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Type 2 or prediabetes?

Helen T

Helen T

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi everyone, this is my first post although I have been reading the forum for a while. I was diagnosed with type 2 6 weeks ago with fasting bloods of 7.0 & 7.3, my hba1c was 44. This naturally scared me into doing something about my diet & in the weeks running up to Christmas I managed to lose about 9lb which as I also have an under active thyroid is a major achievement!!!
The reason for my question though is that I was advised not to test my bloods as it could be stressful and give wrong readings as a result, of course I listened but then bought a meter anyway, I have since fallen off the wagon due to Christmas and this morning was the first time I tested & my reading was 6.1, I am practically back into my old eating habits which is not what I want, so I was actually hoping that my result would be higher to frighten me back to action.
Although other family members have type 2, this is new to me personally, my ex husband just laughed and said I don't have diabetes because he does & his bloods are always in the 20's, obviously I would not want that just to prove one way or the other.
The meter I bought was a codefree, are they reliable? Could I just have impaired glycemia or could I really be type 2 diabetic & have just been discovered borderline due to routine bloods? Hope someone with more experience than me can shed some pearls of wisdom for me.
Thank you
 
Hi Helen, welcome :)

An HbA1c of 44 is usually regarded as a prediabetic level, and fasting bloods of 7.0 and 7.3 are not that high. Nevertheless you were wise to take measures to stop it getting worse and I'm sure you will get back on the wagon. Many people here use the SD Codefree, but bear in mind that none of these meters are completely accurate. Individual readings are mostly within +/- 10% but sometimes you can get outliers up to 20% out. If you don't believe a particular reading just retest. In the longer term, trends are more valid as the inaccuracies average themselves out.

What were you eating to lose the 9 lb? I'm interested because my wife has an underactive thyroid and although she is not diabetic she does LCHF with me but struggles to lose weight.
 
If your levels at two consecutive blood tests were over 7 then they have to class you as T2 but that does not mean you will have any higher levels than that My husband was diagnosed at just over 7 and at his three month test he was still averaging 7 he stopped the sugar stuff but eats more of less as he did before with other foods except no pasta or rice and porridge and one slice of toast with reduced sugar jam instead of the three Shredded Wheat and two slices of toast and jam he always had for breakfast.
No meter will be 100% accurate they are used just to give you general idea of your BG levels you can test at meal times to see what certain foods do but you do not seem to have much to worry about with the results you are getting Well done for loosing the weight
 
Hi and welcome!

Have a read of this thread for the full low down on the 'type 2s don't need to test' nonsense. ;)
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/have-you-been-told-not-to-test-your-blood-sugars.66574/

On a side note, may I suggest that your husband has a read of this forum, and the website bloodsugar101 (see link in my signature).

He may think that blood glucose in the 20s is normal, but he won't be so complacent when the complications start to hit - and those complications will tremendously impact both your lives.
 
Thank you for taking the time to reply, When I was first diagnosed I was so scared of what this could do to me & as I didn't have a meter I was really strict with my eating as I couldn't tell if my food was good or bad for me. I don't want to slip into complacency or denial based on my results so I've decided not to test all the time.
I've got my 1st diabetes review next week, would this be a time to discuss anything that is worrying me?

Thank you & happy new year
 
Helen T said:
Thank you for taking the time to reply, When I was first diagnosed I was so scared of what this could do to me & as I didn't have a meter I was really strict with my eating as I couldn't tell if my food was good or bad for me. I don't want to slip into complacency or denial based on my results so I've decided not to test all the time.
I've got my 1st diabetes review next week, would this be a time to discuss anything that is worrying me?

Thank you & happy new year
Click to expand...

Please don't avoid the issue by not testing. Above all, you need to know and yes, the review is when you go armed with the questions to which you need answers. Mike :)

HNY :)
 
The meter empowers you Helen - I would do as much testing as you are comfortable with between now and your DN appointment to demonstrate what diet control can do. The DN will probably try and push the NICE Eatwell Plate at you so you need to be prepared to resist that - evidence from testing will help you do that.

Good luck and Happy New Year!
 
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