Are you or I pre diabetic?

[3NUMBAS]

I ordered some olive leaves to give them a try 

[3NUMBAS]

A ‘hidden health crisis’ in the UK is now 'affecting 12 million Brits'

 

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/health/hidden-health-crisis-uk-now-30945964.amp
 

A worrying one in five adults are thought to be living with high blood sugar levels, with millions completely unaware of it

[MicroB]

It crept up on me, undiagnosed until I needed an abcess drained. HbA1c was 88 mmol/mol, so full blown T2.

 

The latest thinking is that for many T2D is caused by about half a gram on the pancreas, which is of little comfort, because currently you can't just get rid of that 0.5g.

 

The approach to remission is through rapid weight loss; everym fat or skinny, has to lose 15kg quickly (8-12 weeks), usually on 800kcal a day. That's a tough ask for many people. The rapid loss promotes loss of fat around the liver and pancreas before anything else. BMI is not much use as an indicator. The original research derives from the 1950s, when preparing patients for bariatric surgery; these patients are very overweight, and typically have to fast before surgery. The fasting doesn't make them skinny, but it triggers some physiological changes.

 

Islets of Langerhans cells in the pancreas produce insulin. The thinking is fat basically kills these cells off, which is why T2D was considered a chronic, lifelong condition. But trials seem to point to, for those who can lose the weight quick, the pancreas cells being able to regenerate, and differentiate, as long as its not more than 6-7 years since diagnosis. Its uncertain if that means its bck to normal, or if you will be forever watching what you can eat. Some of the rsearchers refer to reversing T1D, but overall, they are preferring the term remission.

 

I've lost about 13 kg in 3 months so ok. I'm still figuring out what I can eat. A burger bun absolutely kills me for 2 days. Bread, even sour dough, is no good. Cooked rice that has been frozen, I'm ok with.

 

If you end up on Metformin, you might have heard about side effects. I had gut rot for the first month, very painful. Metformin does a few things, though no one really knows how it works, despite the refined drug being in use for 100 years. It blocks glucose release from the liver. It also likely interferes in how starch is digested.

 

Cooked starch is bad for us, because amylase in the mouth, and maltase in the small intesting, render it to glucose quickly, which goes straight into the bloodstream.

 

If starch isn't broken down in the small intestine, then its fermented in the large intestine by bacteria. This is probably where most of the side effects emerge from. Fermentation can result in gas. And gas in the stomach is pain. But the interesting aspect about fermentation is that the starch isn't broken down to glucose, but is broken down to Acetyl CoA, which is fuel for the muscles. Probiotics and time help with the side effects.

 

Rapid cooling or freezing of cooked starch is considered to promote essentially a crystallised version ("resistant starch") that maltase and amylase can't touch (the crystallisation is irreversible, even if the food is warmed). How much of this resistant starch is formed is uncertain; probably not that much, but for me, with rice at least, it seems to be enough. But also freezing cooled rice forces me to freeze it in small batches, which is probably the major outcome.

 

HbA1c is done every 3-4 months; thats how long your red blood cells live for, and its a sort of rolling average proxy for blood sugar. The numbers have no physiological meaning except to define a threshold for diabetes.

 

There isn't a direct relationship between capillillary (finger) blood glucose and HbA1c; you can conert to get an approximate level.

 

When I started I was 88 mmol/mol HbA1c and 14mmol/l finger blood sugar, both very deranged values.

 

I don't have a CGM, so estimate by bloods twice daily, with a 60 day rolling average of 5.5mmol/l, which I think is ok, and showing the metformin and adjustment in diet is getting the blood sugar under control. 5.5mml/l should be HbAc1 32mmol/mol or 5.1%, but I don't think it will actually anywhere near that. I'd be overjoyed if its 40. I generally avoid carbohydrates, but they are not completely eliminated.

