Newly T2D. Advice on test results and other questions

Hi @Maokus and welcome

Your HbA1c translates to 41 on the UK scale, which here would put you in the non-diabetic range, but very close to prediabetes, which here is defined as between 42-47. There is a calculator here if you want to make comparisons: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/hba1c-to-blood-sugar-level-converter.html

Firstly, please don’t assume that you will definitely get diabetic complications or die early. There are many, many examples on this forum of people taking control of their diabetes by changing what they eat.

Although your HbA1c would be classed as just short of pre-diabetic here, the number would suggest that you have a degree of insulin resistance and making some small changes should help with that.

As a starting point have a read of this information and please ask as many questions as you like. It would also be worth you checking out dietdoctor.com for some information on food, recipes etc.

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/basic-information-for-newly-diagnosed-diabetics.17088/

Maokus said:

@Goonergal thanks alot.

What I am confused is my hba1c and fasting glucose is not at diabetic level. But, ogtt test of 11.6 is diabetic. So does this means I am diabetic?

The doctor say that they only look at the ogtt results which indicates diabetes. But the hba1c of 5.9 shows that the diabetes is still under control ?

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Hi @Maokus there are different diagnostic criteria in different places, so it’s hard to be definitive about it. Would suggest speaking to your doctor to clarify but while it might seem daunting, I’d suggest that making a few small changes now could really help you.

Maokus said:

Hello everyone. I am really frightened with having diabetes. I am only 33 years old. It still feels unreal for me.

I did tests at a clinic. 4 days ago the results were.. HbA1c: 5.9 and glucose fasting:6.I

Today (4 days later) I did an OGTT. My results were fasting glucose: 5.6 and OGTT:11.6

Doctor told me I am confirmed diabetic based on the ogtt. But why is my hba1c and fasting glucose not at the diabetic range? Possible that the ogtt results are not accurate?

In the 4 days leading up to this ogtt test i had adopted a healthier diet by having more wholegrain rice in some meals. Could this influence the results ?

I am only 33. Does that mean I will defintely have diabetic complications in the future? Or i will die early?

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Hi @Maokus ,

Your various tests have a few discrepancies, and yeah... One would class you as non-diabetic, (almost) prediabetic, and one thoroughly diabetic. So with all of that being absolutely confusing, the 11.6 is the one that means the most here. Because that indicates that you do have trouble processing glucose (carbs), which can get worse if you don't do something about it. To answer your questions about complications, early death and whatnot: Change your diet. It is as simple as that. Diabetes is only a progressive condition with complications and all that if it is allowed to run rampant. Cut carbs from your diet and none of that should happen.

https://josekalsbeek.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-nutritional-thingy.html <-- have a read here, it's as good a starting point as any. maybe head to Dr. Jason Fung's The Diabetes Code book and the dietdoctor.com website after that. You have an impaired metabolic system, yes, but it doesn't have to get worse. You can actually make it a whole lot better. You've got a say in this!

Good luck,
Jo

Don't worry about complications etc., too much. Reduce your carbohydrate intake as described above and, if it's not there already, your weight to normal levels. If it's any consolation I have had Type 2 for about 20Yrs. and have no complications at all except for falling off the wagon periodically, and currently post operative weight gain. So with care and taking control you can live for a long time in pretty good shape. Diabeties is a pain in ****, and fingers, but it can be controlled. There is good advice above.

Maokus said:

i am wondering.. my Hba1c of 5.9 is actually my first reading. Since it measures the glucose for the past 2-3 months and at that time I had not changed my diet yet. Does this means that I do not need to change my diet much?

I am living in Singapore where our staple diet is white rice and noodles. My diet has always been white rice/noodles, toasts, sushis, fastfood like KFC macdonalds, pastas, pizzas, soft drinks, waffles with ice cream.

I know its not healthy but with such diet being able to achieve 5.9 means my diabetes is still ok?

Do I have to completely cut out those items I mentioned? Still ok to consume them and how often if its ok?

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Do you have to do this or that...? We don't know exactly how much, how fast, how.... Some people have a borderline diabetic or almost prediabetic HbA1c, and half a year later they see a HbA1c that is undeniably very, very diabetic. Could also be you hover where you are for another 2 years. We're all different, there's no way of knowing exactly how you will progress. The only thing I am fairly certain about is that with your current diet, you will progress. I just can't say how fast it'll get worse. But like I said, that 11.6 is very telling... You're not supposed to go over 8.5 mmol/l. Anything over that causes damage to your organs, veins, everything, really. If you want to avoid becoming a T2 diabetic, cutting carbs is the thing. How you do it is up to you, but maybe you could start with what we call "eat to your meter". Test before a meal and 2 hours after. If you don't go up more than 2.0 mmol/l, then that meal was okay for you. At THIS moment in time. Keep eating like you are, lots of carbs and whatnot... And you'll get very different readings in the not too far off future. That's basically the only guarantee I can give you; your carb tolerance will get worse if you keep eating lots of them. Sorry.

I thought the GTT was no longer used. The HBA1C is a very good test. A fasting test also proves nothing and is no longer used. So, just rely on the HBA1C. It sounds like you might just be pre-diabetic.

Maokus said:

actually 4 days before the GTT I changed my diet quite a bit. I ate lesser carbs. I switch to Low GI wholemeal bread, switch to brown and red rice. Only drank water. A very different diet compared to how I usually eat. I wonder this would influence the GTT result?

Before asking me to go for the GTT nobody told me about dietary plans.

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The changes you made don't have a very big impact, they're still very, very carby options. And it takes a loooong time of eating low carb (without bread and rice of whatever kind etc), for your insulin sensitivity/resistance to change. Four days aren't going to make one iota of difference, even if you had done "proper" low carb. Sorry.

Maokus said:

actually 4 days before the GTT I changed my diet quite a bit. I ate lesser carbs. I switch to Low GI wholemeal bread, switch to brown and red rice. Only drank water. A very different diet compared to how I usually eat. I wonder this would influence the GTT result?

Before asking me to go for the GTT nobody told me about dietary plans.

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Hi. I agree those are still fairly high carb foods. Low-GI food can still be high in carbs but takes longer to digest. Look at the total carbs for anything you eat and set yourself a daily total target. 150gm/day or less is a good start point.

If you can stop eating the high carb foods and switch to low carb vegetables to replace them then your blood glucose levels ought to reduce. The colour of the carbs is of very little interest to your gut, they are digested just the same and become glucose.
If you then make up the calories you need each day with protein and fat that ought to help your metabolism get back on track.