Hi I’m Richard. I have recently been on a long course of prednisone ( 4 weeks ) to control my asthma. I have developed some symptoms over the last few months which include needing to get up to use the loo several times through the night and also really severe itchy legs . The GP asked me to have a blood test for diabetes which i had on Friday. I got a message from the surgery this morning by text. It says that my Hb1al tests over the last couple of years have been borderline but that the one i had on Friday has come back at 51. They want me to have a repeat of the test in 2 weeks. What does this result mean as things area a bit confusing when you search the web for advice. Can i do anything quickly to lower this result ? Just feel like i need to talk to someone before 2 weeks time. Thanks
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Need some advice please
- Thread starter RickyP
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mark king
Well-Known Member
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- Type 1
On the symptoms you have stated:
use of loo through night. that coupled with needing to drink much more water than you would normally would point to being diabetic.
itchy legs can be a reaction to certain medications, read your info sheets from your tablets but also caused by high BG..
Hba1c if that's what you mean my Dr expects a good controlled diabetic to be 45 to 50, a none diabetic person would be even lower..
Have you had a BG [blood sugar] finger prick test done it should be between 4 - 10.
Just noticed in your name tag you have type 2 are you a type 2 diabetic?
To lower your Hba1c you need to eat a healthy food plate so drop the sugars, fats , salt, etc and up your water [not alcohol].
Searching on the web should not be confusing if you are ask your Dr. for clarification as he'll know your history.
I'm not a medical person but am a type 1 diabetic.
Best
use of loo through night. that coupled with needing to drink much more water than you would normally would point to being diabetic.
itchy legs can be a reaction to certain medications, read your info sheets from your tablets but also caused by high BG..
Hba1c if that's what you mean my Dr expects a good controlled diabetic to be 45 to 50, a none diabetic person would be even lower..
Have you had a BG [blood sugar] finger prick test done it should be between 4 - 10.
Just noticed in your name tag you have type 2 are you a type 2 diabetic?
To lower your Hba1c you need to eat a healthy food plate so drop the sugars, fats , salt, etc and up your water [not alcohol].
Searching on the web should not be confusing if you are ask your Dr. for clarification as he'll know your history.
I'm not a medical person but am a type 1 diabetic.
Best
mark king
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- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hello, just looked up your medication and found this>>>
prednisone and diabetes - Google Search
This is why an increase in the stress hormone results in an increase of the body's stores of glucose. Long-term prednisone use can cause diabetes in someone who has a tendency to be diabetic. Moreover, the higher the dose of prednisone, the greater the likelihood that the blood glucose (sugar) level will rise.
I read that to mean if you were borderline then the tabs could push you over the edge but you really should be talking to your Dr.
Regards
prednisone and diabetes - Google Search
This is why an increase in the stress hormone results in an increase of the body's stores of glucose. Long-term prednisone use can cause diabetes in someone who has a tendency to be diabetic. Moreover, the higher the dose of prednisone, the greater the likelihood that the blood glucose (sugar) level will rise.
I read that to mean if you were borderline then the tabs could push you over the edge but you really should be talking to your Dr.
Regards
Vonny
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- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi @RickyP and welcome to the forum 🙂
The best way to reduce Hba1c is to reduce your carb intake. Not just sugars, but also bread, potatoes, pasta and rice etc. Lots of leafy greens (anything which grows overground is better than root veg). Not only will it reduce your blood glucose, it should stop you feeling hungry and if you have weight to lose it will make it easier.
51 is in the diabetic range but I was 76 to start with and am now 37, which proves it can be done. Having said that I'm also on metformin, which has now been reduced. Good luck at your next appointment.
The best way to reduce Hba1c is to reduce your carb intake. Not just sugars, but also bread, potatoes, pasta and rice etc. Lots of leafy greens (anything which grows overground is better than root veg). Not only will it reduce your blood glucose, it should stop you feeling hungry and if you have weight to lose it will make it easier.
51 is in the diabetic range but I was 76 to start with and am now 37, which proves it can be done. Having said that I'm also on metformin, which has now been reduced. Good luck at your next appointment.
I am not diagnosed yet. I just got my test result this morning and nobody has spoken to me . It’s 51 and the past few have been around 47 i think.
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Welcome to the forum @RickyP
Sorry to hear about your possible diabetes diagnosis.
Steroids have a reputation for raising BG levels, and some people do get ‘steroid induced diabetes’.
I suspect the reason for your GP’s caution and wanting to recheck later is to see if your metabolism can bounce back.
One of the most significant ways to help your metabolism I think, would be to reduce the amount of carbohydrate you are eating. Not just sweet and sugary things, but all carbohydrates including rice, pasta, potatoes, grains, bread, pastry, and many fruits.
It may be sufficient to simply reduce portion sizes and go for a moderate-carb approach, but some people find they need to more substantially reduce their carb intake. It’s a very individual thing! Many members here find measuring their own BG before and after meals a useful strategy to establish exactly which foods suit them well, but that may be a strategy for a little later on?
It may help to keep a food diary for a week or two to help you identify exactly which of your meals and snacks have the heaviest carb load.
Good luck and let us know how you are getting on.
Sorry to hear about your possible diabetes diagnosis.
Steroids have a reputation for raising BG levels, and some people do get ‘steroid induced diabetes’.
I suspect the reason for your GP’s caution and wanting to recheck later is to see if your metabolism can bounce back.
One of the most significant ways to help your metabolism I think, would be to reduce the amount of carbohydrate you are eating. Not just sweet and sugary things, but all carbohydrates including rice, pasta, potatoes, grains, bread, pastry, and many fruits.
It may be sufficient to simply reduce portion sizes and go for a moderate-carb approach, but some people find they need to more substantially reduce their carb intake. It’s a very individual thing! Many members here find measuring their own BG before and after meals a useful strategy to establish exactly which foods suit them well, but that may be a strategy for a little later on?
It may help to keep a food diary for a week or two to help you identify exactly which of your meals and snacks have the heaviest carb load.
Good luck and let us know how you are getting on.
Hi, I had HbA1c of 49 in August and was told I needed another blood test after 6 weeks before they would diagnose, over this time I managed to reduce this to 44 so ended up being pre diabetic. I cut carbs to around 50g per day to do this and lost about 8lbs too. I’m pretty sure my levels will have continued to lower but GP won’t test my bloods for 6 months now!
i replaced potatoes, rice and pasta with cauliflower and celeriac which can be made into mash, rice or chips and cut all sugary things and counted calories using an online app. Also got loads of good advice from everyone on this forum.
i replaced potatoes, rice and pasta with cauliflower and celeriac which can be made into mash, rice or chips and cut all sugary things and counted calories using an online app. Also got loads of good advice from everyone on this forum.
Drummer
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- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hello Richard
Do not go low fat or cut out the salt - we need to eat protein and fat, low salt can result in very painful cramps, and it is not just sugar which needs to be reduced, but starchy foods as well. As you are only just into the realm of diabetic Hba1c levels by reducing carbohydrate, less potato, bread and other grains and high sugar fruits you should soon start to see and feel improvements.
Do not go low fat or cut out the salt - we need to eat protein and fat, low salt can result in very painful cramps, and it is not just sugar which needs to be reduced, but starchy foods as well. As you are only just into the realm of diabetic Hba1c levels by reducing carbohydrate, less potato, bread and other grains and high sugar fruits you should soon start to see and feel improvements.
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