Pre diabetes / questions for dr

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Owlfan88
Owlfan88 Posts: 187 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have gotten a pre diabetic diagnosis from my dr. Actually last year my A1c was 5.9 I intended to do something about it, but... Well I finally started more exercise and trying to lose weight (and found MFP) about a month before my physical this year. A1c was up to 6.0, but my weight was down just into healthy BMI range and my cholesterol went from borderline high to good. I kept working on the weight and exercise and have just had another A1c test. It dropped to 5.7, so the lowest pre diabetic reading. Yay! But now I'm not sure what changes were most important to that drop. Was it my weight - I lost an additional 10 pounds, so being at a healthy weight the entire 3 months. Or exercise for that whole time - mostly walking 2+ miles briskly 6 days a week? I've been trying to watch my carbs more lately. I've dropped my carb ratio here to 40% and trying to stay under that even, but it's tough because evidently lots of foods the whole family likes are higher in carbs.
I've got a Drs appointment on Monday to discuss my latest A1c. I'm hoping that if she isn't much help that I can get a referral to a diabetic nutritionist. Does anyone have suggestions on specifics I should ask the dr about?
For reference, I'm 49 yo female, 5'7" 138 pounds and have some family history of diabetes, but it's hitting me younger than my mom or aunt.

Replies

  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
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    I found out that I was prediabetic and the doctor gave me poor advice (cut back on fats and eat more healthy grains - yikes) so I found my own answers. I follow Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. It's a very low carb high fat diet, and it worked like a charm.

    I would maybe ask him for some good reading materials or titles to look into. Prediabetes is mostly up to the patient to control. The more you know, the better you will manage the disease.

    Good luck.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,179 Member
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    Owlfan88 wrote: »
    I have gotten a pre diabetic diagnosis from my dr. Actually last year my A1c was 5.9 I intended to do something about it, but... Well I finally started more exercise and trying to lose weight (and found MFP) about a month before my physical this year. A1c was up to 6.0, but my weight was down just into healthy BMI range and my cholesterol went from borderline high to good. I kept working on the weight and exercise and have just had another A1c test. It dropped to 5.7, so the lowest pre diabetic reading. Yay! But now I'm not sure what changes were most important to that drop. Was it my weight - I lost an additional 10 pounds, so being at a healthy weight the entire 3 months. Or exercise for that whole time - mostly walking 2+ miles briskly 6 days a week? I've been trying to watch my carbs more lately. I've dropped my carb ratio here to 40% and trying to stay under that even, but it's tough because evidently lots of foods the whole family likes are higher in carbs.
    I've got a Drs appointment on Monday to discuss my latest A1c. I'm hoping that if she isn't much help that I can get a referral to a diabetic nutritionist. Does anyone have suggestions on specifics I should ask the dr about?
    For reference, I'm 49 yo female, 5'7" 138 pounds and have some family history of diabetes, but it's hitting me younger than my mom or aunt.

    What works for me so far is basically staying at a normal to low BMI, making sure I am physically active and having a diet based a lot on fiber sources: fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Per my dr, both weight management and increased physical activity are important, and I have found that whenever I either put on a few kilos (while still remaining in the healthy range) or have to limit exercise, numbers start to crawl back to the prediabetic range.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
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    Exercise uses glucose so helps reduce BG levels, it also improves peripheral insulin sensitivity. I haven't seen anything convincing that weight has a direct effect per se. Carbohydrate restriction also helps lower blood glucose.
  • Owlfan88
    Owlfan88 Posts: 187 Member
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    Thanks! I'll ask about reading materials. I hope I've learned enough from reading various threads here on MFP to know whether the Drs advice seems reasonable. I've wondered about things like beans which are high carb but also high fiber. How do they do for diabetics?
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,179 Member
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    Owlfan88 wrote: »
    Thanks! I'll ask about reading materials. I hope I've learned enough from reading various threads here on MFP to know whether the Drs advice seems reasonable. I've wondered about things like beans which are high carb but also high fiber. How do they do for diabetics?

    They are perfectly fine, one serving at a time and not adding also extra carbs in this meal. So, if your meal plan says e.g. you can have a serving of rice or bread for lunch, if main dish is bean-based, then you might not be able to also add these extra carbs. However, since you are only prediabetic, it might not really be necessary to worry about that much detail in meal planning.
  • shadowconn
    shadowconn Posts: 141 Member
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    Owlfan88 wrote: »
    Thanks! I'll ask about reading materials. I hope I've learned enough from reading various threads here on MFP to know whether the Drs advice seems reasonable. I've wondered about things like beans which are high carb but also high fiber. How do they do for diabetics?

