New diagnosis of Pre-diabetes

You have recently been given a new diagnosis of Pre-diabetes based on your HBA1c blood test.

What does this mean?

Pre-diabetes is where your blood sugars are above what is considered the normal range but lower than the Diabetes range.
HBA1c is a blood test which measures the glucose (sugar) that is attached to the red blood cells. Because red blood cells survive for three months, the HBA1c gives us a good idea of what your blood sugar control has been like over a three-month period, so we cannot blame the raised blood sugars on a recent period of overeating.
HBA1c of 42 to 47 puts you in the Pre-diabetes range.
HBa1c of 48 and above puts you in the Diabetic range.
Being Pre-diabetic means that you are insulin resistant and are likely to progress to develop Diabetes over the following years if no significant lifestyle changes are made.

Not at all!
By identifying that you are at risk of Diabetes, you now have the opportunity to make lifestyle changes which can prevent you from progressing to developing Diabetes.
Through lifestyle changes, we are observing that many patients are actually getting their blood sugar levels back into the normal range and also achieving weight loss.

We generally recommend reducing or cutting out as much as possible consumption of sugar (sucrose) and refined processed carbohydrates (which break down to glucose in the body – foods like bread, pasta, rice, cereals etc) – this in essence is a Real Food lifestyle.
Addressing movement, sleep and stress management are also key areas that are equally important
Please contact the practice to request a New Prediabetes appointment with the Treatment Room Team anytime in the next six weeks – you will be given information and support on making these changes.
Please also read the Eat Real Food – Information Leaflet – which gives you some information on how to get started.
We run a Programme called Eat Real Food which are structured group education sessions held on a Monday evening at the practice. To learn more and sign up see eatrealfood.uk.
If this programme is not for you, there is also the national Diabetes Prevention program which you can self refer to Gloucestershire Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme
The important thing is to take action and make this an opportunity to make changes to prevent developing Diabetes.

It usually takes several years to progress from Pre-diabetes to Diabetes.
If you are aged 80 years and over, you probably do not need to make significant changes to your lifestyle unless you wish to.
However, if you wish to get support in making lifestyle changes, please request an appointment with the Diabetes Nurse