Newly registered

[JaBritKnit]

Hi there, I have only just registered today. I was told a couple months ago that my fasting blood test came up as being in the prediabetic range. As I have two siblings and mother who had similar results, I already have a glucose monitor, but had not tested levels for a few years. Since going back to testing, my finger prick tests have been between high sixes or mid 7s, until last week when it was over 8 twice. Because the only level to be consecutive have happened on alternate days, do I need to go to GP?

 

[JaBritKnit]

Hi there, I have only just registered today. I was told a couple months ago that my fasting blood test came up as being in the prediabetic range. As I have two siblings and mother who had similar results, I already have a glucose monitor, but had not tested levels for a few years. Since going back to testing, my finger prick tests have been between high sixes or mid 7s, until last week when it was over 8 twice. Because the only level to be consecutive have happened on alternate days, do I need to go to GP?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @JaBritKnit

I’ve moved your thread to the “Newbies” section so that it doesn’t get lost in the General Messageboard.

Sorry to hear you’ve been told you are at risk of diabetes. Were you told the result of your HbA1c? Fingerstick glucose results aren’t generally used for diagnostic purposes any more (even fasting ones) because there can be a natural daily variation.

HbA1c gives a measure of glucose levels over a longer 3-4 month period, whereas fingerstick results are just a moment in time.

What changes to your menu have you been making since you’ve been told you are at risk? While there are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you will want to cut out straight away, you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, and how effective it can be to aim to reduce your portions of rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits.

 

[Leadinglights]

As you have a monitor then some strategic testing would help you decide if a trip to the doctor to get an HbA1C test would be needed though you should really have been offered one each year after you prediabetes diagnosis.
If you test first thing in the morning (fasting) and before eating you would be looking for a reading of between 4-7mmol/l and if you then test 2 hours after eating then you want a reading of less that 8mmol/l and that would indicate you are coping with the carbs in your meal and would likely still be within the prediabetic zone.
It would still be worthwhile to get your HbA1C checked for reassurance./

 

[SB2015]

Very pleased that you have found the forum, but sorry that you need to.

There is a wealth of experience to tap into on here, so fire away with any questions that arise. Nothing is considered silly on here.

If you are happy to do so youIt if can help people respond more effectively if we know a little more about your diagnosis. Did they tell you what you HbA1c was.

 

[JaBritKnit]

As you have a monitor then some strategic testing would help you decide if a trip to the doctor to get an HbA1C test would be needed though you should really have been offered one each year after you prediabetes diagnosis.
If you test first thing in the morning (fasting) and before eating you would be looking for a reading of between 4-7mmol/l and if you then test 2 hours after eating then you want a reading of less that 8mmol/l and that would indicate you are coping with the carbs in your meal and would likely still be within the prediabetic zone.
It would still be worthwhile to get your HbA1C checked for reassurance./

Hi, thanks for advice. I've been testing 1st thing in the morning and then 2 hrs after eating and levels have been between 6-8, the 8.2 -8.3 was the only time reading had been high for two days running. Prediabetes diagnosis was in April, with HbA1c of 44.

 

[JaBritKnit]

Very pleased that you have found the forum, but sorry that you need to.

There is a wealth of experience to tap into on here, so fire away with any questions that arise. Nothing is considered silly on here.

If you are happy to do so youIt if can help people respond more effectively if we know a little more about your diagnosis. Did they tell you what you HbA1c was.

Hi there,

Thank you, HbA1c in April at prediabetes diagnosis, was 44.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi, thanks for advice. I've been testing 1st thing in the morning and then 2 hrs after eating and levels have been between 6-8, the 8.2 -8.3 was the only time reading had been high for two days running. Prediabetes diagnosis was in April, with HbA1c of 44.

That is recent enough to be reassuring, but still perhaps worth some tweaking of your meals to try to get your finger prick tests nearer to the 6 rather than the 8.
Have a look at this link if you haven't already to get some ideas for reducing your carb intake a bit to see if that helps. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/



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[SB2015]

Hi there,

Thank you, HbA1c in April at prediabetes diagnosis, was 44.

That makes it feel that you have the chance to make some small tweaks to get yourself back in range. Good that you are testing so that you can see the impact of some of the things you choose to eat. This can allow you to do some judicious swaps or simply to reduce portion sizes.
Let us know how you get on.