Feeling quite scared and very shocked.

Thanks for all the replies. One test came back with a reading of 500 instead of under 50 for IBS so have to have hospital appointment soon. But all the rest are clear and I start the prediabetic living healthy course on Monday. Also another blood test next week but don't know what for. I didn't ask. Can't believe the speed and thoroughness of my GP. They always knock the NHS in the press but I think this is first class.

Sadly about 10% of type 2 suffers don’t fall into the overweight/obese range.

Thirst is one of the biggest pointers toward diabetes.

You can develope type 2 and not be overweight it is just bad genes and bad luck . Having been diagnosed 20 years ago I can tell you things are not nearly as bad as they seem . I have controlled mine all the time by diet and medication and really do not regard it as a hardship . Do research this yourself there is a good type 2 forum on Facebook full of advice a lot of which your GP or diabetic nurse will not give you . This is not the end of your world by any means .

I was diagnosed with diabetes in Oct. 48 is the cut off point so you aren't bad vnearly everyone I know over 65 is diabetic I think the doctors are over reacting I stuck to a low carb diet no pasta rice potatoes and obviously Cales and sugar products.My last test was 42 I'm not worried

My DD3 is a type 1 Diabetic (since she was 8) so I follow Diabetes UK and they say this

“ the typical assumption is that people with type 2 diabetes will be overweight and not inject insulin, while people with type 1 diabetes will be, if anything, underweight.

But these perceptions just aren't always true. Around 20% of people with type 2 diabetes are of a healthy weight when diagnosed, and many of them are dependent on insulin.”

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a couple of years ago, and last year started a keto diet where you count carbs. Carbs turn into sugar in the body which is why diabetics often improve with reducing them. I have now gone back to being pre-diabetic, and have been told that in a few months time they might stop my medication if I continue to improve as I have been doing. I've also lost 2 stone in weight. This is by far the best and most effective diet I've ever been on - and I've done them all. Our local health centre is now encouraging people to try keto. It might be worth you talking to your own health centre about it.

I would also like to add that I appreciate it isn’t always possible or desirable, but I really think taking responsibility for your own health and actively tackling the issue at hand is a really good way to go. It helps you be much more positive, with less of a feeling that life is doing stuff to you and more of being in control and optimistic.

Yes! My husband was exactly the same and I imposed a strict no carb diet, he was within the normal range within months.

Excellent advise jane43

Fennel. My husband was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in March 2018. It was a shock as it was found out from a test from something else and although his sister and mother were both Type 2 unlike them he is very slim so didn’t really expect to get it. After a lot of research and trial and error he has managed to get into the normal range. He is probably too thin but found a low carb diet most effective. So after losing the fat around his tummy he now eats lots of high calorie fats which keep his weight stable and sometimes he puts on a pound. He eats a lot of nuts, full fat yogurt, some cheese, oily fish etc. This diet did present another problem by raising his cholesterol over the level his doctor was happy with so he has Benecol spread and a cholesterol lowering drink every day as well as oats every day. This has lowered his cholesterol. Avacodoes are good too but he hates them.

Like you he was shocked and as he has never had a weight problem it was new territory for him but he was determined to avoid being put on medication if possible. The low carb diet was the solution, the information by Michael Mosley and diabetes forums have helped him a great deal.

The diabetes nurse was very encouraging but to be honest some of the information she gave us was out of date. I can’t praise Michael Mosley’s Information and approach enough.

My problem is that I'm already very thin, and have lost even more weight recently due to another health issue. Trying to replace it.
This thread has made me rethink - I'll ask the GP next time I'm there.

Sorry to hear that... lots of hype out there on diabetics but look up Dr Michael Mosley 5:2 or his new book on 800 cal diet: can reduce you from being pre- diabetic...I have tried the 5:2 and found it easy lost 1 stone!

Do you know what your blood sugar reading was? You may only just be in the category that classes you as prediabetic. I was diagnosed the same in Feb and reversed it through diet and exercise by May. I feel so much better generally for doing so, every aspect of my health has improved, including my asthma and chronic sinusitis. Found out if your surgery runs diabetic clinics or whether they have health coaches. Both of these would give you the support you need

It is a shock when first diagnosed. It's a good idea to buy a tester and see what your blood sugars are first thing in the morning. Codefree is a good one. And find out what foods cause the blood sugars to rise.
Another thing is exercise. Going for a half an hour walk each morning might just make the Hbaic drop a bit.
Minimise the sugar, step up proteins and veg in your diet.
Read a few books.
All best wishes.

DH has had Type 2 diabetes for years, which he controls very well with diet and prescription medicines, and his readings are very good.
Every diabetic is different, and what works for one in terms of diet may not be right for another.
We eat more or less the same ( lots of veg, only lean meat, fish, etc, some carbs but avoid sugar) except that DH eats biscuits which I don’t. I eat some fruit which he doesn’t, yet guess which of us finds it hard to shift excess weight.

As you are not overweight, it sounds like yours is genetic, OP, so take advice and see what works for you. It is not something to worry about at this stage.

Sazzl Not being over weight doesn't mean you can't develop diabetis. If your bloods show that you have it or are borderline there is absolutely no need to worry or be scared. Your Dr will follow up with whatever meds are required and advice on how to deal with it. Thousands upon thousands of people manage their diabetis with little or know problems. I am diabetic and I also have an under active thyroid and both these things cause me no problems when I am following Drs orders.

Another here pre diabetes, I cut out all sugar I was in such shock and horror. I work in an allied health field so am more than aware of the consequences.
Diet certainly does sort this out and will prevent the need for meds, but you need to be disciplined now about this. If you are there should be no need to worry.

There is a condition called Metabolic syndrome. High blood pressure, high cholesterol etc. Diabetes often goes hand in hand with these. I had the first two. So did my mother and father, sister and several aunts though never associated with diabetes in those days. . Little did I know what was waiting. Never crossed my mind. Anyway I am in a far far better place now.

Have been told it's genetic..

helpful !

Heloful BBbevan. Thanks.

sazzl like you my diagnoses came out of the blue, but I was diabetic. My GP just rang and said you are diabetic. End of conversation. A month later a letter came from NHS dietician for an appointment 2 months hence. I declined it and went on the Michael Mosley ' Reverse your diabetes in 8 weeks' And I did it.
So don't panic. You are not diabetic yet and may never be if you get a grip on your diet. I do low-carb which works for me. Good luck ,

I have diabetes, not overweight either. In the family, think it's genetic .

Firstly, I would suggest that you look on the diabetes UK website, lots of really useful information about all types of diabetes. I've known several people with type 2 who aren't overweight. It seems that sometimes there is internal fat around the organs that starts type 2. Secondly I suggest getting a blood sugar monitor and test before meals and then an hour or two after to see how much your blood sugars rise. Make a note of what you have eaten and you will find out what to avoid. Lots of people believe that there are good carbohydrates but whether white or brown they all turn into simple sugars and need insulin to deal with them. If the body isn't producing insulin, or not enough then blood sugars will rise.
Please don't panic but if you are pro active you don't have to become diabetic, you don't have to allow it to develop until you end up on insulin and you can put in on to remission . The progress of type 2 is not inevitable.
I speak as the mother of an adult child with type 1 and a husband who has put type 2 into remission by following the low carb high fat diet. At present you might only be pre diabetic so you have the time to change .

Goose I know my friend I was quoting is on insulin three times a day and a slow release over night