Branded - PREDIABETIC

[Birchwood]

I have a slightly diff. issue. I am 61 yrs old and I did this Heart health test
($50) which include a CT chest scan, blood work, Blood pressure check.
I have a slight calcification in the heart, and Cholesterol 230, which according to the MD is borderline. My blood sugar is normal and blood pressure is borderline.

Physically, I am of normal built, and healthy.

I was placed on a "rigorous daily exercise regimen" and Simvastatin for cholesterol. I was encourage to eat moderately and avoid fatty and sugary food and drinks. Eat mainly fruits and vegatables, and little fish and meat.

I do Elliptical exercises 30 -35 mins 6 to 7 days a week and aimed to elevate my heart rate to 80-85% of my capacity. I now do 90% for 35 min which amazes me. I'm thin according to people who sees me.

I'm now 62, BP, cholesterol and blood sugar are all normal.

 

[Helen]

I don't really want to comment on the significance of the total cholesterol number. I've concluded that the whole blood lipids thing is a mess, and that most docs don't have clue about what makes the different numbers go up or down.

I agree, I don't think the blood lipid thing is understood yet. My LDL is 199, but I refuse to go on Statins. My doctor and I have discussed statins over the years and she accepts my reasons for not going on them.

I'm 5'3" and 115. I could lose a bit of belly fat, but my diet is pretty good. Not a lot of cheese/fat and no red meat or poultry since 1976. I eat a lot of fruit and veggies and a lot of salmon (daily).

 

[TromboneAl]

But fruits *are* sugary foods.

http://www.sugarstacks.com/fruits.htm

Years ago, when I still thought low carbers were crazy, I had a cholesterol test coming up. As you know I like to experiment on myself, so for three weeks prior to the test, I became a vegetarian. My numbers were worse than before.

 

[haha]

But fruits *are* sugary foods.

How Much Sugar in Fruit?

Years ago, when I still thought low carbers were crazy, I had a cholesterol test coming up. As you know I like to experiment on myself, so for three weeks prior to the test, I became a vegetarian. My numbers were worse than before.

I think there are many individual response patterns.

You seem to be very well suited to low-carbing.

Ha

 

[W2R]

Not meaning to disrupt the present discussions, but back to the original post,

My questions:

* How should I approach my doctor when I see her next time?

I think you should say straight out, "Doctor, do you think am I pre-diabetic? I'm concerned after seeing my blood test results."

* How long should I wait until I get another A1C test? (some say a couple of weeks, some say 3 months. I waited 2 months since I started low/semi-low carb to take the test...)

"Doctor, when do you want me to get another A1C test?"

You and your insurance company are PAYING this doctor for her knowledge and experience as a medical expert. As long as you are paying for it, why not at least find out what she thinks and follow her suggestions? If you don't think she knows anything, why are you going to (and paying) this particular doctor? Just a thought and my questions are rhetorical.

F. and I have fasting blood glucose levels that are about the same (105-115) when untreated. Actually his score tends to be a little higher than mine. His doctor has never seen any problem with these results for him and has never even ordered an A1C for him. On the other hand, my doctor says I am a pre-diabetic and has been treating me for that for the past two years. The reason for this disparity is that the blood sugar tests are not assessed in isolation from tests for other variables, and various other information.

 

[Free To Canoe]

I don't really want to comment on the significance of the total cholesterol number. I've concluded that the whole blood lipids thing is a mess, and that most docs don't have clue about what makes the different numbers go up or down.

Sounds like you just did (comment).
Thanks for that.

 

[rgarling]

>>> W2R: "F. and I have fasting blood glucose levels that are about the same (105-115) when untreated. "

seriously, with fasting numbers like that, you should not consume any non-vegetable derived carbohydrate. Currently, the medical establishment doesn't get excited by those numbers, but you should.

 

[TromboneAl]

F. and I have fasting blood glucose levels that are about the same (105-115) when untreated. Actually his score tends to be a little higher than mine. His doctor has never seen any problem with these results for him and has never even ordered an A1C for him. On the other hand, my doctor says I am a pre-diabetic and has been treating me for that for the past two years. The reason for this disparity is that the blood sugar tests are not assessed in isolation from tests for other variables, and various other information.

