Young and Prediabetic

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Are you already taking magnesium supplements?

No.
My fasting blood sugar this morning was elevated at 118. I followed advice to eat eggs, and during the meal it dropped to 94. Two hours later it was down to 101. I also tried eating rice again (which I plan to stop), and my one-hour post-meal reading (which is supposed to be peak) was 106. So my post-meal numbers seem to stay in a normal range, but my fasting levels are consistently high.
If this points to insulin resistance, is medication the only option, and would that typically be a long-term treatment? Also, what specific types of exercise are most effective for improving this?
I’ve been monitoring my blood sugar mainly because I’ve been experiencing constant thirst, which is my main symptom.
Anonymous
Whats your age?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What symptoms?


Mainly increased thirst, fatigue, blurred vision.


If you are having these symptoms, you are not a prediabetic. You are one already.


This. Go to a doctor. Go to one asap.


I’ve had all these symptoms plus more for months now. I’m already waiting for lab results, I’ll see.


LabCorp usually posts lab results in about a day or two. When did you do the labwork?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Whats your age?

19.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What symptoms?


Mainly increased thirst, fatigue, blurred vision.


If you are having these symptoms, you are not a prediabetic. You are one already.


This. Go to a doctor. Go to one asap.


I’ve had all these symptoms plus more for months now. I’m already waiting for lab results, I’ll see.


LabCorp usually posts lab results in about a day or two. When did you do the labwork?

Friday, but at a clinic.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What symptoms?


Mainly increased thirst, fatigue, blurred vision.


If you are having these symptoms, you are not a prediabetic. You are one already.


This. Go to a doctor. Go to one asap.


I’ve had all these symptoms plus more for months now. I’m already waiting for lab results, I’ll see.


LabCorp usually posts lab results in about a day or two. When did you do the labwork?

Friday, but at a clinic.


Will you be going over the results with a doctor? They need to look at your A1C. It's probably normal.
Anonymous
OP - i think it’s important that you rule out type 1 ASAP. I’m very concerned about your fasting glucose numbers and also your vision and thirst issues. Those are also indicators of impending type 1 diagnosis and delays on diagnosis and treatment for type 1 can be really serious so it’s very important that you rule that out before you start worrying about managing type 2 issues

If you want a fuller picture of what’s going on all day consider an over the counter CGM like Stelo or lingo.

You should get into a pediatric, primary care doc or school med center to get the following bloodwork done:
- A1c
- c peptide
- test for the following autoantibodies: GADA, IAA, IA-2A, and ZnT8A

Do you have anyone in your family with autoimmune issues like rheumatoid arthritis, celiac, thyroid issues etc?

While it’s hopefully a type 2 prediabetes issue which would be easier to manage, it’s important to rule out type 1 which can progress quickly. Your symptoms are similar to those of my daughter at diagnosis (16, thirst, fatigue, fasting BG 110-120, A1c 6-ish). She was diagnosed early enough to qualify for a treatment that delays onset of insulin dependence

You should also book with a PEDIATRIC endo ASAP (usually they’ll see you up to age 21) and if your symptoms worsen or you see readings hitting 250-300 post meal, I’d get into a pediatric ER. Try to avoid the adult endos if you can, they’re not as used to type 1 diagnosis and treatment. Don’t worry about being 140 or so post meals, that’s normal for everyone, including non-diabetics.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:OP - i think it’s important that you rule out type 1 ASAP. I’m very concerned about your fasting glucose numbers and also your vision and thirst issues. Those are also indicators of impending type 1 diagnosis and delays on diagnosis and treatment for type 1 can be really serious so it’s very important that you rule that out before you start worrying about managing type 2 issues

If you want a fuller picture of what’s going on all day consider an over the counter CGM like Stelo or lingo.

You should get into a pediatric, primary care doc or school med center to get the following bloodwork done:
- A1c
- c peptide
- test for the following autoantibodies: GADA, IAA, IA-2A, and ZnT8A

Do you have anyone in your family with autoimmune issues like rheumatoid arthritis, celiac, thyroid issues etc?

While it’s hopefully a type 2 prediabetes issue which would be easier to manage, it’s important to rule out type 1 which can progress quickly. Your symptoms are similar to those of my daughter at diagnosis (16, thirst, fatigue, fasting BG 110-120, A1c 6-ish). She was diagnosed early enough to qualify for a treatment that delays onset of insulin dependence

You should also book with a PEDIATRIC endo ASAP (usually they’ll see you up to age 21) and if your symptoms worsen or you see readings hitting 250-300 post meal, I’d get into a pediatric ER. Try to avoid the adult endos if you can, they’re not as used to type 1 diagnosis and treatment. Don’t worry about being 140 or so post meals, that’s normal for everyone, including non-diabetics.