    Prediabetes is best controlled by exercise. (Not a doctor) my sister-in-law found some info on exercise for blood sugar control. I don't know where she found it, but aparently you can do X amount of a treadmille and lower your blood sugar by X number of points. You can test it for yourself by stabbing/testing yourself before and after workouts. Also have an aunt.counsin/something twice removed that just got a prediabetic diagnosis. She busted her butt and lost weight, and I think she is fine atm if her current wine consumption is anything to go on...... LOL I also read some research somewhere that said losing 11% of your bodyweight helps prediabetes. So whatever your big high was when you were diagnosed. 11% of that. Again, not a doctor and I can't recall where I read that.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
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    shadowconn wrote: »
    Owlfan88 wrote: »
    Thanks! I'll ask about reading materials. I hope I've learned enough from reading various threads here on MFP to know whether the Drs advice seems reasonable. I've wondered about things like beans which are high carb but also high fiber. How do they do for diabetics?

    Prediabetes is best controlled by exercise. (Not a doctor) my sister-in-law found some info on exercise for blood sugar control. I don't know where she found it, but aparently you can do X amount of a treadmille and lower your blood sugar by X number of points. You can test it for yourself by stabbing/testing yourself before and after workouts. Also have an aunt.counsin/something twice removed that just got a prediabetic diagnosis. She busted her butt and lost weight, and I think she is fine atm if her current wine consumption is anything to go on...... LOL I also read some research somewhere that said losing 11% of your bodyweight helps prediabetes. So whatever your big high was when you were diagnosed. 11% of that. Again, not a doctor and I can't recall where I read that.

    Diabetes is controlled by diet and exercise, and those who are pre-diabetic and diabetic are to watch their carb intake. Severe restriction and indicated by some posters here is probably not necessary.
  • rjan91
    rjan91 Posts: 194 Member
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    You can get your reading materials at the American Diabetes Association. Everything you need is there.

    http://www.diabetes.org

    There are also some good resources here:

    http://www.lillydiabetes.com

    They may have a sub section for pre diabetes, but anything for Type 2 would be good information as well. It's not just about reducing your carbs, but making sure you choose lower glycemic foods and keeping your carb intake somewhat even throughout the day.

    http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/understanding-carbohydrates/glycemic-index-and-diabetes.html

    Good luck!
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
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    rjan91 wrote: »
    You can get your reading materials at the American Diabetes Association. Everything you need is there.

    http://www.diabetes.org

    There are also some good resources here:

    http://www.lillydiabetes.com

    They may have a sub section for pre diabetes, but anything for Type 2 would be good information as well. It's not just about reducing your carbs, but making sure you choose lower glycemic foods and keeping your carb intake somewhat even throughout the day.

    http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/understanding-carbohydrates/glycemic-index-and-diabetes.html

    Good luck!

    Good resources.
  • rjan91
    rjan91 Posts: 194 Member
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    Couple more from the Canadian Diabetes Assoc:

    https://www.diabetes.ca/diabetes-and-you/living-with-prediabetes

    https://www.diabetes.ca/in-your-community/webinars/past-webinars

    Hope these help!
  • daniwilford
    daniwilford Posts: 1,030 Member
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    Hey friend, I am also a pre-diabetic, doing much of what you are to keep blood sugars down. I try never to eat carbs without fiber this will more gradually release the sugars into the blood. I try to keep my snacks and meals below 45 grams of carbs each, unless I am doing a significant workout right after then I may increase but no higher than 60 and always with lots of fiber. My family is full of diabetics so I have followed their advice as much as the doctors. None of them were successful with out a combination of diet and exercise. Neglect of one or both of these led to insulin dependence and early death.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
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    Owlfan88 wrote: »
    I have gotten a pre diabetic diagnosis from my dr. Actually last year my A1c was 5.9 I intended to do something about it, but... Well I finally started more exercise and trying to lose weight (and found MFP) about a month before my physical this year. A1c was up to 6.0, but my weight was down just into healthy BMI range and my cholesterol went from borderline high to good. I kept working on the weight and exercise and have just had another A1c test. It dropped to 5.7, so the lowest pre diabetic reading. Yay! But now I'm not sure what changes were most important to that drop. Was it my weight - I lost an additional 10 pounds, so being at a healthy weight the entire 3 months. Or exercise for that whole time - mostly walking 2+ miles briskly 6 days a week? I've been trying to watch my carbs more lately. I've dropped my carb ratio here to 40% and trying to stay under that even, but it's tough because evidently lots of foods the whole family likes are higher in carbs.
    I've got a Drs appointment on Monday to discuss my latest A1c. I'm hoping that if she isn't much help that I can get a referral to a diabetic nutritionist. Does anyone have suggestions on specifics I should ask the dr about?
    For reference, I'm 49 yo female, 5'7" 138 pounds and have some family history of diabetes, but it's hitting me younger than my mom or aunt.

