Metabolic sydrome: Is this the same as prediabetes ?

[gardengnome42]

I just wondered as there is very little reference on this site. I do have prediabetes and have had hypertension for 5 years although I take medication for this and it is controlled. HbA1c has been 41 for 5 years too. That has recently risen to 43. I'm not overweight although my waist measurement is 33".

 

[ickihun]

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels — that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

So I think so.
Have you checked to see how your cholesterol or trigs are doing?

 

[Bluetit1802]

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions consisting of raised blood pressure, raised cholesterol levels, high blood sugars and excess body fat around the abdominal organs (fatty liver, fatty pancreas etc), but not necessarily all of these conditions.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/metabolic-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351916

 

[ickihun]

Remember many get one symptom then the others.

I'm led to believe insulin resistance is the culprit.

 

[ringi]

"Metabolic syndrome" is "insulin resistance", this results in your body needing to make more insulin to control BG for any given level of carbs you are eating. Prediabetes is when the body is finding it hard to control BG level, but BG has not yet gone completely out of control.

 

[ickihun]

It causes more than diabetes too.
PCOS for sure.

 

[Art Of Flowers]

Interesting article by Jason Fung https://idmprogram.com/fix-broken-metabolism/

High levels of insulin in the body blocks fat burning (lypolysis) and encourages more glucose to be stored as fat, which causes yet more insulin resistance. Jason suggests intermittent fasting as a way to break this vicious cycle.

High insulin is also associated with high blood pressure, so if you lower this by eating less carbs, your blood pressure may improve.

 

[gardengnome42]

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels — that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

So I think so.
Have you checked to see how your cholesterol or trigs are doing?

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels — that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

So I think so.
Have you checked to see how your cholesterol or trigs are doing?

Crumbs Ickihun what a history, poor you. What am I doing moaning about slightly raised BG levels!

 

[gardengnome42]

Interesting article by Jason Fung https://idmprogram.com/fix-broken-metabolism/

High levels of insulin in the body blocks fat burning (lypolysis) and encourages more glucose to be stored as fat, which causes yet more insulin resistance. Jason suggests intermittent fasting as a way to break this vicious cycle.

High insulin is also associated with high blood pressure, so if you lower this by eating less carbs, your blood pressure may improve.

I was told I had high blood pressure 5 years ago [163/96] and it is now well controlled with medication - so does that count? I was also told my cholesterol was high, I forget what it was but because of that I had the NHS check and the hypertension was found. Also the HbA1c at 41 was higher than it should be I think, although nothing was mentioned then by the dr. They all seem to tick boxes and it was only recently that it rose to 43 and I was recalled.
I understand that newly diagnosed diabetics are often in shock/denial at the diagnosis. I felt like this at the hypertension diagnosis. I felt utterly in denial and stigmatised as though it was all my fault. Is this how a new diabetic feels?

 

[gardengnome42]

Actually my cholesterol 5 years ago was TC 5.9 with a ratio of 2.7. Now it is Total 6.7, HDL 2.6, non HDL 4.1 and ratio of 2.6. The latest test was done without fasting. I was told something was abnormal and to see the nurse but she never mentioned it - just concentrated on the HbA1c, so I don't really know where I stand on that.
I am however rather sceptical about the whole cholesterol issue and have refused a statin even though the Qrisk is over 17%. I just feel big pharma isn't transparent on this and the NHS even less so. I always felt they shouldn't be over medicalising healthy people but I suppose they might say that if you have hypertension, high cholesterol and borderline diabetes you aren't exactly healthy!! So with those 3 things I suppose I fall into the Metabolic Syndrome label?

 

[Bluetit1802]

Actually my cholesterol 5 years ago was TC 5.9 with a ratio of 2.7. Now it is Total 6.7, HDL 2.6, non HDL 4.1 and ratio of 2.6.

Do you know what the LDL and triglycerides were? The HDL is excellent, in fact it is more than excellent, couldn't be any better. Which ratio is that? Is it the total/HDL? If it is, under 5 is within the normal standard. The total cholesterol is meaningless. It is HDL and triglycerides that are important, and the trigs/HDL ratio.

 

[gardengnome42]

Do you know what the LDL and triglycerides were? The HDL is excellent, in fact it is more than excellent, couldn't be any better. Which ratio is that? Is it the total/HDL? If it is, under 5 is within the normal standard. The total cholesterol is meaningless. It is HDL and triglycerides that are important, and the trigs/HDL ratio.

