Am I pre-diabetic?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2007
Am I pre-diabetic?
10
Tue, 10-23-2007 - 11:33am

To start off with, I am a 21yr old female. Around 5"7 and 125lbs. Last December, I had a reading come back at 134, BUT, that was about an hour and a half after eating a lot of pizza and mountain dew. Doctor still wanted a fasting test, so I did, and it was 104. I have severe anxiety problems, and was so worried about diabetes that I didn't eat much of anything the day before the test. I had probably been fasting for around 14hrs when I had the test, and it worried me so much.


Since then, I have had random checks and they've come back at 98 and 94 (not fasting). Still worrying, I had my doctor do an A1c test this last week. It came back at 5.6% and my cholesterol was high as well. 224 total, 148 LDL, and 63 HDL. I know the LDL is especially bad.


So, from these numbers, does it sound as if I am prediabetic? I cannot stop worrying! Also, I have been walking a lot and don't eat that bad. So I don't know what else to do. I am in college and just want to stop this worrying. Thanks!

Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 10-23-2007 - 12:21pm

Hi and welcome to the board!


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Tue, 10-23-2007 - 12:24pm

5.6 is GOOD for an A1C and your HDL is higher than the minimum for women (generally speaking, "they" like to see women with HDL greater than 50). LDL is readily addressed by switching to healthier fats like olive oil and avoiding the hydrogenated fats and eating whole grains, fruits, veggies. A fasting glucose of 104 is normal. 134 after a meal is well within a good range (under 140 is the general rule of thumb).

Do you have a family tendency toward diabetes? Is that why you were being tested last year? Or, do you have any of the symptoms that might indicate diabetes? Or, are you/were you on some kind of medication that might lead to high blood sugar readings? Typically, if there is no family history, and no other symptoms apparent, doctors generally don't do "routine" blood sugar testing until you get up into your 40s.

All in all, unless there's other information not presented in your post, STOP WORRYING and enjoy your college days

--Deb

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2007
Tue, 10-23-2007 - 1:23pm

Thanks to both of you for replying! My doctor was not concerned about the A1c. But what I've read on sites says that it may be prediabetic. I guess my worrying mind just won't let me stop. I had my blood checked last December as part of a routine health exam... so he wasn't tested glucose only. My dad is borderline diabetic, 124 fasting, and he's not doing anything to stop it, so he is gunna be diabetic soon I imagine. My grandpa on my mother's side is and my great uncle on my dad's side. My dad's mom is pre-diabetic as well. Is that a pretty strong family history?


My doctor said to cut out more fatty/fried foods to get my LDL down, and said my total cholesterol was high partly b/c my HDL is high (which is good).


I just don't think doctors these days take prediabetes seriously. And am afraid I'm destined to become diabetic in the near future. Thanks for your responses though, i DO feel better about everything!!

Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 10-23-2007 - 1:45pm

Yes, you have a serious family history of diabetes.


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Tue, 10-23-2007 - 3:07pm

And some of us have no known family background of diabetes at all... The only one in my extended family (and it's a big clan) that I know of who has/had diabetes was my grandmother BUT she was on steroids for years for rheumatoid arthritis (really awfully bad) and steroids can raise blood sugar. So, you just never know sometimes.

Oh, and anxiety/worry/stress can raise blood glucose levels so worry is an Enemy in this arena. As was already said, you're two steps ahead of the game already - you know there's a family history and you're already working on a healthy lifestyle.

--Deb

Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 10-23-2007 - 3:15pm
Right you are, for some it comes out of no where!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Wed, 10-24-2007 - 12:48pm

Out of curiousity, I checked with my mom (the family historian) and found out that I have a first cousin with diabetes. Still doesn't really track to where it comes from in previous generations - neither my mom nor her dad (the genetic connection between us) is diabetic.

--Deb

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
Wed, 10-24-2007 - 1:08pm

One thing to remember too is that the BG levels used for diagnosing someone as diabetic have been lowered. Also a lot of people have died from complications without even knowing they have it!!

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 10-25-2007 - 1:04am

You may not be destined to become diabetic. Your numbers aren't that bad. Keep your weight as close to normal as possible, eat fresh fruits and veggies and foods with a higher fiber content, and exercise at least 150 minutes per week. Doing these things will keep you from becoming diabetic for a very long time and will help with your cholesterol and triglycerides.


So stop worrying but be vigilant and do enjoy your college experience.


Avatar for nikki_lav_2288
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-16-2007
Fri, 10-26-2007 - 5:48am
Well I agree with cl-maryfrances40 just eat right and excercise.
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