Recalled by nurse for 2nd blood test - to give a firm diagnosis of Type 2

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SayNoToChocolateCake

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Relationship to Diabetes
At risk of diabetes
Hi,
Feeling glum. I was warned last year that I had entered the pre-diabetic zone with my blood glucose levels. I have been thirsty a lot at night and regularly wake up for a drink (probably been like this 3 years now). I have also been going through the menopause (I’m 51) for a few years so thought it was menopause related. My (RIP) mother and two brothers were also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. So, a family history. I’ve noticed mr vision has deteriorated over the last 2 years but the optician said it was old age presbyopia.

I am a sweet tooth. Worst enemy, I guess. I’m not overweight although do have a bit of weight around my middle. However, I know I consume cake/chocolate most days and eat stuff like white pasta and white bread. I’m hoping I can turn this around by diet changes and increasing exercise.

I went for a blood test last week and got the call yesterday to say the result was in the diabetic range. So, I have to go back for a second blood test in 2 weeks before they will give a diagnosis.

I’m gutted. I know my eating habits aren’t particularly good. Cake! Chocolate! I need to snack on healthier things. This is a wake up call.

Please tell me I don’t have to cut out cups of tea (no sugar).
 
SayNoToChocolateCake said:
Hi,
Feeling glum. I was warned last year that I had entered the pre-diabetic zone with my blood glucose levels. I have been thirsty a lot at night and regularly wake up for a drink (probably been like this 3 years now). I have also been going through the menopause (I’m 51) for a few years so thought it was menopause related. My (RIP) mother and two brothers were also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. So, a family history. I’ve noticed mr vision has deteriorated over the last 2 years but the optician said it was old age presbyopia.

I am a sweet tooth. Worst enemy, I guess. I’m not overweight although do have a bit of weight around my middle. However, I know I consume cake/chocolate most days and eat stuff like white pasta and white bread. I’m hoping I can turn this around by diet changes and increasing exercise.

I went for a blood test last week and got the call yesterday to say the result was in the diabetic range. So, I have to go back for a second blood test in 2 weeks before they will give a diagnosis.

I’m gutted. I know my eating habits aren’t particularly good. Cake! Chocolate! I need to snack on healthier things. This is a wake up call.

Please tell me I don’t have to cut out cups of tea (no sugar).
Click to expand...
I had a similar wake up call in January when I went for a random employment check where they checked my bloods. The hospital was very busy and packed with people and my Blood Pressure shot up to 151/83 which is not normal for me (I check my BP at home regulary), but just nerves. Anyway my bloods were the following:

Triglycerides 210
Fasting Glucose 130
HDL 45
LDL 100
Total Cholesterol 185

The medical report highlighted in red BMI 25.1 mentioned overweight (-75kg, heigh 173 cm male), thick waist (at the time 92cm), high trigs, high blood sugar . It didn't say I was diabetic, but said I have a 51.96 % chance of getting it in the next 10 years. This report was done in Asia where I work. Like you, I panicked. My next report is in June and that's the first thing I think about when I wake up, and the last thing I think about when I go to bed. Here is my strategy I've adopted to hopefully get a better report next time:

1.) Drink only water (Definitely no pops, no fruit juices)
2.) Lower my carbohydrates as much as possible (I have not touched breads in the past few weeks)
3.) I eat one banana for breakfast only ( I know bananas are controversial here, but it gives me the energy for the morning, and try and now only have 10 cherry tomatoes for lunch. For dinner, I like to eat half a plate of broccoli and 2 pieces of chicken breast. Dessert is a cup of blueberries. I also eat out at a sushi restaurant and eat miso soup, broccoli, sashimi (about 5 plates of tuna and raddish) and no more than 5 plates of salmon nigiri, and 1 plate of beef nigiri. No drinks just water.
4.) Intermittent fasting -I now water fast for 48 hours a week. I start Monday after lunch when I eat my cherry tomatoes and finish wed at noon when I eat them again.
5.) Sprinting -I sprint on saturdays at a local track. I do four full laps as a warm up on the track, then 20 sprints down the side and a jog the remainder of the laps so the whole track is run about 24 times, which is about 9.6 km.