Bluetit I rather had the feeling that the total cholesterol figure was irrelevant and the ratio was what counted. Every year I have it taken as routine [for the hypertension] but since the first time [2013] when it was a fasting test it has been non fasting and they don't give you the trigs and the LDL separately. It's this non-HDL level instead. What does you surgery do?

 

[Bluetit1802]

Bluetit I rather had the feeling that the total cholesterol figure was irrelevant and the ratio was what counted. Every year I have it taken as routine [for the hypertension] but since the first time [2013] when it was a fasting test it has been non fasting and they don't give you the trigs and the LDL separately. It's this non-HDL level instead. What does you surgery do?

If they have given you a total and a non-HDL total, someone, somewhere must have calculated or measured your LDL and triglycerides as they form part of both these totals. The Total cholesterol is the total of the HDL, the LDL and 46% of the trigs (in the UK). The non-HDL is the total minus the HDL.

My surgery always orders a full lipid panel (Total, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides) and from that they work out ratios.

Just a note on cholesterol tests. Even though you may be told it isn't necessary to fast, it actually IS necessary to fast. This is because if you have recently eaten, and especially if that food was fatty in some way, the triglycerides will be raised - they will be swimming about in your blood stream doing their job and will be increased in number. I always fast despite not being told to, and make sure I get a morning appointment.

Do you have print outs of your test results or on-line access? If not, maybe you could enquire about obtaining these.

 

[Hotpepper20000]

Remember many get one symptom then the others.

I'm led to believe insulin resistance is the culprit.

I wonder if PCOS causes insulin resistance, I thought it did.
But did I have insulin resistance first and that caused PCOS?

 

[gardengnome42]

If they have given you a total and a non-HDL total, someone, somewhere must have calculated or measured your LDL and triglycerides as they form part of both these totals. The Total cholesterol is the total of the HDL, the LDL and 46% of the trigs (in the UK). The non-HDL is the total minus the HDL.

My surgery always orders a full lipid panel (Total, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides) and from that they work out ratios.

Just a note on cholesterol tests. Even though you may be told it isn't necessary to fast, it actually IS necessary to fast. This is because if you have recently eaten, and especially if that food was fatty in some way, the triglycerides will be raised - they will be swimming about in your blood stream doing their job and will be increased in number. I always fast despite not being told to, and make sure I get a morning appointment.

Do you have print outs of your test results or on-line access? If not, maybe you could enquire about obtaining these.

Yes I do have online access and this is what they said:
Serum lipid levels
Serum cholesterol level 6.7 mmol/L
Serum HDL cholesterol level 2.6 mmol/L
Outside reference range
Serum cholesterol/HDL ratio 2.6 [< 5.0]
Serum non high density lipoprotein cholesterol level 4.1 mmol/L

This latest test 2 months ago was in fact a fasting test because it was so early in the morning but they hadn't specified that I had to fast - I did ask beforehand and they said no need. The surgery added 'Result; abnormal, make an appointment to see the nurse' They did as routine the electrolytes and kidney function [not liver though]. And the HbA1c of course which also said 'abnormal see the nurse'. But when I saw her she only concentrated on the A1c.

 

[Bluetit1802]

As I said earlier, your HDL is perfect, couldn't be better, as is your total/HDL ratio.

Next time you are due tests, you need to ask for a full lipid panel that includes the whole breakdown (HDL/LDL/Triglycerides) and make sure you fast for it, whatever they say. By the way, you also need to ensure you get the liver function tests including Gamma GT, plus an eGFR test if you didn't have that. These are important for us.

Just as a PS. We all used to be told to fast for lipid tests, then NICE interfered and said it is not necessary. The reasons given at the time were all logistical because surgeries were struggling to meet targets as all fasting tests had to be earlyish morning tests, meaning there were long waiting lists for the test. Now they can do them all day it is more manageable for the surgeries. There weren't any scientific reasons.