This is a big problem that I see. The disparity probably just results just from the fact that you guys have two different doctors. The advice that one gets from "discuss this with your doctor" depends on the luck of the draw.

Internet research has its pitfalls, but at least you can see a range of opinions, and not suffer if your physician happens to be uninformed.

From an article on What is a Normal Blood Sugar?

The reason that your doctor or lab might consider much higher numbers as "normal" is because doctors rely on "diagnostic criteria" set by the American Diabetes Association decades ago to define what are normal and abnormal blood sugar levels

The science used to define these diagnostic levels is outdated and inaccurate. The ADA resists changing these diagnostic criteria for reasons that are almost entirely political. You can read the grim details of how these diagnostic levels were set and why they avoid diagnosing people with diabetes until they have already developed diabetic complications: HERE.

The research described on the Research Connecting Organ Damage to Blood Sugar Level web page will make it very clear what blood sugar levels are normal and what levels are associated with the development of early diabetic complications.

If your reason for wanting normal blood sugars is to avoid all diabetic complications and the blood sugar swings that make you hungry and exhausted, shoot for blood sugars that are truly normal. Not the ADA recommended levels that are high enough to damage your organs.​

 

[TromboneAl]

It was excellent (I added bacon)
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Casserole Recipe : : Food Network

We made that last night -- very good -- thanks.

These cookies are better than any peanut butter cookies you've ever made:

https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AaoSUBFCSnatZGZzcG00bTNfMTQ5ZjJmZzlwOXc&authkey=CIzk8qoD&hl=en_US

 

[eytonxav]

F. and I have fasting blood glucose levels that are about the same (105-115) when untreated.

As others pointed out this could be a problem, but I did notice you prefaced this by saying untreated. Does that mean you are now treating and getting lower #s or may be addressing via exercise and diet?

 

[W2R]

As others pointed out this could be a problem, but I did notice you prefaced this by saying untreated. Does that mean you are now treating and getting lower #s or may be addressing via exercise and diet?

Yes, all of the above.

 

[tmm99]

We made that last night -- very good -- thanks.

These cookies are better than any peanut butter cookies you've ever made:

https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AaoSUBFCSnatZGZzcG00bTNfMTQ5ZjJmZzlwOXc&authkey=CIzk8qoD&hl=en_US

Cool! I'm glad you enjoyed the cauliflower dish. I will definitely try your cookie recipe. I see that the cookie recipe is with pecan. Do you bake yours with peanut butter?

 

[tmm99]

But fruits *are* sugary foods.

How Much Sugar in Fruit?

Years ago, when I still thought low carbers were crazy, I had a cholesterol test coming up. As you know I like to experiment on myself, so for three weeks prior to the test, I became a vegetarian. My numbers were worse than before.

Kind of related to this (or not).... I saw Robin Williams on Ellen the other day. Evidently, he had some kind of heart surgeries, and he is now on the vegan diet. I remember Bill Clinton saying he was mostly vegan (I beileve he has had a couple of heart surgeries too.) I imagine they are on vegan diet because their doctors recommended it, but I wonder what they eat? I don't think they eat just green leafy vegetables either, which probably means their BG is not low.

 

[TromboneAl]

Yes, it's a good bet that Bill Clinton and Robin Williams are following the advice of their doctors, and it's a good bet that they each have the best doctor that money and power can buy. So, maybe I'm wrong and they are right.

 

[tmm99]

Yes, it's a good bet that Bill Clinton and Robin Williams are following the advice of their doctors, and it's a good bet that they each have the best doctor that money and power can buy. So, maybe I'm wrong and the are right.

Or you and Taubes are right?

I know people like that are told to lower their cholesterol to a very very low level by use of drugs, so their approach sees to be hugely different from the approach used for regular folks. I couldn't be a vegan anyway. (That would be way too boring.)

 

[Nuiloa]

One thing to note: there are a lot more old drunks than old doctors.

Just sayin'

 

[rgarling]

Yes, it's a good bet that Bill Clinton and Robin Williams are following the advice of their doctors, and it's a good bet that they each have the best doctor that money and power can buy. So, maybe I'm wrong and they are right.

Money and power will most likely get you the very best conventionally trained and famous professionals. Weirdly, the nutritional high ground these days combines ideas from "saving the planet", "feeding the world", "protecting animal rights", etc with optimal nutrition. This has led to a vegetarian bias in dietary recommendations.

