Type 2 diabetes - am I worrying needlessly?

LeeH · 10-30-2021, 08:11 AM

My doc told me a couple of years ago I was flirting with the pre-diabetic range. Was given the typical advice to eat healthy and exercise. I have always exercised pretty regularly, but I did, however, have a wicked sweet tooth. That and I ate small amounts all day and into the night.

I'm 6', weigh 160 (57 yo) and have never been overweight... maybe got as high as 170 or so. I started check my glucose levels. They were always right at 100. Maybe as high as 110, but typically 98-105. They've been that way for the few years I've been checking. Recently got a bit more educated and got worried that I really needed to rein in the glucose.

Been eating between noon and 6 for a couple of months and went very low carb, cut out virtually all added sugar, fruit. But, 14 hours after my last meal, but blood glucose levels are still typically 100.

Self ordered blood work last week:

Hemoglobin A1C = 5.5
Insulin = 3.0
C-Peptide = .51
Intact insulin = 4.0
Insulin resistance score = 4

Is there anything else I need to check or just give it more time? For years I ate way too many carbs and way too much sugar thinking it was okay as I exercised a lot and never gained weight, but now I'm concerned about the lack of response to 2 months of extreme diet improvement. And, I completely understand if you're a full blown type 2 diabetic, these numbers would probably make you and your doc happy. I joined a couple of diabetes/pre-diabetes groups on FB and so far that's all I've heard. But to me... that's like heading out on road trip with your gas light on and engine temp in the yellow. Yeah, you have gas and the temps are NOT in the red, so why worry? Or, am I completely overthinking this? I'd love to go back to my carb/glucose filled diet.

Just checked my blood glucose level this morning and it was 104. Dinner was tri tip beef, salad with 0 sugar dressing. I did have two pieces of 92% dark chocolate... 4 grams of sugar total, right after dinner... 14 hours ago.

asphaltgambler · 10-30-2021, 08:29 AM

I've struggled with this in recent years, of all the things that can go wrong in your your system, high blood sugar levels are about the absolute worst. High A1C - 6.7+ is pre-diabetic. Anything higher is diabetic. High blood sugar will cause virtually all other 'bad' numbers to increase, while decreasing any 'good' numbers. It also affects your libido and subsequent ability to 'perform'

I was in danger of becoming diabetic even though I was slightly overweight, externally looked very healthy. After getting the news, I quickly removed as much carbs and sweeteners from diet. Also cut back on alcohol consumption, started cardio exercise. In 1 year I list 23lbs, felt much better but my A1C only dropped .7 tenths so it was 6.0.

Anything past 5.7 A1C, especially at 6.3 or higher is considered pre-diabetic believe it or not. Ideally you need to be at or below 5.5 consistently to be 'healthy'.

Ultimately, I could not achieve anything below 6.0 through diet and exercise, so I'm now on Trulicity which helps your pancreas process sugar through elimination much more efficiently. Things are better now, I'm 62

Evans, Marv · 08:55 AM

I was surprised to find out I was pre-diabetic a few years ago, A1c of 6.3 or 6.5 at the time. Like you I've always been generally healthy, not overwieght, etc., etc. Also like you I have a real sweet tooth - ice cream is the biggest culprit.
I just checked my glucose level. It's 90. My doc prescribed a glucose meter, which I used fairly frequently but now very infrequently. My gulcose levels usually range between low 70s to around 105, according to the meter. After meal levels range much highter for a period of time, and high carb meals (occasionally) actually don't seem to blast glucose levels all that high. But when I get my A1c checked by Kaiser, it's always around 130 average, so I don't know if I trust the accuracy of the meter all that much.
I modified my diet by excluding sugary things, high carb meals, and went to an intermitent fasting regimen only eating from noon to 8 PM. My glucose level went down to 6.1 and has stayed there. My impression is that your body has a set pattern of processing glucose, which can detiorate over time in some cases.
So the best you can expect by modifying your diet is to try to prevent your glucose levels from increasing significantly. I don't think you can get it to dial back a lot. I have to say I prefer the diet mods I've made and wouldn't return to my prior habits. I allow myself a treat once in a while, but find I don't feel like indulging in more than that. I also find I like the eating pattern I have now.
My grandfather died (1952, age 65) of diabetic related kidney failure, & I also have CKD stabilized so far in the moderate range. I think that's my main concern with news I had a problem with glucose levels.

