Pre-Diabetes Anyone?

sandrafondren · August 2016

I want to share something with you. Three and a half months ago my doctor did an A1C on me which for those of you who do not know, it is a level to find out if you are a diabetic or how your diabetic level is doing. Well mine was 6.4 which is diabetic level and the doctor was going to start me on medicine for diabetes. I begged him not to. He said "Ok, here is what you are GOING to do. Eat 1200 calories a day, absolutely no sugar, don't eat many carbs and exercise EVERYDAY." Also he asked me to check my sugar every day and to call in my morning and evening readings to him every week. Ok, He definitely got my attention and I did exactly what he said. Tuesday I had another A1C drawn and I got my results today. 5.3-which is in the NORMAL RANGE!!! I was just praying for it to be in the lower part of pre-diabetic. So please be encouraged that whatever your struggle is with weight, keep on going. Now to get this other 60 lbs off. Whoo Hoo!

elisa123gal · August 2016

What a great post. I recently started looking at my sugar settings on mfp. It was automatically on 45.. and in researching I see that the CDC suggest 22 or 25 percent to adult females. I'm really trying to keep it low. I'm curious how low the doc says you should keep yours.

Spliner1969 · August 2016

Yup, I have family members who have reversed Type 2 by losing weight and quitting sugar. Granted, they probably will have to stay off sugar the rest of their lives to keep it that way because they didn't deal with it before it reached that level but they did it and are doing great. I was getting close early last year, and quit sugar for quite some time. Now I have lost all the weight and eat sugar in some things like deserts, but otherwise I simply use Stevia and don't have any issues. If there is a sugar free or no sugar added alternative I go for it instead. The nice thing is they tend to have less calories as well.

sandrafondren · August 2016

I may allow myself a small piece of cake or candy on special occasions but I'm done eating deserts, and that's ok. I'd rather have my health and a nice body. (I've got 70 lbs. to go to get to that goal though.)

elisa123gal, what is this setting you are speaking of? What does the "CDC suggest 22 or 25 % to adult females." I don't understand and wish to learn more. Thanks.

meritage4 · August 2016

Recent type 2 here. It's not just sugars folks. It's also carbs you have to watch because carbs break down into sugars.

45 lbs gone. Great blood sugars. Doc is considering no meds for me in sept .

sandrafondren · August 2016

You are exactly right meritage4. Congratulations on your 45 lbs. I keep my carbs down to around 65g a day. I think under 50 and you will go into ketosis.

sherryrichie · August 2016

Eat 1200 calories a day, absolutely no sugar, don't eat many carbs and exercise EVERYDAY." Also he asked me to check my sugar every day and to call in my morning and evening readings to him every week.

I wish my doctor had told me this when I was first diagnosed. Great job on your A1C results. Keep it up!!

bpp23 · August 2016

6.1 for me was my reading. Sugar and carbs are definitely my weakness. Though gave up coke picked up sweet tea which isn't doing me any good

meritage4 · August 2016

Get rid of the sweet tea.

Return2Fit · August 2016

I received that very diagnosis and listened as my doctor told me how Type II diabetes would progress and how we'd mitigate the symptoms with various medications.
"My job is to treat symptoms - not causes", he said.
And then he went on to explain the causes which were totally self-inflicted, ending the explanation with "....so, if you were to lose about 60 pounds, all this goes away".

huh???
Anyway, I decided to lose the weight, and sure enough, all those symptoms went away just like he said.
Doctors fear telling patients the truth, because most people can't handle the notion of personal responsibility. Most people want to be helpless victims suffering lousy random luck.

I am thankful for having a personal physician that takes an honest, integrative approach when it comes to disease.
That nice guy doc down the street might have told me it was all genetic....lol

grinning_chick · August 2016

You cannot diagnosis diabetes mellitus Type II off of a single A1C laboratory value. There are multiple reasons why a single A1C value might be elevated (or lowered), and that's beyond laboratory error. Doctors really need to stop doing this. It's looking for/relying on a diagnostic shortcut that does not actually exist.

