Confused

[Billyboy12]

Hi I’ve just had my blood results back and they are 53.0.In March this year they were 45.Does that mean diabetes? I’m seeing the doctor on Thursday about it.My wife doesn’t know what to cook as we’ve had no advice regarding sugars etc.Any advice will be very welcome.

 

[Drummer]

Hello @Billyboy12 and welcome to the forum.
If the 53 is your HbA1c level then you are not far into the diabetes range. For comparison, my first test was 91.
It indicates that your blood glucose levels have been a bit higher than the normal range, but probably not drastically so.
The basic cause is the levels of glucose in your blood, and for an ordinary uncomplicated type 2 like me, all that I needed to do was stop eating high carb foods, particularly the 'healthy' ones I'd been pressured to eat for a long time.
It might seem crazy, taking into account all the advice on what to eat, but my shopping lists include any meat, fish, cheese, eggs and full fat dairy, with low carb veges, salad and berries.
We need protein and fat - they are essential foods, whilst carbs give colour, texture, flavour and variety.
As you are not 'a bad diabetic' as I was described at diagnosis you might well be able to reverse things just by making a few changes, or cutting down on the higher carb foods, though I found that I actually prefer the lower carb options as I am never hungry when eating them, but feel more energised.
Tonight, for instance, I will be sharing one of Lidl's 16oz steaks with my husband, and I'll have mushrooms with mine. Himself will most likely have chips and peas.

 

[Martin.A]

Hi I’ve just had my blood results back and they are 53.0.In March this year they were 45.Does that mean diabetes? I’m seeing the doctor on Thursday about it.My wife doesn’t know what to cook as we’ve had no advice regarding sugars etc.Any advice will be very welcome.

Yes, 53 is diabetes but you're only just over the threshold (48). Some of us were diagnosed with an HbA1c in 3 figures but have still managed to turn things around, get our HbA1c back into normal range and been able to drop medication. You're borderline for medication and some HCPs will give you a chance to try lifestyle changes - diet, being more active and losing weight (if needed) as a first step. If they don't, you might want to raise the topic yourself.

It's not just about sugar, although it would be advisable to avoid cakes, biscuits, sweets etc plus most breakfast cereals. It's starches as well - potatoes, rice, pasta, bread. They all end up as glucose once consumed. If your diet is starch-heavy you would need to cut back or look at substitutes, eg celeriac for potatoes, riced cauliflower for rice. I found that after making swaps like that my diet didn't change that much and I still eat pretty much the same meals as before and, importantly, the same as the rest of the family.

Sunday roast? Fine, they have roasties I'll have mashed cauliflower or mashed celeriac (but no Yorkshires).

 

[Leadinglights]

Yes I'm afraid you have slipped over into the diabetic zone so some greater effort is going to be needed than when you were only at the prediabetic point. It is a pity you didn't have much advice at that point to get your level down from there rather than going up.
There is plenty you can eat from simple meals based on meat, fish, eggs, cheese with vegetables and salads and fruit like berries as they are the lowest carb.
This link is helpful as there are some meal plans and some good information so having a read might help you with any questions you have in preparation for your appointment. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/

 

[Alan jones]

Hi Billyboy12. I too had a random blood test about 4 months ago April 2024 only to be told my Hba1c was 82. A complete shock as i excercise regularly and eat what i thought was a healthy diet. 3 months on im down to 51 but still on 4 metformin per day. I have cut out all snacks and only eat 3 times a day. I use the Cronometer app to record my food diary and am at about 1500 calories per day over the 3 months. Drop fruit as it tends to have a high GI level, drop white flour, bread rolls, white rice and the like. Go for stews, fish and vegetable based meals. Cut out alcoholic, perhaps a glass or three of white dry wine. The bbc food guide has diabetic menus as does the diabetic uk. Michael Mosley diets are ok but at Les than 1000 calories per day almost impossible. I've lost 7kg in 3 months makes excercise easier. Good luck, it's not the end it's the start of a healthy life style.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi Billyboy12. I too had a random blood test about 4 months ago April 2024 only to be told my Hba1c was 82. A complete shock as i excercise regularly and eat what i thought was a healthy diet. 3 months on im down to 51 but still on 4 metformin per day. I have cut out all snacks and only eat 3 times a day. I use the Cronometer app to record my food diary and am at about 1500 calories per day over the 3 months. Drop fruit as it tends to have a high GI level, drop white flour, bread rolls, white rice and the like. Go for stews, fish and vegetable based meals. Cut out alcoholic, perhaps a glass or three of white dry wine. The bbc food guide has diabetic menus as does the diabetic uk. Michael Mosley diets are ok but at Les than 1000 calories per day almost impossible. I've lost 7kg in 3 months makes excercise easier. Good luck, it's not the end it's the start of a healthy life style.

Many find low carb is successful but you have done well with what you have been doing but if you want to look at some other ideas tehn have a look at this link. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/ . There are some meal plans and recipes.

 

[Billyboy12]

Hello @Billyboy12 and welcome to the forum.
If the 53 is your HbA1c level then you are not far into the diabetes range. For comparison, my first test was 91.
It indicates that your blood glucose levels have been a bit higher than the normal range, but probably not drastically so.
The basic cause is the levels of glucose in your blood, and for an ordinary uncomplicated type 2 like me, all that I needed to do was stop eating high carb foods, particularly the 'healthy' ones I'd been pressured to eat for a long time.
It might seem crazy, taking into account all the advice on what to eat, but my shopping lists include any meat, fish, cheese, eggs and full fat dairy, with low carb veges, salad and berries.
We need protein and fat - they are essential foods, whilst carbs give colour, texture, flavour and variety.
As you are not 'a bad diabetic' as I was described at diagnosis you might well be able to reverse things just by making a few changes, or cutting down on the higher carb foods, though I found that I actually prefer the lower carb options as I am never hungry when eating them, but feel more energised.
Tonight, for instance, I will be sharing one of Lidl's 16oz steaks with my husband, and I'll have mushrooms with mine. Himself will most likely have chips and peas.

Thanks very much for the info you have told me more than the doctor or nurse who I’ve seen

 

[Billyboy12]

Thanks very much for the info you have all been much more helpful than the doctor or nurse that I’ve seen

 

[Drummer]

Thanks very much for the info you have told me more than the doctor or nurse who I’ve seen

It is something which gets me a bit cross, to be honest - there is no need for people to be left in the dark at diagnosis.
There are lots of people here who have found things which work for them, there's not just one way to tackle problems, nor do you need to be punishing yourself for being unable to cope with a diet not natural for Humans.
Just ask.