Recently learned that I'm pre-diabetic and I'm worried

[prediabetic]

I am in my early 30s and recent blood tests showed that my HbA1c is 44. Anything between 42 and 48 is considered to be pre-diabetic according to the NHS guidelines. My only symptom has been increased thirst, which I understand is a classic symptom of diabetes. I am also slightly overweight. I understand that I have the options to either attempt to lower it myself with lifestyle changes, or take medication. I would like to try Metformin, but for some reason my GP won't prescribe it until I'm "fully diabetic". I personally would prefer to get on it as soon as possible, and I'm looking at trying to get it privately if they won't prescribe it. I'm also looking into dietary changes. It seems that anything at all with sugar in it should be avoided, as well as carbohydrates. I typically only drink tea with sweeteners or Diet Coke.

I'm curious if anyone has been able to get their HbA1c down without taking metformin. What do you typically eat and drink? I'm honestly not sure how I'm going to get it down on my own without starving myself, which I don't really want to do.

Try a good quality Berberine. It's a bitter compound found in plants. It's an ancient Chinese medicine. Studies show it's as effective as metformin plus it lowers bad cholesterol too.

The thought of living off just water, almonds, oats and sunflower seeds and such makes me depressed

I don’t understand why you think this is what you have to live off?

You can eat all meat and fish, all dairy, all fruits and vegetables, butter, oil and other healthy fats, grains, nuts and pulses in moderation.

You just need to cut out all the beige junk food / processed food like cereal, bread, cakes, biscuits, pasta and ready meals .

Lots of posters have suggested foods, recipes, books and websites that will help you. Of course of you CBA to make any changes to your lifestyle and diet then that’s up to . it’s your life and your body.

But you need to know that diabetes is a progressive disease that has life changing consequences for many people. As you are still only in your early 30s you could have significant health issues in your 40s and 50s.

My gp has put me on metformin as I'm pre diabetic.

The soup I was eating before my diagnosis was New Covent Garden lentil and bacon soup.

Yes lentils are primarily carbs, with a small amount of protein, the bacon is also protein

Its the bread you probably had it with that you need to cut down on/cut out

Nothing wrong with lentil soup, particularly if a fresh one like that

Actually it's not as good as you think . I had one of my biggest spikes eating Covent Garden mushroom soup which uses potato as a thickener .

The lentil and bacon has 40g of carbohydrate in a pack probably because of lentils and carrot being the second ingredient in the pack. That would probably bring on a massive spike for me because carb in liquidised form (think beer etc) hits blood stream quicker than carb with fibre and fat at the same time. https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/new-covent-garden-lentil---bacon-soup-600g

I avoid all root vegetables and substitute cauliflower rice , mashed cauliflower etc , I don't eat a lot of pulses because they can spike my blood sugar as well . I can get away with one or two chips but packet sauces that use potato as a thickener ( eg gravy , white sauce , soups ) spike very high.

Learn to read ingredients and find out what spikes your blood sugar L some people can get away with a slice of bread or one or two potatoes , others cannot. Once you have adopted low carb diet invest in a Libre glucose monitor and test and see what causes glucose highs in you and what you can eat with no problems.

I was diagnosed type 2 in Nov 23, my HbA1c was 90! I haven't had a re test for this yet as it's still early days but with Metformin (with has some unpleasant side effects!) and Gliclazide my finger prick tests are down to a normal average. I had an awful diet with too many takeaways and too much alcohol, I have pretty much cut those out, occasional treats only now and keep an eye on what I eat, and exercise much more. I still eat bread, pasta and even cakes but have switched them all to healthier versions. Wholemeal bread and pasta, lower sugar cereals like shredded wheat and porridge.

If my blood sugar was not quite so high I would have preferred to manage it through diet only, I wouldn't recommend rushing on to meds if you don't have to.