diagnosis of pre-diabetes

We have tough enough hides to deal with people like her, but what about people who dont? How many patients just dont go back and end up getting more ill? There used to be a GP at the practice, now thankfully retired who was awful to patients, funnily enough her specialism was diabetes too, are we seeing a pattern here? Going off subject rather, but when this GP made a home visit to me after I had a miscarriage, and asked how much blood I was losing, her reply was 'well, I dont know what you are worrying about, some women lose that much every month with their period'. Not the point when you have just had a miscarriage. I saw a different GP for my next pregnancy and he was a delight.

Awful way to treat patents. Most of the doctors at our practice are very nice I have to say. The only problem I had was when my hair fell out and after various tests etc my (female) GP said 'well you'll have to get a wig'. All good wishes for your husband's health.

We are fortunate really in that none of us have ever had any health problems that couldn't be dealt with at home. I trained as a homoeopath and treated the children's coughs, colds, stomach upsets, eczema by myself, and have to say the self treatment for my menopause worked well. I suppose that is another reason why we are so narked at her attitude; we must be really good value as a family, hardly cost the NHS anything. When the children were small i treated most things myself, and found to be honest that sleep, limited food, plenty of liquids and some painkillers if absolutely necessary were all that was needed. I didn't need to see a GP to tell me that!

Sorry, haven't read it all but my experience is different. Went for my annual blood test and was called back for a different one because it appeared I might be pre-diabetic. As I have a friend who is Type 2 I knew that eating carbs was important and I hadn't been eating them. I started eating them before the test and I was fine. Had to go back 6 months later for another test and did the same and was fine.

The doc said I was not overweight and that not all type 2 was caused by obesity, he said sometimes it is simply that the body become less good at things.

Next test will be in May so I will eat more carbs for a couple of weeks before.

I've retired!

Mamie, there is a lot of research information online to suggest that statins can make people more prone to diabetes. Just search diabetes and statins.

That's one reason why I won't take them

Isn't that a bit dangerous, GillT, mentioning that you are a homeopath on here? I always preferred using homeopathic remedies, or aromatherapy to treat illnesses.
When we first became vegetarian, my husband did not tell the dietician for years. I still eat lots of oats, rather than wheat because they stabilise blood sugar more than any other grain, and I like buckwheat and quinoa which are low GI. Is the Patrick Holford book about Glycaemic load?
I have his Optimum Nutrition, and his book about the brain.

Yes durhamjen, I saw the study about statins and type 2 and he is on simvastatin which is one of the ones mentioned. This is where it is difficult dealing with all this stuff in a foreign language. I don't think French doctors engage much in discussion about treatment, we have found it all quite paternalistic. It is very thorough, tests galore and you get a lot of time with the doctor (and carrier bags full of drugs), but you don't argue.....

When I discussed not taking statins with my GP, he told me I didn't have to take anything if I did not want to. That's because I had an aortic dissection last year - a year ago tomorrow, I have just realised- and came out of hospital with ten different drugs. I've stopped taking the statins now, but not because of the link with diabetes.
One reason not to move abroad was because of my husband being diabetic from when he was eleven years old. Couldn't afford the health insurance.

Fortunately the providers of the top-up insurance in France are not allowed to discriminate on health grounds; they have to accept you at the normal rate. It is still 150€ a month for the two of us though!

Nobody has to take any drugs/medication they don't want to, even if they're potentially life-saving. Doctors can only advise and prescribe!

Exactly what GP said to Mr Nonu !

Having had my thyroid removed 35 years ago because they could not decide if it was cancerous or not, it would be silly of me not to take thyroxine.

yes durhamjen I did wonder about letting slip the homoeopathy bit, I generally dont volunteer the information because of the barrage of criticism and scepticism I get.I dont practice, but keep it for family and friends. I do not think it is the complete answer to health issues, but I think there is a place for alternatives and complementary methods along with pharmaceuticals. Thyroid issues run in my family, dad and my uncles all on thyroxine, no alternative to that! The books I have ordered are Patrick Holford ' Say no to diabetes' and 'Low GL bible'. I look forward to reading them when they arrive at the weekend.

