Question about diagnosis

[Diabetesdiagnosis]

I’ve had a blood test that came back at a reading of 49. I have a repeat test in a couple of weeks time to confirm.

It looks like up to 48 is pre diabetes limit. Does anyone know what happens if my next test result is 48? I did some googling and the stats on consistent results aren’t clear.

I’ve already started Keto fast 800 as I want to see if I can lose weight myself (going well so far but I appreciate it’s the long run that’s important)

However - I’m away for a long weekend (will be eating out all the time) so I don’t know if I should try to keep up my restricted diet or ease up a bit? Is it likely to make any difference anyway?

Hi

Thanks for the thread. I’ve had a blood test of reading 50. I will be having a second blood test soon but I’ve cut out all sugars and trying to eat low GI foods with only whole grain carbs. I know it’s unlikely this will make a difference in only a few weeks.

I’m considering getting a CGM, however I’m scared about inserting it. Is it recommended and does it really help? I will try to get over my fear if it’s worth it. If I have to do daily tests and don’t know what I will do - I can’t even think about pricking my finger with a needle. I know this sounds pathetic and I’m pretty scared right now about everything.

@LadyFriendWelcome to the club. Firstly, to reiterate a previous poster’s advice to me - try not to panic! (Easier said than done I know).

As I wasn’t formally diagnosed with diabetes I don’t know what happens if you are, but I would think you don’t meet the criteria for getting a CGM prescribed and you most certainly don’t need one. However I can reassure you that if you decided to buy one it’s really easy to apply and didn’t hurt me at all! (Thinking about it before hand was far worse). I very much doubt you’d need daily finger prick tests as you’re only just over the diagnosis limit at the moment but hopefully someone else with more experience and knowledge will advise.

It sounds like you’re doing all the right things for your diet. The things that help are to lose weight (if you are overweight - I am), do a bit of exercise straight after you’ve eaten (even just a 10 min walk helps) and try not to eat sugar or high carbs which you are already doing.

Good luck for your 2nd blood test, let us know how it goes and rest assured there’s lots of help and support around if you need it.

@LadyFriend , you don't "insert" a CGM so don't worry! The filament that picks up the blood sugar readings is as fine as a hair and only penetrates to a depth of a couple of mm. You just press it onto your arm (following the instructions, natch!), there's a momentary "nip" and it's on. You don't need to do anything else with it for the fortnight that it's active. And no fingerpricks are necessary ; you sync the CGM with your smartphone and get the readings by holding your phone against the monitor on your arm. It's really easy and remarkably painfree.

I’m just updating this thread as more of a diary. I’ve now reached the top of the ‘healthy’ range, my BMI is 24.7. Yippee - that’s my first ‘milestone’ done. However for the first time I measured my waist- 37 inches . According to Google AI it estimates 4 - 8 pounds loss for each inch - so the minimum I need to lose might be 20lbs. Gulp.

I’m going to keep going with my diet but I’m now wondering how I’m going to maintain. Also I don’t think I realised quite how fat I was.

@LadyFriendhow are you getting on?

I lost 15kg and have been in the maintenance zone for a few months now. I’m able to eat a lot of the foods now that I didn’t eat at the start of my weight loss as my body is now better able to handle carbs. Eg I now eat quite a bit of pasta and also new potatoes. Not rice or breads though as they still spike my glucose. For me the exercise has been more difficult than the change of diet. I try to walk daily and exercise with weights twice a week.

I got a CGM and I’m on day 9 so need to replace it tomorrow. I ordered the Libre first and just couldn’t do it, there was something about pushing it in that put me off. So then I ordered a Dexcom and managed to apply that one. You press a button for that which was easier (for me). It is quite pricey of course, I think another 10 days will be enough for now.

My 2nd blood test was 48, so I went down 2 points in 3 weeks. I was really pleased with this. I am officially ‘type 2’ now though. My appointment to discuss this is in another 3 weeks.

It’s been interesting seeing the results on the cgm. Most of it is common sense, eg the best meal is chicken/fish with salad as it doesn’t spike at all.

I’ve tried a few meals which I would have usually had, and the effects have been awful! Porridge spiked me badly even when I made it the recommended way with rolled oats, half water, added nuts and cinnamon.

Yesterday I had a chicken burger in a wholemeal roll with a small side of fries. I knew it wasn’t the best, but I didn’t it expect it to be quite so bad either…I spiked really high and even 20 mins exercise didn’t lower it much.

I have found that I can eat protein desserts which is great. I haven’t eaten any chocolate, cake or biscuits since 31 Dec, so it’s nice to find something I can have occasionally.

Well done OP 👏
Placemarking for the good tips here.

Amazing work @Diabetesdiagnosis - well done!

what CGM are you using? How much is it please?
I’ve tried the free trial with libre but £60 every 2 weeks is a lot!

You may want to try a dexcom cgm. There is a free trial with 1 sensor which lasts 10 days. They currently offer a 30 day subscription which costs £79 + postage. This is the amount excluding vat which I believe you can be exempt from if you are a diabetic

The Dexcom was £50ish after VAT and postage. I definitely think it was worth it.

Hello everyone, I didn’t realise there are some recent posts, thank you for joining me. FYI I used a Libre CGM but have heard of Dexcom, I think they are similar prices.

My weight loss has stalled for the last couple of weeks which is really frustrating.

I had my first intro call with my diabetes coach (through the NHS, it’s a 9 month programme) She was very enthusiastic! If im honest, I don’t think I learnt an awful lot but they get you to focus on long term habits which sounds a good idea. The only thing I wasn’t sure about is she suggested I eat more wholewheat/grains even though I tried to explain they raise my blood sugar at the moment.

My legs look like relative sticks. I’ve bought some heavier weights as I’d like to build some more muscle plus I’m trying to walk daily. The weather has been so rubbish though!

@Princessfluffyit’s great to hear your progress and gives me hope, thank you.

@LadyFriend it sounds like you’re also doing really well. We’ve got this!

I could murder though.

As you are already in the normal BMI range (hurrah and congrats!) I’m not that surprised that your weight loss has plateaued. I focus on eating whole foods, avoiding blood sugar spikes and exercising rather than on weight loss. This will improve your insulin resistance which is the main game. Like you, I’m not sure eating more grains that spike your blood sugar is a good idea right now. I have found that over time though the foods that used to spike me become easier for my body to handle.
I think unlocking your personal responses via the CGM is golden information. I changed my target range to 3.9-7.8 and try to stay in range for 99% of the time.
For the legs a few squats several times a week makes a huge difference. Even 5 mins is enough to make a difference and I figure 5 mins can’t be that hard to do (although 5 mins of squats actually IS quite hard!)

I try to do calf raises, heel and toe taps every time I’m sitting - even on the loo! All seems to be adding up with stronger legs and insulin less spikes