David · David's Garage

My wife’s doc told her the same thing a couple weeks ago. She got a Freestyle glucose reader 14 day free trial. It’s stuck on her arm and she reads glucose with a phone app. It seems to be showing she’s fine.

asphaltgambler · 10-30-2021, 09:12 AM

The daily checks through metering directly is a good rule of thumb but ultimately your long term levels are indicated by A1C. Sugar molecules attach to your red blood cells and hang on for about 3 months

pwd72s · 10-30-2021, 09:17 AM

With an A1C of 5.5? Gawd, yes...worrying needlessly. I would suggest laying off the sweets though.
Type 2 is not fun...and yes, I know from personal experience.

Alan A · 10-30-2021, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

My wife’s doc told her the same thing a couple weeks ago. She got a Freestyle glucose reader 14 day free trial. It’s stuck on her arm and she reads glucose with a phone app. It seems to be showing she’s fine.

They aren’t accurate other than for trending. There can be a difference of up to 20 points either way depending on transmitter and site. A half inch difference in where the needle goes in seems to make a disproportionate difference.

KNS · 10-30-2021, 10:07 AM

Lee,

Your height and weight are pretty similar to mine. I get a physical once a year and for as long as I can remember my fasting glucose levels have always been right around 99-100. I eat well and exercise but I could cut back on the sweets more.

My ex wife, who is a nurse practitioner, basically said with my numbers not to get worked up about it and go by A1C instead. My A1C has always been normal. You should watch the sweets in any case because sugar is not good for any of us.

Also, those blood sugar meters can be inaccurate. Keep eating well, exercising and sweets/bad carbs in moderation. Go by your A1C.

And... Take Metamucil regularly. It's good for your gut but can also help maintain blood sugar levels somewhat.

asphaltgambler · 10-30-2021, 01:03 PM

^^^^^yes Metamucil 2x a day. Also a bit of raw (ACV) vinegar in water 2x a day helps as well. Make sure you read the label on the Metamucil package as the regular has sugar in it! You have to look for sugar free

tabs · 01:53 PM

CUT ALLL...SUGAR (read every package and bottle to see what the Sugar/Carb content is...EVERYTHING HAS SUGAR AND SALT IN IT. fkin milk HAS CARBS.... Go to Splenda, or Stivia.

The packaged/processed food you buy in the store is DEATH. loaded wt sugar and salt..

NO Potatoes, Pasta, Bread, RICE..is death.

Peas and Carrots are high in Carbs.. Fruit is high in sugar..

Keep Carb content down to around a 100G a day..

Did I mention Salt....salt retains water (it will process it out), which then drives BLOOD PRESSURE..

IT IS BEST TO START WATCHING AND MONITORING THESE THINGS NOW>>>because you still can have a taste of the forbidden fruit...now and then..

Vinegar and Cinnamon..do help with blood sugar control

The moment you get a Script for diabetes meds the insurance co considers you to be a Diabetic...

About the A1C test..you can not cheat an A1C test..it reflects the PAST 6 MONTHS of sugar consumption..Sugar molecules attachs themsleves to the blood cells..it take 6 months for blood cells to be replaced.

tabs · 10-30-2021, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

^^^^^yes Metamucil 2x a day. Also a bit of raw (ACV) vinegar in water 2x a day helps as well. Make sure you read the label on the Metamucil package as the regular has sugar in it! You have to look for sugar free

2 Tblspoons 2X a day...right around meal time..

Organic Apple Cider Vin...

flatbutt · 10-30-2021, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabs

NO Potatoes, Pasta, Bread, RICE..is death.

Peas and Carrots are high in Carbs.. Fruit is high in sugar..