I have no willpower. I just cant stick anything but it doesn't help that everything you eat has a health warning, ive tried bread free days, I hate wholemeal and only have white which is bad, I have meat free days and chocolate free days. I try not to eat dairy as that's bad, I try to avoid salt but its in everything. Eggs cause cholesterol, all the yoghurts in our local supermarket have more than 5% sugar, bad again. I do use goats yo
ghurt which is really low. it takes so long doing my shopping that I get really depressed. meat causes bowel cancer, alcohol is high sugar but I don't much like it anyway im too scared I get addicted. Can anyone tell me any foods that have no health warnings. This is why I sometimes say what the hell and stuff my face.

Silverfish, I think you can ignore a lot of the warnings, which often come from unreliable sources. There is no problem with eggs, for example, and the view of fats is changing. I would say that it is best to stick to a natural diet of freshly cooked ingredients and avoid fast and processed foods. We have always stayed with butter, olive oil and yoghurt made from whole milk, because all the other stuff seems to have added sugar and chemical additives, which we avoid completely. We enjoy meat, but keep portion sizes small and are careful how we source it, eat fish a couple of times a week and grow a lot of our vegetables. If you cook your own food, you know exactly how much salt you are putting in. Would it help to plan a week's menus before you shop and allow for treats in your plan? It sounds from your post as if you don't really feel in control of what you buy and eat at the moment and that must make it hard for you.

Eggs don't 'cause cholesterol' Silverfish. The advice given by Mamie is really good.

Stick to simple meals you cook yourself. The 'old fashioned' meat (or fish) and two veg is actually quite healthy, providing you don't overdo the portion size of meat and remember that potatoes don't count as your two vegetables.

We haven't added salt to our cooking for years and have got used to it. When we eat out we always come home thirsty.

For those of you on thyroxine who still have thyroid glands you should know that broccoli is apparently best avoided. I love it and only read that after mine was long gone so was glad to know it was OK to eat.

We have all read the scare stories about statins but it seems to me that the risks associated with taking them are far less than the risks of not. I don't need them luckily!

Silverfish I hesitated to post and admit this but must say I sympathise with you, in that I too seem to have a junk food addiction, and can't seem to stop, no matter how I want to and need to for my health.

It is hard for others to understand.

It really seems like an addiction to me, and I have looked for help, but there is no where near us to go (like overeaters anon http://www.oa.org/membersgroups/find-a-meeting/) Maybe they have a meeting near you which might help?

It is a mental thing I'm sure. I have been referred by my doctor to the local gym (ugh) but will give it a go, as I suspect exercise will help if I can get into it. I understand it can make you feel happier in yourself, which may then make you want to eat in a more healthy way.

I really wouldn't want to develop full blown diabetes, if I can avoid it.

Nonnie why is broccoli best avoided if you have an under-active thyroid?

Does living in the UK make it more difficult to eat in a healthy way, I wonder? When I go to stay with my daughter I am amazed by the wonderful selection of tempting food and the fact that the shops hardly seem to close. We have to make a real effort to leave our hillside and go shopping (and to catch the shops open). We only go shopping a couple of times a week and French supermarkets don't have the range of tempting stuff that I see in the UK. (Those who love patisserie and charcuterie will probably disagree here).
You do see obesity in France and I know that Type 2 diabetes is on the increase, but in my experience it is entirely associated with poverty. Round here the older women are sturdy and the men are whippet thin!
I wonder if one answer would be to plan for the week, shop online and not physically go into food shops? Or am I being unrealistic?

jane wish I knew the 'why' but I can't remember. DS's fiancee is very knowledgeable about nutrition and I read it in a book she loaned me and was upset because I love it but then discovered it was alright if you had already had a thyroidectomy.

I just googled it and there is quite a lot of info about it if you look.

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Uncertain about exactly what you are seeking, before acquiring any medication or herbs you need to consult with a physician. To learn more or even to educate yourself you can go through some good websites like PositiveMed etc ... also you may get a free ebook on diabetics here www.diabetestreatmentadvice.com