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Whiff64

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At risk of diabetes
Hi just saying hello I’m a newbie and not really sure how to work these things but I’ll give anything ago I’m pre diabetic but I’m having every symptom going for type 2 wonder if anyone could help
 
Hi and welcome.

Can you explain which symptoms you have and how long you have been experiencing them?
 
Hiya yes thanks going to toilet more on night at least 5 times sometimes upto 15 times a night feeling tired well exhausted sometimes I eat something on it’s like I pass out within half hour and sleep for ages till I need toilet anyway recurring thrush and restless legs only thing not going for me is no weight loss I’ve had bloods tests for the last year and started at 43 now up 50 but doc said once it got to 46 to start tablets or medication but no one seems to listen anymore had results of 50 today but carnt see a doc till April and I feel rubbish sorry but long winded answer symptoms getting worse over last couple months sorry forgot tht bit
 
The symptom of urinating more (and desperate thirst which you don't mention?) generally don't kick in until BG level are mid teens which would usually give you an HbA1c in the 90s or higher. So that symptom doesn't tie in with your current HbA1c result, especially if you have been having that symptom for several weeks or months. Not surprising you are shattered with having such disturbed sleep though!!

Can I ask, are you male or female?

Have you modified your diet since you got the blood test result of 43?

50 puts you into the full diabetes zone rather than at risk although they usually do a second confirmatory test. Do you keep a food diary of what you eat and how you feel. Just wondering if there is a relationship between the meals you eat and the "passing out" afterwards.

In your situation I would invest in a Blood Glucose (BG) meter and start doing some testing around foods and keep a food diary with the before and 2 hours after readings to see what your BG levels do in response to different foods and what your levels are like when you start to feel really sleepy after a meal.
 
rebrascora said:
The symptom of urinating more (and desperate thirst which you don't mention?) generally don't kick in until BG level are mid teens which would usually give you an HbA1c in the 90s or higher. So that symptom doesn't tie in with your current HbA1c result, especially if you have been having that symptom for several weeks or months. Not surprising you are shattered with having such disturbed sleep though!!

Can I ask, are you male or female?

Have you modified your diet since you got the blood test result of 43?

50 puts you into the full diabetes zone rather than at risk although they usually do a second confirmatory test. Do you keep a food diary of what you eat and how you feel. Just wondering if there is a relationship between the meals you eat and the "passing out" afterwards.

In your situation I would invest in a Blood Glucose (BG) meter and start doing some testing around foods and keep a food diary with the before and 2 hours after readings to see what your BG levels do in response to different foods and what your levels are like when you start to feel really sleepy after a meal.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much I have no idea wht I’m doing really I am female age 60 and Ano I’m over weight I have cut out lots of sugar and no weight loss I’m waiting list for weight loss Injections but Thts been months already I do keep food diary but nothing seems to jump out it just so worrying I can hear wht going on around me but not able to respond on the test I went from 49 two weeks ago up to 50 today this I why I’m worried and not seeing anyone till April has me chewed you have to given mo more info than anyone so far so thanks for tht . Is the meter tht one u need to prick ur finger with I have seen them but never used anything before thanks any place best to get monitors
 
Yes, a finger prick tester. You get a little device that stabs your finger to produce the drop of blood and then a device which you put a test strip into and touch the end of the test strip to the drop of blood and it sucks it up and gives you a reading. Many people here find they are an invaluable tool in helping them to manage their diabetes and particularly in learning which foods their body can cope with and which are best avoided or kept for very special occasions.

