Diagnosed pre- diabetic

My results are on Patient Access today.

47mmol/ mol normal.

I tend to agree with watermeadow. Not worrying about it.

The most useful help I got for DH was the plate guide
Half veg (excluding potatoes)1/4 protein 1/4 carbs (preferably complex) and a small amount of fat.
The recipes always seemed to contain things he/we didn’t eat, e.g. cooked cheese, or avocado but adapting them seemed to work.

Been for pre diabetes blood test today at their request. I got a text to say as it is my birthday month I was being offered this.

I asked the girl who did it if I was pre diabetic because if I was I couldn’t remember. Computer said I was tested in 2016 as pre diabetic. She said carry on doing what I have been doing as it’s clearly working after 8 years. I said “I haven’t done anything!” she said “well your body must be very healthy”.

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As I said up thread my husband realizes he is borderline Type 2 and has changed his lifestyle and diet. It doesn’t matter what you call it a lot of us are overweight and need to recognise we have to eat and drink more carefully as we get older. And take regular exercise even if it’s just a brisk walk.

watermeadow

I think ‘prediabetes’ was invented by the drug manufacturers. If you research this you find that many medical people do not believe it is an actual medical condition. Of those told they have it, only a very small number develop diabetes.
If you are very overweight and afraid of getting Type 2 diabetes you must lose weight.

How does it help drug manufacturers? Pre-diabetics aren't prescribed medication. It's a warning of diabetes. It isn't a medical condition, but somebody with a borderline HbA1c is likely to be in worse shape with healthier levels.

I wish I'd taken it more seriously when I was told I had pre-diabetes all those years ago.

I think ‘prediabetes’ was invented by the drug manufacturers. If you research this you find that many medical people do not believe it is an actual medical condition. Of those told they have it, only a very small number develop diabetes.
If you are very overweight and afraid of getting Type 2 diabetes you must lose weight.

BeverleyJB

Cutting out certain foods seems to me both unnecessary and possibly harmful to both physical health and mental well-being. The key is moderation - even the Diabetes UK website says you can eat “anything”. The truth is that many of us eat too many processed foods, refined carbohydrates and not a healthy varied diet and are also not active enough.

There are many websites which provide low-carb recipes so you don't have to give up “treats” such as cakes and desserts, just need to make them with different ingredients.

This

My husband has to watch what he eats and drinks, he’s not been diagnosed Type 2 but has most of the symptoms. He exercises more, goes to the gym 3 days a week, has smaller meals, restricted alcohol. I eat a low carb diet myself so it fits in well and I don’t have to nag him, for a man he's pretty good about health issues.

Gwyllt

I was told about five years ago I was just pre diabetic as an X dietitian I was a bit indignant as thought I ate pretty well
I think there is a bit more too it
Easy I said to myself cut the odd bit of chocolate and biscuit. Dropped the two kilo I had put on over the years Back down to BMI of 20.5 I have always been fairly fit but started doing an extra 2 - 3 mile Brisk walk most days. After 6 months I waited keenly for my blood results Hadn’t budged at all

Move on a bit hips packed up developed vasculitis put on steroids. Had dissected aorta repair. Inactive and dependent on crutches till got new hips. What I ate was not always my priority
Again bloods remained stubbornly the same
Back fit and healthy and still no change.
So what is the answer. I wish I knew

Invent a time machine!

Your body functions less well as you age. You can slow down the process, but you can't stop it. Imagine what your HbA1c would be now, if you didn't eat well.

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I was told about five years ago I was just pre diabetic as an X dietitian I was a bit indignant as thought I ate pretty well
I think there is a bit more too it
Easy I said to myself cut the odd bit of chocolate and biscuit. Dropped the two kilo I had put on over the years Back down to BMI of 20.5 I have always been fairly fit but started doing an extra 2 - 3 mile Brisk walk most days. After 6 months I waited keenly for my blood results Hadn’t budged at all

Move on a bit hips packed up developed vasculitis put on steroids. Had dissected aorta repair. Inactive and dependent on crutches till got new hips. What I ate was not always my priority
Again bloods remained stubbornly the same
Back fit and healthy and still no change.
So what is the answer. I wish I knew

jeanie99

Continuation
I forgot to add, I have thought that perhaps my insulin levels in my 70s may have caused the prediabetic state. At almost 80 now I reckon it is another part of getting older. I may be wrong on this but our bodies do not work so well in old age. I have lots of things wrong with me now that I didn't have 10 years ago.