 

[Hotpepper20000]

Good Question. My impression has been that PCOS comes first then IR, sort of like drugs causing a type of D. Assuming the out of balance hormones are causing havoc in other areas and causing more hormones to go out of whack (IR & D). Wish there was more research / solid answers about PCOS. I found this on the ADA website:

"There also are drugs available to control blood pressure and cholesterol. Progestins and insulin-sensitizing medications can be taken to induce a menstrual period and restore normal cycles. Eating a balanced diet low in carbohydrates and maintaining a healthy weight can help lessen the symptoms of PCOS. Regular exercise helps weight loss and also aids the body in reducing blood glucose levels and using insulin more efficiently."

Interesting they mention lifestyle changes (diet & exercise) and weight loss as helping. Has anyone had positive results from LC or medications? Thanks

I think for me Metformin was key in helping me combined with LC. I am almost 60 pounds lighter and many of my PCOS symptoms have lessened.
I know I am still very Insulin resistant. Any time with my BG above 8 I gain weight again.

 

[gardengnome42]

As I said earlier, your HDL is perfect, couldn't be better, as is your total/HDL ratio.

Next time you are due tests, you need to ask for a full lipid panel that includes the whole breakdown (HDL/LDL/Triglycerides) and make sure you fast for it, whatever they say. By the way, you also need to ensure you get the liver function tests including Gamma GT, plus an eGFR test if you didn't have that. These are important for us.

Just as a PS. We all used to be told to fast for lipid tests, then NICE interfered and said it is not necessary. The reasons given at the time were all logistical because surgeries were struggling to meet targets as all fasting tests had to be earlyish morning tests, meaning there were long waiting lists for the test. Now they can do them all day it is more manageable for the surgeries. There weren't any scientific reasons.

Thanks Bluetit, I had wondered why the system changed. Now that I know it's obvious of course - it's all for their convenience.That's very helpful advice and I'll do as you say next time.

Can I ask if you or most people here take a statin? NICE changed their rules if you remember in 2104 and overnight thousands more were dragged into their sightswhen they dropped the Qrisk from 20% to 10% overnight with no logical reason that they disclosed. Frankly I just don't trust NICE, I feel they are far too easily led by big pharma.
I know I was offered a statin and the lovely dr I had at that time said she was obliged to offer it. I think the Qrisk was 14% at that time, now it is 17%. Thankfully I had read plenty about the things and wasn't keen; so I asked her whether she would take one given my health and she said definitely not. The prediabetes hadn't reared its ugly head then so I wonder what she would say now. Unfortunately she has left the practice but she did add to my notes that I didn't want to take a statin. Trouble is thanks to NICE's lack of transparency I just don't know what to believe. I feel the whole cholesterol issue is unscientific and based on dodgy data.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Thanks Bluetit, I had wondered why the system changed. Now that I know it's obvious of course - it's all for their convenience.That's very helpful advice and I'll do as you say next time.

Can I ask if you or most people here take a statin? NICE changed their rules if you remember in 2104 and overnight thousands more were dragged into their sightswhen they dropped the Qrisk from 20% to 10% overnight with no logical reason that they disclosed. Frankly I just don't trust NICE, I feel they are far too easily led by big pharma.
I know I was offered a statin and the lovely dr I had at that time said she was obliged to offer it. I think the Qrisk was 14% at that time, now it is 17%. Thankfully I had read plenty about the things and wasn't keen; so I asked her whether she would take one given my health and she said definitely not. The prediabetes hadn't reared its ugly head then so I wonder what she would say now. Unfortunately she has left the practice but she did add to my notes that I didn't want to take a statin. Trouble is thanks to NICE's lack of transparency I just don't know what to believe. I feel the whole cholesterol issue is unscientific and based on dodgy data.

I was offered a statin when I was diagnosed. My GP informed me that all diabetics are offered statins. (Even though statins raise blood sugar levels ). I knew no better at the time, so I took them. I then found this forum and read all the brilliant research papers and watched the videos people were posting. I weighed it all up and stopped taking them. I took them for 3 months, admittedly without any side effects in that period.

If you use the search box at the top you will find many dozens of threads on the subject of statins, including lots of research links and videos. You are not alone in distrusting NICE and Big Pharma.

By the way, the QRisk score will go up every birthday! This is it, if you want to have a play. https://qrisk.org/three/

 

[gardengnome42]

Interesting what you say about having to offer statins. It's the tick box culture that I hate so much, one size fits all etc.
Yes I have played around with the Qrisk score before, I have been known to say that a 17% risk of an event equates to an 83% risk of NOT having one and as you say every birthday it goes up ...