High Fasting Glucose

Updated on January 14, 2009
L.M. asks from San Jose, CA
4 answers

Hi Moms,
I had some bloodwork done over the holidays and my fasting glucose tested in the prediabetic range (107). It had tested a little high 2 years previously (91), and since then I had cleaned up my eating, started working out regularly and lost some weight. So needless to say, I was very frustrated. I had had many sweets while out of town and had a drink before the afternoon before the test, so I am planning on getting retested. But my main question is: I read in Parade that pine bark (pycnogenol) helped in lowering glucose levels, sometimes quite a bit. Is anyone familiar with pycnogenol? I want to try to nip this in the bud before it gets out of control. I have no history of diabetes in my family, ust hypothyroidism. Thanks so much!

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J.J.

answers from San Francisco on

As a mom of two kids with juvenile diabetes and a daughter in a family full of Type 2 diabetics, the thing you need to pay attention to from a dietary perspective is carbohydrate intake and "glycemic index" of the foods you eat. Exercise is very important, particularly after eating. You can do much to control or delay the onset. If you are concerned you should also ask you doctor to test your HbA1C which is an indicator of long term blood sugar control.

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D.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi L..

I'm a diabetic and a phlebotomist. Your 107 is not that bad, even though it is higher than your doctor would like. For now I would not take anything. The drink and sweets before your test probably had a lot to do with your blood sugar. I find that what I eat 3 days before affects my readings. Did the doctor give you a home monitoring kit? Doctors want you to be lower than 100 after fasting. Are you at a desirable weight right now or do you still have some to go? The best thing I can recommend is to keep exercising and to eat a balanced meal before you fast for your test. Remember that the protien is very important, so though you still need the carbs, make sure you get enough protien with it. Also, sticking to smaller meals more often in the day really helps me. Have an HB-A1C test done to determine if you have had high blood sugars over the past three months, or if it is just that fasting test that is high. My fasting is always my highest reading because my hormones play games while I'm sleeping. I have been put on meds twice for letting my blood sugar get out of control. (You don't want to do that!) Each time, I've gotten them back in control with diet and exercise. As long as I pay attention to what I eat and exercise regularly, it is as if I don't even have diabetes. Try not to worry about the 107, but my best advice is to really pay attention to the diet and exercise part. By the way, when my blood sugar is out of control, I lose my eye sight. So it is very important to take this seriously.

Also, you mentioned that you are a "future mommy." Are you pregnant right now? I had gestational diabetes with all of my pregnancies. I had to take insulin shots, but my kids came out perfectly healthy. If you are or plan to get pregnant soon, you should see a nutritionist to get a good diet in place to protect your baby. Good luck to you.

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S.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I've had GD with both my last pregnancy and my current one. Here are my reccomendations. Avoid too many carbs first thing in the morning. I usually do not eat more than 15g carbs in the morning and avoid fruits and milk because this is when the hormones from the placenta are the highest. I usually have eggs, bacon and low carb toast. Follow serving sizes, and read ingredients, if sugar, corn syrup, honey,fructose or other "-ose" is in the first 3 ingredients it is usually too much sugar. Eat at regular times to avoid highs and lows. 3 meals plus 3-4 snacks daily. Main meals I try to have 15-30g carbs, 2-3 protiens, plus veggies/fruit. Snacks consist of 1 serving carb, a fruit and protien. Try not to go over 3 hours without eating during the day and not over 10 hours between bedtime and breakfast. High fiber foods can help control blood sugar also. Include a protien food every time you eat, especially with carbs. Walking (10-30mins) after a meal can greatly reduce blood sugar numbers. Most fruits are about 15g carbs. Check on breads, I found Orowheat light is 2 slices/serving and reasonable for carbs. Veggies are free, except for corn, winter squashes, peas and beans. These count as starches/carbs. Some good sources of protiens include beef, chicken/turkey, fish, egg (or egg substitute), cheese, cottage cheese, pork, ham, shellfish, peanut butter (or other nut butters), raw nuts and tofu. For yogurt I get Dannon fit and light carb/sugar control. Milk is 15g carb for 1 cup but is high protien also. Things my info says to avoid are candy, ice cream/froz. yogurt, muffins/donuts, honey, jams, pasta sauce, bbq sauce, ketchup, soft drinks (diet ok), baked beans, cakes/pie, cookies, fruit juice and instant hot/cold cereal. I found sugar free jam is not a problem and I get the sugar free flavored creamer for my coffee. Non-instant oatmeal is ok, 1/2 c. cooked = 15g carb/starch. Feel free to write me if you have more questions. Gestational Diabetes has nothing to do with regular diabetes although family history can increase your chances of getting GD. It is cuased by insulin resistant hormones from the placenta.

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K.L.

answers from San Francisco on

Hypothyroidism and diabetes have a strong, medical link - so while diabetes may not run in your family persay, the two conditions are comorbid (meaning they often occur at the same time in the same patient).
Its GREAT that you are working on your health and trying to nip this in the bud - we all want to be as healthy and long lived as we can be for our little ones, and future little ones. Im sure you also realize how important it is to be healthy before conceiving, if we can help it. However, know that your struggle with pre diabetes has much more to do with just your health, but also has a strong genetic link to other known medical conditions in your family history.
Good luck!

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