pre-diabeties!?!?

[minnieandmickeymouse]

My husband and I both 31 years old, had our blood checked for our cholesterol this past Mon. I made the apt. for DH at first b/c he has never had his colesterol checked, where as I have had mine checked before and mine is a big problem....ANYWAY, I got our letters from our doctor, and DH cholesterol was great! BUT eventhough he did fast, his sugar was higher then it should have been! And he has to go back to have it re-checked, fasting again...

So if it comes back, bad again, that means he is in the beginging stages of diabeties, or also called pre-diabeties! I am scared...and sad! Who out there lives with this, can you help me understand what we will have to do? I don't know what type 1 is or type 2 is, and which one he would be? I also don't understand WHY he would have it, he is 31, 5'7" and weighs 129 lbs, has a phyically demanding job, no fat, great muscles , parents don't have it ( that THEY know of). I just don't get it? He doesn't fit the at risk group. We don't smoke, drink, or do drugs....I know it's not the end of the world, but I also know it's a life changing deal, and we will have to work on what we have to change in our diet. He's not as scared as I am I just want him to be OK....And when we look at what the symptoms of diabeties are, he does have them, and has for while, extream thirst, hunger, and peeing alot.

If I had never decided to make DH's apt. to see if he had high cholesterol, we NEVER would have known there was a problem starting here!!

Anyone who can give me some advice, I would apreciate it

ETA: I have always suspected one of my childern having this problem, but the doctor just didn't think he "looked" like he needed to be check.
My son, who is now 5, we have had to lock food in a cabnet, he can't control his need for sugar straight, any junk or snack food, he drinks like crazy, milk that is, he acts like he is desparet for a drink, and he is very skinny...I don't know... If DH had it, will it be more likely that our son could have it???

 

[SandraM]

No advice here, I'm afraid, just sending you good wishes and hoping everything will be okay for you both. I have a nephew and niece who are both diabetic and have to do blood tests and take insulin a few times a day. They are aged 17 and 9, and both manage fine. It's unusual, in Ireland anyway, to find a brother and sister both being diabetic. My nephew was telling me last week that a new way of taking insulin is in testing and if all works out ok, it will eventually involve using an inhaler instead of having to have an insulin shot.

Let us know how you get on, will be keeping you in my thoughts.

 

[pumba]

I was diagnosed with diabetes type 2 in April .......I thought it was called pre diabetes too as I looked on some websites and i am not taking meds. But I am a diabetic and no other words did it until I heard the Diabetes Educator RN tell me. I am on a lower carb diet and I tested at first four times a day....Now I test twice a day .......and change times .....I am really trying to be good because this scared me to pieces too. My diet was not great I realize now. I LOVE pasta and I thought by not having alot of meats and cholesterol stuff I was doing good .....but we weren't .....so instead of having a plate of pasta ......I have a half cuke, a half tomato sliced.....a half cup of cottage cheese.....and a cup of spaghetti with sauce on it...I mourned my carbs...I really did.....but I am sure your husband can have more then my three choices of carbs........it will be up to the dietician to decide or your physican......Good luck and if you need anything just pm me.......I will try to help......

 

[Christine]

Pre-diabetes is the new buzz word for those who have borderline high/normal scores. This is the type that will eventually lead to Type 2 diabetes.

In most cases, it is caused by poor diets. As the generation of the "Pop Tart" kids ages, we will be seeing more and more of it.

I know your DH's weight is fine and he is active, but how is your diet. Most people under the age of 40 were raised on diets of convenience foods and not "whole foods" type cooking. I'm not saying you have to be a health food nut, but how has your DH's diet been OVERALL throughout his life? This is going to be his key to fixing this. If you can get the diet under control that will be all you really need.

 

[minnieandmickeymouse]

Pre-diabetes is the new buzz word for those who have borderline high/normal scores. This is the type that will eventually lead to Type 2 diabetes.

In most cases, it is caused by poor diets. As the generation of the "Pop Tart" kids ages, we will be seeing more and more of it.

I know your DH's weight is fine and he is active, but how is your diet. Most people under the age of 40 were raised on diets of convenience foods and not "whole foods" type cooking. I'm not saying you have to be a health food nut, but how has your DH's diet been OVERALL throughout his life? This is going to be his key to fixing this. If you can get the diet under control that will be all you really need.

This is what I can believe!! DH was raised with 3 other sisters in a poor family, and they lived on out of a can/box, and junk food! I may not be the best cook out there, but he does like his chocolate icecream, chips, and other snack foods, OH and lets not forget ALL that soda he practically lives on. I swear, all he drinks are soda, Ice tea, or some Hot chocolate!! That needs to stop. He just hates juice (that has sugar too though, right?) so what can he drink, oh, water, is that it?? Will he be banned from anything with sugar forever?? This is one problem I couldn't live with, and I am suprised that I don't have it!! I could't live without my sweets!! But then again, I do have high cholesterol , but I did bring it down.. We still have to wait for Oct. 17th for him to get re-tested, this is going to be a long wait for me, I want to know NOW!! Weather he likes it or not, things will be changing as of my next grocery trip! He is going to have to rethink his food intake....

