Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => This 'n' That => Topic started by: CLKD on November 29, 2022, 02:32:14 PM
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>:( ::) so I had bloods recently that raised alarms. Apparently.
Cutting down to 1 stick of 'twirl' at lunchtime for pudding and 1 large glass of apple juice in the afternoon. Because T makes me bloated drunk anytime after 1.30 p.m. :-\. I also have bottled fizzy water.
Been for a long walk. Now home, feet up in front of the fire.
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I've been pre-diabetic for years and I am such a saint when it comes to food and drink, I have no bad habits anymore (boring as hell) but sometimes these things are heredity with my cholesterol levels also high.
My annual blood test is due soon, happy days!! ::)
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I’ve been down this road with OH. He was sent on a course on how to change your diet. No chocolate, biscuits or cakes. No fruit juice except cordial and that has to be no sugar cordial. Only 2 pieces of fruit a day.
Very boring
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That's strict littleminnie :-\. I have problems choosing food at lunch times as well a what to drink :-\. No alcohol. Don't smoke.
Hoping that upping my exercise regime will help!
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What is it that the blood test showed up? I'm waiting for blood test results as diabetes is certainly something I don't want having seen both my brother and my mum develop it. The diet can be strict :(
Taz x :hug:
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Something that I need to bring up when I get to see either the support nurse or GP - the phone line was so bad that I couldn't hear or understand some of what was being imparted >:(. The blood test was for cholesterol as I take statins. Compared to those taken 2 years ago ....... numbers slightly elevated but I can't remember which tests.
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Alcohol is allowed as long as it isn’t beer/lager. Only dry wine and spirits contain very little sugar. OH doesn’t smoke. Exercise helps.
Tea and coffee are fine but not with sugar.
Diet drinks are fine too.
Wholemeal bread not white.
I have never spent so much time checking labels.
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Sounds exhausting!
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So you might not actually be pre-diabetic. Fingers crossed for you. I read all of my results online nowadays.
Taz x
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There's clever ......... :D. I'll try to get an appt for next week so that I can go through the results.
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I've made an appt for the New Year 2 discuss issues with a Nurse Practitioner. Been for a long walk.
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This is a great site for Diabetes info https://www.diabetes.co.uk/ (https://www.diabetes.co.uk/) that may help with good foods, etc.
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:thankyou: am taking on board as much as possible .........
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Do I feel queasy this morning :-\ due to the impending appt with the Nurse later :-\ :-\ . Light headed. Hungry. Tired ..........
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Hope you get on ok at the appointment today, CLKD.. :foryou:
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And if they say no chocolate I will be a martyr and take the stash of twirls off your hands ;D
Good luck with it it.
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We have diabetic chocolate and candies here. When my grandfather was in his late 80's he developed diabetes and one of his relatives brought him sweets that were specifically made for diabetic issues. He let me try a piece of chocolate and it wasn't too bad, I could see how it would satisfy if one had a craving.
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:thankyou:
PHEW! no need to cut much out, other than dilute fruit juices with fizzy water - can continue with a small piece of chocolate for pudding. Up my exercise to 10 mins brisk walking daily or running up and down stairs! However, as I'm not very stable in slippers ;D
Blood test again in April. Apparently the new test can determine how much sugar has been in the blood for 3-4 days :o so no cheating then. :-X
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Blood test again in April. Apparently the new test can determine how much sugar has been in the blood for 3-4 days :o so no cheating then. :-X
Thanks for the tip, although I am trying to be good ;D
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:thankyou:
Blood test again in April. Apparently the new test can determine how much sugar has been in the blood for 3-4 days :o so no cheating then. :-X
It shows the blood sugar levels over the last three to four months not days if its the same one as my partner has just had. He's pre-diabetic and overweight so has been signed up to the free NHS programme. I think it's this one - he's doing the digital one not the face to face and a coach is calling him later this week https://www.england.nhs.uk/diabetes/diabetes-prevention/#:~:text=The%20Healthier%20You%20NHS%20Diabetes,NHS%20England%20and%20Diabetes%20UK.
Good luck with your diet changes.
Taz x
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That is probably the blood test Taz :thankyou: obviously wasn't listening! Need to clean my glasses ;-).
