I have just found this board and it looks like a great place to look for information. It appears to be a great group of people. Here is my situation, I will try to keep it short.

First, I am a 47 y.o. male, weight is ok, maybe loose 10 lbs wouldnt hurt.
Family history: Father and grandmother both were diabetic.

Last year I found out I have high blood pressure, so I am taking meds for that and now go to the Dr. twice a year. Blood pressure is under control.
Jan 31. routine physical. Blood work comes back:

Cholesterol 209
HDL 47
LDL 110
Trig 261
blood sugar 128
HgA1c 6.3

The doctor mails me this report and tells me to call him. No apt needed. I am told to cut out any candy, soda etc. and I need to reduce my intake of high fat foods. Because my sugar is elevated and depending on who's standards you go by, I may be slightly diabetic. I should just cut out the garbage foods and eat better. Schedule to come back and retest in 3 months.

He never made me feel this was anything to worry about. So I procrastinate and go back and retest Nov 1. Now its 9 months later. I have changed all my beverages to diet, cut out most sweets, ice cream etc. I have lost 6 pounds. Blood work comes back:

Cholesterol 190
HDL 48
LDL 108
Trig 172
blood sugar 118
HgA1c 5.8

At the bottom of the report he says it does appear I am a least borderline diabetic and may be able to control it with diet and exercise. He wants me back in 3 weeks for another retest and schedule an apt with a dietitian.

I am upset with myself that I didnt take the first report more seriously and research it more.

I guess I am looking for comments from the group on how it looks to everyone. From what I have read here, I am prediabetic, I do need to excercise more and control my eating habits. Should I get a meter? I spoke with my ins. and they cover the strips and will give me the meter. I guess there is some denial on my part. Am I diabetic it or not?

Any comments or input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Greg

I believe your doctor is right. You are a "borderline" diabetic. With your history, he is running this on the side of caution. You are indeed able, at this point, to control this with your diet and exercise alone, I doubt you will need any medication unless your diet is already well-controlled, based upon my own experience when I was in a similar situation to yours - many doctors won't medicate you with these HbA1c readings you have, either..... it is surely preferred to use no medication unless your risk factors go higher than they are, presently, in my mind..... discuss this with your doctor and see how he looks at this, with your history and your other risk factors. The decision to medicate or not to medicate is supported more broadly than just the test results, at this point.

Your triglycerides show that maybe you're getting some more glycemic sources than you may be aware of - a talk with a dietician is a good move. If you want to lower your sugars, you will probably have to limit your carbohydrate intake as well as refined sugar.

I successfully managed my diabetes (and I was not "borderline") with diet and monitoring my blood sugars - however, my illness has now progressed beyond that point, I am on insulin these days. It is a great idea, especially if your insurance will pay, to begin monitoring. Information is power.

A fasting bs over 126 (your first blood test) is diabetes.

A fasting bs between 100-126 is prediabetes (the term borderline isn't used anymore).

The test needs to be repeated to confirm. Based on your blood work, you have prediabetes.

See the dietician, exercise more, and maybe metformin would help you. I also agree monitoring is a must- the more you know, the more you can do. Your a1c suggests you are having significant post prandial spikes.

Goggy,
One of the greatest things about the new guidlelines for diagnosing diabetes is that they give you a much earlier warning when you're developing T2, thus affording you the opportunity to get it under control and manage with diet and exercise alone before major damage is done.

At this stage you are definitely, as Blondy said, "pre-diabetic." What this means is that you most likely will develop T2 diabetes at some point. However, with careful management, you could delay this for years.

I would insist that your doctor refer you to a registered dietician for advice on meal planning and so you can learn portion size and carbohydrate content of various foods. It's not so simple as avoiding sugar...you need to watch your carbohydrate intake in general.

Also, if you can introduce some form of exercise into your daily routine, it'll definitely help. T2's are insulin-resistant, and exercise helps overcome that and make your body more sensitive to the insulin you produce naturally. Even if you just park further away from stores/work, take the stairs, etc., it'll help. You don't necessarily need to jog for an hour or go to the gym...just find ways to put more steps into your daily routine. Or take a walk on your lunch hour or after dinner.

Ruth

Thank you all for your replies. I have an apt. for Monday with my Dr. for another test. At that time I will get the dietician apointment. Already talked with my insurance co. and they are sending me a monitor. Should be here tomorrow.

Thanks again,

Greg

[/QUOTE]I also agree monitoring is a must- the more you know, the more you can do. Your a1c suggests you are having significant post prandial spikes.[/QUOTE]

Can you explain "post prandial spikes" for me?

Your fasting glucoses are pretty good. However, your a1c is on the high side. This suggests your blood sugar is going high when you eat. Post prandial is the medical jargon for the time period after eating.