 

Metformin seems to have caused me a bit of neuopathy in the feet; apparently it blocks Vitamin B12 absorption. But the scariest aspect for me is retinopathy. I have a spot in both eyes; the optician is confident that now my glucose is under control, this will be inconsequential, but there is still the fear.

[wavodavo]

On 1/20/2025 at 7:08 PM, Lacessit said:

I am prediabetic. HbA1C is OK, fasting blood sugar is high.

 

I consume fenugreek seed every day, soaked in water overnight. Some studies suggest it helps with blood sugar, and increases insulin sensitivity. It's not very palatable.

Don't get conned into the witch-docter remedies. If your sugars are continuosly high then you are a diabetic so you should consult your Dr. a.s.a.p. and get onto the required medications. The longer you leave it the more damage you are doing to your body.I have been a type 2 diabetic for 35 years.

[wavodavo]

On 2/12/2025 at 10:49 AM, MicroB said:

It crept up on me, undiagnosed until I needed an abcess drained. HbA1c was 88 mmol/mol, so full blown T2.

 

The latest thinking is that for many T2D is caused by about half a gram on the pancreas, which is of little comfort, because currently you can't just get rid of that 0.5g.

 

The approach to remission is through rapid weight loss; everym fat or skinny, has to lose 15kg quickly (8-12 weeks), usually on 800kcal a day. That's a tough ask for many people. The rapid loss promotes loss of fat around the liver and pancreas before anything else. BMI is not much use as an indicator. The original research derives from the 1950s, when preparing patients for bariatric surgery; these patients are very overweight, and typically have to fast before surgery. The fasting doesn't make them skinny, but it triggers some physiological changes.

 

Islets of Langerhans cells in the pancreas produce insulin. The thinking is fat basically kills these cells off, which is why T2D was considered a chronic, lifelong condition. But trials seem to point to, for those who can lose the weight quick, the pancreas cells being able to regenerate, and differentiate, as long as its not more than 6-7 years since diagnosis. Its uncertain if that means its bck to normal, or if you will be forever watching what you can eat. Some of the rsearchers refer to reversing T1D, but overall, they are preferring the term remission.

 

I've lost about 13 kg in 3 months so ok. I'm still figuring out what I can eat. A burger bun absolutely kills me for 2 days. Bread, even sour dough, is no good. Cooked rice that has been frozen, I'm ok with.

 

If you end up on Metformin, you might have heard about side effects. I had gut rot for the first month, very painful. Metformin does a few things, though no one really knows how it works, despite the refined drug being in use for 100 years. It blocks glucose release from the liver. It also likely interferes in how starch is digested.

 

Cooked starch is bad for us, because amylase in the mouth, and maltase in the small intesting, render it to glucose quickly, which goes straight into the bloodstream.

 

If starch isn't broken down in the small intestine, then its fermented in the large intestine by bacteria. This is probably where most of the side effects emerge from. Fermentation can result in gas. And gas in the stomach is pain. But the interesting aspect about fermentation is that the starch isn't broken down to glucose, but is broken down to Acetyl CoA, which is fuel for the muscles. Probiotics and time help with the side effects.

 

Rapid cooling or freezing of cooked starch is considered to promote essentially a crystallised version ("resistant starch") that maltase and amylase can't touch (the crystallisation is irreversible, even if the food is warmed). How much of this resistant starch is formed is uncertain; probably not that much, but for me, with rice at least, it seems to be enough. But also freezing cooled rice forces me to freeze it in small batches, which is probably the major outcome.

 

HbA1c is done every 3-4 months; thats how long your red blood cells live for, and its a sort of rolling average proxy for blood sugar. The numbers have no physiological meaning except to define a threshold for diabetes.

 

There isn't a direct relationship between capillillary (finger) blood glucose and HbA1c; you can conert to get an approximate level.

 

When I started I was 88 mmol/mol HbA1c and 14mmol/l finger blood sugar, both very deranged values.

