Hello Diabetes Forum members - my story so far

[colinsmith123]

18 months or more ago, I had a HBa1C blood test undertaken as part of a series of other tests at the time. My GP practice contacted the NHS Diabetes team without notifying me; the NHS Diabetes team then contacted two months ago contacted me to tell me I was at risk of diabetes. (46).

Slightly alarmed at this, I went to see my GP, who sent me for another HBa1C test. When I went back for this result (up slightly to 48, I was told that glucose tolerance test (which TBH I'd completely forgotten about) as a follow up to the 1st HBa1C test, that result had come back fine.

As I lead a healthy lifestyle, my GP proposed another glucose tolerance test in 6 months.His advice on how to get back into the normal range was not offered. I left feeling positive, but in the past week my anxiety levels are back up.

I hope that has not confused you as much as it confused me..

Who am I?

1. Male. 57 years
2. Work full time
3. Keen athlete in my spare time
4. 68kg soaking wet. BMI 20. bodyfat 12%.

The problem is I've inherited my mother's genes, which leaves me at risk of diabetes. She was a full-blown diabetic who did everything wrong. I am in the pre-diabetic boundary.

What do I know about diabetes?

1. I am pre-diabetic
2. Diabetes is a disease
3. Diabetes is not inevitable
4. Diabetes can be treated by diet, exercise and lowering stress levels
5. Diabetes can be put in to remission
6. Remission means having Hb1AC below 42
7. I have a lot to learn, e.g. the learning zone guidelines indicate my carb portions are too large
8. Not to expect too much from the NHS
9. The learning zone is very informative and I'm a quarter of the way through

What do I want?

1. My HBa1C back in the normal range.
2. Support from my family.

What don't I want?

1. I do not want to become diabetic
2. My health anxiety back in the normal range
3. Not to use the word, remission, as part of my vocabulary. (I associate that with the big C and that does not help achieve No 2).

That's my story so far.

 

[Docb]

Hi Colin. Seems to me your only risk factor is possibility of inheriting your mothers genes and that is a probability thing - was she type 1?. You are not overweight, your HbA1c is only at the top end of the normal range and you are doing the right stuff. Not a lot to worry about it seems to me and your GP's advice to do some checks periodically to guard against you inheriting your mother's condition seems quite sensible.

By the way I think most would not regard diabetes as a disease. It is a chronic condition with a multiplicity of possible factors that can contribute to its occurrance and it is something that needs to be managed rather than cured.

 

[Eddy Edson]

Also, I'd push the doc for tests to make sure I'm not actually on the brink of being a Type 1. It's not impossible to be T2 with a BMI of 20, but to me it raises a bit of suspicion. About one-third of T1's start off being misdiagnosed as T2, apparently: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-04/uoe-ato043019.php

 

[Drummer]

I wonder why your doctor was so inclined to put your life at risk by neglecting to inform you of the situation then offering no advice.
If you are a type two then you could reverse yourself back out of the diabetic range and back to normal by reducing the amount of carbohydrates you eat, replacing dense starches and sugary fruits with low carb veges and berries. Up your proteins and fats and you should not lose weight - with any luck - though if you are lacking in insulin weightloss seems much more likely and also problematic - but a normal glucose tolerance test must be good and hopefully you can soon get proper advice and treatment - we can but report on what we have seen working for ourselves and offer the hope that others can do something similar.
My full blown diabetes is controlled by diet - my weight is stubbornly stable.