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Ha ha ;D
Taz x
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Had a recent blood test, nurse told me this morning that I at 'high level for diabetes'. So why hasn't any1 rung me ::). Whilst waiting for my flu jab earlier, I booked an appt to see the diabetic nurse, looking on the appt card, it's the wrong Nurse >:(.
So off to the 'phone queue again ???
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Are you still pre-diabetic CLKD? My partner was given the same news in December and on 1st January he decided to start a new eating regime. He is overweight and I know that you aren't but he has totally cut out all processed sugars and drastically reduced his carbs. He has also upped his exercise and now swims before work four times a week (25 lengths each time) and has a half hour brisk walk at lunchtime followed by another half an hour walking when he gets back - treadmill if it is too dark. If you are not overweight then the cutting out of processed sugars (plus some naturally occurring ones) can still reverse pre-diabetes. You have around two years to do this if I remember rightly.
My partner has lost 15kg (2st 5lbs) so far. He is a bit despondent though that he can't have another blood test to check that it has worked until December! The nurse said that if he lost 10% of his body weight then the pre-diabetes should be reversed so he has his fingers crossed. I am so proud of him as I'm not sure I could turn my diet and lifestyle around as he has!
Taz x
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Good info here https://www.diabetes.org.uk/preventing-type-2-diabetes/prediabetes
Taz x
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Do you take a zinc supplement, CLKD? It can be the only reason I am no longer prediabetic as I have not done anything different to what I was doing before my blood test, apart from the zinc supplements that I have been taking for a year.
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I will ask the Diabetic Nurse .......... tnx.
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Apparently statins can cause higher blood sugar levels >:(
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Had my check up/discussion with the Nurse this evening. Leaving everything aside other than statins can raise blood sugar levels ......... it's safer to continue with those and monitor my activity etc..
I'm not overweight
Border line diabetic despite another 'nurse' telling me last month that I am high risk >:( - good job that I don't have health anxiety, I was there for my 'flu jab!
I'm going to schedule another blood test for September to see whether my activity = gardening ; shows any difference to my Winter levels.
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My partner hopes he's reversed his pre diabetic status. He is overweight though and has lost 19k since January 1st. He has really increased his exercise along with cutting out all refined sugar and drastically cutting down his food and giving up alcohol. I hope you find a way of controlling your 'spikes' too CLKD. Have you had a good look at the Diabetes UK website? They've got a section on pre diabetes also known as borderline diabetic.
Taz x
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I don't have spikes though, nor am I running to the tap. Tnx I've looked at the site you suggest.
When I was anorexic I had surges of sudden nausea when the body lacked energy. Now that I eat little and often they have stopped. DH cooks from fresh every night ........ I try not to over eat too. 8st is 'about right'.
Well done your partner. Alcohol certainly puts weight on my DH ::)
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The blood test you had before being told you were borderline diabetic will have picked up your blood sugar levels over the previous three months which shows how well your pancreas is working. If they are consistently higher then this means you have developed some insulin resistance. Reducing sugar is important to get your levels back down before diabetes develops. We didn't seem to have much knowledge of this when my mum developed Type 2 in 1970.
Thanks for the well done for my partner. I'll tell him. He's walking 8 miles a day now. Blood pressure's much better.
Taz x :hug:
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Sugar is in so many foods, you don’t realise until you start analysing. My OH won’t touch cakes, chocolate, ice cream or fresh fruit juices now. Some fruit is a no-go too.
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littleminnie - which fruits as these have a different type of natural sugar :-\
Taz - when your partner gets as far as us, I'll give him a glass of water and a loo break ;-). Lack of exercise is my problem - laziness! I will have the bloods tested end of Aug beginning Sept to see if my gardening and extra walking makes a difference.
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Yes they are natural sugars but you still not have too much. OH was told to only have 2 small fruits a day max. No grapes, mango, certain melons. Can’t remember any more. No oranges but instead a small satsuma.
He used to love freshly squeezed orange but he was told that is on the banned list. ???