 

I don't have a CGM, so estimate by bloods twice daily, with a 60 day rolling average of 5.5mmol/l, which I think is ok, and showing the metformin and adjustment in diet is getting the blood sugar under control. 5.5mml/l should be HbAc1 32mmol/mol or 5.1%, but I don't think it will actually anywhere near that. I'd be overjoyed if its 40. I generally avoid carbohydrates, but they are not completely eliminated.

 

Metformin seems to have caused me a bit of neuopathy in the feet; apparently it blocks Vitamin B12 absorption. But the scariest aspect for me is retinopathy. I have a spot in both eyes; the optician is confident that now my glucose is under control, this will be inconsequential, but there is still the fear.

I doubt that your nueropathy is due to Metformin as I had it bad well before I was diagnosed with diabeties.In fact that was the reason that I went to the Dr. in the first place and then he started me on metformin.Regarding your eyes the black spots you are seeing is a seperate issue. I would advise you to go to an optamologist for a full eye test not a glasses shop because diabetics can end up with serious eye problems if not addressed early.

[KhunLA]

Me ... No

 

Possibly considered pre, as HbAc1 was very high in the past, 6.3+, but simply adjusted back down to 5.5 with diet.

 

Read many pre, or even diabetics have reversed the condition, by doing the same.  Especially those on strict keto or carnivore diets.

 

Not rocket science and quite easy to cut the starchy carbs & sugars.

[Jumbo1968]

Recommendations for a Pre Diabetes Clinic in Pattaya, my HbA1c results were slightly elevated on my test a couple days ago.

[Jumbo1968]

Recommendations for a Pre Diabetes Clinic in Pattaya, my HbA1c results were slightly elevated on my test a couple days ago.

[sikishrory]

FYI - For those of you with Haemochromatosis diagnosed or undiagnosed (very common) like a lot of people diabetes is basically a symptom of this condition. Worth getting an iron panel done as the 2 are like close siblings.

Also if you donate blood or do phlebotomy it will screw with any A1C test results and you will need to wait 3 months from blood donation to do an accurate A1C test again.

[KhaoHom]

I've done two path package in the last year, three in two years.

 

64yo

 

FSB 108 Feb, 92 April 30

A1c 5.0 Feb

 

Some other sugary tests prediabetes tests I'm hitting upper limits of normal. Cholesterol is upper limits of normal.

 

HBP but we'll controlled with enalipril. Im exercising to reduce, eliminate.

 

Cutting out all junk, most sugar (not fruit).

 

Attempt to eat more fish

 

Now taking E, Magnesium, Astaxanithin

 

Eliminating all NSAIDs for lower back thru walking, exercise

 

Stop drinking 60-90 days. Now about day 10

 

Goal is 45 minutes exercise and 10k steps daily

 

I've gone on full attack.

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, KhaoHom said:

I've done two path package in the last year, three in two years.

 

64yo

 

FSB 108 Feb, 92 April 30

A1c 5.0 Feb

 

Some other sugary tests prediabetes tests I'm hitting upper limits of normal. Cholesterol is upper limits of normal.

 

HBP but we'll controlled with enalipril. Im exercising to reduce, eliminate.

 

Cutting out all junk, most sugar (not fruit).

 

Attempt to eat more fish

 

Now taking E, Magnesium, Astaxanithin

 

Eliminating all NSAIDs for lower back thru walking, exercise

 

Stop drinking 60-90 days. Now about day 10

 

Goal is 45 minutes exercise and 10k steps daily

 

I've gone on full attack.

Were you diabetic/prediabetic? a1c of 5 wouldn't indicate that.

 

BTW, lower back stretches can be a game changer for reducing, stopping back pain, see YouTube 

[KhaoHom]

Im back to exercising daily. Feeling good. Last tests were meh, not bad just not good - but looking forward to new ones in a few months

 

FSB suspect, a1c ok

 

 

Blood pressure already decidedly down in days.

