Hba1c

[Deborah Caroline Haasz]

Hi, my name is Deb and I have had a level of 44 in 1st my blood test and just found out 49 in Mr 2nd a week later. Have an appointment 18th April to talk to a nurse about this but wondering what I should do now as this date is over 2 weeks away. Any information available would be very helpful. Thanks

 

[Graham Follett]

I'm a newbie too, and the nurse first off said lose weight and get fitter. So I started a diet - the 5/2 diet works for me, and got my bike out for the first time in years.
Now, 3 weeks later I've already lost about 3 kilos and I now actually look forward to a bike ride - only about 7 - 10 miles every 2 or 3 days.
I'm not getting uptight about it and I think that's important - stress isn't good in this situation. So I don't weigh myself every day nor constantly take BP and sugar level readings. But both seem to be improving so I'm hoping when I see the nurse in a few weeks she'll give me a hug! (I can dream, can't I?)
So that's my advice - and good luck with it all

 

[kentish maid]

Cutting down on carbohydrates (white bread, pasta, rice and potatoes) helps reduce BG levels, and will also help with weight loss. As Graham says, taking more exercise is also advised. Lots of advice on here about changes you can make to your diet, in the long run you need to find something that works for you, think of it as a change of lifestyle rather than a diet.

 

[Ralph-YK]

Welcome to the forum Deborah. As diabetics we've to manage carbohydrates.

 

[Bubbsie]

Hi, my name is Deb and I have had a level of 44 in 1st my blood test and just found out 49 in Mr 2nd a week later. Have an appointment 18th April to talk to a nurse about this but wondering what I should do now as this date is over 2 weeks away. Any information available would be very helpful. Thanks

Deborah one of the best things I invested in for my diabetes was a book...Type 2 Diabetes The First Year by Gretchen Becker...she is a type2 diabetic herself...takes you through her first year after her diagnosis on a month by month basis...explains what T2 is...how it develops...asks & answers many of the questions we all have at diagnosis...was it our fault...should we test our blood sugars...the benefits of doing so...how to adjust our diets...explores the myths surrounding type2 diabetes...it is available to preview on Amazon...I would highly recommend it...worth while having a look.

 

[Drummer]

First don't worry - those numbers are not all that bad - I was diagnosed at 91.
Secondly - it's the carbs. Starches and sugars eaten at the rate considered a healthy modern diet are just too much for many people, as we are still trotting about in the same mark one body design of a Homo sapiens sapiens which is better fitted to going without than getting too much.
If you don't eat the carbs then your blood glucose is almost certain to reduce and can go right down to normal - mine did and I am perfectly happy to do without the carbs.

 

[Pikkapen]

I have recently managed to reverse my Type 2 by sticking to the Michael Mosley 8 week blood sugar diet book. I managed to reduce my HbA1c to 42 and came off my Metformin. 6 months later I have been on the 5:2 diet ever since then and today it was 44. At what stage would I be considered to be pre-diabetic again? My GP says I am Type 2 in Remission. They tend to advise Metformin when the count is 48. I don’t want to be diagnosed with it ever again, but am worried it will creep up...

 

[Martin Canty]

I don’t want to be diagnosed with it ever again, but am worried it will creep up...

If you form a mindset that you are Diabetic just controlled by Diet & Exercise then that will go a long way toward preventing those number from creeping up, for us it's a (positive) lifestyle change that needs to be maintained for life.
Regular A1c tests will show how you are doing overall & daily self testing will track your daily progress so you can make adjustments accordingly

 

[Maz2]

I have recently managed to reverse my Type 2 by sticking to the Michael Mosley 8 week blood sugar diet book. I managed to reduce my HbA1c to 42 and came off my Metformin. 6 months later I have been on the 5:2 diet ever since then and today it was 44. At what stage would I be considered to be pre-diabetic again? My GP says I am Type 2 in Remission. They tend to advise Metformin when the count is 48. I don’t want to be diagnosed with it ever again, but am worried it will creep up...

My GP surgery works on pre-diabetic 43-47. Most do 42-47 I believe. I was pre-diabetic, got out of it, now back to 42 so battling on.

I did not ask my GP about meds at this level but they don't give Metformin unless you are diabetic I don't think. I have Michael's book but cannot do the 8 week diet as underweight already.

 

[Pikkapen]

Thanks, Maz2 (and Martin too). I controlled my T2 for about 10 years with diet and exercise before taking Metformin. Once on the MM diet, we realised we’d been eating white carbs far too often, now we rarely eat them. I do enjoy sweet potato chips now and again though.

 

[CathyB]

Hi Deb. Welcome to the group! The best starting point is to read, read as much as you can to learn from the experience of others. Keeping an eye on the carbs is the next step, these are the sneaky beasts that push our fingers levels up so need to be managed by learning what you can or can’t cope with, this means testing before you eat and two hours after to check the reaction.

 

[Martin Canty]

Once on the MM diet, we realised we’d been eating white carbs far too often

The green carbs (veg) are so much better for us....