Worried about diabetes, awaiting blood test results anxiously

[cocoxhaneel]

So I had gestational diabetes in my last pregnancy in 2023.
It was caught at 33 weeks despite having 2 negative GTT (glucose was found in urine) so on my 3rd GTT it was caught.

There is no family history of diabetes so I was pretty shocked and scared when I was told I have a 50% risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later on in life.

Anyway in January 2024 my HbA1C was 34, June it was 38 and by July it was 40.

I weighed 13.5 stone in July 2024 and joined the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme in partnership with Liva.

I have lost 3.5 stone now and I am 10 stone with a BMI of 22 ( I am 5’7).

Anyway I have felt as I have been feeling thirsty alot
and urinating a lot so my GP ordered some blood tests which I had yesterday.

All of my blood tests are back apart from the HbA1C.
My random blood glucose was 4.7.

I am feeling pretty anxious that the delay maybe because something is wrong.

I am due to finish the Diabetes course and was hoping for an extension but the GP says it depends on what my blood test result is.
I just feel as if I struggle to find what to eat and I am always looking over my shoulder with my weight creeping back up if I don’t exercise or eat correctly for a day or two.

Anyone else been in a similar situation?

I can understand why you are concerned. I'm now 79yrs old and have had Type 2 diabetes since I was 30. I think that it was brought on by comfort eating during an abusive relationship plus a very stressful professional career. Now that I have the diabetes fairly well under control, I can eat most of the things that I like.
l also have Myalgic Encephalitus which is another balancing act between using available energy and not overdoing physical excercise or mental stress.
I'm a lacto vegetarian and have a good idea of the calories in what I eat and drink.

I suggest that you ask your GP to refer you to a dietician, or any other relevant professional that s/he thinks will be useful..

A random blood test of 4.7 is very normal. I was borderline for gestational diabetes back in 2000 when pregnant with my first and whilst I had no issues during my next pregnancy, I did a random blood sugar test a couple of years ago and it was over 19! I wasn't overweight but went on a low carb diet and lost some weight and last year I was removed from any diabetic lists as my HBA1c has been normal. However, it is only normal as i don't eat sugar and still eat low carb. I'm definitely still insulin resistant.

That's maybe still a thing for you? I can control my blood sugar to a point (never as low as 4.7) but only if I'm strict with dieting and exercise.

Have you noticed if you get the thirst after any particular foods or drinks?

I don't think waiting a day will be for any particular reason, i'm pretty sure I've normally had to wait about a week, but hopefully all will be well.

Good luck.

@Astrak
Thank you for replying, I am a vegetarian so I find it quite tricky to eat to be honest.

All I seem to eat is eggs, Greek yogurt, stuffed peppers and seeded bread.

I have cut out along stuff like fruit juice, cakes, crisps, fizzy drinks etc but I don’t really get much enjoyment from food these days.

Thank you, I have a telephone appointment on Thursday and will ask for a referral to a dietician, I think I need it.

@BigBoysDontCry- Thank you, from what I have read the random blood test appears in the “normal range” so fingers crossed.

Wow a reading of 19? Bless you!
The thirst is always there, also feel like I have a constant dry mouth.
I don’t tend to eat very much now and always feel hungry.

Good for you on maintaining a normal
HbA1C, it must be difficult.
I know I really struggled when I had gestational diabetes.
I did buy Dr Moseleys 8 week challenge book which promotes a low card diet and through that I lost 3.5 stone but now I am sick fed up of eating the same things all the time lol.

Thank you for your kind words x

It can get quite difficult with the diet. I miss just being able to get a filled baguette for lunch sometimes. It must be harder when you don't eat meat.

I buy low carb bread in sainsburys and I do enjoy cooking most of the time, it would be nice to just not think about it.

I eat a lot of nuts and very dark chocolate for treats but have also made almond flour cookies and granola bar type things. I've also made naan bread things which are good.

What you eat with things is important as well as the order you eat in. Always team carbs with fats and protein and fibre, eat fibre first, then fats and proteins and finally carbs.

Try to eat carbs in a high fibre way, small amounts of wholegrain rice/pasta and I can tolerate a small baked potato if I eat the skin and pair it with high fat filling and side salad.

I tend to make quite a lot of creamy/mushroom type sauces, I'd have that with meat and veg.

I'd never thought about how much harder it must be without eating meat and fish. Fingers crossed for good news.

I can understand your concern but your hbaic are well within range.. 48 Mmols
Random fingerprick is normal
I’m prediabetic at 46mmols ( bmi 21.5) and doing my best to reduce it

A poster mentioned Dr David Unwin to me, as his approach is interesting. He also gives meal plans which may help to ease monotony of meals
i like raw brazils and almonds for snacks and find anything with added seeds helpful
im fine with whole meal seeded bread, but whole meal Sourdough sends my sugar levels high

Hi
Thanks everyone
My HBA1C is 39.

I am abit shocked as I thought it would of gone down a lot more considering I have lost 3.5 stone since July x

39 is fine and not in the diabetic realm at all but i can see why you thought it might be lower.

Simple things like making sure you get enough exercise. A swift walk after eating helps burn up any sugar, (if it's wet out I try to do a bit of shadow boxing in the house 😂) also make sure you are drinking enough water.

You might just need to be a bit more patient and kinder to yourself for the big changes you've made. I'm in my very late 50s and I think I'm happy if I can just keep myself on an even keel, my last HBA1c was 36. You sound like you might be a bit younger so give your body time to properly adjust to everything and you make get a bit better reaction in terms of your insulin response over time. Otherwise, just stick with it as you've taken this seriously (some don't) are obviously doing the right things.

I was 46mmol in December so I cut out everything like my chocolate habit, and upped my protein with any carbs and my hbaic only came down to 44! You can only do so much, but at least you know now.
The “ glucose goddess” has the right scientific approach and do look up Dr David Unwin. Based in the NW, who has done studies and has meal plans etc

Taking some apple cider vinegar each day helps regulate blood sugar, too.

@BigBoysDontCry
Hi
I don’t really exercise as much as I should do really, it can be difficult finding the time with 3 kids under 5 lol but I am going to purchase an exercise bike.

I am in my early 30s, and 36 is a pretty good HbA1C, you obviously put a lot of work and dedication in to your diet.

@uncomfortablydumb60 Bless you! Yes your right, we can only do so much

I have made a lot of changes and eat very low carb but I do like to treat myself every now and then.
I have a very bad sweet teeth unfortunately.

My health coach suggested the 80/20 diet which I find works well for me.

I will look up the glucose goddess and Dr Unwin and see if there is more I can do, thank you for that.

@BarneyRonson- Thank you, I buy this on my next shop and see if it helps.

X

In the same boat op - went for a health checkearly March had high cholesterol which scared me and they sent me for a hba1c test which l had this week.
I have lost just over a stone since then and when l do random finger prick tests, it usually comes up between 4 & 5 but am still terrified if the results. I have reduced my cholesterol but a fair amount though which l am pleased with (had a quick health check at work which told me this)

@Springhassprungxx
Bless you! You have done well to lose a stone since March.

I can’t get an appointment with my GP until May so I booked an appointment with my private GP who advised me that all I can do is eat low carb, and do plenty of exercise and that some people are more genetically at higher risk than others.

Good luck with your blood test result, fingers crossed! Xx

So my friend was asking me how l got on and l said l have to call for the results after Easter - she said check the NHS app which l did and it's all good!!! So relieved but am going to keep on trying to lose more weight. Might even let myself enjoy an Easter egg too!!