Thought oh wise ones...

Hi all. Hope you're well.

Background: I've been pre-diabetic before 44.3 in 2020 but brought it down to 42.1 later that year and in 2021 I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes despite a HBAC of 37.7 because my fasting levels were crazy high right from week 6, and as my pregnancy progressed I had real trouble controlling post meal readings so ended up on metformin and insulin. I had my post pregnancy HBAC done (nov 22) which came in at 37.5 so happy days. However, over the last year I've felt gradually worse and worse (like I did when I had GDM) and requested a HBAC, which came back 37.5, suggesting all is ok.

However I am conscious that having GDM gives me a 1 in 2 chance of developing type 2 so I'm really keen to try and avoid this. I know how to do this from having GDM - eating a lower carb diet (which is trickier for me as a vegetarian but not impossible). I managed my diet so well when I was pregnant, but without metformin I find it SO, SO hard to control my appetite. I am hungry literally ALL the time - worse than when I was pregnant.

I stuck a libre on a couple of weeks ago to see what was going on and I'd be really interested in people's thoughts as to whether the my readings sound normal for someone who is not prediabetic. My fasting is always between 6.3 and 6.9 and I often go over 8, sometimes up to 10, when I've eaten a (higher carb) meal, but this mostly comes down quickly (normal after 2 hours - not always, but mostly), resulting in quite a jagged graph in daily view. Do you reckon this indicates that my insulin is doing a cracking job of reducing blood glucose, and is therefore nothing to worry about, or do you think I shouldn't be going too high and falling too quickly after a meal if I don't have an issue? More of a concern for me, although I don't know whether I should be concerned or not, is that my bs doesn't seem to go below 6 when I'm asleep. When I was testing / wearing a libre while pregnant and on medication, I managed to get my graphs pretty flat, with no more than a 2.5 / 3 point rise after eating, my fastings were around 5.5 and overnight bs would be around 4.5. So obviously what I am seeing is quite different, but I am not sure if it's an issue?

I'll caveat this by saying I know that none of the levels above are terrifying and if I was t2, I'd be pleased with them. But I am worried that if there is an issue, and I don't do anything about it, I will end up t2.

Also info, I managed to lose 30lbs while pregnant and on meds, and I've put 20lbs of it back on over the last 16 months. Slow at first but rapid now. I felt fan-bloody-tastic on metformin however.

Any thoughts or advice welcome!

Munkki said:

Are you breastfeeding?

Click to expand...

Yes I am it’s the only way I can get little to sleep still

Mrs HJG said:

Hi @Kate_Emily3 I definitely don't class myself as a 'wise one' but I hate seeing an unanswered message!

Firstly, do you check your BG with finger pricks too or just the Libre? Some read a bit high, others a bit low, so getting a grip on what the one you are/were wearing could account for some/all the 'increase' you are seeing.

I fear I am sounding like a bit of a stuck record in my replies, but I have been using Jessie Inchauspé's glucose hacks (@glucose_goddess on instagram) and her book Glucose Revolution for almost 12 months - her explanations, graphs and science are not diabetes-specific, but show how different foods, and the order we eat them, as well as the effects of exercise and other interventions can affect glucose spikes.

Although my situation is completely different, the strength of the Libre is that it shows all the highs and lows, even a low HbA1c could be a constant flat line or big highs and super lows, which CGM data can show.

If you are worried, it might be worth showing your graphs to your surgery's diabetes nurse/doctor to see if they think you have increasing insulin resistance that Metformin might help with again.

Hope this helps a bit, even if it's only to know someone is reading your post

Click to expand...

Thanks so much Mrs HJG. I do appreciate your response I don't have the book but will get it if it does show the technical side from a non diabetic perspective. A lot of her hacks are (from what I've seen), very similar to the Gestational Diabetes diet (high protein, high fat, low carb), move after eating, loads of water etc.

I spoke to my GP a few months back and he was very dismissive. I was kind of hoping they would let me go back on metformin (as I had been allowed to stay on it between my miscarriage and getting pregnant again) but no joy. I was hoping if I go in a bit better informed now with the libre graphs this would help. But I wanted to check first I wasn’t over reacting hence posting here.

I’m using the libre as I can’t find my finger prick thingie annoyingly!

Mini Dachs Mum said:

I’m vegan and do keto. It is trickier but can be done. As a vegetarian you should find doing keto easier. I m sorry I can help you with you meter readings though.

Click to expand...

Yeah 100%. I’m impressed you’re managing it, not easy!

Outlier said:

Re: feeling hungry, which I remember all too well from my wasted years of low-calorie eating, I find adding olive oil, butter, cheese, yoghurt and/or eggs all help with curbing that, and are okay for vegetarians.

Edited to add - cream!

Click to expand...

Thanks Outlier. I know you’re right. I was amazed at how the weight fell off when I stopped dieting (I used to do juice fasts and I can only imagine what that was doing to me if I already had bs issues ).

My eating is definitely stress related, but even though I can identify it, and I know what I should be eating, I just can’t seem to stop. Which is not how I felt when taking metformin. But I guess I shouldn’t be aiming for a magical pill solution

abcanmore said:

It's understandable to be concerned about your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, given your history of pre-diabetes and gestational diabetes. It sounds like you're already taking proactive steps to manage your diet and blood sugar levels through a lower carb diet, which is impressive. I'm sorry to hear that you're finding it difficult to control your appetite without medication, but it's great that you're exploring other options like monitoring your blood sugar levels with a libre.

As for your question about whether your blood sugar levels are normal, I'm not a medical professional, so I can't give you a definitive answer. However, it's worth talking to your doctor about your concerns and discussing whether there are any additional steps you can take to manage your blood sugar levels and reduce your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Lastly, I want to congratulate you on your weight loss during your pregnancy and encourage you to keep working towards your health goals. It's not always easy, but it's important to prioritize your health and well-being. Wishing you all the best!

Click to expand...

Thank you for such a lovely message x

becca59 said:

And there you have the answer to your hunger. Breastfeeding makes you ravenous. Been there years ago. I am sure when you cease, your hunger levels will be on a more even keel. Just try and sate that hunger in a sensible manner.
As regards the blood glucose numbers. I would relax a little more, (stress increases those pesky numbers) eat in a healthy lower carb way and just do some random testing once a month perhaps. Keeping an eye on it, but chilling and enjoying your family.

Click to expand...

That will be really interesting to see, thanks @becca59. And a lovely reminder, thank you x