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Is avoiding natural sugars in fruit helping keep the blood sugar levels even littleminnie? I can understand if the orange juice was in a cartoon but doing it himself ? The Nurse told me at this point not to be too worried: little and often and up the exercise ::)
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Yes his levels are even now. Carbohydrate’s aren’t good either. Have a google about sugar in fruit.
He is used to it now, been like this for a few years.
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I have looked into sugars in fruit - the body converts it differently to that in processed foods. Nurse said not to worry.
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The GP prescribed: VitD 3,2000IU daily.
I have bought Lloyds VitD 25ug [1000 iu]. So taking 1 x 3 should help.
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I have looked into sugars in fruit - the body converts it differently to that in processed foods. Nurse said not to worry.
I suppose that as you have to watch your cholesterol you have to eat something so at least fruit doesn’t contain fat.
OH was offered a course with a dietician. He did it (it was about 10 sessions) He said it was very informative
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MayB he should write a book ;-).
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littleminnie - which fruits as these have a different type of natural sugar :-\
Taz - when your partner gets as far as us, I'll give him a glass of water and a loo break ;-). Lack of exercise is my problem - laziness! I will have the bloods tested end of Aug beginning Sept to see if my gardening and extra walking makes a difference.
Thank you. He'll look forward to his water. 🤣 He has been told he has to wait a year for another blood test to see if he is no longer pre-diabetic. As well as his diet he also does the fasting window where he only eats or drinks (apart from black coffee or water) between 10.30 a.m. and 8.30p.m. I can't do that. Get too hungry ::)
Taz x
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In the wild hunter gathers would have eaten their fill then slept. Until the next big chase. Which was mainly meat. In this busy life style the body isn't designed to fast. I can't go without food - I get suddenly very weak, nauseous and anxious :-\
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MayB he should write a book ;-).
;D No need, they gave him one
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8)
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Again annual blood test has thrown up anomalies: kidney function 'is low' so tests again in two weeks plus a urine test - which I didn't query what for :-\.
Most afternoons I drop off to sleep for a couple of hours regardless of what kind of night I have had, usually I sleep well apart from busy dreams.
When do I begin to worry ???
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Just catching up on this thread as mother in law recently advised she is prediabetic, we found diabetes UK sight very good, printed some info off for her - although think it's in one ear & out the other!! 80th bday during the week & wont be told ;) :) ???
Hope you get on ok CLKD, could just be an anomaly which is why they are testing again 'low' doesn't really mean anything unless they talk about something specific so many bloods can be affected by viral illness, meds anyhting really.
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Again annual blood test has thrown up anomalies: kidney function 'is low' so tests again in two weeks plus a urine test - which I didn't query what for :-\.
Most afternoons I drop off to sleep for a couple of hours regardless of what kind of night I have had, usually I sleep well apart from busy dreams.
When do I begin to worry ???
Could be you've had an infection but not noticed symptoms, hence the urine test.
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It's probably because you've been flagged up as pre-diabetic CLKD. Kidneys are affected by diabetes and often the first changes are subtle and show no symptoms. Urine test is to check for protein and also your sugar level I would think. My partners kidney function s normal now since he has been eating sensibly to try to reverse the type 2 diabetes. He was overweight though.
Taz x
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Such lovely support :thankyou:
I was told at the last visit that it is safer to stay on the statins :-\. Next appt tomorrow ::)
Last week I weighed slightly under 8st. naked.
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It's strange how people think we can't be pre diabetic if we aren't overweight but it's also to do with sugar intake. My partner has cut out as much sugar as possible including certain fruits. He's also upped his daily exercise. He has a 6k fast walk early morning and a shorter one later in the day plus early morning 50 length swim four days a week. Unusually for him he has followed the advice ;D This s an American site but does give a explanation of prediabetes https://diatribe.org/prediabetes
Good luck with your appointment
Taz x :hug:
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Taz2 if you were pre diabetic is there any way you'd know without a blood test? I mean, are there signs? Lots of Type 2 diabetes in my family but always thought I was safe as not overweight so this worries me.
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Not as far as I am aware. Statins raised concerns earlier this year, the annual blood test I think for kidney disease caused by that medication >:(
Exercise :o - where does he find the time Taz :-\
Ive done an hour's weeding ;-)
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CLKD so you think the statistics causes the low kidney result? I wonder if this is temporary and would normalise if you were able to stop taking them, or are you on them for life?
