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Pre diabetes question

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K

Ktm

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
At risk of diabetes
Hi there,
thanks for taking me on.
i had a recent general blood test (checking for the menopause really) but had HbA1 reading of 44mmol. GP has advised me to seek advice on diabetes uk, so here I am. I don’t quite understand why? I’m a healthy 55yr old, 8st 8lb, have an active job & walk regularly. My diet is good (healthy & whole foods) but I do admit to eating very little - usually one main meal & snack a day - food doesn’t really motivate me.
My question is how do I reduce my mmol level ? when I consume minimum calories as it is? I would really appreciate some advice from possible first hand experience. As most advice seems to focus on weight loss & exercise. I really don’t want to lose or put on weight either. Thanks in advance
 
Hi Ktm, welcome to the forum. Sounds like you re sill well in the ‘green’ zone for now so maybe just give some thought to the amount of carbs you eat, in particular rice, pasta, potatoes and bread, reducing these will help keep you within a good range. You will find loads of information here so do have a good look around and ask any questions.E7A0698B-54B4-4BAE-854F-49391509A115.png
 
You are only just into the range at which the current fad of suggesting that diabetes is a future risk. If, for example, you were to use that level in China, around half a billion people would be pre diabetic. Nobody knows how many people like you with a normal healthy lifestyle and no symptoms will go on to develop diabetes, particularly as you don’t have anywhere to go, unless your snacks are Mars Bars and crisps.(Which I doubt).

That said, if there is a family history of T2, your genes may catch up with you eventually - thin active people can get T2 if there is a strong family history.

As CathyB says, just tone down the carbohydrates, there’s no harm in slightly increasing fat levels in your diet to make up - your body quite happily uses that for energy.
 
That’s great thank you, T2 is in the family & I do eat a lot of carbs, will aim to cut them down,
 
Welcome to the forum @Ktm 🙂
 
Ah - it is probably those healthy whole foods which are the problem - we as so browbeaten into believing that starchy foods are somehow good for us - I was on a high carb diet to lower cholesterol for almost 2 years, being shouted at for not doing it properly, getting more miserable each month - then diagnosed as fully, badly type two.
I changed to eating meat, fish and other seafood, cheese, eggs, full fat yoghurt, nuts, with low carb foods - salads stir fries and roast veges and my Hba1c was no longer in the diabetic range in 80 days.
If you can reduce the carbohydrate and increase highly nutritious proteins and fats to compensate, you should maintain weight - you might even increase it if you gain muscle - I am much stronger now. I have gone back to work in my late 60s. These days I am eating very little in the mornings, and a small meal in the evening.
 
Welcome to the forum @Ktm

It is good that they have picked up your levels at this early stage when you are able to make some changes before things develop further.

Keep in touch and let us know how you get on.
 
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