Pre diabetes: Should I see a dietitian?

Posted by maciel29 @maciel29, Apr 21, 2023

Hi good evening I was recently diagnosed with pre diabetes how long does it take to go away and do I have to see a dietitian thanks

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Your blood sugar is high. The only fix is to take drugs (Metformin) which made me sick, or learn about blood sugar, food and exercise to lower your numbers.

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Did provider put you on medication or suggest life style changes first.

A dietitian is helpful to understand what food you should and should not eat. But I have found that I know what I should do, but knowing and doing are two different things.

How long takes to not be pre-diabetic is going to depend if you can make life style changes that lower A1C. Lose weight, move more, eat right food, stop smoking, stop drinking alcohol, take medication if prescribed.

Laurie

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I agree with Laurie's suggestions. I lowered my A1c by loosing weight, exercising more, eating more vegetables and not eating processed foods (cookies, cakes deli meats, foods with added sugar). The YMCA and some medical facilities offer a free Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) for prediabetics that lasts for a year. DPP is very helpful.

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My sugar was in the 250 range witch it is still in a good range but I was pre diabetic and eventually a type II diabetic. No insulin injections needed but I was put on metformin and after about 6 months of being at the 95 to 105 level I was removed off metformin and my sugar stayed at 95 to 105.

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@roch

Did provider put you on medication or suggest life style changes first.

A dietitian is helpful to understand what food you should and should not eat. But I have found that I know what I should do, but knowing and doing are two different things.

How long takes to not be pre-diabetic is going to depend if you can make life style changes that lower A1C. Lose weight, move more, eat right food, stop smoking, stop drinking alcohol, take medication if prescribed.

Laurie

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They have not gave me medicine for it I have not met with a nutritionist yet I been working out everyday

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@maciel29, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I’m Cheryl and hang out in the Diabetes & Endocrinology Group. What lead to your diagnosis of Pre Diabetes (symptoms, lab tests … etc.)? Other members have made some good suggestions pertaining to diet, exercise, life style changes, medications that have helped them. In Mayo Clinic Connect we are members that share similar experiences and tell about what has been helpful to us. We shouldn’t diagnose or try to prescribe anything. What kind of provider diagnosed this and what recommendations did he or she have for you?

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@cehunt57

@maciel29, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I’m Cheryl and hang out in the Diabetes & Endocrinology Group. What lead to your diagnosis of Pre Diabetes (symptoms, lab tests … etc.)? Other members have made some good suggestions pertaining to diet, exercise, life style changes, medications that have helped them. In Mayo Clinic Connect we are members that share similar experiences and tell about what has been helpful to us. We shouldn’t diagnose or try to prescribe anything. What kind of provider diagnosed this and what recommendations did he or she have for you?

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Do you think a nutritionist is the right person to diagnose your diabetic level?
I too lost weight. I was 243 last year and this year my weight dropped to 212. After a hospital stay I came home weighing 186 lbs and now I’m at 190. That helped my sugar level drop and the doctor stopped prescribing metformin and, like I said earlier, I’m no longer on metformin yet my sugar is 95 to 105. I also walk around the track daily. I haven’t done much about what I eat though.

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@roch

Did provider put you on medication or suggest life style changes first.

A dietitian is helpful to understand what food you should and should not eat. But I have found that I know what I should do, but knowing and doing are two different things.

How long takes to not be pre-diabetic is going to depend if you can make life style changes that lower A1C. Lose weight, move more, eat right food, stop smoking, stop drinking alcohol, take medication if prescribed.

Laurie

Jump to this post

For me it was Metformin and a referral to a dietitian, who suggested the Low Fat, High Carb ADA diet of the time (early 2000s).
I opted for Atkins and exercise at that time, lost 30 lb but found that version of low carb unsustainable for me.

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@andytheman

Do you think a nutritionist is the right person to diagnose your diabetic level?
I too lost weight. I was 243 last year and this year my weight dropped to 212. After a hospital stay I came home weighing 186 lbs and now I’m at 190. That helped my sugar level drop and the doctor stopped prescribing metformin and, like I said earlier, I’m no longer on metformin yet my sugar is 95 to 105. I also walk around the track daily. I haven’t done much about what I eat though.

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Awesome! My highest weight was about 375. 25 years ago. Thru Atkins lost 30, other various low carb (south beach) got down to 300. Never a ton of exercise though. From there I yoyoed up and down to 275 about 5 years ago. That timei worked out 2x day. Well, back up to 310 and starting over again.... I know exercise is key

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@blearyeyes

Your blood sugar is high. The only fix is to take drugs (Metformin) which made me sick, or learn about blood sugar, food and exercise to lower your numbers.

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After a pre-diabetic A1C reading, I began Metformin 500mg five days ago, taking it once daily with breakfast. Stomach upset and burning with urination ensued after three days. Because I also have interstitial cystitis, the urinary tract burning symptom confuses me as it is also an IC symptom.
How long after starting Metformin does the body react to it? My doctor initially ordered one month of the prescription before either refilling Metformin or changing to Trulicity once weekly injectable that she preferred I use.
I should also mention that my weight, exercise and eating habits required absolutely no changes due to my active fitness lifestyle.

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