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Returning to the forum: prediabetes very likely

J

janeecee

Well-Known Member
Messages
248
Type of diabetes
Other
Treatment type
Diet only
I joined last year after concerns about prediabetes after a high-ish random pinprick test carried out by a doctor. Shortly after I had a FBG test and the result was within normal limits. So, no worries, I thought. I put away the testing kit I had bought because my own fasting measurement was also OK.

I've booked my NHS health check for next week but I decided to take my own fasting readings and I've had 5.1-5.6. Obviously it's the FBG blood test result that is going to matter, but my own readings are hovering around the upper limit of normal/lower limit of prediabetes. At my GP's surgery we seem to be getting the proper fasting blood tests and not the pinprick ones.

I'm concerned about my diet because I'm not one for sugary foods. I don't take sugar, I don't eat biscuits or chocolate, except only now and then. I don't have sugary cereals. My only "vices" are healthy portions of pasta, rice, etc and lots of fruit.

I have ME/CFS and I'm not able to exercise. In fact I relapsed badly last year and I'm housebound and significantly restbound so my capacity for exercise is just about zero.

I'm at a bit of a loss as to know what to do. The only thing I can control is my diet. So, it looks like I'll have to ditch the pasta, rice, etc and even the fruit. I'm not overweight, BMI 21. No family history of T2. Not happy about this at all.
 
My case was similar. I also am not into sweet things. I don't eat sweets or chocolate. I don't have sugar in my tea and can't remember the last time I ate cake. So I also thought that it was unjust to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

After a couple of years I was issued with a meter and was able to see the effect of various foods on my blood sugar levels. I carried out some experiments without the approval of my nurse but I learned a lot. For example, one chicken kiev gives the same result as one Mars bar. The kiev I used turned out to be chicken scrapings mixed with flour and baked into a breast shape. In other words, if I ate flour then I might just as well eat sugar. The same goes for rice. Less so for potato because some types of potato hardly cause a rise at all.

It's not so much what you eat but more the quantity. Reduce all carbs until they are not a bother. To avoid going hungry increase the veg and meat if you want to.
 
While I am blithering on there is another topic that bothers me about this. Everybody knows that a pre diabetic or a not very serious type 2 can control their condition with exercise and diet. So why does everyone think that it means a slimming diet.

If a person is overweight then fair enough and it would be a good idea to lose some and in this case a slimming diet would be appropriate. It is more important that everybody is told that they must alter their diet to one that does not cause high blood sugar and this is true whether they be fat or thin already. It would be a good idea to tell them to control their condition by changing their menu which is what is meant.

That's it then. I don't think it is helpful to use the same word (diet) when we are talking about slimming or just changing the menu to a different one.
 
Thanks for your reply. I don't have a problem with the word 'diet' myself because it doesn't have those popular connotations in my mind. I'm quite happy to use the word in the health sense. But that aside…it's something I have to look into now as my levels are borderline and my only option is to look at my diet. Exercise is out for me, as I am living with a pre-existing condition and I'm severely affected. Other than physical inactivity I have no other risk factors—weight good, BP good, no family history, etc. My only option re lifestyle change is my diet, and as I'm new to all of this, I'm a bit overwhelmed and of course anxious about the health implications in the long term.
 
janeecee said:
Thanks for your reply. I don't have a problem with the word 'diet' myself because it doesn't have those popular connotations in my mind. I'm quite happy to use the word in the health sense. But that aside…it's something I have to look into now as my levels are borderline and my only option is to look at my diet. Exercise is out for me, as I am living with a pre-existing condition and I'm severely affected. Other than physical inactivity I have no other risk factors—weight good, BP good, no family history, etc. My only option re lifestyle change is my diet, and as I'm new to all of this, I'm a bit overwhelmed and of course anxious about the health implications in the long term.
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Understand the anxiety. But don't forget we are ones who have been identified, rather than the millions who haven't and possibly never will be. I have learned to live a normal life and not be a slave to monitors, scales and carb charts etc. I have no fear of the odd 'spike'. I worked out that I am only over the limit (after meals) for 3 hours out of 24. I hadn't tested myself for 4 months before this last week, but that's OK because I am still eating the same stuff as before and my readings seem OK. I decided to have a 'splurge' of tests so that I have some 'facts' to support my opinions.

I welcome the knowledge on this site and peoples' personal experiences are useful, but I would never act on advice without conferring with my GP and Diabetic Nurse and my own body.

My excercise, by the way, is limited to walking the dog 4 times per day (about 3 miles in total).

It's very refreshing to hear your point of view. I feel a bit of an outcast on this site!
 
I will have to wait until I've had a proper FBG test at the GP's next week as that's the first step. I understand that the NICE/NHS guidelines are 6.1-6.9 but other info suggests that the pre-diabetes threshold starts at a FBG 5.6 or over, and I've hit 5.6 though only on a home test kit. If the result comes back normal then the NHS will send me on my way, even if it's 5.4 but even so, it's time to pay attention. I've read some good stories about people reversing prediabetes. It seems the earlier you do something about it, the better.

