Pre-Diabetes Diagnosis & Questions

[Lpb85]

Hi All.

I’m a 39 year old male. I have had a Hba1c test done in the last week and it has come back as pre-diabetic. The result was 44mmol/mol.

I suffer with gout and have had a flare up which started about 5 weeks ago and lasted 2-3 weeks so I’m just coming out of the other end of it. During that episode i took steroid tablets for a week or so and obviously I have high uric acid levels and will have had for a while before the attack. Could these have had an effect on the reading and I would have been better doing the test later?

Kind regards

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi All.

I’m a 39 year old male. I have had a Hba1c test done in the last week and it has come back as pre-diabetic. The result was 44mmol/mol.

I suffer with gout and have had a flare up which started about 5 weeks ago and lasted 2-3 weeks so I’m just coming out of the other end of it. During that episode i took steroid tablets for a week or so and obviously I have high uric acid levels and will have had for a while before the attack. Could these have had an effect on the reading and I would have been better doing the test later?

Kind regards

The steroid may have had an effect but as the HbA1C test is looking at average glucose levels over the 3 months prior to the test so a longer period of time.
The result is about the mid point of the prediabetes range 42-47mmol/mol so in any case it would probably do no harm to take a look at your diet and reduce your carbohydrate intake and ditch any junk foods and there will be every chance that your next test in 3 months time will be normal below 42.
Have a look at this link for some ideas for making some modest changes to your diet https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/, it is based on a suggested no more than 130g carbs not just sugar per day.
The treatment for gout used to be colchicine which always sounded pretty tricky as the therapeutic dose was only a smidgen less than the fatal dose.

 

[Lpb85]

The steroid may have had an effect but as the HbA1C test is looking at average glucose levels over the 3 months prior to the test so a longer period of time.
The result is about the mid point of the prediabetes range 42-47mmol/mol so in any case it would probably do no harm to take a look at your diet and reduce your carbohydrate intake and ditch any junk foods and there will be every chance that your next test in 3 months time will be normal below 42.
Have a look at this link for some ideas for making some modest changes to your diet https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/, it is based on a suggested no more than 130g carbs not just sugar per day.
The treatment for gout used to be colchicine which always sounded pretty tricky as the therapeutic dose was only a smidgen less than the fatal dose.

Thanks for replying.

Yeah I am starting at the gym to hopefully shift a few pounds, the drinking has been knocked on the head and the diet has been modified.

Cutting carbs will be a nightmare for me I think as I work away from home all week and sorting meals out can be a pain. It’s either a microwave or eating out usually. I need good very easy meal prep ideas.

I want to lose some weight anyway because of the gout flare ups (not that I’ve had that many, approx 4 in 5 years.) I had a couple of x-rays done a week ago and apparently now I have mild osteoarthritis in both big toe joints. The one on the left is giving me grief still after the flare and im hoping and praying it settles down some more. My right big toe feels wonderful even with the diagnosis.

Kind regards

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks for replying.

Yeah I am starting at the gym to hopefully shift a few pounds, the drinking has been knocked on the head and the diet has been modified.

Cutting carbs will be a nightmare for me I think as I work away from home all week and sorting meals out can be a pain. It’s either a microwave or eating out usually. I need good very easy meal prep ideas.

I want to lose some weight anyway because of the gout flare ups (not that I’ve had that many, approx 4 in 5 years.) I had a couple of x-rays done a week ago and apparently now I have mild osteoarthritis in both big toe joints. The one on the left is giving me grief still after the flare and im hoping and praying it settles down some more. My right big toe feels wonderful even with the diagnosis.

Kind regards

Many places will swap the chips or potatoes for extra veg or salad. Some of the Slimming World or Weightwatchers microwave meals can be low carb if you avoid ones with pasta or potatoes. But cooked meats, eggs, cheese and salads are all easy to prepare but you don't need to go overboard and cut everything carby out but just watch portion size of those higher carb foods and avoid deserts as they are certainly not going to be low carb, I think profiteroles are about the best.

 

[Lpb85]

Many places will swap the chips or potatoes for extra veg or salad. Some of the Slimming World or Weightwatchers microwave meals can be low carb if you avoid ones with pasta or potatoes. But cooked meats, eggs, cheese and salads are all easy to prepare but you don't need to go overboard and cut everything carby out but just watch portion size of those higher carb foods and avoid deserts as they are certainly not going to be low carb, I think profiteroles are about the best.

Thanks for that.

I’ve just tried doing a bit of batch cooking at home tbf done some cajun chicken, onions & peppers and was thinking about having that with a small portion of wholegrain rice. Also some chicken breasts with broccoli & green beans & a few small garlic baby potatoes. Breakfasts do me because I like my cereal like weetabix & banana and is that a no no from what ive read? Eggs on toast? I need to watch out with regards the gout too which make things a little trickier (even though im on allopurinol)

Thanks once again.

