Recent diagnosis, need extra advice

[Midnight24]

Hi all, I am looking for some extra information following my diagnosis as pre-diabetic back in November. My HbA1c was 6.0 at the time and my BMI 21.3-my Dr said she wasn’t worried about the HbA1c but suggested cutting back on carbs.

Since then I have followed Dr Mosely advice and lost a bit of weight and do feel better for it-I was getting a very heavy feeling in my chest/lungs when exercising and this has largely gone, I am not as stiff/achy after sitting and am not experiencing mega-thirst and constant need for the toilet. I’ve had problems with my circulation since I was about 18 (when my diet got more carby and I began drinking alcohol) and these haven’t improved unfortunately (I am now 47) but otherwise generally feeling much better.

However, even if I eat just a small amount of sugar (and it is the festive season so I have), I just feel terrible again, almost like I have a hangover/shakes in the morning, loose bowels etc. and excessive thirst again.

As I mentioned my dr isn’t particularly worried because my levels are only just pre-diabetic but I am confused because of my symptoms, I don’t know if I should try to loose additional weight, or if I just need to accept that I have to be super strict with my diet from now on? I think maybe I have glucose intolerance but I’m not sure if this is directly related to pre-diabetes, plus my circulation issues have never really been explored other than a Dr suggesting many years ago that it’s probably a benign condition.

I am thinking of seeing a nutritionist in the new year but I was hoping people on this forum might be able to signpost me to advice in the meantime or suggest who might be able to help.

Thank you all, and best wishes of the season

 

[Lamont D]

Glucose intolerance is now rarely used in diagnosis.
hba1c levels are used, because it is the standard diagnostic tool.
Because of my experience, I tend to call it carb intolerance.
Which means that you cannot digest carbs, without them effecting your body, symptoms, BG levels and so on.

There is also a reason why you are prediabetic, is probably because of insulin resistance.
This imbalance in your first phase, will probably be the cause.

And I would advise you do look at a lower carb dietary approach, and it won't do you any harm if you do.

 

[Antje77]

However, even if I eat just a small amount of sugar (and it is the festive season so I have), I just feel terrible again, almost like I have a hangover/shakes in the morning, loose bowels etc. and excessive thirst again.

Hi @Midnight24 , welcome to the forum.

Would you consider using a glucose meter at home to see if your symptoms are connected to your blood glucose and to give you an idea of how you react to different meals?
It can be a very helpful tool.

 

[Midnight24]

Glucose intolerance is now rarely used in diagnosis.
hba1c levels are used, because it is the standard diagnostic tool.
Because of my experience, I tend to call it carb intolerance.
Which means that you cannot digest carbs, without them effecting your body, symptoms, BG levels and so on.

There is also a reason why you are prediabetic, is probably because of insulin resistance.
This imbalance in your first phase, will probably be the cause.

And I would advise you do look at a lower carb dietary approach, and it won't do you any harm if you do.

Thank you for your reply. Cutting down on carbs has definitely helped me and is probably why I have lost weight. I’ll do a bit more research into that and I think I need to improve my understanding of which foods constitute carbs other than the obvious starchy culprits. Thanks again

 

[Midnight24]

Hi @Midnight24 , welcome to the forum.

Would you consider using a glucose meter at home to see if your symptoms are connected to your blood glucose and to give you an idea of how you react to different meals?
It can be a very helpful tool.

Thank you, a glucose meter is a helpful suggestion. Are there any recommendations on brand/type? or perhaps discussions on this site about how and when to use them? There is no known diabetes in my family so I could do with all the help I can get! Thanks again for your reply, I will definitely look into that further

 

[Lamont D]

@Rachox will give you the lowdown on glucometer and continuous glucose monitors.

 

[Antje77]

Thank you, a glucose meter is a helpful suggestion. Are there any recommendations on brand/type? or perhaps discussions on this site about how and when to use them? There is no known diabetes in my family so I could do with all the help I can get! Thanks again for your reply, I will definitely look into that further

Rachox has already been tagged above, she'll give you some up to date info on the best value for money meters and teststrips.

I’ll do a bit more research into that and I think I need to improve my understanding of which foods constitute carbs other than the obvious starchy culprits. Thanks again

So I'll just add this link to a blog written by one of our members. It clearly outlines the mechanism of T2 (including prediabetes), the use of a glucose meter, and low carb foods in a nutshell: https://josekalsbeek.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-nutritional-thingy.html

 

[Rachox]

Hi @Midnight24 , here’s some info with links for UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned.



HOME HEALTH have the Gluco Navii, which is a fairly new model and seems to be getting good reviews.

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-produ...ose-meter-test-strips-choose-mmol-l-or-mg-dl/



Links to the strips for future orders:

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/



Then they sell the older SD Code Free, details to be found here!

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/





SPIRIT HEALTHCARE have a meter called the Tee2 + which is quite popular:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...e2-blood-glucose-meter?variant=19264017268793



The strips are to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...py-of-tee2-test-strips?variant=19264017367097



If there is a choice of units of measurement then ‘mmol/L’ are the standard units in the UK, ‘mg/dl’ in the US, other countries may vary.



Don’t forget to check the box if you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)



If you’d like to try a free 15 day trial of the Freestyle LIBRE 2 plus follow this link:

Sampling | Diabetes Care | Abbott

 

[Midnight24]

@Rachox will give you the lowdown on glucometer and continuous glucose monitors.

Thank you