An Initial Query

[Lindle]

Hi all

As someone who is not (yet) diabetic, I hope this is not too basic a query. After a blood test a year ago, the nurse at my doctor's surgery told me I was 'pre-diabetic' and to go away and lose some weight. I was given some vague advice on not eating too much fat and sugar. I was told that 'even too much fruit can be bad'. I tried a couple of diets but I'm afraid I did not lose any weight.

I have just had another blood test done and am being referred to my local hospital for a glucose intolerance test. Has anyone else been in this situation? I would appreciate any advice, particularly on halting the progress of the 'pre-diabetic' stage and hopefully lose some weight safely as well.

Many thanks for your help and patience. X

 

[Caroline]

Fruit is a thorny question. We should aim for a minimum of 5 portions of fruit and vege. A portion of fruit varies depending who you are talking to, but around the size of a tenis ball for things like apples and peaches and what you can hold comfortably in your hand for grapes.

It can be incredibly hard to loose weight and I am not sure what to suggest. We have the food/carbs queies messge board and the weight loss group that may be of help.

Hopefully someone will be along with better advice.

 

[Northerner]

Hi Lindle, welcome to the forum 🙂 It's a perfectly reasonable question to ask. A number of our members have found themselves in exactly the same situation as yourself, so you are not alone. I would suggest that you can't go far wrong in acting as though you had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, since the changes in diet and activity levels which are healthy for good blood glucose control in a person with diabetes are just as suitable for a person who has not. I would suggest getting a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker. This will help you understand what Type 2 diabetes is all about and what steps to take to stay healthy - it has been recommended by many of our Type 2 members. Also, you may wish to look into the GI/GL diet (Glycaemic Index/Glycaemic Load). This is not a weight-loss diet, although it can lead to weight loss, but a method of selecting foodstuffs for your meals that will have a steady release of their energy and have less of an impact on your blood glucose levels. The GL Diet for Dummies is a good introduction.

If you are able, then increasing your activity levels will help enormously. Exercise makes you more sensitive to insulin, so helps with blood glucose control and also means your body will need to produce less insulin and this can also help with keeping the weight down. A brisk half-hour walk each day will really help, but if you can do more then the benefits will increase proportionally 🙂

Please ask us any questions you may have - nothing is regarded as 'silly' or obvious, all questions help our members learn more about their health and how to improve it, so ask away! 🙂

 

[Copepod]

Welcome Lindle.

Just to comment on fruit issue - some fruits eg grapes and many tropical fruits such as papya, melon etc are relatively high in sugar. It's very easy to drink large quantities of fruit juice and thus take in lots of sugar, without any fibre that you'd get if you ate the apples / oranges / pineapples etc as whole fruits. However, some fruits, particularly berries - strawberries, raspberries, blackberries etc are relatively low in sugar - and you get some exercise if you cycle to your local common to collect balckberries like we do 🙂

As well as diet, exercise is also important in weight control, so you need to find something active that you enjoy doing - doesn't have to be sport / gym etc, but walking, cycling, gardening etc can all be good, whether you replace car / bus / train journeys with walking / cycling or you make special walking / cycling trips.

 

[Lindle]

Thank you so much

This is very helpful and have made me feel so much happier about tackling my problem. I have downloaded The GL Diet for Dummies onto my Kindle and will get to work reading it straight away.

 

[Northerner]

Thank you so much

This is very helpful and have made me feel so much happier about tackling my problem. I have downloaded The GL Diet for Dummies onto my Kindle and will get to work reading it straight away.

Hehe! 🙂 I have a kindle also and it's great that you can see something you want and not have to wait for it! 🙂

 

[Katieb]

Hi Lindle

I was diagnosed with impaired glucose tolerance last May following an OGTT after a fasting blood test showed raised BG levels. I have since managed (with the help of the good guys on this site and their advice) to lose a couple of stones and adjusted my eating to help to control my BG. I am due to attend a review in a few weeks so I hope that I have managed to improve my BG levels a little. I bought a meter and test my blood to see how different foods affect me. I am no saint - I have fallen off the wagon a few times and have gained a little weight over the summer!😱 However, I am determined to do the best I can to live a healthy life free of diabetic complications. I do get scared sometimes but this forum has helped me to put things in perspective and I have learned that it is possible to live a normal (if there is such a thing!), happy and healthy life with this lifelong condition. The very best of luck - I am sure you will be fine (though the sugary drink isn't very pleasant!). Let us know how you get on. Katie

 

[Lindle]

What a revelation

Hehe! 🙂 I have a kindle also and it's great that you can see something you want and not have to wait for it! 🙂

Yes - Kindles are fab. My husband was not keen until I bought him one too. I'm trying to justify a Kindle Fire at the moment! 🙂

Your advice, to act as though I had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, seems very sensible. I am overweight, have high blood pressure and cholesterol, so the lifestyle changes should have a positive effect on my overall health.