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Usually 1 takes statins for Life. Apparently. It is certainly the drug causing the anomalies >:(
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Taz2 if you were pre diabetic is there any way you'd know without a blood test? I mean, are there signs? Lots of Type 2 diabetes in my family but always thought I was safe as not overweight so this worries me.
No there are no signs but if you have family members with it then your GP should recommend a blood test to check how your body has been behaving insulin wise over the past three months. Both my mum and brother developed type 2 in their 50s and both suffered the consequences of heart problems leading to vascular dementia so I've always had an interest. Sadly there didn't used to be the knowledge about prediabetes then.https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/types-of-diabetes/type-2/prediabetes#:~:text=Diagnosing%20prediabetes&text=The%20most%20common%20test%20will,of%20developing%20type%202%20diabetes.
Taz x
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Exercise :o - where does he find the time Taz :-\
Ive done an hour's weeding ;-)
He only works three days a week. He's 65 so my toy boy ;D. He does his 6k at 6 a.m. and the shorter one after he gets in from work. The summer makes things easier. On swimming days he walks later as they are his four days off work days. It's been very hard but he's lost 3 stone since January. It can be a bit isolating as we don't eat together. He also does an eating window from 10.30 a.m. till 8.30 p.m. Only water or black coffee outside those hours. We have to go to the pub earlier nowadays ;D
Taz x
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I would need a toy boy to help me from my amathyst-coloured Lambourghini with the Swiss coloured blue seating and bright yellow hub caps and steering wheel ;D
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Thanks this is really interesting, I didn't realise there was a direct genetic link with Type 2, i just thought it was with Type 1. I clearly need to cut down on my sugar (a lot!!!), but seem to be doing the right things aside from that as i eat lots of fibre and veg, plus limited red / processed meat and barely any alcohol due to previously having had colon polyps. I'm nearly 49. It doesn't say how often you need the blood test, I had one done last march in Australia but assume it'd need to be done every year or so, is that right?
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If you have the first one done and then depending what the result is you can discuss it from there. I think the GP will look at your overall lifestyle and suggest any changes you can make. Mine is every three years. I'm 69 now. My mum and brother both developed it at 53. Both of them were slim and active. My brother died aged 72 but my mum made it to 84.
It's great that we now have the ability to predict the development of type 2 as it's quite a long time between becoming prediabetic and developing the disease .
Taz x
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Thanks, I will ask the GP next time I'm there. On hols atm so diet out of the window, but sugar will definitely be reduced when I'm back ;D
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Oh - we have a holiday thread ;-) do tell :D
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Also children are developing Type1 due to Covid so it's told so more research required on that 1. I haven't read whether these children had the Virus.
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CLKD, where is the holiday thread I can't seem to find it?
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Will bump it
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I didn't realise there was a direct genetic link with Type 2, i just thought it was with Type 1.
I don’t think Type2 gene even exists, like Type1. Type2 diabetes this is the result of a lifestyle. A child born to less physically active parents, living on unhealthy diet more likely to grow up and continue the same lifestyle in the future. A child born to physically active parents and having healthy diet more likely will bring those habits to her/his future adult life. People with black skin more likely to get Type2, there is a connection with colour of skin. Why? I don’t have an answer, but it is not just Type2 diabetes, but there are some other health conditions and diseases which black people can get more likely than white.
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I think it may be a combination of both. There is a genetic link to type 2 diabetes though. My parents had a healthy lifestyle and we always ate well. They weren't overweight. My brother and myself were brought up the same. My brother iwas actually my half brother (different dad's due to his dad dying in WW2) and he developed diabetes just like my mum and at the same age. So far I'm clear. Researching family tree stuff I find that four of my mum's seven siblings also developed type 2 in their fifties. Maybe the link will become clearer but lifestyle is also involved somewhere. Being able to ward it off though, by being aware of your own risk, has to be a good thing especially for those most vulnerable. https://diabetes.org/diabetes/genetics-diabetes#:~:text=Type%202%20diabetes%20has%20a,also%20depends%20on%20environmental%20factors.
