Q7 : Fasting sugar was 142 and sugar pp 169 - am I a diabetic ?

Query :
I had checked my blood sugar level on 16 Sep 07. Fasting sugar was 142 and sugar pp 169. To rule out possibility of diabetes, I was advised to check my HbA1c and Microalbuminuria. This was done on 20 Sep and the readings are:

HbA1c- 6.6% and Microalbuminuria 8.60 mg/L.

In addition the Mean Plasma Glucose Level(over the past 60 days) was also checked. It was 157.6 mg/dl. Please let me know if I am diabetic and if not what should I do to eliminate the possibility
of becoming diabetic. Please advise.
- