female aged 66 .i weigh 8stone 4, am 5.5 tall waist measurement of 27 inches, and no fat around my middle, exercise regularly , very active with a healthy diet and dont drink but have been told im on the edge of prediabetes. my dr has put this down to PTSD stress and to just continue staying slim and being active.. the national diabetes programme say that theres nothing they can offer me as im doing everything right BUT im still freaked out by this... any help would be so welcome !!!
what to do ????
- Thread starter fragrens
- Start Date
MrsA2
Expert
- Messages
- 6,734
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
That must be frustrating, but you're not alone. Theres name TOFI which stands for Thin on the outside ,fat inside , which was coined to cover body types such as yours in the belief this always have fat stored around their internal organs. It's not strictly accurate though, but will give you the phrase to put in the search box above.
Your in a good position to make afew changes that might get you back to "normal". Look at replacing some carbohydrates with healthy fats, perhaps eating less often (but not decreasing intale) or even doing the occasional longer fast.
Its late and I can't type much more but have a good read around, breathe and know you've got this. You've come to the right place for support
thankyou so so much for your help and support. im very grateful,. i will look up TOFI. what threw me about this was having a flat stomach and a small waist measurement. Everything i read talked of how important the waist measurement was, my thinking is this is why my doctors are never concerned. i have totally eradicated all processed sugar and carbs and been so careful about replacing with healthy fats and protein as i really dont want to lose weight.. iv been the same size all of my life since 16. i think when you are skinny and active you dont worry about eating the wrong things because you dont put weight on and there is probably the cause !! i have met people who are long distance cyclists saying they have been diagnosed as prediabetic in their 60s. we eat junk to keep up the calories !!!
Resurgam
Master
- Messages
- 10,085
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Diet only
@fragrens - people are often scandalised by the amount of protein I eat - but over the years since diagnosis I have become stronger. I went back to work servicing knitting machines as I realised I was able to move them around again. On the 'healthy' diet I was following I was becoming weaker and fatter every year.
MrsA2
Expert
- Messages
- 6,734
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
A key saying on here is that "you can't out run a bad diet". Now a bad diet for anyone in the t2 spectrum is more or less any carbs. So your exercise regime has kept it in check, until now.
And as for losing more weight. A little more may go off as you adjust your diet but then it will normalise again.
I'm similar age and height to you. Was 13 to 14 stone, got down to 10 now seem (5 years In) to be settling at 11. Would like to be lighter but I'm not as exercise driven as you.
Over time you'll adjust to getting more calories from fats and protein .
How's the reading and research going?
That must be frustrating, but you're not alone. Theres name TOFI which stands for Thin on the outside ,fat inside , which was coined to cover body types such as yours in the belief this always have fat stored around their internal organs. It's not strictly accurate though, but will give you the phrase to put in the search box above.
Your in a good position to make afew changes that might get you back to "normal". Look at replacing some carbohydrates with healthy fats, perhaps eating less often (but not decreasing intale) or even doing the occasional longer fast.
Its late and I can't type much more but have a good read around, breathe and know you've got this. You've come to the right place for support
thankyou so much for your help.. having spoken to a diabetic nurse iv had a new insight. over 4 years my hbac1 has ranged from 43, 42, 41.(uk 41 is normal range) My Docter suggested that as my weight is so low , i have no belly fat , i exercise etc that my blood sugar has been elevated due to a crazy amount of trauma and stress which was diagnosed as ptsd. i have looked at the pattern and at 41 i had not changed anything but life was a bit more normal. the next test at 6 months was 43. i had another huge stress over the three previous months with my stepfather nearly dying. im keeping at the diet because i LOVE it and never want all that rubbish food again. but its been suggested i need to really try and manage my stress levels.
- Messages
- 1,557
- Type of diabetes
- Other
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
Chronic Stress wreaks havoc with our metabolism. It causes the release of those flight or fight stress hormones. Glucocorticoids and catecholamines are the main stress hormones. Most of us deal with stress, it is part of life. However, when stress is at constant levels over long periods of time, then it can cause issues that can contribute to long term health issues, like diabetes. Those stress hormones can disrupt your glucose homeostasis, increase insulin resistance, which is one of the main drivers of T2DM, and oxidative stress.
And suffering with PTSD can make you relive those stressors and traumas over and over, like a movie playing in your head. It can keep you in a hyper vigilant state, resulting in your body being revved up all the time.
Finding ways to release that stress is key. Exercise which you already do is a good one, meditation techniques also help. Finding time to relax without ruminating on stuff would also help. Dancing / movement and hobbies also help. Prediabetes is not diabetes, however, it is certainly a warning, but it is not inevitable.
Edited for grammar
oh my goodness me THANKYOU THANKYOU. Basically i lost my whole family and partner in 4 years in pretty awful circumstances. i refused to go near a docter or ages because i was terrified of what physical state i was in. One part of me thinks if the worst i have is prediabetes its a miracle really. But grieving multiple losses is mega hard and starting in life all over again is no cakewalk and how you discribe the ptsd is EXACT. Your message has given me a whoosh of confidence !! The one area i am so blessed in is sleep.. i sleep perfectly for 8 hours every night . and i think this is why iv survived it all. In a way the prediabetes is a blessing because its an opportunity to look after my body better and that in turn will help my mind..THANKYOU AGAIN !
- Messages
- 1,557
- Type of diabetes
- Other
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
@fragrens, I am so very sorry to hear of your losses. I cannot begin to imagine your pain. It can be very difficult to break that cycle, those painful thought patterns. Your Prediabetes diagnosis is an opportunity, and it’s positive that you see it that way. It’s a wake up call for you to make changes in your life, changes that allow your mind and body to heal and move forward. Stay strong. Mel
MrsA2
Expert
- Messages
- 6,734
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
For PTSD and all stress I recommend a technique called EFT (aka tapping) .
Just 2 sessions cured me of a 26 year long issue I hadn't realised was still affecting me so much.
Professional counsellors can be found here. Just search your area
www.bacp.co.uk
Also yoga, meditation and friends!
Just 2 sessions cured me of a 26 year long issue I hadn't realised was still affecting me so much.
Professional counsellors can be found here. Just search your area
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
BACP is the professional association for members of the counselling professions in the UK. We exist for one simple reason - counselling changes lives
www.bacp.co.uk
Also yoga, meditation and friends!
many thanks, i will look into all of this.... what fantastic people on this site !
