Pre-diabetic

[wannabethintoo]

I've recently found out that I'm pre-diabetic. My impaired glucose tolerance is 6.3 (I'm in Canada). This was not the GTT test. This was simply a blood test after 12 hours of fasting. Before I started Atkins last year at 60 lbs more and doing no exercise my impaired glucose tolerance was 5.3. So my doctor says that I need to exercise (which I have been doing a ton of since starting Atkins last year) and eat low carb AND low fat. I've been eating low carb so I'm thinking that it's the fat that is giving me these problems. I was wondering if there is some kind of blood sugar level tests that I can do on my own so I can figure out what foods are affecting my levels.

[Richt]

Re: Pre-diabetic

I dont know the answers to your questions, but I just want to say that my thoughts are with you.

Rich

[Bren]

Re: Pre-diabetic

Wanna in the US almost all health insurance companies cover a test kit. Your doctor may have to write a script, but it is a great tool. Also, here in the US pre-diatebics are encouraged to test frequently.

[Pineapple]

Re: Pre-diabetic

I'm pre-diabetic too, but I was never told low fat. In fact, my doctor's a pretty big atkins supporter. There are some kits that'll measure it for you, when I was on the metformin they suggested giving one to me but never got around to it. You may want to ask your doc about it and see if he can give you one.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Pre-diabetic

your terminology is different from the US. that is called a fasting blood sugar here.
the impaired glucose tolerance is defined as two-hour glucose levels of 140 to 199 mg per dL (7.8 to 11.0 mmol) on the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test.

Some folk have high morning blood sugar because of their genetic make up or what they had for snack before bed. Proteins eatten then can cause elevated morning blood sugars and even not eatting before bed can cause it too as the body gets "hungry" and releases the stored liver glucose.

if you are low fat low carb that leaves proteins which are not diabetic friendly when converted to sugars either. Did you have a normal day eating the day before the testing? Ask for your A1c test which will look at your blood sugar rate for the last 3 months and your doc can get a very good idea about the normal blood sugar level you have from your normal eating and exercise. did they do an insulin level too?

[wannabethintoo]

Re: Pre-diabetic

I'm pre-diabetic too, but I was never told low fat. In fact, my doctor's a pretty big atkins supporter. There are some kits that'll measure it for you, when I was on the metformin they suggested giving one to me but never got around to it. You may want to ask your doc about it and see if he can give you one.

So even after losing all your weight you are still pre-diabetic? I don't understand this. My doctor told me that type II diabetis could be controlled through exercise and losing weight. Well I've been exercising tons and I lost 60 lbs and now I am worse off than before.

[wannabethintoo]

Re: Pre-diabetic

Wanna in the US almost all health insurance companies cover a test kit. Your doctor may have to write a script, but it is a great tool. Also, here in the US pre-diatebics are encouraged to test frequently.

I'm going to ask my doctor for a prescription. Thanks Bren.

[wannabethintoo]

Re: Pre-diabetic

your terminology is different from the US. that is called a fasting blood sugar here.
the impaired glucose tolerance is defined as two-hour glucose levels of 140 to 199 mg per dL (7.8 to 11.0 mmol) on the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test.

Some folk have high morning blood sugar because of their genetic make up or what they had for snack before bed. Proteins eatten then can cause elevated morning blood sugars and even not eatting before bed can cause it too as the body gets "hungry" and releases the stored liver glucose.

if you are low fat low carb that leaves proteins which are not diabetic friendly when converted to sugars either. Did you have a normal day eating the day before the testing? Ask for your A1c test which will look at your blood sugar rate for the last 3 months and your doc can get a very good idea about the normal blood sugar level you have from your normal eating and exercise. did they do an insulin level too?

I really don't remember what I ate the day before but I know I didn't have an evening snack 'cause I never do. Before starting Atkins I always had some kind of evening snack high in carbs.

So how does the A1c test work? Is it a blood test? Do you have to it done often?

I'm not sure about the insulin level. It was just a yearly, general blood test that was testing for all kinds of things including cholesterol. I also thought that diabetics also had high cholesterol. Is that not the case? My cholesterol was normal and so is my blood pressure.

