Hi all

[doublethink]

Hi all newbie here,

Multiple family members seem to be at the prediabetes stage now.

I was wondering what are the steps I can take to try and prevent me following suit?

Are the basics such as maintaining a healthy weight and exercising enough?

I've noticed I get extremely thirsty sometimes that doesn't go away even when I down a pint + of water.

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome.

Sorry to hear that you are experiencing thirst like that. Have you been tested for diabetes recently? How frequently are you getting these thirsty spells? Do they occur after particular meals. Could it just be that you have eaten something that was a bit salty?
Generally when diabetes causes thirst it is because your BG levels are significantly elevated for extended periods of time and the kidneys start to remove excess glucose through your urine. The thirst is actually because the kidneys are removing more fluid from your blood to flush out the glucose they are also removing, meaning that you also start weeing for England. So if you are not also going to the loo more frequently then the thirst is probably something else. For your levels to be this high for this overflow mechanism to activate, you would need to be well into diabetes territory. I think my levels were probably mid teens to 20 when they should be between 4 and 7, so well beyond the "at risk of diabetes" stage, which is why I ask if you have been tested recently.

As regards what you can do, if you have a family history and want to try to dodge it, yes, maintain a healthy weight and fitness, but cutting down on your carb intake will also go a long way and is usually helpful in losing weight if you have a bit to lose. So one less slice of bread, less potatoes, pasta, rice and more veg and salad. Changing your breakfast habit can be one of the easiest ways to reduce carb intake because the traditional breakfast options of toast or cereal are very carb rich. Many of us have creamy (not low fat) Greek style natural yoghurt with a few berries as they are the lowest carb fruits (rasps, strawberries, blackberries, black/redcurrants, and blueberries and a sprinkle of mixed seeds. Or eggs are a great low carb option for breakfast. An omelette takes just a few minutes to knock up and you can add whatever fillings you like (other than tatties) and vary it from day to day. I like omelettes because it doesn't have a runny yolk which begs some bread to soak it up or need toast to carry it. I usually have it with cheese coleslaw (full fat) and salad. but salad doesn't appeal to some people for breakfast.

Anyway, those are my thoughts.

 

[doublethink]

Hi and welcome.

Sorry to hear that you are experiencing thirst like that. Have you been tested for diabetes recently? How frequently are you getting these thirsty spells? Do they occur after particular meals. Could it just be that you have eaten something that was a bit salty?
Generally when diabetes causes thirst it is because your BG levels are significantly elevated for extended periods of time and the kidneys start to remove excess glucose through your urine. The thirst is actually because the kidneys are removing more fluid from your blood to flush out the glucose they are also removing, meaning that you also start weeing for England. So if you are not also going to the loo more frequently then the thirst is probably something else. For your levels to be this high for this overflow mechanism to activate, you would need to be well into diabetes territory. I think my levels were probably mid teens to 20 when they should be between 4 and 7, so well beyond the "at risk of diabetes" stage, which is why I ask if you have been tested recently.

As regards what you can do, if you have a family history and want to try to dodge it, yes, maintain a healthy weight and fitness, but cutting down on your carb intake will also go a long way and is usually helpful in losing weight if you have a bit to lose. So one less slice of bread, less potatoes, pasta, rice and more veg and salad. Changing your breakfast habit can be one of the easiest ways to reduce carb intake because the traditional breakfast options of toast or cereal are very carb rich. Many of us have creamy (not low fat) Greek style natural yoghurt with a few berries as they are the lowest carb fruits (rasps, strawberries, blackberries, black/redcurrants, and blueberries and a sprinkle of mixed seeds. Or eggs are a great low carb option for breakfast. An omelette takes just a few minutes to knock up and you can add whatever fillings you like (other than tatties) and vary it from day to day. I like omelettes because it doesn't have a runny yolk which begs some bread to soak it up or need toast to carry it. I usually have it with cheese coleslaw (full fat) and salad. but salad doesn't appeal to some people for breakfast.

Anyway, those are my thoughts.

Thanks Barbara that seems like great information, I had no idea carbs were so important.

The thirsty spells do tend to be after meals, and it doesn't happen everyday.

I do notice I pass a lot of light coloured urine though I'd say 10 or more trips a day normally.

Is it a good idea to order some sort of screening kit just to get some initial levels? I don't think I'd want to potentially waste a drs time with this as I my symptoms seem only mild and could be explained by other things like you said.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks Barbara that seems like great information, I had no idea carbs were so important.

The thirsty spells do tend to be after meals, and it doesn't happen everyday.

I do notice I pass a lot of light coloured urine though I'd say 10 or more trips a day normally.

Is it a good idea to order some sort of screening kit just to get some initial levels? I don't think I'd want to potentially waste a drs time with this as I my symptoms seem only mild and could be explained by other things like you said.

If you are going to the loo that much and are thirsty then it would be a good idea to ask your GP for an HbA1C test as that is the test used to diagnose diabetes.
It could of course be something like a UTI which can cause frequent loo visits but again if your blood glucose is in the diabetic zone then UTIs are more likely.
Any how having a look at this link so you could make a few changes to your diet and maybe halt any slippage into the diabetic zone. It has good explanation about the role of carbohydrates not just sugar.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.com

 

[rebrascora]

You can purchase a BG meter for as little as about £15 which will come with 10 test strips. This will not tell you if you are diabetic because it just tests your BG levels at that moment in time and they go up and down throughout the day and night in response to a number of factors, food (particualrly carbs... both sugar and starches) and exercise being the main two. It might be useful to test when you feel the thirst and when you first wake up in the morning, best before you set foot out of bed, to get an idea of your situation and if the thirst is related to BG or not, but it is not a diagnostic tool. For that you need an HbA1c blood test, but it might give you an idea of whether it would be worth "bothering" the doctor.
The two most often recommended for reliability and economy of use by members of the forum are the Gluco Navvi and the Spirit Tee2 meters. There are some a little cheaper but not sure I would recommend them. Both of these are available to buy online.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @doublethink

Glad you have found us!

Sorry to hear about the rising glucose levels in your family

Has anyone in your close family received a diagnosis with diabetes? There can be a fairly strong genetic component for some people, so it’s great that you are trying to take action already!

Like others, I wonder whether it might be useful to ask your Dr for an HbA1c check given your thirst and extra urination - just so you know where you stand right now? It’s a pretty routine check, and it‘s only one vial of blood from your arm.

Let us know how you get on 🙂