Should I be worried about developing diabetes? (buy, blood, plan)
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I just received my lab results yesterday; this is for a routine physical. I had the lab work done last Saturday.
My fasting blood glucose level is 99. When I last had lab work done in July 2010, it was 91. Clearly the trend is not good. I'm one point away from being classified as pre-diabetic.
A1c is 5.5 now, up from 5.4. A small increase, but still an increase. According to Quest Diagnostics, anything over 5.7 is an increased risk, but again, if the trend is upward why wouldn't I address this now?
I lost twenty pounds last year (and have since gained three to four pounds back!) through a combination of exercise (walking at my local park) and eating less but not necessarily more healthily. I have cut out all sugary drinks with the exception of my one cup of coffee every morning.
I'm 50 years old. The only other number that leaped out at me on my lab work was that TSH (thyroid?) is .78, down significantly from 1.04. Normal is between .4 and 4.5.
Of course, I'll discuss everything with my doctor, but it's time for me to change my eating habits. My only question is, should I go to the trouble of testing my blood glucose after a meal, just to see what's going on? How difficult is that to do? I'm afraid that if I don't do something now, I'll forget about it, and face the consequences of my inaction later on.
I just received my lab results yesterday; this is for a routine physical. I had the lab work done last Saturday.
My fasting blood glucose level is 99. When I last had lab work done in July 2010, it was 91. Clearly the trend is not good. I'm one point away from being classified as pre-diabetic.
A1c is 5.5 now, up from 5.4. A small increase, but still an increase. According to Quest Diagnostics, anything over 5.7 is an increased risk, but again, if the trend is upward why wouldn't I address this now?
I lost twenty pounds last year (and have since gained three to four pounds back!) through a combination of exercise (walking at my local park) and eating less but not necessarily more healthily. I have cut out all sugary drinks with the exception of my one cup of coffee every morning.
I'm 50 years old. The only other number that leaped out at me on my lab work was that TSH (thyroid?) is .78, down significantly from 1.04. Normal is between .4 and 4.5.
Of course, I'll discuss everything with my doctor, but it's time for me to change my eating habits. My only question is, should I go to the trouble of testing my blood glucose after a meal, just to see what's going on? How difficult is that to do? I'm afraid that if I don't do something now, I'll forget about it, and face the consequences of my inaction later on.
(And Merry Christmas, everyone!)
One step at a time. Start by cutting out all desserts: candy, cookies, pies, cakes, other pastries, ice creams. That's the first thing I did. Don't do the second thing I did. After losing ten pounds and lowering my glucose level, I got careless. Take one step at a time and stick with it.
One step at a time. Start by cutting out all desserts: candy, cookies, pies, cakes, other pastries, ice creams. That's the first thing I did. Don't do the second thing I did. After losing ten pounds and lowering my glucose level, I got careless. Take one step at a time and stick with it.
I would recommend that you severely cut down, not cut out, things you like if going totally without would discourage you from sticking with it.
The sneakier thing is the carbs that turn into sugar. If you watch the 'whites'...bread, pasta and even white rice, you'll do well at controlling.
I would recommend that you severely cut down, not cut out, things you like if going totally without would discourage you from sticking with it.
The sneakier thing is the carbs that turn into sugar. If you watch the 'whites'...bread, pasta and even white rice, you'll do well at controlling.
Depending on how much will power you have? "Down" is better if you can stick to it. Me? Don't let me near it!
Thanks, everyone! I'll report back after I see my doctor in mid January.
Part of me is whining, "What is life without sugar?!" But the other part of me is a little more sensible.
After half a century of terrible eating habits, I'm going to have to change all of that, and it won't be easy. I'm thinking of seeing a nutritionist as well - more for the motivation than anything else. I've always been so lazy with food; anything that comes out of a box or a bag works for me! Of course, this means I eat processed, bleached food all the time, and these are the results.
I saw my doctor today for my yearly physical, and he said, "Your labs are great!" When I pointed out my fasting glucose level, he pointed to the A1c results of 5.5, and said, "The fasting blood glucose is just a snapshot in time. This test shows how much sugar is actually binding to your red blood cells over a three-month period. You're fine." Hmm, okay. It still wouldn't hurt me to try to be a little more conscious of how much sugar I eat, though.
Look for a pamphlet called "Carb Counting and Meal Planning". I believe you can find it on amazon for kindle books or go to the cornerstone4care site and look for it.
It is very informative and gives you a good base guideline for meal planning, calories, etc.
When my husband was first diagnosed this is what I used and carried with me at all times just for reference and to make sure if/when we ate out he was getting proper portions and combinations of foods.
As a matter of fact I still carry it with me at all times and I have a couple copies of it that I have given out to a few people over the last several years who were just diagnosed and completely overwhelmed with all of the information out there.
PS ~~ Diabetes or Pre Diabetes is NOT just about "Sugar" it is all foods combined and 5.5 is a good a1c, my husband was up to 12 at one point, he is now down to 6.5 which is under 7.0 which is his goal to be under.
Yes you should be worried about becoming diabetic as its an unhealthy condition that deteriorates the body and you'll be needing a plethora of drugs for the rest of your life.
There certainly is much info online concerning how to live a healthy lifestyle.
One thing seems to be certain the general American diet is resulting in an epidemic of obesity and by default an epidemic of diabetes,proper Diet and exercise are the keys to avoiding the problem.
Myfitnesspal is a great site to log what you eat and siscober where problems might be. https://www.google.ca/#q=Myfitnesspal&safe=active
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