@Jenny_Aster, did you by any chance have a blood test in the morning after eating a sugary cereal? Which is what I did and got told I was pre-diabetic and was referred to the on-line pre diabetic course.
Then I was told by my ex nurse SIL of the connection and did a fasting blood test next time. Result, my whatever it was index had dropped below the warning level. That was over a year ago and I haven't adjusted my diet at all although I do try to watch my weight.
I'm not suggesting it's true in all cases but I understand GP's get paid per patient for various results, one of which is identifying pre-diabetic patients which is current government initiative. Interesting.
Hi @Lizzie27, I know what you mean. My initial blood test was taken first thing in the morning before food, BUT it was a month or so after a Christmas, and I never hold back at Christmas. I believe the Hba1c blood test takes into account the previous 6 or so weeks blood glucose readings (the life of a blood cell) - so my indulgences at Christmas was recorded
At the time I was diagnosed my GP put me on Metformin - I just had two of those... ever again. I couldn't think, my eyes wouldn't focus, not to mention other horrendous bathroom problems. So I am trying to steer clear of carbs instead of resorting to drugs. Eating things like 'coconut porridge' doesn't really cut it for me, but growing proper foods with a lower carb count really interests me.
@Jenny_Aster, that's interesting, my GP didn't suggest taking any drugs and I don't think I would anyway, unless the results were very bad.
We do eat potatoes nearly every day as OH loves them but I only have two small ones.
I looked into the Pre- diabetes online course but was astounded it lasted about 9 months and you had to do 2 ? hours per week if I remember rightly. It was mainly all about food which I'm not that interested in.
As I'm on the cusp of being tagged as being diabetic
It's very much age dependent, if you're young enough then you need to take your new diet very seriously, prepare and embrace a big change of lifestyle otherwise it will not end well for you. There is some shocking advice on here to be ignored. Ask your GP about the Desmond course, it used to be one day in person, but that was pre-Covid.
As regards medication then taking two pills is pointless. Most people have a mild reaction to medication initially, it doesn't last and wears off if you carry on. It's like trying to ride a bike, falling off and not bothering again.
Educate yourself properly (Go to the NHS site and read about it initially), you'll be surprised at what you find I guarantee it.
I am always a little dubious when I hear someone is “pre diabetic “ as my elderly neighbour who weighs about 7 stone and doesn’t drink has just been told she is pre diabetic so taking that with a pinch of salt.
If Metformin doesn’t agree with you maybe worth asking for it as a controlled release tablet to help with stomach issues.
This pre-diabetic is misleading I feel. I was told after a blood test in August that I was. Now my case is a bit complicated. All members of my family for two generations are type 2 late onset, so have been expecting this. BUT after years of blood tests I have only gone from 42 to 43 ( I don't fully understand the numbers, but understand that at 44 you are considered diabetic) My complication is that I also had an undiagnosed gallbladder problem that culminated in pancreatitus and gallbladder removed. This has subsequently damaged my kidneys and I feel must have done so to the pancreas after suffering for 20 years. So I too was put on the 9 month diet app ( useless) I lost three stone when ill, but half stone on this app.🙄 I have been put on a statin, but this appears to have increased my hand shakes ( supposedly causes by meds) and am being monitored. I know full well how to look after myself as hubby is a type 2, so food is already skewed towards his health. So I would say moderation in everything, cut out nothing, as you may deprive yourself of something important, a treat will not ruin things as long as you are sensible, and if you can keep active. All this will do more to help than anything.
Everyone's body is different and sensible people know what's best for them IMO. I don't hold with drugs being prescribed willy-nilly, especially if you have such a frightening reaction with one as I did.
I watch my diet and I measure my blood glucose after almost every breakfast, evening meal, and first thing in the morning after night-time fast - this morning it was 5.2 mmol/L, sometimes when I indulge it can reach 6.5, which I don't think is bad. If I'm unsure of a certain food, then I'll test before and after eating it - cherries was such a food that cause a huge spike (I only ate 5 of them), so sadly I daren't tuck into a bag of juicy cherries during their season.
