Pre-diabetic

I think some people are using the term for convenience when they mean "metabolic syndrome" http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4756

It's also being used to replace "borderline diabetic". For those who are looming on the brink of diabetes....passed your GTT but have all (or many) other signs/symptoms of diabetes. My family doc described it as the point where you can make changes to your lifestyle to avoid diabetes, or throw it to the wind and enter the world of diabetes management.

I would look at the American/Canadian Diabetes Association website for more info.

Actually, everyone mentioned the things I was about to say. I went to a diabetic seminar for LPNs and this was a big subject. It now influences my reading of glucose values and the direction of my patient teaching.

Thank you everyone for your responses. I was curious because I have heard the term tossed around on diabetic message boards. To me, someone is either a diabetic or not a diabetic. I understand the blood glucose guideline numbers but I don't think that a lot of my fellow diabetics, who were former prediabetics, really understood the meaning or importance of managing their blood sugars. And there are those that when they do convert, view this conversion as a failure on their part.

I understand the changes that have happened over the years. My PCP is one of the most forward thinking doctors I know. He wants my A1c to be 5.0 to 5.2. And I remember when he thought a 5.9 was super. But I also remember when he put me on an 1800 cal ADA diet when I was first diagnosed. Now we agree on my carbohydrate intake.

Woody:caduceus:

Probably the most exciting aspect of the designation of prediabetes is the understanding that diabetes is now preventable. Very few in the public understand this and if we as nurses could forward that idea, a lot of lives would be saved and a lot of suffering prevented. Previously, people believed that diabetes was a disease that they got and that there was nothing that could be done about it. The people who believed they got it from eating too much sugar were gently redirected. Now it turns that there was a more than a grain of truth in their thinking. As someone with a high risk for diabetes myself, I am always cognizant of my weight, the size of my waist and the foods I eat as well as my activity levels as I struggle NOT to fulfill what I once thought was my destiny.

Probably the most exciting aspect of the designation of prediabetes is the understanding that diabetes is now preventable. Very few in the public understand this and if we as nurses could forward that idea, a lot of lives would be saved and a lot of suffering prevented. Previously, people believed that diabetes was a disease that they got and that there was nothing that could be done about it. The people who believed they got it from eating too much sugar were gently redirected. Now it turns that there was a more than a grain of truth in their thinking. As someone with a high risk for diabetes myself, I am always cognizant of my weight, the size of my waist and the foods I eat as well as my activity levels as I struggle NOT to fulfill what I once thought was my destiny.

May I ask you a question? If Type 2 is considered the result of eating too much sugar, how does one explain the genetic factor or the steroid impact, or gestional diabetes. I am not looking for an argument but enither my PCP or my endocrinologist blame my developing Type 2. They tell me that my body was influenced by both of my grandfathers and father being Type two. Plus the impact of steroids on my blood sugar and insulin production. I wasn't even put on regular insulin, while on steroids, until 2000. Also, at the time of my diagnoses, I weigh 132 pounds.

Another question, please. Do you get period A1c's done? And have you ever had the insulin antibodes done? I am not trying to say anything about the way you are managing the problem but unless your A1c is 5 or under, according to some, you are hitting the diabetic line.

Woody:hrnsmlys:

I am pre-diabetic. My most recent fasting bs was 106. My BMI is in the normal category, too. After receiving this diagnosis, I had an 'awakening' of sorts. I looked around at my family of type 2 diabetics and decided to change my lifestyle, drastically.

I do the treadmill or elliptical for 60 minutes six days a week. I lift weights three times a week. I do 20 minutes of yoga every day. I have cut out most simple carbs. I eat lean and healthy. Lots of lean protein, fish, fruits, and veggies.

To me, prediabetes is an early wake up call, if one chooses to pay attention and make changes. I understand that I may one day become diabetic, but I'm going to try to prevent it as long as I can. I think it's great that the medical establishment is looking at the shades of gray on this, and looking towards prevention.

May I ask you a question? If Type 2 is considered the result of eating too much sugar, how does one explain the genetic factor or the steroid impact, or gestional diabetes. I am not looking for an argument but enither my PCP or my endocrinologist blame my developing Type 2. They tell me that my body was influenced by both of my grandfathers and father being Type two. Plus the impact of steroids on my blood sugar and insulin production. I wasn't even put on regular insulin, while on steroids, until 2000. Also, at the time of my diagnoses, I weigh 132 pounds.

Another question, please. Do you get period A1c's done? And have you ever had the insulin antibodes done? I am not trying to say anything about the way you are managing the problem but unless your A1c is 5 or under, according to some, you are hitting the diabetic line.

Woody:hrnsmlys:

It's my understanding that there are multiple factors which influence the development of Type 2, genetics being a big part of it. I didn't mean to suggest that diet alone causes type 2 because it doesn't, only that it is a factor which if controlled can help prevent the development of type 2.

But how does diet influence pre-diabetes?

Diet high in sugar and simple carbohydrates------->large amounts of insulin released----------->insulin resistance----------->hyperinsulinemia and pre-diabetes.

So the controllable factors are: diet, weight, fat (in particular around the waist), and activity level. For someone like myself, an African-American female with a strong family history of type 2, two genetic factors which predispose me, I can work on the other factors to decrease my chances of developing the disease.

I haven't had A1cs or insulin antibodies done. Occasionally I will check my lipids and fasting blood sugar and I keep an eye on my weight and blood pressure. I work out but not as often as I should.

I just signed up for a research study that is looking for a new way to diagnose pre-diabetes so I will be getting all of those tests done. I'll get to see if my strategy is working. I hope so, by the time my mother and my aunts were my age they were already on insulin so I think I'm already a little ahead of the game. We'll see.

my fasting blood sugar is always below 90-100 but my riglycerides are sky high and md made a determination of prediabetes

trying to get in a bit of walking and i desparately need to lose weight..sticking head in sand ineffective so far