Hi, diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica in January and commenced on steroids. No problems with glycemic control prior to this. Blood test in March showed my HbA1c level has risen from 5.5 to 6.0, so I am just prediabetic. I was a district nurse before I retired so am well aware of the potential complications of diabetes and am very anxious to avoid this. I know the raised glucose levels return to normal for many people in my situation but am keen to do what I can diet-wise to minimise the risk of developing full-blown diabetes.
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Steroid induced pre-diabetes
- Thread starter LMT
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Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
As you are not on any diabetic medication then this approach would be a suitable one for you to look at and take some ideas from, Obviously aimed at those with a Type 2 diagnosis but the principals should be a good one to prevent progressing to that.
Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home
lowcarbfreshwell.com
We both do low carb even though he is not diabetic.
Hi @LMT and welcome to the forum!
I agree with the prior post, that dietary changes would be a good solution to reduce your risk. If you're willing to share, are the symptoms you're experiencing from the condition reduced somewhat from the steroids? The reason why I'm asking is because movement and some form of exercise is important as well, but I understand that pain and fatigue can very much get in the way of that.
I agree with the prior post, that dietary changes would be a good solution to reduce your risk. If you're willing to share, are the symptoms you're experiencing from the condition reduced somewhat from the steroids? The reason why I'm asking is because movement and some form of exercise is important as well, but I understand that pain and fatigue can very much get in the way of that.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Hi, diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica in January and commenced on steroids. No problems with glycemic control prior to this. Blood test in March showed my HbA1c level has risen from 5.5 to 6.0, so I am just prediabetic. I was a district nurse before I retired so am well aware of the potential complications of diabetes and am very anxious to avoid this. I know the raised glucose levels return to normal for many people in my situation but am keen to do what I can diet-wise to minimise the risk of developing full-blown diabete
As you are not on any diabetic medication then this approach would be a suitable one for you to look at and take some ideas from, Obviously aimed at those with a Type 2 diagnosis but the principals should be a good one to prevent progressing to that.
My OH had a course of steroid for a Crohn's flare up and put on weight which he is struggling to lose. He asked the consultant and she said if you find out then please tell me.Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home
We both do low carb even though he is not diabetic.
Thanks for this Leadinglights, that’s definitely the way I want to go, this looks very useful so I’ll have a good look. I’ve been reading The Diabetes code by Jason Fung who advocates extended fasting and reducing carbs to reverse and prevent Type 2; I do fast 16-17 hours daily and have done for about 7-8 years - not sure about increasing that further. However the reduction in carbs will help.
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Yes the steroids have absolutely helped so much with the excruciating pain, in that regard they have worked incredibly well - it’s just the pesky side-effects that are concerning. I am normally very active, go to the gym 3 times a week, walk quite a bit etc… am just getting back into that although not trying HiiT classes just yet! I just need to gradually increase my exercise whilst being careful and listening to my body. It helps so much, psychologically as much as physically.
Hi Mike, thank you for your reply. I’ll probably be on steroids continuously for at least a couple of years, apparently the average with Polymyalgia is about 3 years or more! But I have started tapering my dose, albeit slowly to try to reduce the risk of a flare. As you say glycaemic control is often affected by steroids but am hoping if I can minimise it I might go back to normal when I (finally) am pred-free.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Yes I have that book and much of it made perfect sense.
It really is so informative..l
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Hi @LMT
Not sure HbA1c is a reliable indicator of diabetes when on steroids. I'd say your priority is to keep as much weight off as you can to keep fatty liver at bay. 16:8 is good, I do that (lunch, dinner) and sometimes skip lunch too (like 5:2). I prioritise protein, vegetables and berries but, even so I have found Zoe Harcombe helpful on weight loss and maintenance (basically the same thing):
- Handy table (diet sheet): https://theharcombediet.com/assets/downloads/pdfs/fats_and_carbs.pdf
- What should we eat? (see section on Weight Loss) https://www.zoeharcombe.com/2021/08/what-should-we-eat/
Not sure HbA1c is a reliable indicator of diabetes when on steroids. I'd say your priority is to keep as much weight off as you can to keep fatty liver at bay. 16:8 is good, I do that (lunch, dinner) and sometimes skip lunch too (like 5:2). I prioritise protein, vegetables and berries but, even so I have found Zoe Harcombe helpful on weight loss and maintenance (basically the same thing):
- Handy table (diet sheet): https://theharcombediet.com/assets/downloads/pdfs/fats_and_carbs.pdf
- What should we eat? (see section on Weight Loss) https://www.zoeharcombe.com/2021/08/what-should-we-eat/
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