Am I diabetic? Pre-diabetic? Confused!
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Am I diabetic? Pre-diabetic? Confused!
| Fri, 12-21-2007 - 4:01pm |
Hi,
I saw my doctor today and she said the results of my bloodwork were that I had some level of 6.1 (not sure what level) and that essentially made me diabetic or pre-diabetic. She said anything over 6.0 is diabetic. I was so shocked that I really was at a loss, and didn't ask good questions. What level is she referring to? She is not putting me on medication, and said I can lower my readings with continued weight loss and healthy eating. I'm devastated, confused, and overwhelmed. Anyone have good info for me? I'm not sure if I'm diabetic, pre-diabetic, insulin resistant, or what. I thought my bloodwork was for my thryoid, so I didn't even realize until today that she also tested me for diabetes.
Thanks in advance!

That would be the A1C test which is basically a measure of the average blood glucose over the last 3 months. Yes, anything over 6.0 is diabetic per the Amer Assoc of Clinical Endocrinologists. And, yes, exercise, weight loss, and watching what you eat can bring that down WITHOUT medication - not all diabetics are on insulin which is one misconception the general public has that Diabetes=insulin automatically; that only applies to type 1 diabetes because teh body doesn't make any insulin at all. Many/most type 2 diabetics don't need insulin (at least not right off) but may take other medications to help regulate blood sugar - or not, depending on their situation.
Exercise will not only help weight loss but also reduces insulin resistance so that's really important - aim for 150 minutes per week (30 minutes per day most days of the week).
Cut out the white stuff - white flour, white sugar, white rice, white potato - because that is basically all simple to digest carbs.
Go for whole grains, fresh veggies, low fat proteins.
Choose whole fruits over juices (the fiber in most whole fruits slows digestion so it doesn't just mainline sugar right into your bloodstream).
BTW my endocrinologist had been treating me for several years for hypothyroid and noticed I was over 45 so she just threw in a fasting glucose test and lo and behold it was in the diabetic range - so she retested and it was confirmed. That was almost a year ago now and I'm on metformin (aka glucophage) which is a common medication for diabetics (helps the body use the insulin it has more efficiently, can also help with weight loss in some folks as well).
--Deb
I think technically they are not supposed to diagnose based on the A1C but that is basically a record of what your number have been over the last 3 months. If you are not diabetic, likely you are at least pre-diabetic and if you are really smart you should eat the same way.
2sweet02