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Nothing to worry about?

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kingstonmatt

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Hi Folks,

So I know I have nothing to compare to the challenges many here have, but...

I have a horrible family history for diabetes - my dad passed away aged 68 from related complications, and all of his brothers died young from heart related problems... My dad was not diabetic until his 50s, and was never significantly overweight.
Knowing that I keep any eye on my own blood sugar from time to time - a few test strips are a small price to pay to know what's going on in there!

I'm definitely not clinically diabetic - but my fasting BG is always bumping around 5.9 to 6.1 which by the numbers I guess is borderline prediabetic. I don't think I've ever seen a four point something - which is supposed to be normal, right? If I'm on top-form with the low carbing I can see mid-fives fairly regularly.

This based on age 45, a bit over 10st for 5'10", and moderately fit. Eating a pretty good diet, minimal to no sugar, v little bread, no potatoes - mostly meat and veg.

Any thoughts? Because I know I'm sub-clinical I'm sure the GP would send me away as worried well. I can keep with the diet, and should exercise more, but why can't I see 4s?

Thanks!
 
If you haven't already seen the following topic, I'd strongly suggest you watch all the videos in it. They go into detail about what can be done to reverse prediabetes:

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/reversing-diabetes-online-summit.55275/

It seems to be very important to reduce your visceral fat to below the tolerance level for your body. Very hard to know what that is because we're all different. One thing that seems very important to to maintain your weight below that tolerance.

That said, fasting levels can be the trickiest because they can be confounded by the dawn phenomenon which also varies greatly between individuals.

What are your BG levels like before meals and 2 hours afterwards?
 
Hi. Those fasting levels are pretty good and effectively normal. You are already having a good diet and not overweight so I would carry on as you are and occasionally measuring with a meter. As Indy says also check just before and 2 hours after a meal occasionally to see that you stay below around 8.5 mmol assuming a pre-meal level in the normal 5-7 region. If the levels start creeping-up then see the GP for further tests. BTW, a fasting level of 4.x would be quite low and near hypo-land. It should typically be in the range 5 -7 mmol. You shouldn't drive below 5 mmol.
 
Looking at the ranges quoted on this site for non-diabetic ranges, they look a bit tighter than Daibell's post:

Target Levels
by TypeBefore meals
(pre prandial)2 hours after meals
(post prandial)
Non-diabetic4.0 to 5.9 mmol/Lunder 7.8 mmol/L
Type 2 diabetes4 to 7 mmol/Lunder 8.5 mmol/L

As a non- medicated T2, I am almost always low 4s, fasting, with fairly regular mid-3s with no ill effects. As I understand it, for non-diabetics, under 3 is the marker for clinical hypoglycaemia, although many people feel rough, under 4. Everyone's body will find their own "comfort zone" based on their physiology, diet, medication and probably social factors.

I wouldn't know how to advise you kingstonmatt, but sticking with a diabetes friendly diet, along with watching your weight and blood pressure would seem to make sense. Or perhaps ask your quack for an MOT, based on family history? That would likely provide a fuller blood profile, including cholesterol levels. Of course, if it reveals higher than desired blood glucose readings, you would have to cope with the psychological impact of a diagnosis.

Keep fighting the good fight.
 
Thanks for the thoughts and link to those videos - had time to check out the first one. fascinating.

So 2 hours after lunch today, 6.1. Didn't check before evening meal, but 2 hours after - 6.1...
Lunch was green salad and leftover pork. Dinner - chicken wraps (2x tortillas), with a chaser of a 3 or 4 squares of 70% chocolate.

6.1, about what I expected... Not exactly a bad response to food - I just can't figure why fasting bumps along at such a high level. Whether it's just the way I'm made, and what it means for my risk factors is what I'd like to understand...
 
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