Unfortunately diabetes is not just about sugar but all carbohydrates, so bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, pastry and indeed just because fruit contains natural sugar doesn't mean that that sugar doesn't count, so those who are modifying their diet to help manage their diabetes tend to restrict these higher carb foods and eat more of the lower carb ones to fill them up. Bananas and grapes and pineapple and mango are the highest carb fruits whereas berries like raspberries and blackberries and blackcurrants and strawberries are the lowest carb. It seems really daunting at first. Like most of us I guess, culturally bread and potatoes are the basis for many meals and indeed bread is a carrier for so many other foods that it was quite mind boggling at first that I needed to cut back on it so much. I now haven't bought bread for probably about 4-5 years and I don't really miss it. In fact I was recently defrosting my freezer (long overdue 🙄 ) and found half a wholemeal loaf and 4 brown rolls that I bought not long after diagnosis 6 years ago. I do very occasionally have bread if I am eating out, especially at someone's home if it would appear rude not to, but generally I don't miss it anymore and often it is a disappointment when I do have it unless it is really good bread. Anyway, my Hba1c at diagnosis was 114 so I felt like I had to take pretty drastic action, whereas you are only just over the line into diabetes territory at 50 so some more moderate dietary adjustments may be all you need.
 
rebrascora said:
Yes, a finger prick tester. You get a little device that stabs your finger to produce the drop of blood and then a device which you put a test strip into and touch the end of the test strip to the drop of blood and it sucks it up and gives you a reading. Many people here find they are an invaluable tool in helping them to manage their diabetes and particularly in learning which foods their body can cope with and which are best avoided or kept for very special occasions.

Unfortunately diabetes is not just about sugar but all carbohydrates, so bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, pastry and indeed just because fruit contains natural sugar doesn't mean that that sugar doesn't count, so those who are modifying their diet to help manage their diabetes tend to restrict these higher carb foods and eat more of the lower carb ones to fill them up. Bananas and grapes and pineapple and mango are the highest carb fruits whereas berries like raspberries and blackberries and blackcurrants and strawberries are the lowest carb. It seems really daunting at first. Like most of us I guess, culturally bread and potatoes are the basis for many meals and indeed bread is a carrier for so many other foods that it was quite mind boggling at first that I needed to cut back on it so much. I now haven't bought bread for probably about 4-5 years and I don't really miss it. In fact I was recently defrosting my freezer (long overdue 🙄 ) and found half a wholemeal loaf and 4 brown rolls that I bought not long after diagnosis 6 years ago. I do very occasionally have bread if I am eating out, especially at someone's home if it would appear rude not to, but generally I don't miss it anymore and often it is a disappointment when I do have it unless it is really good bread. Anyway, my Hba1c at diagnosis was 114 so I felt like I had to take pretty drastic action, whereas you are only just over the line into diabetes territory at 50 so some more moderate dietary adjustments may be all you need.
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Thanks so much for info think I’ve leaned more from you than any doctor yet just said sugar cakes biscuits and pop tht all so tht info is great I will invest in a meter today and take readings and see wht happens and also get the sleep toilet situation looked at for other reasons thanks again
 
rebrascora said:
Bananas and grapes and pineapple and mango are the highest carb fruits
Click to expand...
I know there is the general rule of thumb that berries are lower carb and "exotic fruit" are higher carb.
However, pineapple and mango are relatively high in fibre so may have such an unrequired BG impact as something more common like apples and pears.
I do agree that grapes and bananas are higher.

A quick search shows
- strawberries - 8g carbs per 100g
- melon - 8g carbs per 100g
- pineapple - 13g per 100g
- apples - 14g carbs per 100g
- pears - 15g per 100g
- mango - 15g per 100g
- grapes - 17g per 100g
- banana - 23g per 100g

Although it is worth remembering that there will be variations depending upon variety, ripeness and how your body copes.
I do know that my body seems to need less insulin for pineapple than for an equivalent weight in pears.
 
Those symptoms do sound rather extreme with the HbA1C you have, so something else may be going on. If you drink a lot of caffeine in drinks that can cause a sensitive bladder.
Any way reducing your carbohydrates in your diet would be a good start. Have a look at this link for some ideas for modifying your diet. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
 
If you want some guidance on meters there are 3 that are regularly recommended by those on the forum who self fund as being reliable and cost effective. They are the Spirit Healthcare Tee2, the Gluco Navii and the Contour Blue. I think the Diabetes UK shop sells the Contour Plus Blue. The thing you need to consider is that the test strips are single use and you get through quite a few in the early months of working out a suitable meal plan, so the cost of the test strips is the key thing to consider. That said there are some on the market which I think may have slightly cheaper test strips than the 3 I have listed but they have not proved reliable, so I would recommend you go for one of those 3. You only get 10 test strips with the test meter kit, so you would be well advised to buy at least 2 additional pots of 50 test strips to get you going.
 
