Hey there!
Prediabetic teenager here (I'm 16).
I had irregular period (and I still do which I am not very happy about) so I went to the doctor where I had to do blood tests. I did and she told me I had prediabetes. I had been working hard on going back to normal - I go swimming for an hour every Monday,Wednesday and Saturday and I also ride a skateboard (which I had been riding long before the diagnosis)
So far, I've lost 9 kg (18 pounds) - I used to be 81kg (178 pounds) and now I'm 72kg (160 pounds).
I really hope I have reversed the diagnosis! But if I haven't...well, I guess it's not the end of the world!
I really look forward to meeting all of you!
Have a great day!
Hi Puncey,
Did they say anything about the irregular periods possible cause? It's a bit early for you to be prediabetic, but if it's caused by PCOS, it could happen... I know when I had my Periods from Hell (Bled out every 2 weeks, just about), I was 11, and my GP didn't bother to check whether everything was alright with my ovaries. I suspect he was uncomfortable doing intimate exams on someone my age. He just put me on the pill to keep me regular, and gave me iron supplements for the anemia. Didn't find out until almost 2 decades later that I had an ovarian cyst, and then my locum OB/GYN neglected to mention I was prediabetic because of that to boot. If I'd known, I never would've let it get to T2. You can get tested for PCOS by getting an ultrasound done, and maybe some blood tests to check whether your hormones (male and female) are balanced. If PCOS is present, usually your testosterone's up. Not to freak you out with another diagnosis or anything, but if you do have issues, you're better off knowing, so you can do something about it. (People with PCOS usually have a hard time getting pregnant, it's easier to tackle that if you know what's going on. And yeah, you're a bit young to be considering that, but you get the idea.). For me, I ended up using an IUD for a while, until that became impossible for me due to a slightly malformed uterus, and now I just get a shot every 10 weeks. I haven't had a period in ages, thank heavens.
So while you're young to go for such measures, if something's off, just try to get a referral to a OB/GYN. Like I said, you're really young to be prediabetic, and I'm surprised your GP didn't get into this... Anyway... I sincerely hope you'll be able to avoid developing T2, and from the sound of it, you're off to a flying start, so well done, you!
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog-entry/the-nutritional-thingy.2330/ <-- this may help a little as well.
Take care of yourself eh. Diabetes, or pre-diabetes, it isn't the end of the world, no... But it is something you need to take seriously. You sound like you've got your head screwed on straight though, and are doing a lot already. Keep it that way and your body will be eternally grateful.
Hugs,
Jo