Pre-pre-diabetic

netpost1 · Jul 25, 2012

Hi,

I have joined the group and I hope I can get some expert opinions here.

I am a 40 year male. 2 weeks ago, I was visiting my father. In the morning, he was doing his blood sugar check and I got mine done this time in my life. The fasting reading was 126. I was out with friends and had desert around 11PM the night before. I went to sleep around 4AM and got up around 9AM. The 2 hour reading after lunch was 136. My father told me that I might be pre-diabetic and should be concerned.

3 days later, I had a cholesterol and blood check at a clinic. The fasting read was 96.

About 10 days later, I bought the same blood sugar checking device that my father uses. Attached is an image containing my readings for the last 2 days and today.

It seems that my base reading before meal is near 100. And the 1-3 hour reading stays between 100-120. I know I need more data. But should I be concerned that my readings don't come back to the base line easily?

BTW, I haven't had regular exercise for many years. I just starting exercising every weekday for almost 2 weeks now.

Any opinion is much appreciated.

Tim

Grazer · Jul 25, 2012

Hi Tim! None of us are doctors (well, don't think so anyway) so we can't diagnose you as such. Your readings don't indicate diabetes or even pre-diabetes, but they are a little higher than might be expected of a fit non-diabetic. It might be worth asking for an "Oral Glucose Tolerance Test" which the doctor can administer. You drink a measured amount of yucky drink, then your blood is tested at various periods. This should give a better indication of wether you are glucose-intolerant (pre-diabetic) or not. If you are, you have caughht it at an enviably early stage so should be able to control it very easily. But do see the doc and get a proper test.

Juliette40 · Jul 25, 2012

Hello newcomer and welcome!

I'm NOT an expert, just concerned for you. What did your GP say? Is he monitoring you? Your readings are somewhat high and whilst exercise improves insulin resistance (the mechanism by which blood sugars are controlled), it can actually cause sugar levels to rise...ironic, I know!

Your diet is healthy and good for controlling cholesterol too (my recent hobby horse). However, bananas are VERY high in carbs (sugars) especially very ripe ones. The riper the fruit, the more sugary it is. They have about 40g carbs in them as opposed to a small apple with only 10g. I would also question the drinks you are consuming. Obviously full sugar drinks like Coke are a no no. Fruit juice, though considered healthy, is heavily laden with natural sugars. This is why is is a good, quick acting source of sugar in the event of a hypo (when sugar levels fall dangerously low). Consider, therfore, drinks like J2O carefully. Also, alcohol has a lot of sugar in it too though the net result is generally to lower blood sugars. This can mess up your blood sugars for 24hours. It is advised to only drink alcohol with food.

Hope this helps
Best wishes, Juliette x :thumbup:

Daibell · Jul 25, 2012

Hi. I agree with Glazer that a GTT is probably the next test you should take as it is more reliable than a fasting test Yes, bananas are a bit of a no-no although small fresh ones OK occasionally. Is the yoghurt you have just low fat (= high sugar) or both low fat and low added sugar? Also, watch the amount of sugar and carbs in soups. Readings the labels becomes a good habit after a while....

netpost1 · Jul 25, 2012

Julietterporter said:
Your diet is healthy and good for controlling cholesterol too (my recent hobby horse). However, bananas are VERY high in carbs (sugars) especially very ripe ones. The riper the fruit, the more sugary it is. They have about 40g carbs in them as opposed to a small apple with only 10g. I would also question the drinks you are consuming. Obviously full sugar drinks like Coke are a no no. Fruit juice, though considered healthy, is heavily laden with natural sugars. This is why is is a good, quick acting source of sugar in the event of a hypo (when sugar levels fall dangerously low). Consider, therfore, drinks like J2O carefully. Also, alcohol has a lot of sugar in it too though the net result is generally to lower blood sugars. This can mess up your blood sugars for 24hours. It is advised to only drink alcohol with food.

I will cut down the banana. Thanks!

I don't drink sugar drink, fruit drink, or alcohol. I drink water and at most 1 medium size cappuccino (2 shot expresso and half glass of milk) or 2 black coffee, no sugar.

netpost1 · Jul 25, 2012

Daibell said:
Hi. I agree with Glazer that a GTT is probably the next test you should take as it is more reliable than a fasting test Yes, bananas are a bit of a no-no although small fresh ones OK occasionally. Is the yoghurt you have just low fat (= high sugar) or both low fat and low added sugar? Also, watch the amount of sugar and carbs in soups. Readings the labels becomes a good habit after a while....

I made the yogurt myself with full milk though, no sugar added. The skim milk version is a bit watery and not as satisfying. But I do need to put something in there to make it less sour. I don't like sour that much. If banana is too sweet, I would image frozen blue berries are too sweet either. I guess I just have to get used to the sourness:-(

I read the labels of everything I eat. I want to know what I put in my mouth

netpost1 · Jul 25, 2012

Grazer said:
Hi Tim! None of us are doctors (well, don't think so anyway) so we can't diagnose you as such. Your readings don't indicate diabetes or even pre-diabetes, but they are a little higher than might be expected of a fit non-diabetic. It might be worth asking for an "Oral Glucose Tolerance Test" which the doctor can administer. You drink a measured amount of yucky drink, then your blood is tested at various periods. This should give a better indication of wether you are glucose-intolerant (pre-diabetic) or not. If you are, you have caughht it at an enviably early stage so should be able to control it very easily. But do see the doc and get a proper test.

I will ask my doctor about the test.

On this site, the doctor doesn't think too much about the OGTT test. That's why I buy my own glucometer to track my blood sugar level.
http://chriskresser.com/when-your-normal-blood-sugar-isnt-normal-part-1
http://chriskresser.com/when-your-%E2%80%9Cnormal%E2%80%9D-blood-sugar-isn%E2%80%99t-normal-part-2
http://chriskresser.com/how-to-prevent-diabetes-and-heart-disease-for-16

After 2 more days of reading, I will go and see a doctor.

Beside regular exercise and lower sugar diet, what else can I do? Or is that all and it just takes time to improve my blood sugar tolerance?

CollieBoy · Jul 25, 2012

netpost1 said:
I would image frozen blue berries are too sweet either. I guess I just have to get used to the sourness:-(

Well I find blueberries, like most other berries are OK for me as a T2 BS-wise :thumbup:

netpost1 · Jul 25, 2012

FergusCrawford said:
Well I find blueberries, like most other berries are OK for me as a T2 BS-wise :thumbup:

I will definitely look into the berries! Thanks.

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