage more carbs but I keep testing to make sure.
 
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