Hello my name is Stellamaris

[Stellamaris]

Hi my name is Stellamaris
I have joined, because recently had my bloods done, and had notification from GP my blood readings
are higher than normal and could develop type 2diabetes.
HeamoglobinA1c-IFCC. value 42mm/mol
What does this mean,as I never been notified before.
I had my breakfast half an hour before my bloods were taken

Regards Val

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome.

Having your breakfast just before the HbA1c test doesn't make a ha'peth of difference as that test is a count of the glucose stuck to your red blood cells and this happens over the lifespan of the cells which is 3 about months so it gives you an indication of your levels over that period of time so one extra meal means nothing.

Elevated Blood Glucose levels giving rise to results between 42 and 47 are considered to indicate that you are at rsik of developing diabetes or sometimes referred to as pre diabetes. A proper diagnosis starts at 48 or above but can be up into 3 figures if things have gone badly awry. My HbA1c at diagnosis was 112.... so a bit naughty! 😳

With you getting a result which is just into the at risk range, a few simple changes to your lifestyle should prevent you from getting a full diagnosis. There are two recognized ways to tackle it which have proved successful for people here on the forum...
Weight loss.... needs to be maintained of course so may be challenging if you are a Yo-yo dieter
or
Reducing the amount of carbohydrate you eat and perhaps increasing your activity levels if you are able. This approach often also leads to weight loss as a side effect but the changes need to be maintained long term so you have to find a way of eating and exercising which is enjoyable and sustainable. The exercise doesn't have to be anything overly strenuous. A brisk daily walk is ideal. We can give you lots of tips and meal suggestions. Just changing your breakfast may have enough of an impact to drop your levels back into the normal range..... especially as breakfast choices can often be quite carb rich like cereal or toast. Many of us have creamy Greek natural yoghurt with a few berries and seeds as our regular breakfast and perhaps a cooked breakfast like bacon and eggs or an omelette or scrambled eggs with smoked salmon as our occasional treat.

Anyway, make yourself at home here on the forum and ask whatever questions you need to and we will do our best to help you.

 

[Leadinglights]

You have been given a nudge which hopefully with some modest changes to you diet and exercise will be all that is needed to bring you below 42mmol/mol into the normal range.
This link explains well what it is all about and has some do's and don'ts as well as some ideas for modifying your diet, as said nothing too drastic should be needed. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Stellamaris

Glad you have found us. Hope you find it reassuring to be able to ask any questions you have and have the ’hive mind’ of the forum to consult for any worries or wobbles.

As others have said, with a level just at the bottom edge of the ‘at risk’ zone you might find just a few minor tweaks are sufficient to help out your metabolism, which seems to be just beginning to struggle a little.

Some new members find it can be helpful to start by keeping a really honest food diary for a week or two. Not for judgement, condemnation, or to give yourself a hard time, but just to establish a baseline of everything you eat and drink in an average week. It’s especially helpful if you can work out the total carbohydrate content (not just ‘of which sugars) of your meals, drinks, and snacks. It will involve some packet squinting and getting the scales out, which sounds like a bit of a faff, but it can be really helpful in beginning to get your head around where the carbs are mostly located in your meals, and some of the places they lurk to catch you unawares!

You might find it also identifies some easy swaps, or some sources or meals that seem to be adding disproportionately to your overall intake.

Good luck, and let us know how you are getting on 🙂

 

[Inka]

Welcome @Stellamaris 🙂