Diagnosed As Pre-Diabetic: How Do I Manage?
Hi all, I'll try and keep this brief. I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes a few months ago. Still in shock You could say. I've always taken such care of my diet since I have many food intolerances. This means I eat organic and whole foods as much as possible.
Anyhow, since learning of my condition I've gone low carb but I read tonight that too much fats can trigger insulin issues.
I'm at a loss since it now seems I can't eat anything without causing some problem. My relationship with food due to my body being so weird has been so frustrating over the years. I swear my health is getting worse not better eating healthy.
Just had my yearly physical and doc says everything looks good. My blood sugar level at time of test was 5.4
Hi
. Welcome to the community! A pre-diabetes diagnosis can be pretty overwhelming, but keep in mind that your are on the very low end. Most doctors would not label you pre-diabetic unless your A1C was over 5.7. That means small changes can make a big difference. What was your A1C when you were diagnosed? Was it above or at 5.7? The fats you should avoid as a diabetic are the same fats everyone should avoid, regardless of their health status. Since you are already so health conscious with your food choices, I am guessing your diet contains few of the "bad" fats, if any. Here is an article about diabetes and fats that might help: https://type2diabetes.com/nutrition/overview-fats. With an A1C of 5.4, you can breathe a bit easier right now. It's important to keep an eye on the numbers in case your A1C creeps up again, but whatever you are doing seems to be working. Exercise and good sleep habits can also help reduce blood sugar levels, so that is another approach you can take if your don't want to put further restrictions on your diet. I hope this helps and that you can relax a bit. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Please know we are here for you whenever you need support or a place to vent. Best wishes. - Lori (Team Member) 
I hear you on our Canadian healthcare, I live in Canada to, the health care has changed so much here. To get a good doctor who listens to your concerns and your emotions around diabetes is non existent. I don’t know if it’s the same in the US, the doctor I have is leaving. So I haven’t even bothered to see him. The doctor shortage is crazy. Why is there a doctor shortage, I am not sure. Does anyone know why there’s a doctor shortage in B.C.? Hi
. Here is an article from the CBC that explains the shortage well: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/victoria-doctor-shortage-1.6427395. From what I understand, the government is training new doctors, but that will take time. So there might be no relief for quite a while. I wish you had more and better options. - Lori (Team Member)
I detest the "pre-diabetes" diagnosis because I feel that it encourages people to take things less seriously than they would a true diabetes diagnosis. Being pre-diabetic just means that you're on the same continuum of progressive insulin resistance as every other diabetic. And it all leads to the same place.
I recommend simply assuming that you have T2D and acting accordingly.
I'm in Calgary if you need a T2D mentor or a sympathetic ear.Thanks Harold, and yeah that's what I'm doing. I've gone low carb but some days are weird like yesterday I was eating all day and felt like the food wasn't doing anything almost like my digestion was shut down. Then in the evening I had some eggs and suddenly I felt like things were "moving" again. On your list this is the only one that applies to me:
>>Physical inactivity<< (when I'm not working)
It is so weird to me that I should have pre-diabetes when I don't have any of those other criteria
So today I began to comprehend why this disease is a disease. It truly seems to wreck havoc on the body!
That said, I felt quite good today and it may have something to do with mico-dosing magnesium.
I have magnesium glycinate powder that I use but often I feel a bit spaced out and unfocused when I take it (even at 1/8th of a teaspoon! Dosage is recommended for 1.5 teaspoons!)
But I watched a video that said Magnesium is a key to helping with insulin resistance so I just took an even smaller dose.
I also eat a few magnesium heavy foods like Black Beans and Avocados.In other news, next week I get my eyes checked. I hope I don't have glaucoma forming 🙁
I believe that diet can do a lot for health (It's how I overcame a lot of my own medical issues in the past) So I continue to look into foods that help with insulin resistance and hopefully heal my body or set things right. What I learned today about magnesium is promising so I'm sure there are more things like that.Hi
. I am glad you found something that helps. With your A1C numbers, your risk of diabetes-related eye problems should be low. So, hopefully, your eye appointment will put you at ease. Best wishes. - Lori (Team Member) Thanks Lori. My glucose level was 5.4 last blood test I took so I am hopeful that removing candy bars from my diet is all I will need.
Not sure I mentioned but I had 2 blood tests last year and the first the doctor distinctly said “no dieabetes” and it was only last year that I was eating a chocolate bar a day after work to try and gain weight. The second blood test revealed pre diabetes so I am certain it happened last year and likely because of that change
Totally by accident I bought Skimmed Milk instead of Kefir today. So I put it in my tea and immediately felt quite amazing. Odd to me since it doesnt have much fat. I'm guessing it's the vit A and D3. I'm gonna look into getting whole milk. I'm allergic to milk normally but this skim stuff hasn't affected me badly at all maybe because it's an organic brand.
What a great discovery,
. Maybe you should talk with your doctor first though. Allergic reactions can be mild one time and severe the next. Best wishes. - Lori (Team Member)