Leadinglights said:
Those symptoms do sound rather extreme with the HbA1C you have, so something else may be going on. If you drink a lot of caffeine in drinks that can cause a sensitive bladder.
Any way reducing your carbohydrates in your diet would be a good start. Have a look at this link for some ideas for modifying your diet. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Click to expand...
Thankyou yes the symptoms are horrendous and getting worse I don’t think I’ve had one night sleep properly for months thanks so much for link and will mention to docs when I eventually see someone
 
rebrascora said:
If you want some guidance on meters there are 3 that are regularly recommended by those on the forum who self fund as being reliable and cost effective. They are the Spirit Healthcare Tee2, the Gluco Navii and the Contour Blue. I think the Diabetes UK shop sells the Contour Plus Blue. The thing you need to consider is that the test strips are single use and you get through quite a few in the early months of working out a suitable meal plan, so the cost of the test strips is the key thing to consider. That said there are some on the market which I think may have slightly cheaper test strips than the 3 I have listed but they have not proved reliable, so I would recommend you go for one of those 3. You only get 10 test strips with the test meter kit, so you would be well advised to buy at least 2 additional pots of 50 test strips to get you going.
Click to expand...
Thanks for info I’m on amazon looking as we speak to order one so helpful thank you
 
helli said:
I know there is the general rule of thumb that berries are lower carb and "exotic fruit" are higher carb.
However, pineapple and mango are relatively high in fibre so may have such an unrequired BG impact as something more common like apples and pears.
I do agree that grapes and bananas are higher.

A quick search shows
- strawberries - 8g carbs per 100g
- melon - 8g carbs per 100g
- pineapple - 13g per 100g
- apples - 14g carbs per 100g
- pears - 15g per 100g
- mango - 15g per 100g
- grapes - 17g per 100g
- banana - 23g per 100g

Although it is worth remembering that there will be variations depending upon variety, ripeness and how your body copes.
I do know that my body seems to need less insulin for pineapple than for an equivalent weight in pears.
Click to expand...
Just need to start and eat fruit now and really start thinking a lot about bread all this info is priceless wish I had asked on here months ago maybe I wouldn’t be in this stage now so thank you all
 
@helli it would be interesting to know where your quick search went. Most of your fruits are rated lower by Carbs and Cals, published in association with DUK; although I certainly agree the degree of ripeness has a big influence as, of course so does the portion size. I also recognise that your guidance is fine for T2s who aren't counting for insulin dosing, so don't need that tighter numerical accuracy.

@Whiff you might find the book "Carbs and Calorie Counter" a useful way of initially deducing what foods are lower carb. There's a lot of detail in the text as well as useful pictures of portion sizes and their carb values. There is also some help with carb numbers for frequently found meals when eating out. Personally I don't like their app, it's expensive annually and I find it needs several 'steps' to get an answer appropriate to me - but maybe that is just me!
 
Proud to be erratic said:
@helli it would be interesting to know where your quick search went. Most of your fruits are rated lower by Carbs and Cals, published in association with DUK; although I certainly agree the degree of ripeness has a big influence as, of course so does the portion size. I also recognise that your guidance is fine for T2s who aren't counting for insulin dosing, so don't need that tighter numerical accuracy.

