Hi to all of you...

[dizzy274]

I'm 74 years old and it looks like I'm going to be diagnosed with diabetes.

A couple of months ago I had an annual blood test, not specifically for diabetes, and it came back with a level of 58, and I was told that 48+ was the level at which you have diabetes.

Since 03/10 I've adjusted my diet and have lost 7lbs in weight. I had another blood test on 21/10, and it came back as 54.

Is this good? If I carry on as I am can I expect the level to reduce further? Is 18 days too short a time for the new regime to take effect and was it just a flook?

I have not had any symptoms and this has come as a bit of a surprise!

Any comments welcome.

Best Regards.

Ian.

 

[Kaylz]

Hi and welcome to the forum 🙂

What have you done in regards to adjusting your diet? Some "professionals" advise just to cut sugary stuff out but that isn't the case at all, you have to be careful of your carbohydrate intake as all carbohydrates turn to glucose in the body, the main ones you'd be looking to limit are starchy ones so potatoes, rice/pasta, bread etc

The Hba1c (the level you report) is a guide to what your levels have been like for the past 3 months and it's been reported that the later part of those affect results more than the earlier part so dropping 4mmol in 18 days could be quite possible
xx

 

[Eddy Edson]

HHi & welcome!

Those numbers are from the standard "HbA1c" test, which basically gives an estimate of yr average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months.

Not enough diff between 54 and 58 to say very much - it's a bit variable & squidgy.

Neither is very dire but worth putting in a bit of effort to get it down lower.

This pic is handy:



The top blue numbers are HbA1c levels. As you can see, in the 50's you're in the greeny-yellowy zone and it's worth pushing it down further into the green. But no need to panic - there's probably little excess risk of complications from where you are now.

Losing weight, working out what to do about diet and exercise are all generally helpful, and standard type 2 diabetes meds like Metformin can also help.

Plenty of people around here have started at much higher levels and have managed to get down into the green in a few months, so no apparent reason why you can't also.

Take some time to research, read & plan a strategy. There's no need to sort everything out overnight and you want to find a path which works for you sustainably. Big thing to remember: everybody is different!

Best of luck.

EDIT: Oh, I just assumed you have Type 2 diabetes, which is by far the most common, but I see you haven't had yr diagnosis yet. If it comes back Type 1 then it's a different kettle of fish - in terms of strategies, not seriousness.

 

[Felinia]

Hi and welcome. I started at 57 (2 readings a week apart) 8 weeks ago. I have heard that the accuracy of results can vary a bit, but I hope that your 54 was a true reading for you, and your BG is coming down. You may well continue to lose and go into remission - the 3 month HbA1c will tell you. As above, I was advised to cut down on carbs, both starches and sugars, restrict my portion sizes, and have plenty of non-starchy veggies. Also to drink 4 pints of water a day (with regrettable consequences at night!!). Best wishes

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hello @dizzy274

Welcome to the forum, but sorry you have to be here!

This is a great place to share experiences and encouragement. Hopefully you will soon adjust to your diagnosis, though it can come as a shock and take some getting used to.

Many newcomers find Maggie Davey’s letter a helpful starting point:
https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/maggie-daveys-letter-to-newly-diagnosed-type-2s.61307/

Keep asking questions and let us know how you are getting on.

 

[Ralph-YK]

HbA1c result ranges are:
30(?) - 41 "normal"
42 - 47 is called pre diabetic
48 and above gets you a diagnoses of diabetes (even if you then go below this, you're still counted as diabetic).
Some on here have been diagnosed with levels round 100.