Thank you. I didn’t initially consider type 1 diabetes because, , I’ve been dealing with thirst issues for years—probably around four. I always assumed it was just dehydration since I didn’t drink much water. The feeling would come and go, sometimes lasting weeks or months and leaving and coming back, now it’s back, it’s been a long time. My vision problems aren’t very severe and seem to be caused by other factors. I do experience fatigue, but it’s not as noticeable or intense as the thirst.

My dad had an overactive thyroid, and I suspect I might have some hormonal issues too. He now takes Levothyroxine because his thyroid was removed. He does have other health issues, but they’re mostly related to blood pressure and cholesterol. My own blood pressure and cholesterol have been normal.

I’ve also wondered if I might have hormonal issues/pcos because of some symptoms.. That’s part of why I thought I might be prediabetic, especially since I previously have an impaired fasting glucose reading. Based on my numbers, I feel like I’d be more likely prediabetic rather than type 1, although I’ve learned that type 1 can sometimes develop slowly.

Back in late 2021, I had my thyroid checked because I was having unusual symptoms like rapid heart palpitations—especially at night—and I would get out of breath very easily, to the point where I could barely run. Because of my dad’s history, they tested my thyroid, but everything came back normal. They also had me wear a 24-hour holster monitor and did an EKG, which were both normal as well. So I’m not sure if I should have my thyroid tested again or look into something more detailed.

I have a primary care doctor back home, so I might have to wait until May for an appointment, or possibly go home sooner to be seen.
If you don’t mind me asking, were your daughter’s blood sugar levels normal after meals? I tested my fasting blood sugar this morning at 6 a.m., and it was 88. I still felt thirsty, though. When I ate around 10, my dry mouth improved briefly, and It felt wet, but then became dry again after a few minutes, so the thirst feels constant. I also just tested again, and it was 104, two hours later. Do you think it would be a good idea to wake up in the middle of the night to check my blood sugar to help figure it out while I wait?
Anonymous
You asked how to work on this. Step 1 would be focusing on nutrition and eating well balanced meals.
Anonymous
I think your issues are more related to health anxiety. I would stop testing unless directed by a doctor.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I think your issues are more related to health anxiety. I would stop testing unless directed by a doctor.


+1. I think it's all in your head OP. I've been T1D for over 30 years and I highly suspect you are a diabetic. You do, however, sound extremely anxious. Stop trying to convince yourself.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What symptoms?


Mainly increased thirst, fatigue, blurred vision.


If you are having these symptoms, you are not a prediabetic. You are one already.

+1

I'm predisposed to diabetes (family history). My fasting glucose is 104, A1C 5.7. I don't have those symptoms.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I think your issues are more related to health anxiety. I would stop testing unless directed by a doctor.


My elevated morning fasting glucose levels are concerning. That’s what confusing me, and now I’m worried that I might have LADA, instead prediabetes. Could it be something non-diabetes related, that’s causing this. Sorry, there is not a lot of information about LADA online.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think your issues are more related to health anxiety. I would stop testing unless directed by a doctor.


My elevated morning fasting glucose levels are concerning. That’s what confusing me, and now I’m worried that I might have LADA, instead prediabetes. Could it be something non-diabetes related, that’s causing this. Sorry, there is not a lot of information about LADA online.


Acute stress and anxiety also cause higher blood sugar numbers. OP your numbers sound fine. Why are you repeatedly testing yourself multiple times per day? Please stop. Seriously. Just get a physical like a normal person. This seems to be anxiety driven.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think your issues are more related to health anxiety. I would stop testing unless directed by a doctor.


My elevated morning fasting glucose levels are concerning. That’s what confusing me, and now I’m worried that I might have LADA, instead prediabetes. Could it be something non-diabetes related, that’s causing this. Sorry, there is not a lot of information about LADA online.


LADA is type I diabetes. At your age, it might be coming on slower but this could get much worse and fast. At your age and weight your fasting glucose should not be abnormal for any reason whatsoever.

Be prepared to fight. Many physicians don't "believe" adults get type I diabetes. Because you've caught it early you may not yet hit obvious diagnostic criteria on bloodwork for a T1D label. But you've got it, it's super dangerous to not get a diagnosis do you'll need to advocate hard for yourself.

--scientist and Mom of a type I
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