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Help needed new to this

B

bladerfc

Well-Known Member
Messages
149
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi I recently had a routine blood test which when I got my results I was told my blood sugar levels were a wee bit high so I go into see the nurse today she tells my that everything like my cholesterol and so on are all fine she said the test that measures your blood sugar level over a few months was a little high she definitely told me it was 4.3 and anything between 4.2 and 4.8 was classed as impaired /pre diabetes to watch my diet and so on but when I research it that number seems normal she also said that only last year the guidelines were changed on this can any one help me sorry for the big message but I have no idea who's right and so on thanks in advance
 
Hi & welcome. The main thing you need to do is cut down on the sugar, starchy things & carbs. This should stop you going into the diabetic range. Increase your fat & protein intake to make up for the cut in calories from cutting down carbs & starch. Increasing fat basically means full fat products instead of the low fat which has added sugar & leaving the fat on meat & use butter instead of marge. It's an excess of glucose from carbs, sugar & starch that puts the glucose level up. Any questions just ask as there is always someone here to help.
 
Thanks for replying is the reading of 4.3for that test bad as she said that was the only problem
 
Assuming your nurse was referring to mmol/l those readings are non diabetic, but you should still always limit carbs / sugars.
 
That's what I don't know driving me mad lol she said it was a reading which was an average over the last 3 months it's only when I Googled the ranges of that test and it seemed normal she did say that they had changed the guide lines and said that this time last year she wouldn't have been speaking to me as I wouldn't have been a problem
 
You need to get a print out of your test results to properly assess them.
 
Yes your only just in the pre range there, so as myself & daks said by limiting your carbs & sugar you will be fine. Your lucky you have been told now as unlike most of us who have to watch what quantity of carbs & starch we eat even to the point of replacing them with alternatives to keep the intake as low as possible, you only really need to cut down on the quantity & frequency intake. The less you have the better.
Replace white bread with whole grain
Cut out sweets & chocolate, that's assuming you have them.
Replace sugar in tea or coffee with a sweetener.
Smaller portions of cake etc.
Ditch the sticky buns etc.
Things like that will help you loads.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Yes it was a hbA1c test test which gives an average of glucose in the blood over the last 3 months.
 
You've likely got your decimal in the wrong spot. It's probably 43 mmol/mol, not 4.3.
 
Thanks for reply I dare say they know there stuff I was just confused what else would 4.3 reading mean
 
That probably is the case 43 rather than 4.3 thanks for the reply is this easy to get under control I will work hard at it definitely cutting down and beer stopping the crisps and sweets and junk a do like rice and potatoes are they a total no no any other tips would be appreciated thanks for everyone's time
 
bladerfc said:
Thanks for reply I dare say they know there stuff I was just confused what else would 4.3 reading mean
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bladerfc, I agree with Paul59 - it sounds like an HbA1C test if it is an average over three months. But according to the article on this site 4.3% is non-diabetic. So I'm a bit puzzled.

Just seen your latest post. Yes, 43 would make more sense, but even that is classified as pre-diabetic (I think).
 
Go back to the doctor and ask for a print out of your results, like nocrbs suggested, then we can have a proper look at what's going on with your bloods. Meanwhile, cut those carbs down.
 
I think it must be the 43 as I Googled it there and probably fits in to were she showed me at the bottom end of the pre diabetes my blood pressure and cholesterol are all fine that's a good sign looking for positives as I'm a bit panicked as but at the same time a know I could probably eat better just a worrier whilst hear is spirits better to drank than beer
 
Also sorry for asking when you say limit carbs how many should I aim for
 
Even if it is 43 as said it's still pre diabetic & cutting out what you mention is the right step to take & yes rice & spuds are a no no. It's having things like that gave you the pre diabetic reading so moving in the right direction & your next hbA1c will most likely be back in the normal range.
 
Thanks Paul a will look through the forum for tips and advice
 
Until we know your results it's a bit of a guessing game, I don't want to advise a course of action that may not be needed in its extremity. But it's worth noting that a diabetic diet is usually just a healthy diet, so we should all be cutting our carb intake down. Many folks on here follow the LCHF diet and have amazing results, but the amount of carbs you eat is also a personal thing. Here is a couple of links for your research:

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/Diabetes-and-Carbohydrate-diets.html

http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf
 
Had a look the info from my nurse the leaflet she has gave for diet is different I'm confused for example in the group to choose daily it has baked potatoes with skin on although the sheet does say produced in association with British hypertension society
 
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