Just diagnosed today

mashandsoph

Member
Messages
20
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
Had my fasting glucose results today and they are 8.1. Doctor says I have prediabetes and I need to have a hba1c test so waiting for a call about that.
 

HSSS

Expert
Messages
7,465
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html

Hb1ac is a measure of how much glucose your red blood cells have been exposed to. As cells last around 12 weeks on average this means the results gives you an average level for the last 3 months. Over 48mmol is diabetes between 42 and 47 is prediabetic.

Sadly I’m a bit confused why your dr has called it prediabetic as fasting glucose tests state that over 7 is diabetic so your 8.1 puts you potentially in that range if you did fast as instructed. However it can be higher than an hb1ac would suggest if you are susceptible to high morning sugars (called dawn phenomenon and it is a result of insulin resistance which is what prediabetes also is about) but the rest of the day is ok. That’s why they do the hb1ac to get a fuller picture.

Whatever the outcome there’s things you can do to help and quite possibly reverse it and even lose some weight as a bonus if you need to. Primarily reduce carbs.

I’ll tag @daisy1 who will provide a good overview of what it’s all about. Nothing to stop you doing a bit of reading and making some simple swaps whilst you wait to find out more from your dr. It won’t do anyone any harm if their carb levels are quite high.
 
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mashandsoph

Member
Messages
20
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
Yes I was confused as I thought 8.1 would be diabetic. I’ve got an appointment for the hb1ac on Tuesday morning so will see what that says. I definitely need to lose weight so that’s something I’m going to work on
 

dpoet

Active Member
Messages
34
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Yes I was confused as I thought 8.1 would be diabetic. I’ve got an appointment for the hb1ac on Tuesday morning so will see what that says. I definitely need to lose weight so that’s something I’m going to work on
I'm similar need to lose a bit of weight, about a stone and a half. I put it on when I stopped smoking.
As my reading was 48 the Doc said I dont need to test blood to control by diet.
I think I am going to buy kit for testing then I know the effects of foods. Just looked on google very expensive to buy though.
 

JoKalsbeek

Expert
Messages
5,937
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Had my fasting glucose results today and they are 8.1. Doctor says I have prediabetes and I need to have a hba1c test so waiting for a call about that.
That's....Odd. Not exactly a diagnosis that can be made based on a single fasting blood test. The HbA1c will tell you more. In the meantime, check out dietdoctor.com and read up a little on cutting carbs and what it entails. Read here some, and ask whatever you want about medication, diet etc.... We may not always all agree with one another, but we're all still alive and kicking, so we do know something, it seems. ;) That way, when the appointment rolls around with the results of your tests, you don't get overwhelmed with the information they give you and you'll know what things mean, what is what and you can have a bit more input in how you're going to treat all this, provided there's something to treat.

You'll be okay. Honest.
Jo
 

Goldenoldy

Active Member
Messages
32
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Yes I was confused as I thought 8.1 would be diabetic. I’ve got an appointment for the hb1ac on Tuesday morning so will see what that says. I definitely need to lose weight so that’s something I’m going to work on


Hi, Welcome. I’m also a newbie and have gone the low carb route. My wife can’t believe the weight that’s fallen away through being very strict with bread, pastry, cake. Also I was a huge potato fan. A stone (old money) has gone. I guess it’s different for everyone but this worked for me. Frustrating thing is that they won’t test me again for a year, I’d love to know if I was going in the right direction. I don’t know if there is a meter that measures Hb levels, maybe someone can recommend one, privately if you can’t put the info on the site. You do feel better about yourself once you start to take action.
G
 

HSSS

Expert
Messages
7,465
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi, Welcome. I’m also a newbie and have gone the low carb route. My wife can’t believe the weight that’s fallen away through being very strict with bread, pastry, cake. Also I was a huge potato fan. A stone (old money) has gone. I guess it’s different for everyone but this worked for me. Frustrating thing is that they won’t test me again for a year, I’d love to know if I was going in the right direction. I don’t know if there is a meter that measures Hb levels, maybe someone can recommend one, privately if you can’t put the info on the site. You do feel better about yourself once you start to take action.
G
Some apps will make a guesstimate but they need a lot of readings to be worthwhile imo. You can get private hb1ac tests done via medichecks or thriva or hb1now (? Think I’ve got that wrong) to name but a few.

I was about to get all indignant a new diabetic isn’t being checked for a year but when I checked your past posts I see you’re prediabetic. Still don’t agree with it but can understand that it’s not unusual. Could you help us by finishing your profile so we can see your status as prediabetic without searching old posts etc. You click your name top right, select personal details and fill in a few more boxes.
 
Last edited:

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
@mashandsoph
Hello and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it interesting and helpful.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 600,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.