Pre-Diabetes

[Larry21]

An independent reading using a monitor (finger pricking) showed a reading of 103. For the record, no food or drink had been conumed for 8 hours prior to the test. By itself, does this consitute a concern for pre-diabetes?

[R2112]

One test can't give you that answer. A1C test performed by your doctor will give you and average over a 3 month period and they can tell you what steps will need to be taken from there.

[morrisma]

Not to worry - meters have a wide error margin. If you have other symptoms (thirst, frequent urination, lethargy, etc) or are still concerned, see your doc and get c-peptide test and / or glucose tolerance test. These will provide the surest diagnosis.

If you are anxious, you can do a limited glucose tolerance test at home. Plan a normal meal with some carbs (rice, pasta, potato, bread), some protein (meat, fish, egg, chicken, legume) and some fat (ice cream, peanut butter cookies). You get the idea. Nice mix of the things you usually eat. Note the time you start eating and test 1 hour later, then 2 hours and continue every hour until your bs returns to 100 or lower. If you are under 100 in 2 hours, that's perfect. If not, bring the test results to the doc when you go & see what he says about it.
Mike

[lottadata]

What you should be looking at is your blood sugars after you eat. They are a MUCH more important indicator of blood sugar health.

Fasting blood sugar stays around where yours is for years while blood sugars get dangerously high after meals. By the time your fasting blood sugar is seriously whacked, so are your beta cells (the little guys who secrete insulin.) So don't ignore early warning signs!

If you are seeing blood sugars over 140 mg/dl 2 or 3 hours after eating, yes, that is prediabetes and you want to intervene as soon as possible to keep them from destroying your health.

Cutting way back on your carbohydrate intake is usually the first step. It will do the most to return you to normal functioning. Cut out all unnecessary starches and sugars.

[Tropo]

Cutting way back on your carbohydrate intake is usually the first step. It will do the most to return you to normal functioning. Cut out all unnecessary starches and sugars.

I would consider starting and maintaining a comprehensive exercise program while continuing to eat a normal quantity of carbohydrates to be the very first step. It will have all around health benefits too.

[Jill-O]

I agree with the recommendation to have an A1C test (you can even purchase a home test for this). It will tell you more about how your levels have been the past 3 or so months.