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Impaired fasting Glycaemia

G

greg

Newbie
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4
Hi everyone

I've just been diagnosed with the above and informed by my GP that I'm on the brink of type 2 (6.9 mmol's) My problem is I'm new to all this and am a bit confused by what seems to be a lot of conflicting information. I have also been following a vegan diet for about 16 years much of which consisted of carbohydrates (which is probably why I'm here now writing this ). Yesterday the diabetic nurse gave me a "factsheet" which recommended Pasta. Bread, Spuds root veg, cereals & pulses. In fact all the things that everyone on this site doesn't recommend & frm some of the successes I've read about I get the impression that many of you all seem to have acquired a great deal of knowledge (& success), probably through life experience and from doing what I'm doing now...seeking help! If theres anyone out there who can offer some advice and guidance it would be much appreciated

thanks for your time

Greg
 
Welcome to the forum Greg.

We have several vegan and vegetarian members who will give you excellent advice. Just keep asking the questions.

Ken.
 
Especially for vegans, it's difficult. BUT Reduced carbs can be achieved in a number of ways, which include portion control. It doesn't change what you eat, only how much of it. If you go by the factsheets that usually get given out by "diabetes Specialists :twisted: " you WILL go on to develop T2
It would definitely be better for you if you can reverse this IGT ASAP :D
 
Hi Greg.

Since IFG can be an early sign of type 2 diabetes you should watch out for the symptoms of the condition. They can include:
thirst
passing more urine than normal
unintentional weight loss or weight gain
re-occurring infections
blurring of vision
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should talk to your GP.

People with IFG also have a slightly increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Causes
IFG is caused by the body's inability to regulate glucose levels correctly. Insulin production may be reduced and/or cells may be resistant to insulin so blood glucose levels are higher than normal.

If you are overweight and do not take regular exercise, your risk of developing IFG and IGT is increased.

A fasting blood glucose level of between 6.1 and 6.9mmol/l indicates IFG. This is above the normal range but lower than the level that may indicate diabetes. Your result does not mean that you have diabetes or that you are at immediate risk of the problems associated with diabetes. IFG can be an early warning that type 2 diabetes may develop. If your fasting blood glucose level is within this range, your GP may offer an oral glucose tolerance test to rule out a diagnosis of diabetes.

Treatment
IFG does not need medical treatment, but if you have had an impaired fasting glucose level once, it's advisable to have regular fasting glucose tests every few years.

Self-help
As people with IFG have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes and are at a slightly increased risk of heart disease and stroke, it is important that you minimise your chances of developing these conditions. You should aim to reach and maintain near-normal blood glucose levels. You can do this by:

eating a healthy balanced diet that is low in fat, high in fibre, low in salt and includes plenty of fruit and vegetables ( The diet that is good for you may not be what your HCP recommends )
making sure your weight stays within the recommended range for your height
improving your fitness level by doing regular moderate physical activity (30 minutes a day at least five days a week)
As well as this you can also reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by:

maintaining normal blood pressure levels - if your blood pressure is raised you may need to review your lifestyle to reduce stress (your doctor can advise you on diet and exercise) and sometimes medicines to lower your blood pressure may be needed
making sure that your cholesterol is kept low - your doctor will be able to advise you on diet and any medicines to help you reduce high cholesterol levels
increasing the amount of oily fish in your diet
giving up smoking
reducing the amount of alcohol you drink

Hope that helps for now.

Ken.

Am moving this Topic to 'Ask the Experts.'
 
I think we have all swallowed - quite literally - this healthy diet = complex carbohydrate stuff :? I ate loads of pasta, potatoes, rice and bread before I found my way here.

While I was waiting for my diagnosis (my T2 diagnosis wasn't a surprise) I cut out all added sugar and started looking for a diet that I would be able to stick to for life while still being able to eat with friends and family. I initially thought a Mediterranean diet was the way to go, then I toyed with a low GI diet, then I found my way here (by a very happy accident) and now consider myself to be lower carbing.

From what I can see, vegetarians and vegans have to think quite differently about food to people who eat meat. Our protein sources contain carbs :? However, I have found out that some of my staple protien sources like pulses, which have quite a high carb content, don't actually make me spike and this is probably down to the fiber. But this is why I call myself a lower rather than a low carber.

I looked around for some diet books once I got the diagnosis and found Rose Elliot's low carb vegetarian cookbooks - she has written 2 - and her low GI cookbook. Her books have a lot of vegan recipies and a reliance on soya. You can pick them up quite cheaply on eBay or at Amazon. I have also realised that a lot of the things I eat already can be adapted to be lower carb.

I think that the Glycaemic Index and the concept of glyceamic load has a lot to offer vegetarians and vegans. I want to know what food does once I have eaten it and I test my blood sugar after I have eaten to find out.

You might want to get a meter and start testing to find out - I'm not happy to leave it to infrequent blood tests at the health centre. If you are not diabetic now, you might have even more difficulty that the rest of us in getting strips. I get mine off eBay where they are considerably cheaper than in the high street pharmacies, but you do need to tests to find out what happens.

If you are carrying extra weight, lose it. That adds to the insuliln resistance which you are already showing with that reading. Excercise will also help. I have to be half the woman I was at diagnosis :? I have lost loads of weight lower carbing :D

As well as Karen's excellent links you should also check out http://www.bloodsugar101.com there is loads of really useful information on there. I started to feel much more positive when found this site and started to read through the info there.

There is also a school of thought that you could already have T2. This is because the threshold for diagnosis is quite high and the NHS thinks that well controlled diabeticis have an HbA1c of 7%. I'm aiming for normal readings in the end.

I have some way to go but I think I have made a fair bit of progress over the last few months. I'm diet only, no meds as yet, although my GP is very keen to prescribe them :roll: If I can't get my HbA1c under 6% within the next few months I will consider medication.

I started a vegetarian and vegan low carb thread in the low carb forum - you are welcome to join us!
 
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