Unfortunately, only a small percentage of the population can tolerate a vegetarian diet which tends to be around 65-70% carbohydrate (or even a government approved food pyramid diet which is 50-60% carbs); however, it makes good press. Also, it provides physicians a large patient population.

 

[haha]

Also, it provides physicians a large patient population.

What a naughty suggestion!

 

[rescueme]

Branded - PREDIABETIC

Boo hoo

I was diagnosed as a T2 over a decade ago.

For those that don't know, you are usually entering the diabetic stage (e.g. T2) a decade before you are acutally diagnosed as such.

That means that I've been in the "T2 arena" for over two decades, or more than a generation.

Just because you are diabetic, it dosen't mean a "death sentance", IMHO...

There is a lot more to fear in this world than a simple health challange.

Just from one who has "been there - still there", and is still managing (successfully) the health challange...

BTW, I was able to manage "the challange" for more than a decade by just exercise and diet, with my lowest A1C at 4.7. For those that know, T2 is a "progressive" situation, and I've started meds just within the last 30 days (Metformin), which has dropped my overnight numbers to around 110 (much better, than the 180 I was at over a decade ago, when I was diagnosed).

Being that I'm in my mid-60's, I'm happy with my progress, thus far.

Just my $.02 on the discussion at hand.

 

[toofrugalformycat]

One thing to note: there are a lot more old drunks than old doctors.

Just sayin'

I don't think anyone who is a hospital nurse or who has friends who are, would make that statement. End stage liver disease in their 40's or 50's gets a lot of alcoholics, and it is not a nice way to go. I don't mean to be argumentative, but I wouldn't want anyone to think that getting drunk regularly is good for their health, after witnessing the sad aftermath.
P.S. I get that you were only joking, Nuiloa, but any alcoholics that read this, should not get reinforcement for their delusion.

 

[Blossom]

Sorry for jumping in here, but your pix are comparing white refined sugar to whole fruit sugar, quite a different story and going vegetarian just means cutting out meat. If you increase the amount of sugar/caffeine/dairy/processed foods at the same time you will not see good results.

 

[TromboneAl]

Sorry for jumping in here, but your pix are comparing white refined sugar to whole fruit sugar, quite a different story and going vegetarian just means cutting out meat. If you increase the amount of sugar/caffeine/dairy/processed foods at the same time you will not see good results.

Fruit sugar and white refined sugar are equivalent.

Fructose is fruit sugar, and is shown on the upper right.

Sucrose is table sugar, and is shown on the bottom. Sucrose consists of a glucose section and a fructose section bonded together. As soon as the table sugar hits the stomach, the bond between those two sections is broken.

 

[haha]

Fruit sugar and white refined sugar are equivalent.

Fructose is fruit sugar, and is shown on the upper right.

Sucrose is table sugar, and is shown on the bottom. Sucrose consists of a glucose section and a fructose section bonded together. As soon as the table sugar hits the stomach, the bond between those two sections is broken.

But but but Al, fruits are NATURAL!

 

[chemist]

Fruit sugar and white refined sugar are equivalent.

Fructose is fruit sugar, and is shown on the upper right.

Sucrose is table sugar, and is shown on the bottom. Sucrose consists of a glucose section and a fructose section bonded together. As soon as the table sugar hits the stomach, the bond between those two sections is broken.

Well you have your chemistry right. But I believe studies have shown that when one eats a fruit the dietary fiber slows the absorption of the fructose so it does not give the same "sugar spike" that eating refined sugar does.

 

[TromboneAl]

Well you have your chemistry right. But I believe studies have shown that when one eats a fruit the dietary fiber slows the absorption of the fructose so it does not give the same "sugar spike" that eating refined sugar does.

You are correct, and it may be true that avoiding that spike is important. I'm just not convinced that the absorption is slowed that dramatically, or that a long slow increase in blood sugar is much less harmful than a spike.

So eating one medium apple is roughly equivalent to eating 5 teaspoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of Metamucil, a small amount of water, and one fiftieth of a vitamin C pill.

Perhaps there's something magical about eating a real apple as opposed to those ingredients. A lot of people believe that. For me, it's not worth the risk.