I have read about a third of the 'GL Diet For Dummies' and it has been a complete revelation. For example; I now know the difference between GI and GL. Understanding how the body processes different types of food is really helpful. I've just ordered 'Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year', as you suggested, to broaden my knowledge of the subject.

My husband and son are learning with me and supportive about adapting our shopping habits and recipes.

Many thanks to you, Katieb, Copepod and Caroline - the posts on this board have been so much more helpful than the professional medical advice I have been given in the past.🙂

 

[Lindle]

Hi All
The path lab have told my nurse that here is no point in doing the oral glucose tolerance test because the previous blood test indicates that I am probably already diabetic. She has booked me in for another fasting blood test at the surgery. I think first blood test was more generic but the second test is specifically for glucose.
She also gave me a diabetic diet sheet this time and it broadly ties in with the GL diet I am already following. Although my blood pressure and cholesterol were OK, she has arranged for a range of other tests including a 24 hour blood pressure monitor. I will be glad when this has been done and I have a definite diagnosis, then I can get on with my life.
Meanwhile I have followed the GL diet for a couple of weeks and have seen an improvement in my energy levels. The big bonus has been that I do not seem to be getting the carbohydrate cravings (or the chocolate ones!)
I am trying to tackle the exercise issue – I walked to the doctor’s and back today (about a mile) so I have made a small start!
I am thinking of getting a blood glucose level testing kit. - any advice would be appreciated.
Many Thanks

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi Lindle

Good to see you posting again, and great news that you are thinking of getting a meter. There are a few threads on the forum regarding the most cost effective types if you have to self-fund

Have a look in the 'Useful links' thread in the Newbies section for AlanS's Test Review Adjust or Jennifer's Advice which will give you a great framework for tuning your diet to improve BGs

Good luck!

 

[Salinda]

Hi Lindle, congrats on your first walk to the doctor's and back today. I have found walking to be a real pleasure and it now plays a big part in my daily routine. It is amazing how much I have learnt about my neighbourhood since I started walking around it.
Linda

 

[Katieb]

Hello again Lindle. My advice would be to get a monitor and read the links at the top of the newbies section. Helped me enormously! Interesting about the lab saying they think you probably already have diabetes. After my OGTT I was told I was prediabetic, but am pretty sure I am already diabetic myself as I have a few minor niggles which took me to the doctors in the first place! Namely rosacea on my face and dry eyes. Despite changing my diet, these have not disappeared and flare up again occasionally. I have a review in a few weeks, so will be interesting to hear what they say. I struggle to keep to a strict regime and also my family and friends don't appreciate what I am dealing with saying "you haven't got diabetes! Why are you worried?!" It's really frustrating! I haven't had any support or checks since diagnosis in May 2011, other than that on here from taking the initiative myself! I don't really understand what another fasting test will tell you other than what you already know. Another A1C or OGTT would surely tell you more? That said, I was completely unaware when I first got my results, what a good fasting level or HbA1c count was! I share a lot of your frustrations and hope that you get better support than I have. Best wishes to you. Katie

 

[Lindle]

Hi again Katie. Thanks for the advice ? like you I have found that this site an invaluable source of sensible information. I agree that it sounds like you are also already diabetic. I think it is shocking that you have not been given any support or checks since May 2011.
I am not sure why my nurse / path lab are insisting on another test but I will have it if it means a proper diagnosis. My husband thinks that the tests are just ?box ticking? exercises that the NHS insists on before they put you ?in the system?. He had a similar experience when he had a stroke in 2007 and received very little support. So on his own initiative he started eating healthily, took up running, lost four stone and is now fitter than he has ever been.
My family have been pretty supportive so far and I am not telling my friends / colleagues until I have a proper diagnosis. I agree that the strict diet and exercise regime are not easy but I really want to give it a try. I?m overweight and have high BP and cholesterol, which are both currently under control with medication. The low GL diet should help with all these health issues, but am still trying to find ways to incorporate the all important exercise into my lifestyle.
I hope you get some support /answers when you have your review ? Best Regards Linda