 

Pulse as low as 67, but ratheched up after 90 mins 8500 steps walk/ jog.

 

I'm gonna totally sort myself out in 90 days 🌞

[1happykamper]

On 2/14/2025 at 10:49 AM, sikishrory said:

Haemochromatosis

Really interesting. I had never heard of this condition! So.. Too much iron. I have ALL the symptoms too! 🤦🏻😂😂

 

Are those iron blood tests available in Thailand? Bkk maybe. But I live in Krabi. Thry also sound expensive... Yes? 

[sikishrory]

4 hours ago, 1happykamper said:

Really interesting. I had never heard of this condition! So.. Too much iron. I have ALL the symptoms too! 🤦🏻😂😂

 

Are those iron blood tests available in Thailand? Bkk maybe. But I live in Krabi. Thry also sound expensive... Yes? 

We are blessed in Thailand that we can get cheap blood tests at labs in most provinces without doctors referrals.

If you want to check for Haemochromatosis you can go to a local lab (Krabi - https://maps.app.goo.gl/F4ZrRouz9fCbXwSL9 )

Request a Ferritin test. It should be around 500 baht. If this is in range then it's unlikely you have Haemochromatosis and are loading Iron.

If it is high I would then ask for Serum Iron and TIBC tests (about 500 baht each also). from these 2 tests you can calculate your Transferrin Saturation (TSAT) by Serum Iron / TIBC × 100 = TSAT

With high Ferritin alone it's worth taking the results to a Haemotoligist. However if the Serum Iron and calculated TSAT are also high then it's a stronger indicator.

If the Doctor suspects it they should take some blood and send it to Mahidol University genetics lab in Bangkok for DNA testing to confirm it (This test is more expensive).

Of course you can just go to to the Hospital in the first step but you will pay inflated prices for the same tests and have to convince the doctor to do it in the first place. I have had good experience with Haemotoligists in Bumrungrad and Bangkok Pattaya Hospital and terrible experience with the one available person in the whole of Phuket. 

[NickyLouie]

On 1/20/2025 at 5:54 PM, KhunLA said:

On 1/20/2025 at 5:54 PM, KhunLA said:

Does surprise me, and I was one of those, that when diet, sugar & alcohol is discussed, always get ...

 

... I know so & so, 80 & 90 years old

... or I feel fine and eat what I want.

 

Docs have been telling for years, BP is high, sugars high, don't let it get higher, and cut back.   5 yrs ago, I decided to listen, as starting to feel like crap, with more inflammation than I think a 65 yr old should be experiencing.

 

BP back in 2020 high with 10 more kgs being carried around.

BP now <120/65 ish

 

 

 

 

 

51 heart rate ?

 

 

 

[KhunLA]

36 minutes ago, NickyLouie said:

51 heart rate ?

That is at rest, probably just woke, or late evening.   And if petting the dog, well .. .nuff said.

 

Big heart, slow HR.  Was always a healthy lad, good upper body mass & legs (cycling).  Not always a LPOS.   Usually it's 60+/-, but rarely 65+.

 

"A larger heart results in higher cardiac output, which may allow it to beat more slowly at rest, as more blood is pumped out with each beat. Another sign of athlete's heart syndrome is an S3 gallop, which can be heard through a stethoscope" = wiki

 

Just got some #s back this week, and even better than before.   As my Total cholesterol was off the chart, since a Keto-ish diet, and way too much saturated fats.   so I cut back on that, the past 6 months, and guess more a Med or DASH diet.   Changed to only Canola oil, no more making my own chocolate (coconut oil), or eating as much.  Use to use coconut, EVOO & Peanut oils.  Cut back on cheeses & cashews also, as 'go to' snack.  Don't make as many cheesecakes, though have a bit left in th frig 🤫

 

My HDL / Trig ratio was excellent last time (1:1) and even better this time.   Waiting on APOB #, and should be <90

 

To the title, Glucose 5.3 👍

 

 

 

[1happykamper]

1 hour ago, sikishrory said:

We are blessed in Thailand that we can get cheap blood tests at labs in most provinces without doctors referrals.

