Symptomatic prediabetes

[bloo walker]

Hi I amnew to the forum and need a bit of advice

I am prediabetic and my last HBA1c was 46 . I am drinking gallons through the night and getting up also for a wee at least 3/4 times in night too. I mentioned this to the GP last week and he said my results was only borderline so wasn't prepared to start Metformin but on most of the information I read says " If symptomatic start Metformin" . My HBA1c has been steadily climbing the last three results . Can anyone suggest anything please ??

 

[grovesy]

Welcome.

 

[Amigo]

Hi I amnew to the forum and need a bit of advice

I am prediabetic and my last HBA1c was 46 . I am drinking gallons through the night and getting up also for a wee at least 3/4 times in night too. I mentioned this to the GP last week and he said my results was only borderline so wasn't prepared to start Metformin but on most of the information I read says " If symptomatic start Metformin" . My HBA1c has been steadily climbing the last three results . Can anyone suggest anything please ??

Hi bloo walker, you're very wise to get on top of this now. Doctors are so strictly guided it seems by Hba1c results that they don't consider people can still have spikes and glucose problems which cause the symptoms you describe. My last Hba1c was only 40 (from original 52) but I can still get the night time peeing and thirst if it goes up too high. However, it doesn't have to only be controlled with metformin. I don't take metformin at the moment and you'll find a massive reduction in carbs, smaller portions, more water and exercise will sort this successfully. It could be you will need metformin but I hope not. Some doctors will prescribe it for pre-diabetes but most expect the 48 definitive dx first.

In your situation I'd home test to find out what foods make you spike. It will mean buying your own meter and test strips but it could stop a spiral into a full diagnosis. Good luck!

 

[Ljc]

Hello Bloo Walker, Welcome. The trouble with the Hb1ac is that it is an average of the last 12 or so weeks, sometimes you will be higher or lower.
I hope your gp is keeping a close eye on you.
I agree with @Amigo There is much we can do to help ourselves. By cutting down on the starchy carbs , potatoes, pasta, rice and bread esp white as these are the carbs our body turns into glucose quicker than the others. Till you find good substitutes fill up on veg that grows above ground. We also need to be careful with fruit , berries are often tolerated better, grapes are little sugar bombs and I use fruit juice to treat my hypo's (low Blood glucose)

As your BG (blood glucose) returns to normal levels your symptoms will subside.

Sadly It's unlikely that your gp will provide you a glucose meter, but do ask for one as it will help you greatly in finding out what foods you need to avoid or only have occasionally.
Many here have to self fund their own, the cheapest one we know to self fund the ongoing cost of the testing strips is the SD Codefree meter from Amazon or directly from Homehealth
https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/
We use the mmol/l measurement in the uk and you're entitled to claim vat relief .

When your ready for a bit of err light reading right at the top of the newbies forum you'll see a thread called ' useful links for people new to diabetes' scroll down to the T2 section.
https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes.10406/

Feel free to ask questions ok, we'll do our best to help

 

[Grogg1]

Agree with other advice. Check your blood glucose levels with a meter. I had night thirst and weeing for a few months but was told it was linked to Radiotherapy I had a few months previous. Doctor agreed to check my hb1ac and it came back shockingly high. I'm only on 1000g of Met as by reducing carbs I've reduced my blood glucose. They are talking of taking me off it 🙂

 

[Martin Canty]

Totally agree with what has been mentioned, especially cutting right back on the carbs & testing.... Likely you will not be prescribed a meter & certainly not enough test strips to perform adequate testing to see what spikes you.