What you have is called prediabetes most likely. You need to push for a meter and start testing. Test your fasting readings. Anything over 100 is prediabetes, and anything over 125 is full blown diabetes. You also need to test two hours post meal as these are the first readings to show problems. Your fastings are the last to rise. You want to be below 140. Anything between that and 200 is prediabetes, and anything over 200 is diabetes.
My lats fasting glucose at the doctor was 110. So I started using a free meter I had gotten. First thing in the morning, my readings were anywhere from 112 to 132. That is what really scared me the most.
Also, demand an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test. You will fast for at least 8 hours, then go and drink a drink that contains 75 grams of glucose. Depending on the lab, they may draw your blood at one, two, and even three hours. Some only do the two hour. This will give you a better idea of what exactly is going on and is considered the gold standard for diagnosis. Yes, it's a pain the butt, but doing these two things will help you.
My primary doctor says she will have to refer me for this. She thinks I may not be down the road far enough for it to show up as prediabetes, and then I may not be able to be referred again soon after. She wants me to start the low carb and exercise and them come back in 2 months. If the AC1 and fasting blood sugar are the same or higher, she will refer me then.
A1c on its own is a lousy measure. Because it is an average, it can be easily skewed by too many lows. My a1c looks great, but I have readings well over 200 (the diabetes educators do not understand why I am still called prediabetic) but my frequent lows bring my average down. Do you ever experience low blood sugar?
Not sure. I don't know the symptoms of that.
The next thing you want to do is start carb counting. You want to limit yourself to no more than 45 grams of carbs per meal. Many people go even lower than that. This is where a meter comes in handy. Test after each meal- at least for awhile. If you have prediabetes, you should be able to at least get 100 strips a month. If you notice certain food or combinations of food are more likely to make you spike, avoid them.
I have done low carb for weight loss before, so I know I can reduce carbs. For me, it is hard to limit a little, I need to really limit or I continue with the cravings. I have a meter, just need more strips. I don't think insurance will cover it until I have been diagnosed officially with prediabetes, but I will call my doctor and ask.
Knock out soda completely. It's not doing you any favors. Really focus on gettin fat and protein in each meal as that will slow down the absorption of glucose, making it less likely to cause you to spike. Also, look at the source of your carbs. Occasional sweets are not off limits, but limit as much as possible any refined carbs and aim for more complex carbs. Avoid Chinese food, the sauces and rice cause your sugar to jump quickly- we call this the "Chinese Restaurant Effect." Most people find that pasta is difficult to tolerate as well. There is a company called Dreamfield's that makes a special pasta that will not spike you even though it has the same number of carbs. I find it helpful, and my family loves it- they can't tell the difference between that and regular pasta. Bread, potatoes, and rice are also very difficult for people to tolerate in any real quantities.
You also need to start exercising. Aside from helping you lose weight, exercise lowers blood sugar, and not just during the exercise itself. It has a longer lasting effect.
Ugh, that one is hard except on weekends. I am a teacher and then babysit for a preschooler after school. I take the dogs for brisk walks when I get home before dark. I may start trying to walk in the morning, but I am SO not a morning person, LOL.
A recent mega study in diabetes prevention (known as the diabetes prevention plan) just published its results. They found that weight loss and exercise was the most effective at preventing diabetes in people with prediabetes than just a diet alone. The one thing I do not like is they did not run a group with the two combined: people were either on strict diet, or exercise and weight loss. I would combine the two to see better results and to feel better.
One place that has helped me tremendously is the diabetes forums: we have one board just for people with prediabetes. Everybody there is helpful, and I have learned so much through them. The address is:
http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum.
And yet, her quack doctor only "diagnosed" her with diabetes last Christmas. 
Mother knows that her thinking is skewed--she is fully aware of what she's doing. But she is so mad at herself for developing diabetes. 