Taz x
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I think it may be a combination of both. There is a genetic link to type 2 diabetes though. My parents had a healthy lifestyle and we always ate well. They weren't overweight. My brother and myself were brought up the same. My brother iwas actually my half brother (different dad's due to his dad dying in WW2) and he developed diabetes just like my mum and at the same age. So far I'm clear. Researching family tree stuff I find that four of my mum's seven siblings also developed type 2 in their fifties. Maybe the link will become clearer but lifestyle is also involved somewhere. Being able to ward it off though, by being aware of your own risk, has to be a good thing especially for those most vulnerable. https://diabetes.org/diabetes/genetics-diabetes#:~:text=Type%202%20diabetes%20has%20a,also%20depends%20on%20environmental%20factors.
Taz x
Thanks Taz, I have read a lot about Type2 diabetes, there is connection between oestrogen and Type2 diabetes in women as well, this is why women in the age of 40+ are so effected. I don’t have history of diabetes in my family, but I am on healthy diet from the age of 32, I am very physically active, much more active than the average person, I was born with that, but I was also born with a sweet tooth, it was ok until I reached the age of 32, after that I realised that amount of cakes I ate would kill me by the age of 40-45. This is why I am so sceptical about Type2 diabetes gene.
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Certainly I understand that there is a link to Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 - people are born with. Type 2 is acquired, partly genetic the rest is lifestyle. Or in my case, medication >:(
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I think it may be a combination of both. There is a genetic link to type 2 diabetes though. My parents had a healthy lifestyle and we always ate well. They weren't overweight. My brother and myself were brought up the same. My brother iwas actually my half brother (different dad's due to his dad dying in WW2) and he developed diabetes just like my mum and at the same age. So far I'm clear. Researching family tree stuff I find that four of my mum's seven siblings also developed type 2 in their fifties. Maybe the link will become clearer but lifestyle is also involved somewhere. Being able to ward it off though, by being aware of your own risk, has to be a good thing especially for those most vulnerable. https://diabetes.org/diabetes/genetics-diabetes#:~:text=Type%202%20diabetes%20has%20a,also%20depends%20on%20environmental%20factors.
Taz x
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Certainly I understand that there is a link to Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 - people are born with. Type 2 is acquired, partly genetic the rest is lifestyle. Or in my case, medication >:(
Which medication has caused the pre diabetes ?
Taz x
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Statins ....... Atrovastatin.
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Yes, statins can raise blood sugar levels, so need to be careful how much sugar you put in your body.
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I haven't altered my diet. So it's the medication >:(
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Even though you haven't changed your diet if you've had a high intake of sugar over the years this can eventually lead to prediabetes as your pancreas is having to work harder day after day. I guess you are on statins due to high cholesterol. High cholesterol can cause diabetes so without the statins you'd probably still be pre-diabetic? To give yourself the best chance to reverse it you do need to cut down on sugar (which is in so many things sadly) to stop the spikes in insulin. That's what seems to be the advice anyway. I eat too much sugar I'm sure :(
Taz x
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I agree Taz, OH isn’t on any medication and he has it. He never used to have it. Until you look into it you don’t realise how much sugar is in stuff. Cakes and milkshakes and chocolate :-\
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Tnx. Taz. Hadn't thought of that angle and yep, have had a sweet tooth for ever.
For over 20 years my cholesterol was 7. Everything else was within normal limits: weight, exercise [thought less now], diet. So GP didn't worry. Another GP freaked at the 7 :o.
I discussed this at my annual optician appt last week and there is no evidence of diabetes on my scans. I pay for the lot ........
Blood test this morning.
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Good luck! Defo ask if you can have a period of months to address with diet before going on meds if you can, although I hope your numbers are okay and don't need to!
Saw the hols bump BTW and then lost it when I refreshed the page, but know its the llama one now, I'd seen that when looking but hadn't realised it was thar one. Lol we'll be home before I post 🤣
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I had a good Google last night and am going to really clean up my act with sugar when we get home, then ask for a test in a few months time when I've given it a go so thanks all for bringing this to my attention. I'm very much a believer of lowering risk wherever possible x
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Good news on the eye exam CLKD. Don't forget you have at least five years to get the levels under control before type 2 develops so fingers crossed for your blood test.
