Very upset diagnosed as prediabetic

[Joolly2]

I am the right weight for my height, my BMI is 21, I rarely drink and don't smoke. I walk for at least 3 hour each day and play Badminton each week. My father is T2, so it is my genes that are the problem. Is there anything I can do to reduce my chance of going on to develop full blown diabetes?

Haven't you been referred to a specialist diabetes nurse? Or a dietician? If not, I'd say that your first port of call would be the GP to ask for a referral.
Being pre diabetic means that you have time and the opportunity to take steps to reduce the chances of you developing full blown diabetes and for that you'd be really Bex expert advice.

*need, not Bex

Ok, probably is the answer.

I have a family member in the same situation- very slim, just genetically predisposed. He manages his through diet - basically a very very low GI diet. Virtually no sugar, fewer carbs, plenty of lean meat and green veg. His bloodwork now comes back on the good side of the non diabetic range.
He still has a very, very occasional sweet and two pints a week.
Look into diets for diabetes. Give it a try and keep being monitored. There's evidence a short fast can help as well but most of tgat work is done on people who are overweight which you aren't.

You can manage this.

Pre diabetes can be managed by diet. Do your research as suggested. I'm T2D my HbA1C was 69 at diagnosis in July and 52 in October - reduced by diet and weigh loss, no meds. I didn't have a lot of weight to loose, I'm now just 1lb over the 'normal' BMI for me.

Full disclosure - I don't follow the diet recommended by the NHS. I find it too carby for me and my blood glucose levels spike if I have anything more than about 10 - 15g of carbs per meal.

As PP said make sure you get an appointment with a Diabetes Nurse at your surgery. That way you can be monitored.

Not sure the nurse has resources to help people who aren't actually diabetic (like OP is not) ... and the pre-diabetes diagnosis can be a bit of bollocks, anyway.

What numbers were you given, OP, to get the prediabetic diagnosis. What led to you getting tested. Fasting blood sugars from 5.6-6.9 mmol/L or what?

Thank you everyone for your responses. I had a 12 hour fasting blood test which came out as 6 so on the border. It is being repeated next week to see if it was a spike? If the second test comes back the same or higher I will be referred. I don't really understand it.
Thank you for the diet ideas I will look into that. I am off out now to play Badminton but will be back later.

There is now an education plan/course for people with pre diabetes who would like support. www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/qual-clin-lead/diabetes-prevention/ details here, it's gradually being rolled out across the country but if it's in your area already your GP can refer you now.

There's a book by Michael Moseley called The Blood Sugar Diet. First section explains about diabetes and science behind being able to diet your way out of prediabetes or Type 2, second section is the diet which is basically a Mediterranean diet: plenty of good fats, protein and veg.

Would you mind saying what led to you being tested for being/being diagnosed as prediabetic?

Getting a pre-T2DM diagnosis was very good for my dad, it made him truly try hard to keep weight down, be active, eat better.

Problem is, The thresholds for diagnosis keep changing. In 2002 your numbers would not be pre-D. Now 1/3 of all Americans & half of all Chinese people are "pre diabetic". The vast majority of these people will not develop T2DM in the next 10 yrs. The cynics say it's all a ploy to develop new drugs to market, to medicalise more and more of us.

If this is a good wake up call for you, OP, then you now have extra motivation to stick with the healthy eating/lifestyle/regular exercise. Don't lose sleep over it, though.

Mmmm..... I kind of disagree about it being a load of bollocks medschoolrat - metabolic syndrome is pretty interesting and I know a few groups working on various aspects of it. My background is research science (human genetics from the biochemical side of things.)
As op has a strong familial tendency towards T2 I think she should be looking at diet. It's unlikely she will need meds but good diet can get her glucose and Hba1c back down where it should be.

I don't deny that pharma does love a good 'new, medicateable' collection of symptoms ;) but with her family history op is right to seek advice.

Sorry to hijack your thread, OP, but Med and Anatidae: I bought a blood sugar monitor as was concerned about vague symptoms my DH had and he has Type 2 brother and is overweight himself. Tested myself for comparison and 2 hours after meals my levels fall within normal range (around 7.8) while his are higher at around 9, but first thing in morning - i.e. fasting - his are in normal range (around 4.5) while the lowest mine has been is 5.8 and often over 6 (occasionally over 7). An immediate family member of mine is Type 1, diagnosed in childhood. Should I see GP or do you think this is likely to be just normal variation?

