Recently diagnosed as pre-diabetic

[Exflex]

Blood glucose levels and HbA1c are not linked all that tightly - I tried to get down into the 30s of HbA1c by reducing my intake of carbs.
My test showed 42, so I reduced carbs from no more than 50 to no more than 40gm per day. I saw a reduction in post meal numbers and a year later my HbA1c was 42.
Weightloss might be significant if very over weight as I was, but eating more protein and fat should maintain if loss is not required. Those are the raw materials of our bodies and the various systems keeping us alive, after all.

I was with one of the GPs for a consultation prior to the recent blood test (the doc requested the test) and after mentioning I had been eating more fats, including FF Greek yoghurt and cheese, he said we therefore need to check your cholesterol. He continued by saying fats are ok but everything in moderation. As it turns out my cholesterol is low, both LDL and HDL and lipids (I’m not sure of the terms and whether lipids are different). I take statins daily. I have headed his advice by reducing fats a bit, but increasing proteins. It’s confusing when medics and nutritionists give differing advice.

 

[Leadinglights]

I was with one of the GPs for a consultation prior to the recent blood test (the doc requested the test) and after mentioning I had been eating more fats, including FF Greek yoghurt and cheese, he said we therefore need to check your cholesterol. He continued by saying fats are ok but everything in moderation. As it turns out my cholesterol is low, both LDL and HDL and lipids (I’m not sure of the terms and whether lipids are different). I take statins daily. I have headed his advice by reducing fats a bit, but increasing proteins. It’s confusing when medics and nutritionists give differing advice.

To get down to below 42 which is in the normal range is absolutely fine. The newer NICE guidelines are that an acceptable blood glucose level should be more flexible for more mature people and a personalised target is better taking account of their risk factors.
It came from some research which found 'the elderly 'were being over medicated to keep them at levels that were more suited to younger folk.
Once people are diagnosed, then remission counts as being below 48mmol/mol without medication so you are well below that.

 

[Exflex]

Thanks @Leadinglights, my wife who has nothing more than armchair medical knowledge tells me it’s age related. I suppose everything wears out as we age, so why not the pancreas. I’m 72 by the way, but I’m feeling better having reduced weight - apart from a cough that’s persisted for 7 weeks.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks @Leadinglights, my wife who has nothing more than armchair medical knowledge tells me it’s age related. I suppose everything wears out as we age, so why not the pancreas. I’m 72 by the way, but I’m feeling better having reduced weight - apart from a cough that’s persisted for 7 weeks.

Just a thought but are you on blood pressure medication as some can cause a tickly cough.

 

[Exflex]

Just a thought but are you on blood pressure medication as some can cause a tickly cough.

Yes I am. I take Felodipine 2.5mg and Bisoprolol 2.5mg.
I’ve been on both some time, but the cough developed after sitting opposite someone with a terrible cough. I should use a mask more often.

 

[Drummer]

Thanks @Leadinglights, my wife who has nothing more than armchair medical knowledge tells me it’s age related. I suppose everything wears out as we age, so why not the pancreas. I’m 72 by the way, but I’m feeling better having reduced weight - apart from a cough that’s persisted for 7 weeks.

The higher HbA1c is more likely (I suspect) to be from a slower recycling of the red blood cells than an aging pancreas.
When I reduced my carbs my blood glucose levels reduced, I could see the numbers were lower, but my HbA1c remained the same and has now increased by one.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

As it turns out my cholesterol is low, both LDL and HDL and lipids (I’m not sure of the terms and whether lipids are different). I take statins daily.

Lipids is a blanket term for fats in the bloodstream.

There are a number of different types including lipoproteins, triglycerides and cholesterol.

Some of them are used as transport mechanisms, others are used as building blocks of cells.

I get very confused with the definitions because some of the things that are called one thing are (I think) actually technically something else eg HDL and LDL (which as a form of shorthand are often called ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol) are actually lipoproteins, rather than cholesterol itself. Though I may have been mistaken about that.

Your ‘Lipids’, are all the different types though - whatever they are!