Recently discovered prediabetic with symptoms

Hello @hopethereisnothing, I wish I would have had your awareness and asked this question when I was your age. My last HbA1c was also 5.8 and I really did not want to go on any more medications so I decided to exercise more and eat healthier but I was like a yo-yo with my weight until a few years ago when I found intermittent fasting which along with lowering the amount of carbs I eat has enabled me to maintain my weight loss. You might find the following discussion helpful:

--- Low-carb healthy fat living. Intermittent fasting. What’s your why?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/low-carb-healthy-fat-living-intermittent-fasting-whats-your-why/
Along my journey I also found this video by Dr. Jay Wortman helpful and may provide some answers to your question - Dr Jay Wortman Diabetes Remission is Surprisingly Simple!

Thank you for your reply.I am actually considering IF and reducing carbs as my first steps. I need to start gradually as I am now studying for post-graduate exam and already working full time so I can't (shock) my body with extreme measures.

Lifestyle changes helped me. With intermittent fasting and eliminating most sweet treats from my diet I've lost weight. I've been able to move from 5.7 to 5.5, without medication. I no longer crave the sweet treats.
I know others who have made similar progress.

Thank you for your reply. I hope I can do the same. I don't really crave sweets on regular basis, only sometimes and when I eat anything sweet I feel sick.

My A1c was 6.2. I stopped eating anything that was highly processed. If it comes in a bag or a box it is off limits. I lost 25 lbs and my A1c dropped to 5,6. Now I avoid all sugar and eat low carb as well. No dairy. No gluten. Works really well.

You are right to avoid “extreme measures”. A similar problem is attempting too many things at one time. It is best to prioritize the things you want to accomplish. Then choose 1 thing to focus on. When you are comfortable with that you can add another step. Good health habits take time and don’t happen overnight. Can the low-carb healthy fat intermittent fasting (IF) wait until after your post-graduate exam?

Thanks for your reply. What you mentioned about (attempting too many things at the same time) is a real struggle for me. I want to focus on studying as my exam is due in 6 weeks, but I can't stop worrying about turning from prediabetes to frank diabetes. I don't know how long this takes. A lot of people on social media are talking about this topic and they really scare me like if you don't stop all carbs immediately you will have diabetes and all its complications in a few months or so. I have health anxiety as well and every time I feel thirsty or have excessive need to pee I think I have high blood sugar. I know that stress contributes to high blood sugar and I got into severe stress and depression after the test result.

This link might be helpful: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/index.html. I was diagnosed with prediabetes through impaired glucose tolerance a few months ago. When I looked at the program linked above (a few months ago), you had to be overweight to participate.

@hopethereisnothing if you’re very anxious, why don’t you buy a glucose monitor? They cost between $50-100 I think. That way you can check your fasting glucose and have peace of mind about what you’re eating. I Understand you not wanting to take on an extreme change during exams but sometimes something as simple as no
Sugar and no bread will do the trick as far as lowering your glucose
Levels if your prediabetic. I know because I was prediabetic and that’s all it took to put me in the correct range…under 100 if I remember correctly.

Two things that helped me get started in reducing my A1c, and which should not stress you: Substitute water for any sweetened beverage. I drink a large glass with each meal. This will cut your sugar intake and keep you hydrated.
Take a ten minute walk after meals. You can walk in your home, and if you can't walk for 10 minutes, walk for five. This should also help refresh you as you study.
Best of luck with your exams!