I have no idea about my trig or glucose numbers, but I know I've been losing weight as many people have been asking why I've been losing weight so quickly. Whereas before I weighed 75kg the other day I weighed myself at 68.9 kg and my waist around the belly button (not the true waist) is now 89 cm. The electronic scale said my BMI was 23.6. I hope all of this will make a difference with my numbers, as I feel really quite healthy. I do like all the foods you like, chocolate, cakes, breads (especially croissants), italian, french, but the truth is, as we age (I'm 41) the body just can't process them like we were teenagers. There are still other great foods we can eat in abudnance that taste great like asparagus, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower and fruits for dessert. I'm trying to look on the bright side here, at least I found out about this now, and not 20 years from now when it could be much more difficult to reverse.
 
Hi @Admiral Benbow You seem to be taking this seriously but the results you have posted are not in the units we are familiar with in the UK, I'm sure there is a conversion factor but without knowing the units for the 'fasting' glucose difficult to convert. When you say fasting glucose was that an HbA1C from a blood sample from your arm which does not normally require fasting but sometimes is as that is required for tests done at the same time.
I hope you see something positive when you have your next test, meantime a home testing blood glucose monitor would help you see what foods you are able to tolerate.
 
SayNoToChocolateCake said:
Hi,
Feeling glum. I was warned last year that I had entered the pre-diabetic zone with my blood glucose levels. I have been thirsty a lot at night and regularly wake up for a drink (probably been like this 3 years now). I have also been going through the menopause (I’m 51) for a few years so thought it was menopause related. My (RIP) mother and two brothers were also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. So, a family history. I’ve noticed mr vision has deteriorated over the last 2 years but the optician said it was old age presbyopia.

I am a sweet tooth. Worst enemy, I guess. I’m not overweight although do have a bit of weight around my middle. However, I know I consume cake/chocolate most days and eat stuff like white pasta and white bread. I’m hoping I can turn this around by diet changes and increasing exercise.

I went for a blood test last week and got the call yesterday to say the result was in the diabetic range. So, I have to go back for a second blood test in 2 weeks before they will give a diagnosis.

I’m gutted. I know my eating habits aren’t particularly good. Cake! Chocolate! I need to snack on healthier things. This is a wake up call.

Please tell me I don’t have to cut out cups of tea (no sugar).
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum
It does look like some dietary changes are going to be in order but by finding the right way for you there is no need to feel deprived and you can still have tasty filling meals by making some substitutions for the high carb foods which you are having.
Have a look at this link for some ideas for modifying your diet, it is a low carb approach which many have found successful. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
There are way to still have the cakes etc if you like baking as there are many low carb recipes on the website sugarfreelondoner which work out at only a few g carb per slice.
By eating fulfilling meals based on protein and healthy fats then you will probably find less need to have snacks between meals
 
Leadinglights said:
Hi @Admiral Benbow You seem to be taking this seriously but the results you have posted are not in the units we are familiar with in the UK, I'm sure there is a conversion factor but without knowing the units for the 'fasting' glucose difficult to convert. When you say fasting glucose was that an HbA1C from a blood sample from your arm which does not normally require fasting but sometimes is as that is required for tests done at the same time.
I hope you see something positive when you have your next test, meantime a home testing blood glucose monitor would help you see what foods you are able to tolerate.
Click to expand...
130 fasting is 7.2 mmol.
 
I'm concerned that you don't appear to be eating very much protein - and JUST tomatoes for a meal and nothing else, is not, to me, a meal.
 
SayNoToChocolateCake said:
Please tell me I don’t have to cut out cups of tea (no sugar).
Click to expand...
Don’t feel too glum, you can still drink plenty of tea!! I drink gallons of it. I have however swapped to soya milk but that’s more to do with stomach issues rather than the diabetes.

I’ve been following the low carb approach and it’s working well. I’ve not been hungry and I’m losing weight steadily which I’m happy with. Yes, I’ve totally cut out all naughty foods but that’s easier for me and my brain to deal with.

