Borderline T2 Diabetes

Just after DH was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes there was a BBC programme The Truth About Carbs. It was so enlightening we watched it twice and I would recommend you watch it, it may be on You Tube. Just from watching this we leaned that a baked potato contains the equivalent of 20 teaspoons of sugar to a diabetic and we have both made baked potatoes which we previously considered healthy an occasional treat. We also read a lot of Michael Mosley’s information on low carb eating and intermittent fasting which we also found very useful. We made a lot of mistakes at first for example thinking rice cakes would be better for him than bread but in fact rice should be avoided so he changed to oat cakes and limited seeded bread which have helped to lower his cholesterol. DH has had two annual blood tests since his diagnosis and has stayed in the normal range. We have changed our shopping and eating habits and both lost three stone in weight. DH’s cholesterol was borderline high and the GP wanted him to go on medication but he asked her if he could try to bring it down through diet. We changed to oat milk, oat cakes, Seeded bread, Cholesterol lowering drinks and Benecol spread and his cholesterol came down to normal. He also used to have borderline high blood pressure but is now in the normal range. So DH has avoided three different medications through changing his eating habits and a little more exercise. Medication has its place of course but for now he has managed to avoid taking it, he consulted with the GP about trying to do without medication and she agreed to give him three months to try the dietary approach which in his case worked.

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I was also told I was pre diabetic a couple of years ago despite being within normal weight range. I panicked of course, did some research, read Michael Mosley and immediately reduced my carb intake. Lost about a stone and also lost the pre diabetes diagnosis. I am now very careful to restrict my intake of potatoes, rice and pasta, but haven't cut them out completely. I think the blood sugar monitor is a very good idea jeanie99, because as you say, we all react differently to carbs. Check out the LowCarb Support Thread.

I am also pre-diabetic. Just how close to the cusp I don't know. This has made for interesting reading and I will reduce my white carbs.

My blood pressure and cholesterol were slightly high but are now controlled with medication.

Thanks Jane will do, I have got to explore all avenues!

BlueSky there’s a link between thyroid function and prediabetes.
www.diabetes.co.uk/in-depth/can-abnormal-thyroid-function-affect-the-course-of-diabetes/
My advice would be to ask your surgery exactly what your TSH levels are.
I’ve been taking thyroxine for over 10 years and I’ve learned not to trust what receptionists tell me over the phone.
Last time the conversation went like this:
Me: please could you tell me the result if my blood test?
Receptionist: <after brief pause> It was normal, it’s fine.
Me: could you tell me the exact TSH level
please?
Receptionist: <gives audible sigh, followed by longer pause> It’s 0.1.

I know that the acceptable range for TSH is 2 to 4. I made an appointment with my doctor & asked him if I could reduce my thyroxine dose, as I’d been having symptoms (difficulty sleeping & palpitations).
He agreed straight away & 2 months later my symptoms have gone.
So don’t just accept what you are told in the first instance. I’ve come to the conclusion over the years that it’s quite hard to manage thyroid function but if it isn’t managed there are knock-on effects.
I have my blood tested every 6 months now.

DH did the 5:2 diet for a couple of months, with the intention of losing weight, he also 'lost' his diabetes, it is still there somewhere but he has been off all medication for nearly 5 years now, despite putting the extra weight back on and not being that active.

Vonners once you have done a finger prick test once you will realise it’s not painful!

Thank you Nonnie and Harrigran same here really but as I also have high bp I was starting to wonder whether I've got metabolic syndrome? Also have to work really hard not to put weight on. I also thought thyroid issues? I have a blood test every year because I'm on medication but they always say the thyroid is within range.

DH and I have both had this result once but never since so it could easily be an anomaly. Our GP says that with many of these tests they keep moving the goalposts so not to get too concerned about anything marginal.

I am on a diabetes prevention course at present, my blood sugar was one point above the normal range. Tomorrow I have another blood test to check how I am doing, I have always had a good varied diet with everything in moderation.