Penguin. It's alarming isn't it when you realise how much sugar is in stuff!
Taz x
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It certainly is, and I've since read about the genetic risk for Type 2 as well as Type 1 so defo need to take more care than I have been doing. I read both Mediterranean diet and DASH diet are good for reducing risk, the latter also for high blood pressure, and I need to lose a bit of weight since starting hrt at beginning of the year so will pick one of those to follow a bit more closely.
Lol I thought I wasn't overweight as last year I was worried about my thighs not meeting (I'd lost a lot due to anxiety, and the weight loss made me even more anxious ) but this year my thighs are definitely meeting to the point they are chafing 🙈
CLKD something else I've learnt from this forum, I had no idea diabetes could be seen on eye exam, is it from the tests they do before the actual vision test? Glad yours are okay!
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Quick link https://eyesoneyecare.com/resources/ocular-changes-optometrists-will-see-in-prediabetes-patients/
Taz x :)
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I haven't altered my diet. So it's the medication >:(
Using statins increases blood sugar because statin use can stop your body's insulin from doing its job properly, so from my point of view it effects insulin directly, this is why you need to help your insulin, not to give too much job to do by reducing sugar intake.
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High cholesterol can cause diabetes
Taz x
They can come together from eating too much cakes and other unhealthy foods which are high in both: sugar and fats. This is why. But I don’t think they cause each other.
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tnx Taz. Which fruits has OH given up?
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For over 20 years my cholesterol was 7. Everything else was within normal limits: weight, exercise [thought less now], diet. So GP didn't worry. Another GP freaked at the 7 :o.
You need to look at your total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio as well. I just talk to my GP about how my HRT going and suddenly she asked me what I would like for my high cholesterol, probably I need to be prescribed something? I said that a year ago I had cholesterol 5.2, but I was told because my ratio was so good and level of good cholesterol was too high in compère with level of bad cholesterol, it meant I was perfectly fine. So GP said sorry I didn’t look at your ratio, it looks fine.
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tnx Taz. Which fruits has OH given up?
He's tried to follow the advice re sugar intake and mango and pomegranate didn't come out too well sugar wise though obviously you still benefit from the vitamins. He's cut back a bit on cherries too. His main change is, of course, carbohydrates so he's swapped to low GI bread but only two slices a day. No potatoes or pasta, no sugary cereals and obviously cake is out too. He got the advice from the free NHS app which you should have been referred to if you are pre diabetic. He has daily updates etc. You probably only need to tweak things a bit as you are not overweight. He had to control the sugar as well as lose weight.
Taz x
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:thankyou:
I don't eat pomegranate, am not allowed grapefruit due to statins :-\ - DH eats more fruits than I do including dried mango, apricots ....... we are currently picking rasp/Logan/tay berries - strawberries could have done with more rain so short season for those. Peas/beans coming on 8) :-*. I have muesli each morning which is filling but mayB necessary to give up. I can't eat eggs unless in cake which I have given up due to bloating :-\.
DH cooks bread but I do have white toast for lunch sometimes. Eating more olives 'cos I can't decide whether I do/not like them ;D. tomatoes are iffy - can be too watery or 'green'; bananas help my restless leg syndrome so would be reluctant to give those up.
Most meals are cooked from fresh .... by my in-house Chef :-*
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Sometimes I don't know whether to laugh or cry !
Apparently; according to the nurse last night; my last blood test results didn't flag 'pre-diabetes'. But we weren't told - DH attends the appts. in case I miss any details.
Neither could she find on my records the blood test that showed I was low in VitD - when my GP prescribed tablets. She scrolled back until 2017 so I need to have a lookC on here to remind myself of when ::)
So: up2date news :D - the blood test 2 times ago showed low kidney function so it was repeated. It's still slightly lower than 'the range' so another will be taken in late Sept., along with a urine test which can show protein = kidneys not functioning correctly. However, unless function goes down really low, it isn't treated ::). When we asked about causation, i.e. whether statins are the cause, we were told that it could be medication, or age ........ tnx for that ;D