Hi, i have just come across this forum and love the support already, i have just got back from docs after having 2 blood tests last week and been told i have pre diabetes...... Shocked me, i am very overweight and intend to do something about it, im getting a tester thingy tomorrow, could somebody advise me what the safe levels are please? She said my bg today was 6.2, thanks in advance
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Pre diabetic news from gp :(
- Thread starter Suescb71
- Start Date
LittleWolf
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 677
Hey there, we're all here for you!
Don't panic! For one, it's a good thing you've been diagnosed with PREdiabetes now, I had to self diagnose but you'll have all of us as well as a diabetic team or your doctor behind you. There are millions of people walking around with D and Pre D not knowing there is anything that can/should be done. Secondly 6.2 is absolutely fine for a random test. If that was fasting, then it's only just in the prediabetes range so nothing major ok? X
The good news is that you already know you are overweight and sound like you want to do something about it. That's always positive. If you lose the wight you might even be able to reverse any damage completely sorting out your insulin resistance.
There are many diet and weight loss tips on this forum and anything you are unsure about, just ask and someone will come along x
Daisy will come soon with the information given to all new diabetics and yup getting a blood sugar monitor is always a good idea because it gives you a picture of what's actually going on when you eat certain things or how you are doing with fasting levels.
It all seems a bit complex but err... We're all trying to get there. We're here to be your friends if you ever need a rant or to just chat about whatever you'd like too. There are people of all age groups with different interests. it doesn't all have to be about gloom and complications
Many hugs xxx Smile! X
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Don't panic! For one, it's a good thing you've been diagnosed with PREdiabetes now, I had to self diagnose but you'll have all of us as well as a diabetic team or your doctor behind you. There are millions of people walking around with D and Pre D not knowing there is anything that can/should be done. Secondly 6.2 is absolutely fine for a random test. If that was fasting, then it's only just in the prediabetes range so nothing major ok? X
The good news is that you already know you are overweight and sound like you want to do something about it. That's always positive. If you lose the wight you might even be able to reverse any damage completely sorting out your insulin resistance.
There are many diet and weight loss tips on this forum and anything you are unsure about, just ask and someone will come along x
Daisy will come soon with the information given to all new diabetics and yup getting a blood sugar monitor is always a good idea because it gives you a picture of what's actually going on when you eat certain things or how you are doing with fasting levels.
It all seems a bit complex but err... We're all trying to get there. We're here to be your friends if you ever need a rant or to just chat about whatever you'd like too. There are people of all age groups with different interests. it doesn't all have to be about gloom and complications
Many hugs xxx Smile! X
Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
The diet drinks should be OK, but some people say cut them out for various reasons. They don't affect BG levels in the immediate term, but they don't tame a sweet tooth and the ingredients are artificial, but still better than consuming sugary drinks. Water is best.
Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Aiming to drink water through the day and diet coke in the evening x
Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
daisy1
Legend
- Messages
- 26,457
- Location
- Switzerland
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- Cruelty towards animals.
Hi Sue and welcome to the forum 
Here is the information which LittleWolf mentioned which we give to new members. Ask all the questions you need to and there will always be someone who will help.
BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS
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 30,000 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:
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
Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes ... rains.html
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
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
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
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.
Here is the information which LittleWolf mentioned which we give to new members. Ask all the questions you need to and there will always be someone who will help.
BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS
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 30,000 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
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
Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes ... rains.html
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
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
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
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.
collectingrocks
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 241
Hi Sue and welcome
Yes, like you, I was first diagnosed with pre-D earlier in the year after a random OGTT (at my request). It was a wake up call for me. Having lost a stone, I went for a HbA1c test last week and expecting the results today.
Littlewolf makes some good points and the info from Daisy will be helpful to you.
The important thing is to cut carbs/sugar and lose weight. And start NOW. By doing this, you will improve your sensitivity to insulin and avoid a load of other health problems.
Yes, like you, I was first diagnosed with pre-D earlier in the year after a random OGTT (at my request). It was a wake up call for me. Having lost a stone, I went for a HbA1c test last week and expecting the results today.
Littlewolf makes some good points and the info from Daisy will be helpful to you.
The important thing is to cut carbs/sugar and lose weight. And start NOW. By doing this, you will improve your sensitivity to insulin and avoid a load of other health problems.
bitchcuddle
Newbie
- Messages
- 4
Hi.to every one. So please to be on the forum with you all. I have read so many of your storys most days.l have been told l am pre diabetic back in July by my gp.and she told me not to have a monitor. I have one and use it 4 times a day.l think it great to know what you can eat and can not. My blood sugar are between 6 to 8 .how long do you have before you come diabetes.?. I can not excersise. due to M.E. and my diet is also limited. Cuddles
Tigerkitty1950
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 48
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
I must have been pre diabetic for years, worked in the evening delivering food and found if I Ate a Meal I felt tired trying to walk up stairs. To do a delivery, I sorted that by snacking, as I worked ( I actually lost more than a stone climbing stairs ) I also heard somewhere that shift workers are at risk because their body clock is confused,