Have you had it confirmed that your insulin levels are high?

What usually happens is that you develop insulin resistance when the body can't access the glucose in your blood. The pancreas produces more insulin to help the process, but unless the insulin resistance improves, the pancreas just keeps on producing insulin until it wears out.

One thing you could do is move more. Even if you can't exercise, there are chair exercises you can do.

Grandmadinosaur

growstuff I do eat a lot of berries and pears. The other fruits which are high sugar wise are tropical ones like melon, pineapple etc which I love.

Just have them occasionally and only in small portions.

I love them too, but usually avoid them.

Continuation
I forgot to add, I have thought that perhaps my insulin levels in my 70s may have caused the prediabetic state. At almost 80 now I reckon it is another part of getting older. I may be wrong on this but our bodies do not work so well in old age. I have lots of things wrong with me now that I didn't have 10 years ago.

You could always get yourself a blood glucose monitor to help identify the foods that spike your levels.

I've been pre diabetic for years.
I was keen to reduce my sugar levels at first and kept a journal recording before and after sugar levels for the different meals I ate.
I still don't eat or occasionally eat certain foods which did raise the levels but to be honest I'm still prediabetic.
I don't think it's possible for me to have a normal reading no matter what I eat.
I have my bloods taken once a year and it always comes back as expected pre-diabetic.

growstuff I do eat a lot of berries and pears. The other fruits which are high sugar wise are tropical ones like melon, pineapple etc which I love.

Bananas are one of the most sugary fruits - berries and apples or pears are better. However, if the choice is between a banana and chocolate brownie, go for the banana.

Grandmadinosaur

I agree with you Sarnia regarding the carbs.

Until I had a pre diabetic diagnosis 18 months ago I was unaware of the carbs that are in milk. If you have several cups of tea/coffee a day they will mount up. I changed my coffee shop lattes and cappuccinos to an Americano and tightened up my diet where too many snacks had crept in. 6 months later after having a blood test for another health issue my levels had come down significantly and my GP said keep doing what you’re doing.

I didn’t find the help offered a lot of use. I had asked for some advice regarding hidden sugars in foods etc. I waited about 3 months for an telephone consultation with a NHS dietitian who told me they can’t tell people what and what not to eat. The only thing she advised was not to eat bananas that were overripe as they contained more sugar. Well I never 😬

The worst thing NHS dieticians do is tell people to fill up on starchy carbs.

muckandnettles

I'm afraid that going 'cold turkey' is my only way with sugary things. I agree that nothing is off limits and no food is 'bad' but it depends how you do things and personally I'm better off cultivating a taste for garlic, cheese, chilli and herbs etc, rather than finding ways to appease my sweet tooth.

I agree with you. I've had T2 diabetes for half my life, but it's always been well-controlled. I avoid all obviously sweet things like the plague and my diet is low carb (ie carbs not just sugar).

I don't even try to find alternatives - I just avoid them and have developed low carb eating habits. There's no point having half a low sugar biscuit because I actually want the whole packet, so I don't want to be tempted.

A few times a year, I indulge and eat something really bad for me, like an enormous piece of chocolate cake.

I agree with you Sarnia regarding the carbs.

Until I had a pre diabetic diagnosis 18 months ago I was unaware of the carbs that are in milk. If you have several cups of tea/coffee a day they will mount up. I changed my coffee shop lattes and cappuccinos to an Americano and tightened up my diet where too many snacks had crept in. 6 months later after having a blood test for another health issue my levels had come down significantly and my GP said keep doing what you’re doing.

I didn’t find the help offered a lot of use. I had asked for some advice regarding hidden sugars in foods etc. I waited about 3 months for an telephone consultation with a NHS dietitian who told me they can’t tell people what and what not to eat. The only thing she advised was not to eat bananas that were overripe as they contained more sugar. Well I never 😬

If you can manage it intermittent fasting has a good effect on blood sugar. There are numerous plans. 5/2. Eat.
Low calorie 2 days a week. Or I do 16:8. I eat in an 8 hour slot and fast the rest. As most of this is when I am asleep, it is very easy.
I should add that I have never been hungry and my blood sugar has remained below diabetic level now, for the past eight years

I'm afraid that going 'cold turkey' is my only way with sugary things. I agree that nothing is off limits and no food is 'bad' but it depends how you do things and personally I'm better off cultivating a taste for garlic, cheese, chilli and herbs etc, rather than finding ways to appease my sweet tooth.

Reduce your carb intake. The Diabetes UK site is full of information and should be able to help you.