 

[kadaten]

Pre-diabetes is the new buzz word for those who have borderline high/normal scores. This is the type that will eventually lead to Type 2 diabetes.

In most cases, it is caused by poor diets. As the generation of the "Pop Tart" kids ages, we will be seeing more and more of it.

I know your DH's weight is fine and he is active, but how is your diet. Most people under the age of 40 were raised on diets of convenience foods and not "whole foods" type cooking. I'm not saying you have to be a health food nut, but how has your DH's diet been OVERALL throughout his life? This is going to be his key to fixing this. If you can get the diet under control that will be all you really need.

My DH's uncle was told he was pre-diabetic and that he should get it in check or he'd be diabetic and on meds. He adjusted his diet (ended up losing the paunch he had) and he's perfectly fine. No symptoms, no borderline scores....his are all super healthy now. Just took a little work and a little will-power on his part. He's a bachelor in his mid-50's so never did much great cooking, ate out a lot, etc. He was never awful about his diet, just never really paid attention before his doc got on to him. He's learned the value of salads/vegetables, increased proteins, decreased carbs, reducing simple sugars, etc....eats really healthy and now has no worries on that front. Good luck to you and your DH!

 

[It's A Happy Day]

I too am a "pre-diabetic" If you talk to some dr's he is borderline others - usually the diabetic specialists he is considered diabetic already. The major thing that was explained to me when I had my initial sit down with the diabetes clinic here is alot of the time at this stage of things sugar can be controlled by diet - more smaller meals throughout the day vs. 1 or 2 big meals - They like breakfast - snack - lunch - snack - dinner - bedtime snack and portion control. Blood sugar does not mean table sugar - yes he will have to limit how much sweets he eats but it's not to say he can't have them and there are many low sugar/no sugar alternatives - popscicles and fudgescicles are still great tasting no sugar no sugar and there are more choices than that too. The other thing to remember is anything that can be turned into sugar by the body - breads, pastas, potatoes in excess will definitely increase his blood sugar. The best thing to do is to sit down with both a diabetes specialist and a dietician. And I would recommend he start keeping a journal of what he eats and when as they will ask for this and then another return visit if he doesn't already have it. Eventually he may end up on the pill form of insulin and sometimes and usually a last resort or if it is completely uncontrollable insulin injections. Another thing to keep track of is his excercise program if he has one - good eating and exercise help keep blood sugar down. If he is borderline now he will probably always have to watch it as usually it is a sign of later things to come. You can hold it off in different ways for awhile but keep monitoring it. Good luck and pixie dust your way!

Oh and a short PS - I was told by my ob/gyn when I had gestational diabetes that it is not hereditary so no concern for son - but if he is showing signs I would have him checked as due to diet and excercise in children there is an increase in childhood diabetes - not saying that this is the case with your son but I would want ease of mind.

 

[SonicLogic]

Type 1 diabetes is called juvenile diabetes or insulin dependant diabetes. Type 2 is adult onset diabetes and is usually controlled with diet, exercise and/or oral medication. With either one, you must keep your blood glucose levels within acceptable limits. If the blood sugar runs too high for too long, numerous complications ensue including such things as blindness, heart problems, nerve destruction and possible loss of toes of legs.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I don't know enough about diabetes, but my older brother was diagnosed with type II diabetes about 4 years ago, and was told by his Dr. that there's a 75% chance one of his siblings has or will have it as well. Being raised in the 1950's and 60's though, we were brought up on somewhat healthy meals. Meat or chicken, vegetables, salads. Desserts were served only on birthdays and holidays. He'd started to gain a 'belly' in his late 40's, but still appeared to be in his weight range. He was diagnosed with it when he was 50. He didn't have to take insulin, and was just told to change his diet. He's since dropped about 20 lbs. and looks and feels much healthier. Doesn't end there though. Last year, my 55 year-old sister was diagnosed with type II as well. She was also told to change her diet and take medication, but she hasn't, and we're concerned. I find it interesting that the Dr. was so accurate about the statistics. I thought type I was the only type which was hereditary.

 

[Talking Hands]

Type 1 diabetes is called juvenile diabetes or insulin dependant diabetes. Type 2 is adult onset diabetes and is usually controlled with diet, exercise and/or oral medication. With either one, you must keep your blood glucose levels within acceptable limits. If the blood sugar runs too high for too long, numerous complications ensue including such things as blindness, heart problems, nerve destruction and possible loss of toes of legs.