If I'd listened to my GP, I would've been prescribed and taking diabetic drugs, without so much as a fasting glucose value obtained first to verify the A1C, that I did not need. Why? Because my A1C at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and now 3 years out from a single lab value of 7.1 the first time my A1C was ever run (when I was only a moderately overweight 170 lbs) has been 5.2 every time. Perfectly normal. Even last month at 208 lbs.

I didn't change anything about my diet or exercise patterns after the false diagnosis (except eventually getting fatter) because during that first three months, I obtained tens of dozens of randomized glucose meter readings and the only time I ever edged into diabetic-like blood glucose values was within two hours have having purposely spiked my BG by downing a huge restaurant dinner, two full sized desserts, and three mixed cocktails in one sitting.

And it took three years and a new GP to get the diagnosis of a disease I did not have finally stricken from my medical record's MPL. Frustrating, to say the least.

Please, people, be your own advocate when at your doctor's and remember they can't "force" you to do anything. They work for you and they are not infallible.

chrissygbulldog3 · August 2016

Last year I took a Prediabetes class offered for free through my local hospital. It is a class that is put together by the CDC. It is a year long. You can get the whole curriculum online, but I would definitely recommend taking the class if you ever have an opportunity. It is really important that you have a balance of the recommended amounts of fat, calories, protein and carbs. They all work together. Sources of sugar and salt need to be monitored also. I used MFP to track it all for me. I lost 65 pounds, lowered the cholesterol and blood pressure to perfect levels and am no longer prediabetic. I have had joint replacement surgeries and have MS, so can not really exercise. I still have weight to get off and continue working on it. Take care all.
Chris

Paulina1230 · August 2016

One year ago I was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and prediabetic. A1c was 6.0 and I was 272 lbs. I work in a medical clinic and I work with diabetic patients so I know all the risks and severe health problems that develop with diabetes. I was totally floored and absolutely terrified that I may end up diabetic. I decided then and there that I was not going to die an early death because I couldnt stop eating. I started on MFP and worked in some excersise and really concentrated on fueling my body with healthy foods. Cut out all processed sugars, fats and chemicals. No alcohol and lost my taste for meats. 1 year later Im down to 183 and best of all my A1c is a normal 5.4. I am healthier than I ever have been before and although I am 54 years old....I feel 30. I am doing things I'd never thought possible. I've run 4 5ks and walked a 12k. I zip lined and Im going on hikes all the time. I feel free. I wish I had done this years ago instead of letting life pass me by. The diagnosis I got 1 year ago turned out to be a blessing....made me get off my butt and live.

stilltrusting · August 2016

sandrafondren wrote: »

I want to share something with you. Three and a half months ago my doctor did an A1C on me which for those of you who do not know, it is a level to find out if you are a diabetic or how your diabetic level is doing. Well mine was 6.4 which is diabetic level and the doctor was going to start me on medicine for diabetes. I begged him not to. He said "Ok, here is what you are GOING to do. Eat 1200 calories a day, absolutely no sugar, don't eat many carbs and exercise EVERYDAY." Also he asked me to check my sugar every day and to call in my morning and evening readings to him every week. Ok, He definitely got my attention and I did exactly what he said. Tuesday I had another A1C drawn and I got my results today. 5.3-which is in the NORMAL RANGE!!! I was just praying for it to be in the lower part of pre-diabetic. So please be encouraged that whatever your struggle is with weight, keep on going. Now to get this other 60 lbs off. Whoo Hoo!

I had a scare in January where I nearly passed out in Walmart. It resulted in bloodwork & a 5-hour glucose test. Hour#2 put me 1 point into the prediabetic range. My doctor encouraged me to look at an anti-inflammatory diet, a Paleo diet, or the Atkins diet. I ended up doing a MODIFIED ketogenic diet (following the work of Dr. Phinney and Dr. Volek) and receive the basic support through the Facebook Group: Ketogenic Dieters. This is NOT a HIGH fat version of the diet because I want to lose body fat. Anyhow, in 4 months, I've lost 60 lbs and more than 50 inches. The best part is I'm no longer prediabetic.

