at risk type 2

[mamabear]

hi, i was informed today the my blood results show that i am at high risk of type 2 , my bg something or other is over 50 and should be 42, i have been told to wait 3 months for another test, is this normal, do i need to worry and wait 3 months, or can i ask to have it done sooner, i assumed my iron levels where low, as this does happen with me, then they tell me this, no info nothing, just sent me a text with a link to this page, thanks for any advice

 

[Deleted member 27171]

Hello,

Sorry to hear you’ve been given this news and left a bit in the dark. An HbA1c of 50 would usually indicate a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes and re-testing in 3 months is quite normal. It can’t really be done any sooner as the HbA1c test give s picture of the previous 3 months, so any sooner and it would just be looking at the same information as the one you have just had - if that makes sense?

Although checking again in 3 months is normal, without much information about what to do in the meantime it is hard to see why much would change in that time.

You could find it helpful to look through the learning zone as well as the pinned thread of useful links here: https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes.10406/

There are some risk factors for Type 2 diabetes that you cannot alter, such as age, ethnicity and family history of diabetes so you can only focus on those which you can influence, such as weight, diet and exercise levels. Is there any room for improvement in those areas? If so, that’s the best place to start.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Although checking again in 3 months is normal, without much information about what to do in the meantime it is hard to see why much would change in that time.

Anaemia can cause a one-off high value, and presumably some other things.

 

[mamabear]

Thank you, my weight could do with improvement, i am finding it very hard to lose weight, i can lose a couple of pounds one week and gain a pound the following, as for exercise, i work in retail, i am on my feet from 6 am till i finish work at 2.30, that is up and down the store and up and down stairs countless times a day, by the time i get home and do the usual daily tasks, then fall into bed approximately 10/10.30 pm ready to do it all again.

 

[mamabear]

Anaemia can cause a one-off high value, and presumably some other things.

they said everything else was normal it was only my hb that was high .

 

[Ralph-YK]

Welcome to the forum Mana Bear.
You should check what the test was, and what the results are. Get it printed out if you can.
For a HbA1c test, 48 and above is what gets you a diagnoses of diabetes (even if you goes below this after, you're still marked as diabetic).
"Normal" would be a HbA1c or 30(?) - 41.

 

[mamabear]

Welcome to the forum Mana Bear.
You should check what the test was, and what the results are. Get it printed out if you can.
For a HbA1c test, 48 and above is what gets you a diagnoses of diabetes (even if you goes below this after, you're still marked as diabetic).
"Normal" would be a HbA1c or 30(?) - 41.

they said it was 51

 

[Deleted member 27171]

Anaemia can cause a one-off high value, and presumably some other things.

Ah yes @mamabear this is true for some types of anaemia but if your GP suspects this is effecting the results of your HbA1c there is an alternative frutosamine test that can be used, so do ask if this would be appropriate for you.

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @mamabear
Sorry to hear a It your diagnosis. As others have said you are only just in the Diabetic range so with some changes to diet and exercise levels you may well be able to avoid all medication and bring your levels back in range.

Many on here have found that using a blood glucose test kit helps them to understand the impact of different foods that they are eating, and then helps them to make useful swaps or reduce portion sizes to help bring levels down. It is important o understand that all carbohydrates that you eat will get converted into glucose once inside. This is not just the most obvious culprits such as potatoes, pasta and bread. It is well worth becoming familiar wil the carb content of what you eat.

Do keep in touch and fire away with any questions that you have.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @mamabear

I am also wondering if it is the low iron count that has prompted your GP to wait for a confirmatory check in 3 months time before making an official diagnosis.

As @Ralph-YK says, admission to our esteemed ‘club‘ is lifelong, and once diagnosed, even if you successfully manage to get your BGs to behave impeccably without medication your would be someone ‘with T2 diabetes in remission‘ rather than someone without diabetes.

It can be really helpful to keep a food diary, noting down what you eat and drink during the day. Be brutally honest, and include any of those ‘mindless nibbling’ things that can really add up. It also really helps to check the backs of packets and/or use a book like ‘Carbs and Cals’ or the ‘Collins Gem Calorie Counter’ to add up (or estimate) the total carbs of your meals/snacks.

This will give you vital insight into ‘easy wins’ in the early weeks - meals which can stay more or less as they are with just a small tweak or two to become much more BG friendly.

It will also highlight and meals which carry a very heavy carb load which may need more of a rethink. Which is where experienced forum members will come in really handy.

Best of luck, and let us know how you get on.

Remember it is ALL carbs, not just ‘sugars’ which you will need to keep an eye on from now on 🙂

 

[mamabear]

Welcome to the forum @mamabear

I am also wondering if it is the low iron count that has prompted your GP to wait for a confirmatory check in 3 months time before making an official diagnosis.

As @Ralph-YK says, admission to our esteemed ‘club‘ is lifelong, and once diagnosed, even if you successfully manage to get your BGs to behave impeccably without medication your would be someone ‘with T2 diabetes in remission‘ rather than someone without diabetes.

It can be really helpful to keep a food diary, noting down what you eat and drink during the day. Be brutally honest, and include any of those ‘mindless nibbling’ things that can really add up. It also really helps to check the backs of packets and/or use a book like ‘Carbs and Cals’ or the ‘Collins Gem Calorie Counter’ to add up (or estimate) the total carbs of your meals/snacks.

This will give you vital insight into ‘easy wins’ in the early weeks - meals which can stay more or less as they are with just a small tweak or two to become much more BG friendly.

It will also highlight and meals which carry a very heavy carb load which may need more of a rethink. Which is where experienced forum members will come in really handy.

Best of luck, and let us know how you get on.

Remember it is ALL carbs, not just ‘sugars’ which you will need to keep an eye on from now on 🙂

Thank you, i will keep all that in mind and make some changes to my lifestyle and eating habits, how do i find out what my range should be, with my blood sugar levels, all i can find is general guide from 4 to 7, thanks

 

[grovesy]

4-7 before meals. Less than 8.5 2 hours after meals.