If you want to check for Haemochromatosis you can go to a local lab (Krabi - https://maps.app.goo.gl/F4ZrRouz9fCbXwSL9 )

Request a Ferritin test. It should be around 500 baht. If this is in range then it's unlikely you have Haemochromatosis and are loading Iron.

If it is high I would then ask for Serum Iron and TIBC tests (about 500 baht each also). from these 2 tests you can calculate your Transferrin Saturation (TSAT) by Serum Iron / TIBC × 100 = TSAT

With high Ferritin alone it's worth taking the results to a Haemotoligist. However if the Serum Iron and calculated TSAT are also high then it's a stronger indicator.

If the Doctor suspects it they should take some blood and send it to Mahidol University genetics lab in Bangkok for DNA testing to confirm it (This test is more expensive).

Of course you can just go to to the Hospital in the first step but you will pay inflated prices for the same tests and have to convince the doctor to do it in the first place. I have had good experience with Haemotoligists in Bumrungrad and Bangkok Pattaya Hospital and terrible experience with the one available person in the whole of Phuket. 

Yes I agree... even at 74 years old my only engagement with Healthcare professionals is just to visit the blood lab each year. Lucky me. 

 

However this high iron thingy is worth checking out... I'll do that first test and go from there. Thanks 

[scubascuba3]

11 hours ago, KhunLA said:

That is at rest, probably just woke, or late evening.   And if petting the dog, well .. .nuff said.

 

Big heart, slow HR.  Was always a healthy lad, good upper body mass & legs (cycling).  Not always a LPOS.   Usually it's 60+/-, but rarely 65+.

 

"A larger heart results in higher cardiac output, which may allow it to beat more slowly at rest, as more blood is pumped out with each beat. Another sign of athlete's heart syndrome is an S3 gallop, which can be heard through a stethoscope" = wiki

 

Just got some #s back this week, and even better than before.   As my Total cholesterol was off the chart, since a Keto-ish diet, and way too much saturated fats.   so I cut back on that, the past 6 months, and guess more a Med or DASH diet.   Changed to only Canola oil, no more making my own chocolate (coconut oil), or eating as much.  Use to use coconut, EVOO & Peanut oils.  Cut back on cheeses & cashews also, as 'go to' snack.  Don't make as many cheesecakes, though have a bit left in th frig 🤫

 

My HDL / Trig ratio was excellent last time (1:1) and even better this time.   Waiting on APOB #, and should be <90

 

To the title, Glucose 5.3 👍

 

 

 

Just need to get that LDL down further, who knew fatty foods make cholesterol go up...

[KhunLA]

59 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Just need to get that LDL down further, who knew fatty foods make cholesterol go up...

Nah, I'm not really concerned about LDL being @ 130.  By itself borderline high, but to ratio of HDL, damn good @ 3.1 & 2.1

 

... "The total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio is calculated by dividing your total cholesterol level by your HDL (good) cholesterol level. A desirable ratio is 5:1, and an optimal ratio is 3.5:1. A higher ratio indicates a higher risk of heart disease" ...

 

 

..."The LDL/HDL ratio, calculated by dividing LDL cholesterol by HDL cholesterol, is a crucial indicator of cardiovascular health risk. A higher ratio indicates a higher risk of heart disease. Ideally, this ratio should be below 5. Lower ratios, particularly below 2, are considered beneficial" ...

 

Then Trig / HDL ratio even better @ 0.87

 

... "The Triglyceride to HDL (trig/HDL) ratio is a measure that helps assess the risk of heart disease and other related conditions. It's calculated by dividing your triglyceride level by your HDL cholesterol level. A lower ratio is generally considered more desirable, with a ratio of 2.0 or less being idea" ...