.

just kill me now.

tabs · 10-30-2021, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwd72s

With an A1C of 5.5? Gawd, yes...worrying needlessly. I would suggest laying off the sweets though.
Type 2 is not fun...and yes, I know from personal experience.

He just needs to keep it there...and not go higher

So yeas become aware of all the things you eat....look at the packages for sugar and salt...

A Sams or Costco Hot Dog is 1085mg of salt...

javadog · 10-30-2021, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatbutt

just kill me now.

Yep.

Superman · 10-30-2021, 02:35 PM

Tabs is right. Eliminate ALL sugar. Don't eat anything out of a box or package. Don't even go into the aisles at supermarkets. Everything you need is against the walls.

Me? I can brag that I eat NO sugar but.....I do drink whisky. And I'm not planning to stop.

BTW, reducing sugar and carbs is also a good way to lower cholesterol. Who knew?

Evans, Marv · 10-30-2021, 02:50 PM

[QUOTE=Superman; BTW, reducing sugar and carbs is also a good way to lower cholesterol. Who knew?[/QUOTE]

Not for me!! Nothing reduced my cholesterol except a statin. Last reaction I had on a statin, I stopped for three months. My level went from 115 to 358. I've eventually had reactions to all the statins I've taken including the on I'm on now. I'm just taking half of my presciption after experiencing a reaction on this resuvastatin, & it's holding at 211, which is fine with me.

Bill Douglas · 10-30-2021, 03:21 PM

I've been no sugar now for four or five months. It doesn't really worry me now, completely used to it. Ha, even little things like potatoe chips have added sugar. So as Tabs said I read the labels on everything. My only indulgence is a teaspoon of malt, which is just barley sugar, not refined cane sugar, which I've only just gotten into recently.

So if I can do it, anyone can do it.

Do I feel healthier for it. Not really. But at least I haven't got that God awful feeling of having stuffed my face with sweets then fairly much collapsing afterwards. Which can't have been good for my general health.

Instrument 41 · 10-30-2021, 03:24 PM

You guys are over reacting. From a Type 1 since I was 24 and now 58. Yes you need to be mindful of it and yes be aware and mindful of how much GLUCOSE you eat, not necessarily sugar. A 5'5 A1C is not the end of the end of the world and putting you in the grave. In ALL things moderation is the key, not some knee jerk reaction. Diabetes's is a cash cow and suppliers want you to get up in arms so you rush out and but their products. A baked potatoe can cause your blood sugar to go higher than a candy bar. Rice? you betcha, chips and salsa, oh yeah. However be moderate enjoy life.

I have had issues, went blind for 3 months back in 18 and last year had triple by pass lst year during COVID. All diabetic related. I currently have an insulin pump ( now that SOB is a PIA!) but it keeps the A1C where it should be. Will I eventually die from this, yep, unless a tragedy happens, but hey its life.

As said earlier, watch the diet, and that's for anyone, but don't get overly excited. Again this disease is a cash cow. Now after I type this I need to Bolus in my pump so I can eat this bowl of Gumbo and fired shrimp.

herr_oberst · 10-30-2021, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KNS

Take Metamucil regularly. It's good for your gut but can also help maintain blood sugar levels somewhat.

Instead of the metamucil, this is what I use.
This thread is scaring me. I exercise and I'm skinny but I also eat like a teenager.
(Spoiler alert, I'm definitely not a teenager)

LeeH · 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Instead of the metamucil, this is what I use.
This thread is scaring me. I exercise and I'm skinny but I also eat like a teenager.
(Spoiler alert, I'm definitely not a teenager)

Yep... I've eaten so much crap over the years and gotten away with it.

This is what concerns me. If your numbers are in a certain range, everyone is patting you on the back... while your body is working harder and harder to keep you as healthy as it can, but eventually, it loses the fight. Then "suddenly" you have diabetes.

What I have learned is that DIABETES DOES NOT HAPPEN SUDDENLY.

Nobody looks at the trend line. Nobody seems concerned that your test results take you ever closer to the not okay numbers... like my A1C. 5.5 "Great! You're in range! You're healthy! Eat whatever you want!" Keeping in mind that 5.7 is pre-diabetic.