Type 1 is insulin dependent diabetes. Your body makes little to no insulin.
Type 2 diabetes can be controlled by diet alone, diet and oral meds or diet, insulin and/or oral meds. You cannot convert from type 1 to type 2. Juvenile and adult onset are terms that are no longer used as adults can be type 1 and children can have type. Also contrary to popular belief, a type 1 can be overweight especially if he has been well controlled over a long period of time and type 2s can be skinny.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I must tell you two things first, my husband was diagnosed about 6 years ago with type 2. He goes to one of the top doctors and researchers in the country at the Joslin Clinic in Boston. Second ,according to his doctor there is no such thing as "pre-diabetes" in their view you either have it or you don't. Part of the reason that they are now dumping the pre diabetes label is that the cutoff point for a diagnosis of high blood sugar has been lowered substantially so more and more people are now being diagnosed and treated in some manner. If you think your child may have Juvenile Onset Type I then I say that you should ask your doctor to test him and that is that.
Go with what your gut tells you, if you are wrong big deal if you are right and did not follow your intuition then you will kick yourself later.

 

[Christine]

This is what I can believe!! DH was raised with 3 other sisters in a poor family, and they lived on out of a can/box, and junk food! I may not be the best cook out there, but he does like his chocolate icecream, chips, and other snack foods, OH and lets not forget ALL that soda he practically lives on. I swear, all he drinks are soda, Ice tea, or some Hot chocolate!! That needs to stop. He just hates juice (that has sugar too though, right?) so what can he drink, oh, water, is that it?? Will he be banned from anything with sugar forever?? This is one problem I couldn't live with, and I am suprised that I don't have it!! I could't live without my sweets!! But then again, I do have high cholesterol , but I did bring it down.. We still have to wait for Oct. 17th for him to get re-tested, this is going to be a long wait for me, I want to know NOW!! Weather he likes it or not, things will be changing as of my next grocery trip! He is going to have to rethink his food intake....

The first thing he needs to do is dump the sodas. My friends son is a HUGE soda drinker (he is in his early 20s). Often times his son comes over to help him do work around the house and he can't go anymore than 2 hours without eating something or drinking a soda (otherwise he feels weak, dizzy, and shaky). My friend honestly believes that the 8-soda-a-day habit is pushing him to diabetes.

I do not like juice either (and it is not a better alternative really, when you're talking sugar). At the start, your DH needs to cut his soda intake and make the switch to diet soda right away. I know it sucks. I hate diet soda, but I do like my "fizzy" drinks, so I will have them rather than have all the sugar. My great uncle was a Type 2 diabetic and he existed happily with his diet sodas, sugar-free jello, and stuff like that to satisfy his sweet tooth.

The second thing you need to try is to lower his carb intake. You might want to take a look at the South Beach Diet Book (or a diabetes cookbook) to get an idea of what each of his meals need to look like because it is more than just "eliminating junk food." But doing that first, is a start. Maybe you can make some diabetes-friendly treats so that your DH won't feel so deprived at first.

The good news is is that he doesn't have to lose weight on top of it. That will make it a whole lot easier.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I've had diabetes 33 years now. They've switched the focus from sugars to carbs. Carbs seem to be the culprit diet wise. An occasional sweet is okay, but you count the carbs in it...as well as in everything else. Fresh fruits are preferred over juices. Other factors such as stress and illness can raise blood sugar levels also. Good he'll be retested. Hope it turns out fine.

 

[mickman1962]

It's not considered a problem until you had 3 blood test above normal. It is not unusual to have a high count in a blood test. I've had it happen a few times in the past.

 

[SonicLogic]

I've had diabetes 33 years now. They've switched the focus from sugars to carbs. Carbs seem to be the culprit diet wise. An occasional sweet is okay, but you count the carbs in it...as well as in everything else. Fresh fruits are preferred over juices. Other factors such as stress and illness can raise blood sugar levels also. Good he'll be retested. Hope it turns out fine.

I've been a type 1 diabetic since 1958. I take 2 shots per day of Humulin 70/30 and I test my glucose levels 4 times per day. I get 4 A1c tests per year which average out to 5.7%. I suffer from no major diabetic complications except for some minor neuropathy.

I eat healthy and get lots of exercise. I don't count carbs. I eat anything I want.

 

[minnieandmickeymouse]

Thanks for all your help and responses. Like I said, we will know more on the 17th of Oct. Untill then, DH is being stubborn. He said he isn't changing anything untill the doctor tells him he has too. I guess he is just acting like a typical MALE!!! So I will just give it a rest untill we know more. He could have been having this problem for a couple of years now, so one more month shouldn't hurt him. I will post when we know what is going on. Thanks again!