 

[saffron15]

@Lpb85 welcome to the forum. I've had a quick look at foods to avoid if you have gout but do not know how severe your case is. I was 69 on my hba1c when I asked to be tested in June and since December my reading has been 44 but I am on medication. I started by cutting out food which might raise cholestral then when result came through narrowed again. I was amazed that without planning I had gone low carb and was losing wait. I suffer from a greedy gene so portion size can be a problem. I was better when I was more focused on reducing my bg. I'm on steroids at the moment as I have an eye op on Thursday and I suspect they are making me hungry! I like soup, smoked salmon with salad or cream cheese. If I have it on bread I have it as an open sandwich ie one slice. My favourite meal is a nigella recipe with poached salmon watercress toasted pumpkin seeds and avocado. She spoons pieces of avocado into the salad. She adds a dressing but I don't always bother. You can toast some pumpkin seeds and keep in a jar. Poaching salmon is easy but you can buy it ready poached from M and S or buy hit smoked salmon which is cooked.
My main breakfast is full fat greek style yoghurt with berries and seeds or nuts but I don't know how restricted you are on dairy. The alternative is mushroom omlette, scrambled egg or poached egg. I eat bread if I am eating in a cafe as if you rule out pastry sweets and potato there is a little choice. I now buy cauliflower rice and pasta substitutes from Holland and Barrett. I still eat some potato. I had a steak at a new restaurant and had mixed greens plus chips. I only ate a third of the chips. If I go back I won't order chips I'll just have more veg. I don't know if you are having a whole banana perhaps try raspberries or blueberries or just half a banana. Basically cut out any sugar you add to drinks, reduce carbs and move more. Some stretching or ten minute walk after eating is good. M and S has a healthy eating range.
This nhs site has links to various Web sites including Freshwell Moseley and the Caldesi. I think it's easier to eat low carb in the summer good luck.

Diabetes & Metabolic Health | New Forest PCN

newforestpcn.co.uk

 

[Lpb85]

@Lpb85 welcome to the forum. I've had a quick look at foods to avoid if you have gout but do not know how severe your case is. I was 69 on my hba1c when I asked to be tested in June and since December my reading has been 44 but I am on medication. I started by cutting out food which might raise cholestral then when result came through narrowed again. I was amazed that without planning I had gone low carb and was losing wait. I suffer from a greedy gene so portion size can be a problem. I was better when I was more focused on reducing my bg. I'm on steroids at the moment as I have an eye op on Thursday and I suspect they are making me hungry! I like soup, smoked salmon with salad or cream cheese. If I have it on bread I have it as an open sandwich ie one slice. My favourite meal is a nigella recipe with poached salmon watercress toasted pumpkin seeds and avocado. She spoons pieces of avocado into the salad. She adds a dressing but I don't always bother. You can toast some pumpkin seeds and keep in a jar. Poaching salmon is easy but you can buy it ready poached from M and S or buy hit smoked salmon which is cooked.
My main breakfast is full fat greek style yoghurt with berries and seeds or nuts but I don't know how restricted you are on dairy. The alternative is mushroom omlette, scrambled egg or poached egg. I eat bread if I am eating in a cafe as if you rule out pastry sweets and potato there is a little choice. I now buy cauliflower rice and pasta substitutes from Holland and Barrett. I still eat some potato. I had a steak at a new restaurant and had mixed greens plus chips. I only ate a third of the chips. If I go back I won't order chips I'll just have more veg. I don't know if you are having a whole banana perhaps try raspberries or blueberries or just half a banana. Basically cut out any sugar you add to drinks, reduce carbs and move more. Some stretching or ten minute walk after eating is good. M and S has a healthy eating range.
This nhs site has links to various Web sites including Freshwell Moseley and the Caldesi. I think it's easier to eat low carb in the summer good luck.

Diabetes & Metabolic Health | New Forest PCN

newforestpcn.co.uk

Hi Saffron.

Thanks for your reply. I’m sure i’ll get the meal prep sorted eventually. I’m hoping the gym will sort me out properly and get to a more healthier weight so I can have those treats now and again. I’m back at work after 5 weeks off next week so I need to see how that pans out. My left toe is feeling angry tonight, Looks like i’m in for the long haul with regards this joint damage.

Thanks once again.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi Saffron.

Thanks for your reply. I’m sure i’ll get the meal prep sorted eventually. I’m hoping the gym will sort me out properly and get to a more healthier weight so I can have those treats now and again. I’m back at work after 5 weeks off next week so I need to see how that pans out. My left toe is feeling angry tonight, Looks like i’m in for the long haul with regards this joint damage.

Thanks once again.