Sorry Manda, outside stuff I know about.

@Jooly, did you get blood sugars tested because you have hypertension, high cholesterol or waist > 31.5" circumf?

I self diagnosed after testing higha few times when my GD buddy was preg again & testing her blood again.

Anyhow 6 months of 5/2 diet & regular exercise I tentatively went to the Drs for my 12month post birth test (my child was 3!!) I was well within normal range. So diet & exercise read the Michael Mosley book suggested above / read up on 5/2 diet x

MoMandaS I'm no expert or a HCP but I think it might be worth a conversation with your GP. The morning levels could be 'liver dump' aka 'dawn phenomenon'. While 7.8 2 hours after eating is normal it is on the high side of normal.

NICE guidance:
Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l

Momanda - I'd see a GP with those levels. 7.8 2 hours after eating is the very top end of normal and 6 on waking is quite high. If you have T1 in the family it is worth looking into. Just be aware that your gp may not know very much about Type 1 (parent of a T1 here - so many doctors who think the insulin pump is some kind of cure!). There is something called LADA - basically it is Type 1 (autoimmune disease that attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas) but very very slow onset.

Yup I'd see your GP - they can investigate further - they can check your Hba1c level - this is a measure of blood glucose over time rather than the snapshot that the glucose level gives. They can also test for glucose tolerance with timed testing over a few hours after a glucose challenge.

Joolly - low carb is what you need. Type 2 is when the body becomes resistant to insulin so you need more of it to do the same job, and then the pancreas starts to not be able to produce enough.

Things which make you resistant to insulin: eating high fat meals, not exercising, being ill, having high blood sugar, (also some hormones)

Things for which you need insulin: carbohydrates of all types, (also Ketones)

So if you eat fewer carbs your body can produce enough insulin and your blood sugar will gradually reduce. Having lower blood sugar makes you more responsive to insulin (spot the vicious circle!). Exercising and watching how much fat you eat will help.

Wow, I have just got home and can't believe all the responses. Several people have asked why I got tested. I have been waking up during the night feeling very thirsty and needing to wee. I am also tired all the time.

I have just been given a book called The 8 week blood sugar diet recipe book which would seem to tie in with several people's suggestions on this thread. I have just flicked through the first few pages and it looks like 800 calories of the right food is what is being suggested. That seems very low, but if it will make a difference I'll give it a go. I have to watch sugar and starchy carbs. Pretty much what you are all telling me.
I feel a bit happier now that I have something to focus on. I am really grateful for everyone who has taken the time to post. I'll let you all know how I get on next week when I get tested again.

MEDSCHOOL I forgot to answer your questions, my cholesterol is fine, I don't have hypertension and my waist is below 31".
Bimble I am going to have a look at the link you sent, thank you.

Thank you, Jelly, Chunters, and Anatidae. I take forever to heal the most minor of cuts, seem to have thrush all the time, and feel unwell much of the time, often with palpitations. I was putting it all down to being sleep deprived but that's no longer the case and yet no improvement, so you've given me the push I need to check things out, thanks!

You are reading The Low Blood Sugar Diet by Michael Moseley. By following that properly I think that you could have a good chance or reversing this.

The calories are very low, but the thing is with high density nutrition of the kind described, you feel much less hungry. For example eat some fish and a lot of spinach with some olive oil, result: few calories consumed followed by hours of not feeling hungry. A snack could be a pile of celery with houmous. Ditch the bread, rice etc but with enough vegetables and enough good oil, as in some nuts, avocado etc, you will not miss it.

The ideas in the book were developed at Newcastle University.

The only thing that would be a problem would be if you have psychological problems about eating, or have full blown binge eating disorder. In that case you might need some extra help, and need to follow the principles - but with more frequent little meals, including a bit more protein and leafy vegetables even with snacks. You would follow the principles of the diet and have higher calories - but just going more slowly.

UPDATE - Well, my second blood test is 4.9. I am pleased but a bit confused. I think I am going to continue with some of the recipes in the book but to be honest my usual diet is pretty good. If the thirst and night time weeing continue I will ask to be tested again in a couple of months. Thank you everyone for your posts they really helped to calm me down. I am going to continue to follow some of the suggestions that have been made in the hope that I can ward it off for a few years.