Don’t panic, it all seems very overwhelming to start with but this forum is so helpful and there is a massive amount of useful information on the website. If you can, get a glucose monitor. This will allow you to test what foods your body can tolerate.

There’s no need to starve yourself but you will need to make some changes but it will be worth it. Take care xx
 
Thanks all. I’ve been good the last few days and had salads and fruit mostly. Snacked on carrot sticks rather than chocolate biscuits. I’m a bit worried about how this will affect things like life insurance and mortgages if I get a firm diagnosis. Feel like an idiot as I was warned I was in the pre-diabetic range a year ago. I have a lot going on - stressful job, both siblings passed away in the last 18 months and I ended my long marriage - so do tend to reach for the nicer things to make me feel better.
 
SayNoToChocolateCake said:
Thanks all. I’ve been good the last few days and had salads and fruit mostly. Snacked on carrot sticks rather than chocolate biscuits. I’m a bit worried about how this will affect things like life insurance and mortgages if I get a firm diagnosis. Feel like an idiot as I was warned I was in the pre-diabetic range a year ago. I have a lot going on - stressful job, both siblings passed away in the last 18 months and I ended my long marriage - so do tend to reach for the nicer things to make me feel better.
Click to expand...
Not sure I can give you much advice but just wanted to give you a massive hug, you are doing amazing cutting back on your luxuries with so much going on around you
 
Welcome to the forum @SayNoToChocolateCake

Goodness! What a lot you have had going on recently. Sincere condolences for the loss of your mum and siblings, and the end of your marriage too - such a lot of stress (which can be disruptive for your glucose levels on its own!) and as you say, can tempt you to treat yourself.

Are there other non-food treats you could aim for as a reward for your self control? Some members choose things like new nails, a facial, cinema/theatre etc. Different people respond differently to motivational strategies, and it’s good to find a method that works for you. Some members have also switched to lower carb but higher fat/protein treats, which can be helpful in moderation if weight isn‘t a pressing concern at the moment?

As others are saying, you seem to be doing really well. Be kind to yourself, and give yourself the credit you deserve 🙂
 
You need to watch the fruit as it will soon mount up to lots of carbs, but by taking control of diet and lowering blood glucose levels to normal a classic type 2 can effectively negate diabetes and live a normal life without there being any problem with insurance - our mortgage was done and dusted long ago, so I can't comment on that.
I find the things I can eat much more tasty and enjoyable than the things I don't bother with now.
 
Thanks all. I know I’ve been snacking on cakes/chocolate a lot over the last two years. My job is a nightmare too - as well as all of the other stuff I’ve mentioned. I changed direction a couple of years ago after hitting the menopause years and struggling to work 13 hour nightshifts mixed in with early and late shifts. Loved my career but it was affecting my life. However, I have ended up in another area (still NHS) but I’m an office based/management role which isn’t what I had thought it was. I’m a scientist by training and had expected more lab work. The place is in trouble and I am severely overworked which also doesn’t help with the snacking! Hopefully, I will get something else soon.
Where is the best place to find easy meals and snacks what I can eat? What sort of things can I eat unlimited?
 
SayNoToChocolateCake said:
Thanks all. I know I’ve been snacking on cakes/chocolate a lot over the last two years. My job is a nightmare too - as well as all of the other stuff I’ve mentioned. I changed direction a couple of years ago after hitting the menopause years and struggling to work 13 hour nightshifts mixed in with early and late shifts. Loved my career but it was affecting my life. However, I have ended up in another area (still NHS) but I’m an office based/management role which isn’t what I had thought it was. I’m a scientist by training and had expected more lab work. The place is in trouble and I am severely overworked which also doesn’t help with the snacking! Hopefully, I will get something else soon.
Where is the best place to find easy meals and snacks what I can eat? What sort of things can I eat unlimited?
Click to expand...
Have a look at this link for ideas for modifying your diet, https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
I found that years of having a lab based job where eating only happened at lunch time I was never in the habit of snacking between meals. If you are having filling meals then you shouldn't be hungry and those extras are probably more habit than need.
Try having a drink instead.
 
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