    If you haven't been doing so, I would test your BG after different meals to see which foods cause it to spike. Just to help with control.

    I would also incorporate resistance training into your workout routine. There is some research that suggests that resistance work has it's own independent positive effect on BG levels.
  • ki4eld
    ki4eld Posts: 1,215 Member
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    1. Ask for a referral to a dietitian. Doctors notoriously don't know crap about nutrition details.
    2. Ask for a prescription for a blood glucose meter. Start checking yourself before and after meals.
    3. See if you have access to an exercise therapist, especially one that specializes in diabetes.
    4. Ask for a complete micronutrient blood panel. This will be crucial for customizing your diet.

    See the specialists. GPs are great for general stuff, but seeing specialists is best when you have a particular issue. Do the testing, because knowing exactly where you're starting is important to understanding the right path to where you need to be.
  • KittensMaster
    KittensMaster Posts: 748 Member
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    SLLRunner wrote: »
    shadowconn wrote: »
    Owlfan88 wrote: »
    Thanks! I'll ask about reading materials. I hope I've learned enough from reading various threads here on MFP to know whether the Drs advice seems reasonable. I've wondered about things like beans which are high carb but also high fiber. How do they do for diabetics?

    Prediabetes is best controlled by exercise. (Not a doctor) my sister-in-law found some info on exercise for blood sugar control. I don't know where she found it, but aparently you can do X amount of a treadmille and lower your blood sugar by X number of points. You can test it for yourself by stabbing/testing yourself before and after workouts. Also have an aunt.counsin/something twice removed that just got a prediabetic diagnosis. She busted her butt and lost weight, and I think she is fine atm if her current wine consumption is anything to go on...... LOL I also read some research somewhere that said losing 11% of your bodyweight helps prediabetes. So whatever your big high was when you were diagnosed. 11% of that. Again, not a doctor and I can't recall where I read that.

    Diabetes is controlled by diet and exercise, and those who are pre-diabetic and diabetic are to watch their carb intake. Severe restriction and indicated by some posters here is probably not necessary.


    Best advice

    I reversed my type 2 diabetes with exercise and sub 80 carbs a day sourced from fibrous veggies
  • Owlfan88
    Owlfan88 Posts: 187 Member
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    KittensMaster wrote: »


    Best advice

    I reversed my type 2 diabetes with exercise and sub 80 carbs a day sourced from fibrous veggies

    @KittensMaster, how long ago did you achieve the reversal of diabetes? And do you continue to do sub 80 carbs a day? Every day or do you have occasional days you go over on carbs? If your diary is open to friends, I would love to be able to see it to get some ideas. Thanks
  • KittensMaster
    KittensMaster Posts: 748 Member
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    Owlfan88 wrote: »
    KittensMaster wrote: »


    Best advice

    I reversed my type 2 diabetes with exercise and sub 80 carbs a day sourced from fibrous veggies

    @KittensMaster, how long ago did you achieve the reversal of diabetes? And do you continue to do sub 80 carbs a day? Every day or do you have occasional days you go over on carbs? If your diary is open to friends, I would love to be able to see it to get some ideas. Thanks


    About 9 months ago.

    I have changed the way I see food. It is just fuel. Nothing more

    I ride a bike lots now and workout. So when I need carbs for fuel, I eat them. Yesterday I rode 40 miles at 18.4 mph. It used lots of fuel!! So I ate 120 carbs before and during my ride and still burned off way more than I ate.

    It is about net carb usage now

    If I am not exercising I keep it under 80. A little exercise I may eat more. I'm going to ride again today and will have maybe 100 carbs on a ride that will burn 1200 calories

    It is about burning out the blood glucose as others mentioned

    I just saw too many die and get limbs amputated from diabetes

    I went hard core to reverse it

    Lost 130 lbs in 2 years and added 20 lbs of muscle.

    On day 1 my blood glucose level was a little over 300

    Now it was 85 last morning check
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,464 Member
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    Congrats! I was right in your shoes a year ago. It's a combination of exercise, weight, and carbs. It's very hard to say which one is most important. The main thing is to keep doing what you're going and keep that a1c in a healthy range. Do happy got you that u got this under control quickly.
  • claregib
    claregib Posts: 20 Member
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    I found low carbing, high protein and exercising after meals helped a great deal. Nothing to strenuous after food just a brisk walk or gentle cycling. Cutting out refined sugar and limiting fruit to 2 sometime 3 portions a day (I only eat berries, tangerines, apples and plums). Also check on packages the carb and sugar content. I found the dr and dietician useless when it came to food advice and joined a diabetes forum and read updated information online.

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