I know stranger to diabetes. My sister's husband has been diabetic for over 20 years, and was probably diabetic for the previous 10 years but went undiagnosed, and so has had the full monty of complications—eye problems, neuropathy, etc. When he was very thirsty, before he knew it was diabetes. he'd swig from a big bottle of full sugar IrnBru. Not good!

3 miles a day walking is remarkable from my point of view—I'm only able to get myself from one room to another most days. I am literally housebound although I'm hoping that will change in time but my walking limit pre-relapse was about 10 minutes at most on a good day. I intend to increase my physical activity as and when able. As far as management of ME/CFS, only qualified and experienced people working in specialist units with understanding of the condition can give advice, and even other people with ME can only speak of their experiences—there is a huge variation in severity. A lot like your approach to living with (pre)diabetes.

I've always enjoyed my food and I've always aimed to eat healthily. I came of age in the era of complex carbs—filling up on brown rice, jacket potatoes, etc. That was the healthy advice back then from medics to fitness instructors! I've been mostly veggie, and I enjoy my fruit, I have loads of veg, pulses, tofu etc. My only weaknesses are curries and the odd chocolate treat, or apple crumble and custard (haven't had crumble and custard for 2 years or so!). I like a fry up at the caff once in a blue moon, but again, not for a couple of years. Most people are advised to cut out the biscuits and sugary drinks but the only thing I can do is cut the portion sizes of the carbs—less pasta, smaller spuds, smaller portions of rice etc. I have friends who have been into the low carb fad and I would roll my eyes…well, time for me to take heed!
 
You have far than me to contend with, it seems. Still, your efforts to get round the house are, at least, exercise since it is difficult for you to move around. I am basically eating what I always did, but perhaps with stomach-sized portions as opposed to 'eyeball'-sized, if that makes sense. I tended to throw the food down without chewing which meant that I never allowed my stomach to say 'enough already'. The villain for me was probably alcohol and its effect on my liver and pancreas, as I drank that like water,and maybe that is what kicked it all off. I am one of those who puts on weight at the sight of a glass of wine, never mind the bottle... or two ... or three.

I have been cooking and eating healthily for many years before diagnosis, and I've never had a sweet tooth and prefer cheese with apples, grapes etc. to binoffi pie. So, in a sense, all I needed was a 'tweak here and there, mainly portion size and slowing down with the eating so I felt satisfied on less. It's amazing what a difference eating slowly can do.

I hope you don't concern yourself too much with regards to your sister's husband. His situation is very likely to be due to not being diagnosed far sooner and it could be his eating habits left a bit to be desired in any case.

With regards to reversal, to me, reversal means passing a glucose tolerance test such as the one used to diagnose in the first place. If people who are cured or reversed can pass that, then I would find that convincing. I don't even know if that was done at the end of the Newcastle Diet clinical trial or not, perhaps because I have not read the detail.

Looking forward to hearing good progress! I'll be able to tell you if I've got it right or wrong early in July at my next 'bloods'.
 
I'm not jumping the gun just yet! I have my FBG next week and then it's a follow up with the practice nurse in two weeks when the results come back in. I'm glad that's how they do the NHS health check at my surgery rather than pinprick tests at shopping centre—also available in my area. No matter what the results are, I still need to tweak my diet and maybe shift the 4-5lbs I've gained since last year.

I downloaded MyFitnessPal to keep an eye on my salt intake but it does the carb count too, and it's been an eye-opener. I rarely touch alcohol, so once again, something else that I can't give up! Inactivity is not good for anyone and perhaps it's the major factor that's made me prone to glucose intolerance. I used to love walking all over, swimming and riding my bike but post-ME I can't do that anymore. Maybe an exercise bike might be good later on as I get over this relapse, even if it's just a couple of minutes a day to begin with. I've had quite enough to contend with so I don't relish yet more health issues to deal with—not if I can help it.
 
janeecee said:
I'm not jumping the gun just yet! I have my FBG next week and then it's a follow up with the practice nurse in two weeks when the results come back in. I'm glad that's how they do the NHS health check at my surgery rather than pinprick tests at shopping centre—also available in my area. No matter what the results are, I still need to tweak my diet and maybe shift the 4-5lbs I've gained since last year.

I downloaded MyFitnessPal to keep an eye on my salt intake but it does the carb count too, and it's been an eye-opener. I rarely touch alcohol, so once again, something else that I can't give up! Inactivity is not good for anyone and perhaps it's the major factor that's made me prone to glucose intolerance. I used to love walking all over, swimming and riding my bike but post-ME I can't do that anymore. Maybe an exercise bike might be good later on as I get over this relapse, even if it's just a couple of minutes a day to begin with. I've had quite enough to contend with so I don't relish yet more health issues to deal with—not if I can help it.
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My son, who works for the Nuffield Group as a trainer, has just introduced me to MyFitnessPal which I am toying with. I am not including absolutely everything I eat in it (e.g. not bothered with sauces etc.) Even if I only get approximate results from it, trends are also important.
 
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