@Whiff you might find the book "Carbs and Calorie Counter" a useful way of initially deducing what foods are lower carb. There's a lot of detail in the text as well as useful pictures of portion sizes and their carb values. There is also some help with carb numbers for frequently found meals when eating out. Personally I don't like their app, it's expensive annually and I find it needs several 'steps' to get an answer appropriate to me - but maybe that is just me!
Click to expand...
Thanks for info appreciate your help
 
@Whiff64 welcome to the forum. I was shocked when my hba1c ( test for average 3 months BG) was 69. I had assumed that the blood test each year to review my high blood pressure was checked for diabetes but I discovered last test had been 10 years ago. I was called in to discuss creeping cholestral and asked for a diabetes test. I cut out pastry cakes and processed meat. When told I had diabetes I cut out rice and pasta and limited bread and potato. I was amazed that I was losing 2lbs a week. I had put weight on following an early menopause. I hadn't put weight on for ten years nor had I lost it. I couldn't believe it was falling off without calorie counting. Carbs turn to sugar.
I'm assuming you have weight to lose given you mention weight loss jabs. I ate a lot of fish and veg with occasional steak or turkey or chicken. I also started moving more eg 10 minute walk after eating, some stretching and gardening.
For breakfast I now usually have 10% fat plain Greek yoghurt with berries seeds or nuts. Sometimes a mushroom omlette and occasionally a fry up without hash browns or baked beans. My reading is now 44. Metformin is usually offered to help bring reading down. I'm on one tablet a day. A slow release one. When I first started it, it seemed to blunt my appetite.
In the end it is a bad idea to add sugar to drinks but as far as everything else eat mindfully. Better to cut out tropical fruit including bananas. Eat apples pears blueberries strawberries etc. Cake and pastry reduce or stop. When I go to my local cafe I sometimes have a toasted tea cake which is a better option than other choices. I have a piece of cake about once a month or less. I found some dark chocolate ginger and nut biscuits in packs of 8 which are 10 carbs. I buy an occasional packet.
If you assess what you eat and reduce carbs you will lose weight and your bg will reduce. I now don't go below 130 gms but others go much lower. Some medications mean you shouldn't do keto or very low.
This forum is great. I found my doctors surgery underwhelming but they are understaffed.
The freshwell app has good graphics and advice.
I have also found a GP website in the New Forest which has all the information in one place including links to caldesi moseley and freshwell.
I did do some testing using a monitor as I didn't like not knowing what my body was doing. I'm not testing at the moment but intend to start again soon. I'm on steroids following an op and when they finish Thursday I will try again.

Whatever you do slow but sure is good. Im surprised at how bad some of your symptoms are when your reading is only just inside the diabetes range.

newforestpcn.co.uk

Diabetes & Metabolic Health | New Forest PCN

newforestpcn.co.uk newforestpcn.co.uk
 
saffron15 said:
@Whiff64 welcome to the forum. I was shocked when my hba1c ( test for average 3 months BG) was 69. I had assumed that the blood test each year to review my high blood pressure was checked for diabetes but I discovered last test had been 10 years ago. I was called in to discuss creeping cholestral and asked for a diabetes test. I cut out pastry cakes and processed meat. When told I had diabetes I cut out rice and pasta and limited bread and potato. I was amazed that I was losing 2lbs a week. I had put weight on following an early menopause. I hadn't put weight on for ten years nor had I lost it. I couldn't believe it was falling off without calorie counting. Carbs turn to sugar.
I'm assuming you have weight to lose given you mention weight loss jabs. I ate a lot of fish and veg with occasional steak or turkey or chicken. I also started moving more eg 10 minute walk after eating, some stretching and gardening.
For breakfast I now usually have 10% fat plain Greek yoghurt with berries seeds or nuts. Sometimes a mushroom omlette and occasionally a fry up without hash browns or baked beans. My reading is now 44. Metformin is usually offered to help bring reading down. I'm on one tablet a day. A slow release one. When I first started it, it seemed to blunt my appetite.
In the end it is a bad idea to add sugar to drinks but as far as everything else eat mindfully. Better to cut out tropical fruit including bananas. Eat apples pears blueberries strawberries etc. Cake and pastry reduce or stop. When I go to my local cafe I sometimes have a toasted tea cake which is a better option than other choices. I have a piece of cake about once a month or less. I found some dark chocolate ginger and nut biscuits in packs of 8 which are 10 carbs. I buy an occasional packet.
If you assess what you eat and reduce carbs you will lose weight and your bg will reduce. I now don't go below 130 gms but others go much lower. Some medications mean you shouldn't do keto or very low.
This forum is great. I found my doctors surgery underwhelming but they are understaffed.
The freshwell app has good graphics and advice.
I have also found a GP website in the New Forest which has all the information in one place including links to caldesi moseley and freshwell.
I did do some testing using a monitor as I didn't like not knowing what my body was doing. I'm not testing at the moment but intend to start again soon. I'm on steroids following an op and when they finish Thursday I will try again.