Thank you all, I have had a good look and yes I guess too many carbs especially as I don't eat meat fish or eggs. Hopefully it will help as I want to avoid more medication.

www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/glycemic-index-and-glycemic-load-for-100-foods

You might find this article helpful BkueSky.
It explains how knowing the glycaemic index of different forms of carbohydrate can help you manage your blood sugar levels.
Good luck.

Interesting about the carbs. GP said somthing about it all being about watching the carbs. I didn't comment as I had only watched the processed sugar. Guess in turn this 'watched the carbs' though as stopped biscuits, flapjack, cake, puddings........ Jeanie99, wish I had the courage to do the finger prick test.

Of course pasta, potatoes, rice will send your blood glucose up, they ate carbs, and pretty basic carbs at that, even if it was wholemeal pastas and brown rice.

Get thee to the low carb thread!

Hi,
"Sweet" stuff isnt the only food that releases glucose into the blood.

When managing diabetes you gotta think in terms of carb Vs activity, not just "sugary" food.

Its confusing because they talk about blood SUGAR being raised, but what raises it is excess carbs in general and they arent necessarily sweet to taste.

You do NOT need to ban carbs, or go on am extreme elimination low/no carb diet. You just need to retrain yourself to recognise what is in what you eat.

Do this by starting a VERY honest diary. You will need to initially actually weigh your food, we (people) are AWFUL at estimating weights and portions of foods!

Then work out where your excess carbs are coming from. You might be surprised, it might not even be from food it might be from "healthy" drinks/smoothies etc!

An app like myfitnesspal will do it for you and show you where you are either over carbing or under exercising.

Some years ago I was also borderline T2 diabetic.
GP said he didn't think I could avoid it and I said well I'd like to try.
Bought myself a meter, your can check your blood sugar levels by taking a finger prick test.
I have been normal since then by finding out which foods raise my blood sugar level.
I found out that what is a no no for me is not necessarily for someone else.
Keep a diary listing what you eat and the blood sugar result and you'll soon work it out.
GP said afterwards I had done really well he never would have thought I could alter the result.
Good luck.

Have a look at Michael Mosely's Blood sugar Diet book, he was borderline and reversed it through diet. There is some good advice and lots of very tasty recipes with 'regular' ingredients.

After blood test nurse said my reading was 60 and I needed to start meds. I said no way, I would change my diet/exercise. she informed me it wouldn't work or would be short lived. I think the meds was Metformin which I had previously been told once started you couldn't just stop.
I immediately gave up all processed sugar and products containing it. Within 3 months my reading was 51 and GP was very impressed.
Haven't made my next appointment tho as ate loads of chocolate I was given for my birthday and have had dessert in restaurants more times than I care to count! Oh and some Hotel Chocolat drink, like a chocolate Baileys, and some wine............
Still keeping off sugar at home and only eat wholegrain rice, make my own bread with a mix of spelt and wholemeal flour and use wholemeal pasta.

Thank you ladies a lots of good advice and reassurance too, which I always find from fellow Gnetters!

I had a similar result, Bluesky. Like you I hardly eat any sweet stuff. The exception is sugar in black coffee - I have a lot of that.
So she suggested changing to saccharine, and said not to worry. She more or less said at your age have what you like.
I'm a lot older than you btw.

My blood sugar has been dodgy for years but nothing's happened either way, I suppose it remains to be borderline, but I don't now have high BP, that reduced on its own. Also the creatinine ( kidneys ) test last time had reduced a notch.
I have to be different with tests reducing with age instead of increasing. Don't know the reason.

A friend has helped reduce and keep her sugar levels under control by cutting out most potatoes/pasta. She "treats" herself to a jacket spud about once a month.

White carbs ( rice pasta potatoes, except new) are as bad as sugar if not worse. Eat brown rice and pasta occasionally white carbs not at all if diabetic. If pre doing this could return your sugars to normal

All carbs turn to glucose in the blood, so high carb food should be restricted. As shysal says, have a look at low carb veggies, and see if you can make some changes. I've been eating low carb high fat for 3 years now, (not vegetarian) and seen great improvement in my digestion.