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Monitoring blood glucose in prediabetes

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Patty80

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
I have been wondering whether it would be helpful to buy a monitor. My Practise Nurse says it would not be useful as readings jump about a alot. My 6 monthly blood tests show a reading of 4.3
I,m trying to cut down on sugars and deserts,finding it hard to do. I am underweight so dont want to cut down on food ,like calorie control.
I wonder what damage is the occasional biscuit or cake going to do, and it would be reassuring for me to find out whether having the occasional sweet would result in a long lasting rise in blood glucose.
I would be interested to know whether any of the members have found a monitor useful to find out what foods they can tolerate.
 
Patty80 said:
as readings jump about a alot.
Click to expand...
Which is exactly why it's useful to finger prick to see why they jump about!!!

However those, 6 monthly figures of yours seem low, and you are underweight. Are you sure they are talking prediabetes with you?
 
Patty80 said:
I have been wondering whether it would be helpful to buy a monitor. My Practise Nurse says it would not be useful as readings jump about a alot. My 6 monthly blood tests show a reading of 4.3
I,m trying to cut down on sugars and deserts,finding it hard to do. I am underweight so dont want to cut down on food ,like calorie control.
I wonder what damage is the occasional biscuit or cake going to do, and it would be reassuring for me to find out whether having the occasional sweet would result in a long lasting rise in blood glucose.
I would be interested to know whether any of the members have found a monitor useful to find out what foods they can tolerate.
Click to expand...
Thank you for taking the trouble to read and reply to my message. I believe prediabetes is diagnosed when readings are 4.2--4.7 which does put me in that range. I also have a parent who had type 2 diabetes. But your message has made me wonder whether I,m over reacting. I,ll question nurse again at my next 6 monthly appointment
 
whilst your nurse might be right about levels jumping around she seems to be implying (incorrectly) there’s no rhyme nor reason to it.

As MrsA2 says a meter will show you why and it’s likely to be not just sugary things but stuff like bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, pastr, cereals including oats and anything else starchy.

if you get a meter and test before and 2 hrs afterwards you’ll see what harm they are doing so you can adjust if and how much of them you eat.
 
Patty80 said:
I have been wondering whether it would be helpful to buy a monitor. My Practise Nurse says it would not be useful as readings jump about a alot. My 6 monthly blood tests show a reading of 4.3
I,m trying to cut down on sugars and deserts,finding it hard to do. I am underweight so dont want to cut down on food ,like calorie control.
I wonder what damage is the occasional biscuit or cake going to do, and it would be reassuring for me to find out whether having the occasional sweet would result in a long lasting rise in blood glucose.
I would be interested to know whether any of the members have found a monitor useful to find out what foods they can tolerate.
Click to expand...

Monitoring and record keeping is always helpful!
 
Hello and welcome,

I also agree that a meter would be useful. It would allow you to record what effect different foods have on your levels which allows you to make decisions about what you eat. The earlier you make these decisions the more likely it is (in my view) that you will be able to eat a higher lever of carbs. The meter tells you what level of carb intake your body tolerates.

Good luck and welcome.
 
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