I'll be going for a full set of labs in October, but I ran into my doctor at the store yesterday and he didn't even recognize me.

klbrowser · August 2016

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2005 after one of those 5-hour glucose tests. In my case, I really did inherit it. I was already living a healthy lifestyle but took a diabetes education course and had a one-on-one appointment with a dietary expert. I made some tweaks to meal timing, meal composition and portion size and exercised as much as my multiple medical conditions would allow. Within six months, I was out of the diabetic range. About three years ago, I was able to get off of diabetes medication completely, and my A1C is still consistently under 6. This is definitely something doable for most people.

Wanted to mention one thing regarding sugars. Not all of them are created equal. Whole fruit contains sugar, but because it also contains fiber, it isn't metabolized as quickly as white sugar or high fructose corn syrup in processed food and is less likely to cause those dramatic glucose spikes that diabetics want to avoid. A diabetic can have small amounts of fresh fruit as long as the rest of the meal doesn't contain an excess of carbohydrates. Your body does need some carbohydrates to function properly, the best sources being fresh veggies and unprocessed whole grains. I agree with what some of the others have said about balancing fats, proteins, carbohydrates and calories. It's a juggling act, but an extremely worthwhile one.

sandrafondren · August 2016

stilltrusting that is awesome!!! Congratulations!!! That is a lot of weight for 4 months. What type of exercise are you doing? Congratulations again.

maidengirl_ · August 2016

My doctor told me I was pre-diabetic last year and class 1 obese. I have lost 39 pounds since then and no longer prediabetic thank god.

sandrafondren · August 2016

klbrowser You are absolutely correct about the different sugars and how they are metabolized. I've been working with a dietitian and she said to pair a sugar or carb with a protein to prevent a sugar spike. Such as adding some peanut butter (without sugar) on an apple. Congratulations!!!

sandrafondren · August 2016

Paulina1230 that is so great. I'm sure you are inspiring so many others through your hard work. Great Job!

BiggDaddy58 · August 2016

I went in to my Dr in January this year at 308 pounds. My last 4 A1C tests were

6.2, 6.4, 6.4 and in January 7.4 I had fatty deposits in my liver.

My Dr wanted to put me on meds. I said Nope..I'll try and lose weight first.

My Dr. did NOT say anything about watch your sugar, watch your carbs ..nothing. He said losing weight is where you have to start.

He said "Put On Your Shoes" Meaning..just do something..anything..get active. Eat less.

I tried and failed in February..but on March 1st..I got serious.

I started working out as much as I could (stationary bike) and put myself on 1200-1300 calories a day.

I have since increased my calories and my exercise now is anywhere from an hour to two hours a day.

I have dropped over 74 pounds in 5 months. I went and checked with my Dr in late July.
All my tests were great!

No Meds for the diabetes. My BP was 111/71 My liver tests..good..no excess fatty deposits.

The ONE huge change was cutting out pop/soda (whatever you call it)

I only watch calories. I do not cut carbs or count carbs. Simply eat healthier foods.

This is a big myth about diabetes and carbs. That all diabetics need to go low carb.

Yes..it may be necessary for SOME people to watch carbs, but it is not an absolute.

Watch the type of carbs you eat is a better way to go (IMO)

I eat plenty of good carbs. My macros are set at Carbs-Fat-Protein 50-30-20 and I try and cut fat and eat more protein and let the carbs fall where they may.

I try and Keep it simple. Eat healthy food, exercise and watch your calorie intake.

It works for me. I always recommend you check with your Dr. I simply wanted to mention carbs and diabetes as I see this brought up all the time.

dreamforme · October 2016

i am new to this pre diabetes. Does anyone have a set meal plan day by day i could follow. I feel so lost right now. Sometimes its overwhelming. I am the type of person who has to have everything written down in order to stay on track. I struggle with what eat in the morning and at lunch. and i need to watch my portions. any suggestions for a newby.

wils5150 · October 2016

Doctors are throwing around "pre-diabetic" like it's going out of style. It's border line a scam. If your over weight just lose some and all is good. Oh and I am a diabetic

Pre-Diabetes Anyone?

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