I do respect everyone's point of view, and of course I welcome their advice, but please don't make assumptions that I don't know about my health just because I asked, on a gardening forum, if anyone had any information about a low-carb variety of potato. I am a member of diabetic.co.uk forum where, if I need advice about diabetes, I'll consult the members there who either live with their diabetic problem, or who are living in remission.
It should go without saying, if anyone is worried about their health then they should consult their GP or diabetic nurse in the first instance.
BTW - my order of Nicola seed potatoes arrived yesterday, they are now chitting nicely in an egg box. When they are ready to eat, I'll be testing with my Accu-chek to see how my body's chemistry reacts if there's any difference between a 'normal' potato and Nicola one.
Very interesting @Jenny_Aster ! Cherries are supposed to be low GI but clearly different people react in different ways. I'm not diabetic or pre-diabetic so I don't test my blood sugar level, but I find that I feel better on lower GI foods (less of the spike-then-slump feeling).
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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Then I was told by my ex nurse SIL of the connection and did a fasting blood test next time. Result, my whatever it was index had dropped below the warning level. That was over a year ago and I haven't adjusted my diet at all although I do try to watch my weight.
I'm not suggesting it's true in all cases but I understand GP's get paid per patient for various results, one of which is identifying pre-diabetic patients which is current government initiative.
Interesting.
At the time I was diagnosed my GP put me on Metformin - I just had two of those... ever again. I couldn't think, my eyes wouldn't focus, not to mention other horrendous bathroom problems. So I am trying to steer clear of carbs instead of resorting to drugs. Eating things like 'coconut porridge' doesn't really cut it for me, but growing proper foods with a lower carb count really interests me.
Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
We do eat potatoes nearly every day as OH loves them but I only have two small ones.
I looked into the Pre- diabetes online course but was astounded it lasted about 9 months and you had to do 2 ? hours per week if I remember rightly. It was mainly all about food which I'm not that interested in.
There is some shocking advice on here to be ignored. Ask your GP about the Desmond course, it used to be one day in person, but that was pre-Covid.
As regards medication then taking two pills is pointless. Most people have a mild reaction to medication initially, it doesn't last and wears off if you carry on.
It's like trying to ride a bike, falling off and not bothering again.
Educate yourself properly (Go to the NHS site and read about it initially), you'll be surprised at what you find I guarantee it.
I know full well how to look after myself as hubby is a type 2, so food is already skewed towards his health. So I would say moderation in everything, cut out nothing, as you may deprive yourself of something important, a treat will not ruin things as long as you are sensible, and if you can keep active. All this will do more to help than anything.
I watch my diet and I measure my blood glucose after almost every breakfast, evening meal, and first thing in the morning after night-time fast - this morning it was 5.2 mmol/L, sometimes when I indulge it can reach 6.5, which I don't think is bad. If I'm unsure of a certain food, then I'll test before and after eating it - cherries was such a food that cause a huge spike (I only ate 5 of them), so sadly I daren't tuck into a bag of juicy cherries during their season.
I do respect everyone's point of view, and of course I welcome their advice, but please don't make assumptions that I don't know about my health just because I asked, on a gardening forum, if anyone had any information about a low-carb variety of potato. I am a member of diabetic.co.uk forum where, if I need advice about diabetes, I'll consult the members there who either live with their diabetic problem, or who are living in remission.
It should go without saying, if anyone is worried about their health then they should consult their GP or diabetic nurse in the first instance.
BTW - my order of Nicola seed potatoes arrived yesterday, they are now chitting nicely in an egg box. When they are ready to eat, I'll be testing with my Accu-chek to see how my body's chemistry reacts if there's any difference between a 'normal' potato and Nicola one.
From the link in my first post.
Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
It will be fascinating to see if there is any difference in the potatoes, do please let us know.