[gumby]

Hey all - I'm hoping that you can give me some direction here. I recently had fasting blood that put me in the pre-diabetic range. My mother and grandfather are/were both Type II - my mom's diagnosis was only a year or two ago - so I thought I had some time (me 48 mom 68).

HOWEVER, while I was moderately freaked my doctor seems to think its no big deal. Her exact words were "eat less sugar, loose twenty pounds come back and see me in six months- it will probably go back down". My mom says get a new doctor immediately. I'm a competative athlete so even though I'm overweight I'm in good shape and I was under a lot of stress at the time. So I just don't know how worried to be at this point.

Any insight?

[ant hill]

Hello Gumby, Welcome to DF.
I think that you should get back into training again. You can get the type 2 reversed buy diet & exercise. Buy a Glucose meter and look for 6 / 108 as the target but there is an after meal reading at 2 hours after your meal. As far as the diet goes and as long that you're are in training then food is fuel to your physical activity.
People here who are type 2 do carb counting seriously but if you are a physical person then carb counting may be not your thing.
What medicines are you taking as this may have some difference to your health.

[gumby]

Don't take any medication (well with the exception of WAAAy to much Motrin)

My dr says I don't need to test - that the reading will probably go back down on their own if I loose some weight. I'm thinking about getting a meter anyway but the strips are dam pricey - I just don't know if I'm over reacting or not but sitting back and waiting to get worse just isn't my style.

[Alice]

The "eat less sugar" part worries me...sugar doesn't cause diabetes. That is one of the great myths we hear all the time. The excess calories of sugar will add to weight gain, of course, so eliminating certain foods (more than just "sugar") will help with weight.

To lose weight, you will need to reduce all calories...not just one category. Sugars are only one type of carb...there are many more.

You may wish to find a doctor that doesn't throw the "sugar" word around...it's a myth and outdated to say the least.

[jakesfnm]

My doctor told me the same thing in November. I'm 58 and an ex-athlete but still in pretty good shape. I lost 20 lbs. mostly by reducing my carbs as I've always healthy. My blood glucose looks good now - usually under 100. I did bite-the-bullet on the expensive strips. Don't plan on buying them again - just having A1C test every 6 months. I know everyone is different. Also, get good deep sleep. It MAY help.

[xMenace]

He's basically right on the money. Your diet probably sucks. Your body is old and fat despite how you think you feel. All the successful people I know have have followed this script. All the unsuccessful ones I know haven't. Do what he says, live long, and prosper!

[Ronin]

Hi Gumby!

I also welcome you to DF. Right now you are going to get all kinds of advice from a whole bunch of people. At risk of boring the regulars on the Pre-D forum I'll give you a bit of context and then some advice.

The diagnosis of "Pre-Diabetic" is relatively new and the intention was to capture young people before they developed full blown Type-2 diabetes. The unintended consequence was that the diagnosis has begun to sweep in a lot of people in their 50's and above (you're close at 48). The response of the MD's ranges from the "Don't worry" to "Here's a prescription for medication" and everything in between.

You are not alone. Most of us who hang out on the Pre-D forum have been through the mill with various results.

Now, what should you do? First off get the meter and start testing. The cost of the meter and strips is small compared to the knowledge of how your body works that you will gain.

Next, get your eating habits under control. Recognize that carbohydrates come in forms other than "Sugar." They are all over the place and must be a part of your overall eating. However, they need to be used in the appropriate place in your daily life. Generally the best rule is carbs before exercise and protien following exercise.

Ah, exercise -- most of us Pre-D's (and I am Pre-D based on a lot of testing although I am not currently taking Insulin or any drugs for diabetes) find that exercise helps manage BG levels in two ways: it burns up the carbs we eat and reduces fat stores that can lead towards Insulin Resistance which is the ticket to Type-2-Land. Exercise should be daily or as close to daily as you can make it. Also, your choice of exercise should be something you like and do willingly.

Back to the issue of testing. Start testing at the following times: FBG's first thing in the AM, then two-hours after meals for a week or so just to understand how your BG levels move through the day. Make a chart and put all kinds of notes about exercise levels, foods eaten, general health, in the log as well. As you make changes to your diet and exercise and your test results for post-prandial readings becomes a bit predictable you can drop the post-prandials but keep the FBG's going.

If diet and exercise will work, you should see a marked reduction in your BG levels over time. You will also build knowledge that tells you: "when I eat this my BG does that" and "when I exercise in this way my BG moves in that way."

If changes to diet and exercise along with weight loss do not reduce your BG levels you have a more serious problem.

The most important part of this stage is to learn as much as you can and internalize the knowledge. Keep asking questions on these forums -- all of us here have been there and are more than willing to share our knowlege and experience with you.

[Larry H.]

Welcome,

Your probably lucky even as perhaps out of touch the doctor is that he or she pointed out that you may be headed for problems if you don't take steps to slow it down. That is a similar thing that happened to me, but mine is farther along than yours.

I can relate to the sugars issue. We have made every effort to avoid much white or other forms of sugar. I don't totally avoid it, but even though I give equal respect to other carbs, there seems to be something about pure forms of sugar that can cause a quick spike for me when splenda or low sugar items won't. Lots of others things will also, but I think sugar does it worse quickly.

The advice to get in shape is good for us no matter what our health may be and frankly I am glad that after years of being a bit over weight the carb counting has given me the ability to loose, (perhaps a bit too much), but better than too heavy in my book. I exercise or walk on a near daily basis which in turn has made me feel better overall too. Especially in this day when we spend so much time at these keyboards.

On that topic I fear for the future generations. We had a photo in the local paper of the high school computer club, about 30 kids. Every one was at least twice the size they should be in high school.. "Computer club", is it any wonder?

So take control and do get a meter.. I also struggle with the price of strips. At first I had a meter I forget the name of, but It was cheaper, I didn't care for it. I went to one touch, which was nice, but very expensive. So after reading some folks here I decided to try the 8.00 walmart meter with strips for half the price.. I am pleased to say after getting used to it that it works very well and is very comparable in reading to my one touch.

Your fortunate to have time to get control of your life and avoid the worse aspects that can develop if left unattended too.