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Hba1c of 41

L

Lost_Girl

Member
Messages
8
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi
Following some recent blood tests for weight gain -3 stone in 2 years. I have hypothyroidism and very symptomatic. I assumed my medication for this was failing. I was informed by gp that I need to cut down on carbs and sugar...he wasn’t in any way concerned.
It wasn’t until I looked up my reading of 41 that I realised I was Pre Pre diabetic -if there is such a thing!

This was a bit of a shocker.

I have so many questions -
1. Should I cut out carbs completely?
2. Do I need to be monitoring blood sugars?
3. Should I go gluten free?
4. Is this linked with my hypothyroidism as the results show that I am not converting T4 to T3 adequately?

I think I need to see an endocrinologist as since being diagnosed in 2002 with hypothyroidism I have struggled with stamina,sleep, muscle aches, arthritic shoulders, low moods.

Please advise - feeling overwhelmed.
 
Tagging @daisy for some welcome info.

This will show that you do not need to totally remove carbs, or go gluten free (unless you find it affects your numbers).

Reducing carbs may help though.
 
Lost_Girl said:
Hi
Following some recent blood tests for weight gain -3 stone in 2 years. I have hypothyroidism and very symptomatic. I assumed my medication for this was failing. I was informed by gp that I need to cut down on carbs and sugar...he wasn’t in any way concerned.
It wasn’t until I looked up my reading of 41 that I realised I was Pre Pre diabetic -if there is such a thing!

This was a bit of a shocker.

I have so many questions -
1. Should I cut out carbs completely?
2. Do I need to be monitoring blood sugars?
3. Should I go gluten free?
4. Is this linked with my hypothyroidism as the results show that I am not converting T4 to T3 adequately?

I think I need to see an endocrinologist as since being diagnosed in 2002 with hypothyroidism I have struggled with stamina,sleep, muscle aches, arthritic shoulders, low moods.

Please advise - feeling overwhelmed.
Click to expand...
I would say that with all the symptoms you are getting seeing a doctor would be advisable and I would not change your diet until you have
 
In pure number terms your HbA1c could be described as "normal" as it is (admittedly just) below the pre diabetes diagnosis point of 42 so in your case I would imagine that some fairly minor dietary changes could be beneficial.
Maybe try cutting out sugar and starchy foods (breads, potatoes, rice and pasta) this could also help with some weight loss.
 
I agree that your HbA1c is still just about in the non-diabetic range (41 and under), but care needs to be taken to try and lower it a bit.

You may be interested to know that hypothyroidism is one of the conditions that can lead to a falsely elevated HbA1c.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
I agree that your HbA1c is still just about in the non-diabetic range (41 and under), but care needs to be taken to try and lower it a bit.

You may be interested to know that hypothyroidism is one of the conditions that can lead to a falsely elevated HbA1c.
Click to expand...

Thank you - I did not know this
 
I was diagnosed with hypothyroid long before diabetes, but I have always had a problem with weight gain, but always told eat less, fewer calories and you will lose weight - as though I did not know that that did not work and never had done - it is in my notes. Sigh.
My last test for Hba1c was 41, which delighted me as 6 months earlier it had been 91, so it is all relative.
Eating low carb is a very powerful tool in the control of BG levels, and I'd suggest that you simply tot up the amount of carbs you are eating each day and then consider that at the moment I am trying for 40 gm of carb as a maximum. I feel great, by the way.
I avoid all seed oils (I tried groundnut oil recently and could hardly walk for the pains in my legs) but meat fish shellfish eggs cheese full fat yogurt, cream in my coffee, some coconut oil or desiccated coconut all feature, plus loads of salads and low carb veges, plus berries (except blueberries) also with cream.
You should have far more freedom to add in more carbs from denser starch or sugary foods, but the weightloss factor might be significant - I have lost over 40lb but have been doing resistance training for more muscle as I noticed how heavy my grandchildren are getting.
 
Whilst there is no need to panic, given that elevated sugars may have been gestating for several years, it is worthwhile perhaps making some changes, as if you were in the US a 41 would be classified as Pre-diabetes (39 is the cut off there).

Consider reducing foods which raise insulin to high and lengthy levels, walking after meals, sleeping as well as you can, until you decide what you want to do.
 
Resurgam said:
I was diagnosed with hypothyroid long before diabetes, but I have always had a problem with weight gain, but always told eat less, fewer calories and you will lose weight - as though I did not know that that did not work and never had done - it is in my notes. Sigh.
My last test for Hba1c was 41, which delighted me as 6 months earlier it had been 91, so it is all relative.
Eating low carb is a very powerful tool in the control of BG levels, and I'd suggest that you simply tot up the amount of carbs you are eating each day and then consider that at the moment I am trying for 40 gm of carb as a maximum. I feel great, by the way.
I avoid all seed oils (I tried groundnut oil recently and could hardly walk for the pains in my legs) but meat fish shellfish eggs cheese full fat yogurt, cream in my coffee, some coconut oil or desiccated coconut all feature, plus loads of salads and low carb veges, plus berries (except blueberries) also with cream.
You should have far more freedom to add in more carbs from denser starch or sugary foods, but the weightloss factor might be significant - I have lost over 40lb but have been doing resistance training for more muscle as I noticed how heavy my grandchildren are getting.
Click to expand...

Thank you
 
Mbaker said:
Whilst there is no need to panic, given that elevated sugars may have been gestating for several years, it is worthwhile perhaps making some changes, as if you were in the US a 41 would be classified as Pre-diabetes (39 is the cut off there).

Consider reducing foods which raise insulin to high and lengthy levels, walking after meals, sleeping as well as you can, until you decide what you want to do.
Click to expand...

Thank you
 
Mbaker said:
Whilst there is no need to panic, given that elevated sugars may have been gestating for several years, it is worthwhile perhaps making some changes, as if you were in the US a 41 would be classified as Pre-diabetes (39 is the cut off there).

Consider reducing foods which raise insulin to high and lengthy levels, walking after meals, sleeping as well as you can, until you decide what you want to do.
Click to expand...

Thank you
 
bulkbiker said:
In pure number terms your HbA1c could be described as "normal" as it is (admittedly just) below the pre diabetes diagnosis point of 42 so in your case I would imagine that some fairly minor dietary changes could be beneficial.
Maybe try cutting out sugar and starchy foods (breads, potatoes, rice and pasta) this could also help with some weight loss.
Click to expand...

Thank you
 
zand said:
I agree with @bulkbiker. Many of us have problems with grains, flour products etc so I would start with these. Potatoes may be OK in moderation. I found my aches and pains improved when I gave up bread and pasta (I never had much rice anyway)
Click to expand...

Thank you
 
Just wanted to wish you luck, i've been in a very similar position to you over the last few years. It's great if things can be caught early and it sounds like you have a great doc gently steering you in the right path
 
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