One of the main groups of 'not good ' foods for gout are meats presumably as they are high in purines which is a shame as that is a food group which being pretty well zero carbs are what many will base meals on. I found a list on this site which may help you find a suitable compromise. https://abbahealth.org/gout-disease-of-the-kings

 

[saffron15]

@Lpb85 I've looked through the list @Leadinglights has posted. I was aware you were unlikely to eat steak. I eat it rarely as want to be careful with cholestral. I'd gone for lunch at a new restaurant which only serves steak price £10 plus sides at £4 brown butter mash or chips plus 3 veg sides. I looked it up and there were less carbs in chips than mash. I was trying to suggest portion size is helpful. I see from the list salmon is not advised either. My favourite white fish is hake.
You obviously need to reduce your weight, move more and tweak your diet. You will concentrate on what is best to manage gout. If it proves difficult maybe your surgery has access to a dietician who will weigh up the benefits of various choices. At this stage losing weight will benefit both conditions. Given your age reducing your blood glucose is important and achievable.
I'm assuming the site Leadinglight has referred to is American but no doubt sites in UK would give similar info. Diabetes UK has advisers, I phoned one before I joined the forum. They may well have better information as to your dietary needs

 

[Leadinglights]

@Lpb85 I've looked through the list @Leadinglights has posted. I was aware you were unlikely to eat steak. I eat it rarely as want to be careful with cholestral. I'd gone for lunch at a new restaurant which only serves steak price £10 plus sides at £4 brown butter mash or chips plus 3 veg sides. I looked it up and there were less carbs in chips than mash. I was trying to suggest portion size is helpful. I see from the list salmon is not advised either. My favourite white fish is hake.
You obviously need to reduce your weight, move more and tweak your diet. You will concentrate on what is best to manage gout. If it proves difficult maybe your surgery has access to a dietician who will weigh up the benefits of various choices. At this stage losing weight will benefit both conditions. Given your age reducing your blood glucose is important and achievable.
I'm assuming the site Leadinglight has referred to is American but no doubt sites in UK would give similar info. Diabetes UK has advisers, I phoned one before I joined the forum. They may well have better information as to your dietary needs

I don't think it is American, it seems to be registered in the EU.

 

[saffron15]

@Leadinglights it was a guess because of references to " sheep meat " rather than lamb and " corn syrup" but it seems a comprehensive list.

 

[Proud to be erratic]

The address given was in Sofia, Bulgaria.
ABBA SOCIETY OF HEALTH & WELLNESS
Country: BŬLGARIYA
Region: Sofiya (stolitsa),
Municipality: Stolichna
City/Village: gr. Sofiya, p.c. 1345 r-n Ilinden str. Kukush

Personally, I would be very cautious of following any link on such a site and would not share any personal data there. Sadly Bulgaria has a shaky reputation when it comes to some social and business practices; including the trafficking of illegal drugs and slave workers.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi Saffron.

Thanks for your reply. I’m sure i’ll get the meal prep sorted eventually. I’m hoping the gym will sort me out properly and get to a more healthier weight so I can have those treats now and again. I’m back at work after 5 weeks off next week so I need to see how that pans out. My left toe is feeling angry tonight, Looks like i’m in for the long haul with regards this joint damage.

Thanks once again.

Looks like you are developing a plan that balances the needs of both conditions, and has to fit into a busy work-life balance @Lpb85

We have a few members who have to jump through those hoops with things like coeliac, kidney disease, familial high cholesterol, or IBS, so you aren’t alone in having to juggle and balance those multiple needs.

Let us know how you get on. Hopefully a few reductions in portion-size, and keeping an eye on reducing overall carb intake will help to steer you away from the ‘at risk of diabetes’ zone.

 

[Lpb85]

Looks like you are developing a plan that balances the needs of both conditions, and has to fit into a busy work-life balance @Lpb85

We have a few members who have to jump through those hoops with things like coeliac, kidney disease, familial high cholesterol, or IBS, so you aren’t alone in having to juggle and balance those multiple needs.

Let us know how you get on. Hopefully a few reductions in portion-size, and keeping an eye on reducing overall carb intake will help to steer you away from the ‘at risk of diabetes’ zone.

Hi, yeah it’s a bit of a bind trying to think of easy meal preps for the week.

I think a few big factors have been that I have been eating ready meals for work for instance obviously loaded with salt and eating too much rubbish and then having a few drinks on an evening.

I think sometimes things happen and you have to look at your mortality and get a grip.

On the plus side I have got to work this morning and put my Work Trousers on and I think I need a belt for them now so im looking at the positives! Lol.

Kind regards

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

On the plus side I have got to work this morning and put my Work Trousers on and I think I need a belt for them now so im looking at the positives! Lol.

Great news about the work trousers!