Whatever you do slow but sure is good. Im surprised at how bad some of your symptoms are when your reading is only just inside the diabetes range.

newforestpcn.co.uk

Diabetes & Metabolic Health | New Forest PCN

newforestpcn.co.uk newforestpcn.co.uk
Click to expand...
Thanks for all info I defo need to look at diet again as I was told to cut sugar and not much else and really grateful to everyone telling me there blood results as I thought mine was high only thing I was told if it keeps going up I would need medication and then do another test and another and another but it’s never gone down just up and I thought the tiolet habit on night were major part of diabetes and the fatigue think I have found out more in a couple of replies on this forum than anywhere so thank you
 
Whiff64 said:
Just need to start and eat fruit now and really start thinking a lot about bread all this info is priceless wish I had asked on here months ago maybe I wouldn’t be in this stage now so thank you all
Click to expand...
Go steady on the fruit. I am not sure if perhaps you misunderstood but fruit contains sugar and it will affect your Blood Glucose levels just like a spoon of sugar, but you are also getting fibre and vitamins and minerals with the fruit so it is a better option but type of fruit and portion size is important. For instance I have a handful of berries with my creamy Greek yoghurt and mixed seeds on a morning for breakfast. If I have any more fruit that day it will be a funsize apple or half a normal size apple (usually a Braeburn rather than a sweet apple like a Pink Lady or Mackintosh red) with a chunk of nice smoked cheese and I will have the other half the next day. A banana is a very rare treat and again I have half one day and the other half the next, usually with some creamy Greek style yoghurt or cream. Those of us who follow a low carb way of eating usually have a bit more fat so full fat yoghurt and cream and whole milk and cheese and full fat mayo and coleslaw. The fat is filling and satisfying and doesn't affect your Blood Glucose levels. I also cook my cabbage and courgettes with a knob of real butter and I rather enjoy my broccoli with real sour cream and chive dip. It was tough initially to give up all the sweet stuff and bread and spuds but that doesn't mean that we can't enjoy other foods. You can make a cottage/shepherd's pie and top it with mashed cauliflower instead of potato and add some cream cheese to the cauli when you mash it and then top it with grated cheese as normal and you have a much lower carb meal than if you used tatties. My occasional treat meal is a rib-eye steak with a big plate of salad and coleslaw and some fried mushrooms. I dress my salad with balsamic vinegar and it is just so tasty I really don't miss chips but if I want some, I can make them from celeriac instead of potatoes which is lower carb and a really interesting flavour. It really doesn't have to be all sack cloth and ashes, you just have to rethink how you eat and substitute high carb foods for lower carb ones.
 
Hi @Whiff64 welcome to the forum. As you can see there are plenty of people here with lots of learned experience which in my view provides an advantage over the diabetes nurse or doctor,although my local diabetes nurse did recommend a low carb (<130g carbs/day) to me when I had my first meeting with her.

There are lots of substitutes for foods that contain lots of carbs and if you enjoy cooking then there are recipes on the Freshwell website/mobile app that can be used to provide the occasional sweet treat or a lower carb version of bread so that you don't have to feel that you are missing out on things. I also often search for things that are keto focused as these too are low carb and often remove things like sugar replacing them with other alternatives.

Good luck with your journey and always remember that everyone here will be happy to answer your questions, even those you might feel are silly, based on their own experience.
 
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