Pred-induced Diabetes worries?: I thought people... - PMRGCAuk

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Pred-induced Diabetes worries?

PMRpro profile image
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I thought people whose doctors are panicking about their Hba1c levels might find this interesting and reassuring:

medpagetoday.com/primarycar...

An Hba1c of 7% is 53mmol/mol. So an Hba1c of 47, which is where a lot of GPs start to get worried isn't really as bad as they think.

Mind you - getting them to see it that way might take a while!!!

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Well that's a relief, mine was 47 at last blood test. Dr said "if it's not down at next blood test in six months, he will send me to see the diabetic nurse" so if she is diabetic, I'll give her some advice 😲

If you can latch on to that one! 😵

Longtimer profile image
Longtimer in reply to

Mine was 44 a month ago, and they have made me an appointment to go diabetic nurse next week....also suggested, do I want to go to diabetes meetups...er...no, not at this point in time.....will be interesting to see what happens next week.....

in reply to

What! A train in the surgery! Surely not! Schooldays never end!

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

Thanks for posting. I think mine was 41 and made me the subject of intervention threats too.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

It’s the Pred wot does it! They just go into panic mode over all sorts of things - mostly unnecessarily 😲which of really reassures the patient.

Interesting reading and I will have to ask what my reading was last time.

karools16 profile image
karools16

In October 2017, mine was 41. My GP didn't comment on the result.According to the Diabetes website, I am not pre-diabetic, as Endo said, but in the normal range.

Pat9442 profile image
Pat9442

Mine is 77. Tried to tell GP it was because I had had 2 steroid injections in the last three months but he says that does not increase sugar levels!!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Pat9442

I'd dispute that. However - 2 steroid injections shouldn't send it up that much so in a way he is right to be a bit concerned.

Have you tried cutting your carbs a lot? It really does help

Pat9442 profile image
Pat9442 in reply to PMRpro

1slice of toast in morning, 2cream crackers plus cheese and fruit at lunch. Main meal does not include potatoes (I hate them) very Occasional sweet treat

Can’t cut much more out!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Pat9442

No. it isn't a lot but I bet if you weighed them and calculated your total carb intake it would be rather more than you think it is! I really have to get below 30g utilisable carb to lose weight - and that is half a German bread roll! All veggies have some carb and fruit is a real contributor, it doesn't matter if they are "good" carbs, they are carbs!

For example, 1 slice bread is 10g carb, an apple 14g, a small banana 19g, a large one 31g, 2 crackers 10g, Then there are the veggies in the main meal - which soon add up to 20g or more. A small amount in milk in tea/coffee, jam on the toast?

in reply to Pat9442

Could you replace morning toast with scrambled egg or omelette with cheese? It's hard initially but it will drop hba1c. I am on insulin and halve my units if I have plain scrambled eggs.

Sounds weird but have cheese and Apple wrapped in lettuce with cucumber. It's sounds like somethings missing but you will get used to it. Or replace cream cracker for ryvita. Same carbs but more fibre and fats if multigrain ones.

Maybe do that in the week and have weekends with a bit of bread. New potatoes release their sugars more slowly than normal pots.

I will be back to my carbs and cals book which has pictures of the food and carb count per portion. Really easy and has a bit of everything. Highly recommend just because it shows you 3 different portion sizes for each food.

Mstiles profile image
Mstiles in reply to

What is the name of that book Poopadoop?

in reply to Mstiles

Carbs and cals..by cheyette and balolia. It's a diabetes UK associated book.

Mstiles profile image
Mstiles in reply to

Thank you

in reply to Pat9442

It's surprising where the carbs are hiding. A long time ago I bought myself a pocket book issued by Diabetes UK. It list most foods, including the snacks you mention and shows the amount of Carb, Calories, Protein and Fat. You will be surprised how many Carbs in something badly chosen 😵 even a digestive biscuits has 11 carbs 😲

They seem to panic unnecessarily when it gets to mid 40s...but if anyone is worried, the low carbs work to bring it down and carb rich sends it up. During the snow period I ate more carbs than usual - probably boredom and being stuck in the house. A loaf of rye bread that normally lasts 3 to 4 weeks as frozen was scoffed in a week and my daily readings shot up. I am not worried as I will be back to low carbs now so it will settle before next hba1c in 21/2 months.

An inch off your waistline makes a big difference and isn't hard to achieve on low carb.

Maz48 profile image
Maz48

I have already been intervented! Mine was 46 after upping my preds once again, so ive now been put on tabs, ! To bring it down . 😔 oh well.

Longtimer profile image
Longtimer in reply to Maz48

Good grief, perhaps that is what will be suggested to me next week.........will be interested to see if my reading from 44 has changed in a month though I doubt it...when my doctor rang she said just cut out sugar....but have cut carbs as well, I cook all meals from scratch, don`t drink alcohol, so it`s a bit of a struggle, in this weather I don`t always want a salad!.....clothes are a bit looser though!.........

Then being told my Dexa scan wasn`t too good....my head spins with what next!

stellafmdm profile image
stellafmdm

Thanks for that PMRpro!

I'm one of the ones with a warning letter from the GP. However I am cutting carbs and trying to lose a bit of weight, greatly helped by my recent stay in hospital when I did not eat at all for a few days and not much after that! I'll try to lose my sweet tooth on route!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to stellafmdm

My niece in in hospital again (cystic fibrosis and her annual chest infection) and her record of food would certainly have me losing weight! Today's best offer was swede! However - she tells me the menu is centred on the desires of the elderly patients as they are the predominant age group! This elderly patient was NOT amused...

And strangely - the instruction for the desserts was "Select at least one..." Healthy eating at its best!

stellafmdm profile image
stellafmdm in reply to PMRpro

Yes the food in hospital would certainly not encourage even a healthy person to eat!!!

BonnyQuine profile image
BonnyQuine in reply to PMRpro

I quite like swede. Perhaps not on its own though . . .

Elderly patients - oh dear. My group all seem to be addicted to biscuits, cake, sugar, and stodge in all its forms. They're like drug pushers - seem to think baking is healthy eating, and potato pie w peas = a good meal. Believe me - I exaggerate only slightly.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to BonnyQuine

Lovely with lots of black pepper. Even better with haggis. Or done as a fry-up with nice crusty brown bits :-)

Oh BQ - tell me about it! We are not of our generation I fear...

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