Just to say hello looks like I have been lucky (unusal for me).

[Nomad]

Hello everybody,
Just recently I had a blood test and the result was 48 - borderline diabetic (please don't ask me about the figures I don't understand them and just listen to the doctor). As many of you will doubtless understand that gave me the scare of my life and to be brutal I wanted to crawl under a rock and die! However, due to some lack of communication with the doctor I inadvertenly took a nother hb1 or whatever they call the fasting test and it came back 44. Doctor suggested another this time non-fasting which came back 43. What is a little strange and he never mentioned this people like me and others who have or have had high blood sugar are placed on the diabetic register. Imagine my shock when an appointment for a diabetic retinopathy (dread the thing but then I am not used to them) scan came through the post.

Well maybe I shouldn't be on here but I feared the worst hence my registration. However, the whole thing seems a little absurd so maybe some of you can enlighten. I really enjoy reading your posts for the information, the event has been a real education.

 

[Dave W]

Hi Nomad and welcome! Your Hba1C results - these give your average blood glucose over the past two or three months are pretty good, so don't panic!! You are verging on borderline rather than full blown D.
The retinopathy test isn't anything to worry about at all; just drops in your eye and the optemetrist will look at your retina to check for retinopathy. My guess, and I'd lay money on it, is that you'll be all clear.

 

[Amigo]

Hi Nomad, the Hba1c test is the blood test which calculates your glucose level over an approx 12 week period. It's not usually fasting because that doesn't affect the outcome. Fasting is usually when they're testing your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

48 is the level at which a diabetes diagnosis is usually made which may explain why you're found yourself on the Diabetes Register and associated eye tests etc. The diabetic retinopathy test is nothing to worry about but take sunglasses with you as your eyes will be very sensitive to light afterwards.

The main thing is you're starting at low levels and as your subsequent tests were 44 and 43 (pre-diabetic levels) you'll soon get this down I'm sure. Just take it easy on the carbs and exercise/lose weight if necessary.

Good luck and no need to worry about it.

 

[Nomad]

Thank you amigo and Dave but it was the doctor who told me not to have any breakfast when I went for the Hba1c test although he is often either a little vague or lacking in information, but I live in London where the surgery I attend has several doctors too many patients and admin staff whose lack of English skills can sometimes cause problems. Shame to say it nothing but stress living in the capital for too many.

 

[Amigo]

Thank you amigo and Dave but it was the doctor who told me not to have any breakfast when I went for the Hba1c test although he is often either a little vague or lacking in information, but I live in London where the surgery I attend has several doctors too many patients and admin staff whose lack of English skills can sometimes cause problems. Shame to say it nothing but stress living in the capital for too many.

Sadly you'll get used to medical information that's a bit suspect at times. Many GP's insist on fasting lipid tests because it can apparently have a marginal effect on your triglyceride levels but it shouldn't be significant for a Hba1c that's averaging levels over 10/12 weeks. Seems to have worked in your favour though with subsequent tests. Shows what a variation there can be over presumably a very short period of time in your case.

You are showing glucose impairment however so you'll be doing yourself a huge favour long term to tackle it now whilst things are at decent levels. Have you a good idea what you should be eating?

 

[Nomad]

Sadly you'll get used to medical information that's a bit suspect at times. Many GP's insist on fasting lipid tests because it can apparently have a marginal effect on your triglyceride levels but it shouldn't be significant for a Hba1c that's averaging levels over 10/12 weeks. Seems to have worked in your favour though with subsequent tests. Shows what a variation there can be over presumably a very short period of time in your case.

You are showing glucose impairment however so you'll be doing yourself a huge favour long term to tackle it now whilst things are at decent levels. Have you a good idea what you should be eating?

On the advice of others I have cut the carbs down something rotten and now only have maybe one or two spoonfuls of rice or roast potatoes, and rip the skin off the pre-cooked chicken I buy from Sainsbury's, the rest of the meal is usually carrots, parsnips, mushrooms. Breakfast usually porridge without toast since bread has a lot of sugar. Standard sandwhich for lunch. Generally I don't buy any biscuits,cakes or crisps living on your own you get too carried away if I have a cake it is one and one only since it can be just too tempting to eat more than enough and guess what I have lost weight even though I have hardly been out due to some trouble with my knees - unrelated as far as I know. As for alcolol about all I have now is one 187ml bottle plus a little from another - dreadfully expensive but better than my previous stunts. At one time I couldn't look at a 750cl bottle of wine without 'demolishing' the blighter and before anybody judges me that is very easily done since there is only about 5 medium size glasses in one bottle. Unknown to me for far too long was just how much sugar they use in the brewing process. As you can imagine I don't do that anymore and I keep the alcohol within the ranges prescribed to diabetics.

 

[Ljc]

Hi Nomad, Welcome. No one here is going to judge you for enjoying a wee drink, or any other naughty but nice eats or drinks. In fact we've got our very own cyber pub on here . We also have the occasional naughty treat too. Oh by the way while I remember, unless you have other medical problems where you have to be careful about fats or you prefer to cut down on them, fats, Well good fats are not our problem carbohydrates are.
The Pre diabetic range Hb1ac is between 42 and 47, so you've only just by the skin of your teeth joined our world.
It does seem as though you've got a good handle on this D lark already, if you have any questions, just ask.

 

[john pardo]

Hi and welcome

 

[grovesy]

Welcome.

 

[Stitch147]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

 

[trophywench]

They are obsessed about people eating fat these days Nomad - of course if you are overweight it's wise to watch it - but if you aren't and it's eaten in 'normal' amounts - then it's fine. (Hot crispy chicken skin - Yum. Cold or floppy though, even if it's hot - Yuk! LOL)

 

[Carolg]

On the advice of others I have cut the carbs down something rotten and now only have maybe one or two spoonfuls of rice or roast potatoes, and rip the skin off the pre-cooked chicken I buy from Sainsbury's, the rest of the meal is usually carrots, parsnips, mushrooms. Breakfast usually porridge without toast since bread has a lot of sugar. Standard sandwhich for lunch. Generally I don't buy any biscuits,cakes or crisps living on your own you get too carried away if I have a cake it is one and one only since it can be just too tempting to eat more than enough and guess what I have lost weight even though I have hardly been out due to some trouble with my knees - unrelated as far as I know. As for alcolol about all I have now is one 187ml bottle plus a little from another - dreadfully expensive but better than my previous stunts. At one time I couldn't look at a 750cl bottle of wine without 'demolishing' the blighter and before anybody judges me that is very easily done since there is only about 5 medium size glasses in one bottle. Unknown to me for far too long was just how much sugar they use in the brewing process. As you can imagine I don't do that anymore and I keep the alcohol within the ranges prescribed to diabetics.

Hi and welcome to forum