New to pre diabetes and seeking to learn fast!

[DevonMichael]

My June Hba1c blood test of 44 has been confirmed again this week as 44 so it is pre diabetes. Whilst the cholesterol check has jumped from 4 in June to 6 this week. So I am now adding statins to my growing medicine chest to bring down my cholesterol and my new years resolution is to lose weight and also cut out nice things like sticky toffee pudding and custard to reduce the sugar in take.

I understand that the Hba1c reading of 20-42 is normal and 48 upwards is diabetes and I am in middle and could go either way. This is all new to me so I need to learn fast and get my diet sorted!

[Activity2004 Administrator]

Hi DevonMichael ,

Welcome to the group. Please continue to do more postings and/or comments, asking questions, take the polls on the polls section and meeting the other members of the group.

Please check out the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation's website for the free leaflets on "A Healthy Diet and Diabetes ", "Exercise and Diabetes " and "What is Diabetes?". All leaflets can be downloaded, read and/or listened to anytime. Go to: drwf.org.uk/diabetes-leaflets

Hope this helps!

[DevonMichael in reply to Activity2004]

Thanks for link with source of leaflets, I can see a healthy diet and diabetes is a good starting base for me!

[Activity2004 Administrator in reply to DevonMichael]

You're welcome! Anytime you have any questions, feel free to go ahead and ask.

[clivealive]

Hi DevonMichael Have you been prescribed Metformin?

I was told I was diabetic in March 2015 with an HbA1c reading of 51 and put on 4 x 500mg Metformin per day and by August 2015 my weight had come down from 13.5 stones down to 12.5 stones (I'm six feet four inches tall) and I was cut down to 2 Metformin a day my HbA1c having gone down to 41.

My last reading in August 2016 was the same as yours 44 so it would seem that Metformin has really helped as I haven't radically changed my diet apart from adding more oats into my normal breakfast of Grapenuts, banana and All Bran and a late supper with dried fruit.

One problem with Metformin is that it can affect absorption of Vitamin B12 a deficiency of which can lead to neurological problems but as I have had P.A. for 45 years it doesn't affect me because I receive B12 injections every three weeks.

I wish you well

[DevonMichael in reply to clivealive]

Thanks Clive for your information and good wishes. I have spent the past 6 months learning about Giant Cell Arteritis (my new disease!) so only beginning with pre diabetes. I have been given simvastatin 20mg to be taken at night. I will note your support for Metformin when I have next review with GP. Thanks!

[Theziggy]

Try cutting out some carbs from your diet - carbs are basically sugar in disguise and raise blood sugar levels accordingly.

If you have a way to test (e.g. a blood sugar meter and believe you me it is worth getting one just for initial tests) test before you eat, then test an hour and two hours after and you will see exactly what your food is doing to your blood sugar levels. I was told porridge is good for you, releases energy slowly, but when I tested it, it was sending my sugar levels skywards so I learned to cut it out of my diet. Whereas two boiled eggs (I'm a vegetarian which made it more difficult!!) hardly moved my blood sugar levels - so I could mark eggs as a good food.

I was diagnosed over 8 years ago and haven't taken a single tablet for my diabetes Type 2, but I've taken control of it instead of letting it take control of me!

[Anjijag in reply to Theziggy]

That is exactly what I am trying to do as well. I am trying to lower my blood sugar levels to an acceptable level. It is a work in progress. Can I ask you if you have found other types of breakfast besides boiled eggs that work for you? I firmly believe in controlling diabetes and not letting it dictate how you live your life.

[warwickstag]

Sound advice Ziggy. Tablets aren't the answer, particularly statins which are highly toxic. Take control of your diet and your cholesterol and blood sugars will look after themselves. Carbs are the biggest problem but take control of these and your life will change for the better. Because of the huge vested interests of the Pharmaceutical industry and the medical profession, you need to take a huge leap of faith and largely ignore their dietary advice, which has barely changed in the last 30 years despite an explosion in the occurrence of Type 2 Diabetes. They know the answers but can't afford to reveal them. If you like reading, try the following:-

The Great Cholesterol Con by Malcolm Kendrick

The Calorie Myth by Jonathon Bailor

Pure, White and Deadly by John Yudkin.

The internet is full of people who's lives have been destroyed by Statins, but also full of stories of hope by people who have taken the non pharmaceutical route and cured themselves by taking control of their diet.

Good Luck.

[DevonMichael in reply to warwickstag]

Thanks for the carb advice. The statins are a concern information in the public domain seems to swing like a pendulum from killer to saviour. Really confusing.

[Activity2004 Administrator]

DevonMichael ,

Has your Endocrinologist (diabetes doctor) talked to you about carb counting? How many carbs/meal and snack are you suppose to have? Counting carbs may help keep the blood sugars from going very high or very low. Everyone is different, so what one person can have for a total for a snack or meal may not be the same, or work for the next person.

[DevonMichael in reply to Activity2004]

Not seen an endocrinologist just the GP, the surgery appear to be picking up people who have had a blood test registering over 42 on Hba1c, I got a phone call saying I was 44 from June. Had a further test this week which also was 44. GP has asked me to take simvastatin 20mg for 6 months and to eat sensibly and return in 6 months for further Hba1c and cholesterol blood tests. My problem at the moment is I am on long term Prednisolone for Giant Cell Arteritis and the steroid side effect is increased appetite!!

[Activity2004 Administrator in reply to DevonMichael]

Can you eat protein so you're not getting hungry when you're not ready to eat?

[DevonMichael in reply to Activity2004]

Yes I have been snacking on the fruit bowl instead of the biscuit jar (Thinking it virtuous and hitting five a day) however I probably need to learn a bit more about options, do not really fancy seeds and nuts though!

[Activity2004 Administrator in reply to DevonMichael]

What about yogurt that's Greek based and a few grapes and/or apple on the side?

[DevonMichael in reply to Activity2004]

Thanks I can do that!

[Activity2004 Administrator in reply to DevonMichael]

Okay! Try a greek yogurt and a normal sized apple to start with and add the carbs from the yogurt to the apple and it should be okay. Fruit depending on size and amount, is usually 15 carbs each piece. Yogurt is different depending on type and brand.