Hello my Hb1 is 42

[Jimmys mum]

Hello I’ve had two results over 6 months of Hb1 at 42. I’m slim - just under 9 stone and I exercise. My GP isn’t concerned but I would like to get the number lower. I have a thyroid condition- Hashimoto’s in which my levels fluctuate so I don’t know if that has an impact on blood sugar. What kind of exercise is best to lower blood sugar after a meal? Glad I found this lovely forum.

 

[Alan44]

Hi @Jimmys mum and welcome to the forum.

As regards to exercise, my view is any exercise is good, if it's within ones capabilities, but after a meal, I guess a good brisk walk, which is what I tend to do.

Alan 😉

 

[Jimmys mum]

Thank you Alan. That is helpful,

 

[Leadinglights]

The exercise will help but just making a few changes to your diet will have more impact in the long term. Just reducing your portion size of any high carb foods and reducing or cutting out cakes, biscuits, sugary drinks including fruit juice. Prioritise on protein and healthy fats with veg, salads and the lower carb fruits.
You are only on the first point of prediabetes so just modest changes will make a difference.

 

[Jimmys mum]

I don’t eat biscuits (I wish) but I have two squares of very dark chocolate. I drink only water and tea with just one coffee a day. I will look at carbs and smaller portions although my food plate is modest. I’ve changed to coconut oil as I’ve heard that is better. Thank you so much for your advice.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Jimmys mum

Hope you are able to find a form of activity that helps you reduce your post-meal BG levels.

It's interesting that you mention Hashimoto's, which is an autoimmune condition. Those of us with feisty immune systems can sometimes find that different flavours of autoimmune conditions cluster together around us. So perhaps it may be worth keeping an eye on your levels over the next few years, especially if they begin to change rapidly at any point, in case your immune system is having a pop at your insulin-producing beta cells. Autoimmune diabetes can come on more slowly and gently in adults, and can sometimes be mistaken for T2 to begin with, though ultimately it's a subset of T1 and would need to be treated as such.

I've no way of knowing whether this is relevant in your case, but having seen various people's journeys over the years, it's worth bearing in mind in case your BG levels don't respond as you might expect.

 

[Jimmys mum]

Oh gosh- thank you for that. It certainly is something to think about. I do have a healthy life style but my blood sugar has always been (for some years) at the high end of normal. I have had years of hot flushes and poor sleep and Gp has given me a low dose of hrt so that has improved my sleep. Thank you for the reply. It is appreciated.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Oh gosh- thank you for that. It certainly is something to think about. I do have a healthy life style but my blood sugar has always been (for some years) at the high end of normal. I have had years of hot flushes and poor sleep and Gp has given me a low dose of hrt so that has improved my sleep. Thank you for the reply. It is appreciated.

Try not to worry about it (as it might be nothing at all), but perhaps just squirrel it away in the back of your mind for review/investigation if you gradually find yourself thinking, "why isn't this working..." about your attempts to improve your BG levels.

 

[Jimmys mum]

Thank you. I will. I have another test in 3 months.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thank you. I will. I have another test in 3 months.

People often think they have a healthy diet but sometimes some of the foods which would be fine except if people are on the cusp of prediabetes or Type 2 diabetic where they may struggle to cope with carbohydrates they may not be quite so good. So it is worth evaluating what you are having.

 

[Jimmys mum]

Thank you. I have taken note of your reply up thread.