[Bren]

Re: Pre-diabetic

Wanna,

It is not uncommon for diabetic to have high blood pressure and high cholestrol. But, it sure looks like to me you have what we would call "caught the horse before he got out of the barn".
Did I read that diabetes runs in your family? IF so that may be the factor that is "getting you", cause it sure sounds to me like you are doing everything right to stay or eliminate the pre-diabetes. Once your a diabetic always a diabetic, but not so with pre-diabetes.
I also think I saw that you got your test kit? WONDERFUL. The rule of thumb for most doctors and the American Diabetic Association is to test first thing in the morning and two hours after a meal. You exercise alot? The other thing they suggested to us was to test before any exercise and shortly after. Just to get a handle on where you stand. Some people can really drop low after a work out.
Please remember ANYTHING I tell you here is not medical advise. But, we just finished the diabetic training course and I was amazed at what I learned.
FYI........ Cliff (hubby was just looking over my shoulder) and told me to tell you "scarry as **** at first, but once you get the swing of the testing etc.... piece of cake, sugar free cake that is!".
Anyways, I am a newbie at this also, but I have found out alot and knowledge is power. If they offer a course in your area. TAKE IT! Get a script from your doctor and get educated.
Thoughts and prayers are with you as I am just the wife of a diabetic and I know how scarry it has been for me.

[Coop2004]

Re: Pre-diabetic

Hi Wanna!!

As Bren stated, I'm glad that you've caught this in the early stages. And glad that you're going to get the meter.

There are also a couple of books out there that you might want to look at.

1. Dr. Atkins Diabetes Revolution.

2. Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. The following is a link which has excerpts from Dr. B's book.

http://www.diabetes-solution.net/

Check your local library to see if the have copies of the above books.

Also, A1c is a blood test.

[wannabethintoo]

Re: Pre-diabetic

Wanna,

It is not uncommon for diabetic to have high blood pressure and high cholestrol. But, it sure looks like to me you have what we would call "caught the horse before he got out of the barn".
Did I read that diabetes runs in your family? IF so that may be the factor that is "getting you", cause it sure sounds to me like you are doing everything right to stay or eliminate the pre-diabetes. Once your a diabetic always a diabetic, but not so with pre-diabetes.
I also think I saw that you got your test kit? WONDERFUL. The rule of thumb for most doctors and the American Diabetic Association is to test first thing in the morning and two hours after a meal. You exercise alot? The other thing they suggested to us was to test before any exercise and shortly after. Just to get a handle on where you stand. Some people can really drop low after a work out.
Please remember ANYTHING I tell you here is not medical advise. But, we just finished the diabetic training course and I was amazed at what I learned.
FYI........ Cliff (hubby was just looking over my shoulder) and told me to tell you "scarry as **** at first, but once you get the swing of the testing etc.... piece of cake, sugar free cake that is!".
Anyways, I am a newbie at this also, but I have found out alot and knowledge is power. If they offer a course in your area. TAKE IT! Get a script from your doctor and get educated.
Thoughts and prayers are with you as I am just the wife of a diabetic and I know how scarry it has been for me.

Yes diabetes runs in my family. My older sister had it, my mother has it and my grandmother had it. As well as a few aunts.

Yes, I got my meter. It's the Accu-chek company all in one blood glucose monitoring system.

Thanks a lot Bren. I'm trying to figure this out.

[wannabethintoo]

Re: Pre-diabetic

Hi Wanna!!

As Bren stated, I'm glad that you've caught this in the early stages. And glad that you're going to get the meter.

There are also a couple of books out there that you might want to look at.

1. Dr. Atkins Diabetes Revolution.

2. Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. The following is a link which has excerpts from Dr. B's book.

http://www.diabetes-solution.net/

Check your local library to see if the have copies of the above books.

Also, A1c is a blood test.

Thanks Linda. I'm going to get the books.

[Coop2004]

Re: Pre-diabetic

Hey Wanna,

Another thing you might want to do is to read the stickies at the top of this (Diabetic) Forum.



Linda

[Atkid]

Re: Pre-diabetic

Wanna, you are still at approximately 30 lbs or so above your goal weight, it is quite possible that once you drop those extra pounds the problem will resolve itself. Even if you were to start on gluclophage (sp?) now when reaching goal it is quite possible you will be able to give it up. I know a couple of people have been able to do this. Scary, right now, but goal weight I think is the light at the end of the tunnel. Hugs to you.

[Binsk]

Re: Pre-diabetic

Wanna, I am sorry to hear your diagnosis. Have your doctor write a script for the test strips. Most companies give the meters for free just so you'll use their strips. In Canada they usually run about 100 dollars a script. In the beginning test frequently. I would test after exercising and after new foods to see what effects your blood sugar.

You will find that your blood sugar is usually lower in the afternoon. This is the time that you can have more carbohydrate, and coffee because caffiene can raise your BS. An A1C is usually done every 3 months and is an average of your blood sugar for that time period. This test is the best indicator of how your actions and diet are effecting your BS. Many things can effect to fasting BS as 2Big said. This is a very critical time for you to keep those BS's in control. You can PM me if you have any questions, about Canadian readings or anything really. I do follow the Berstein book and think it has really given me a better outlook.

Good luck.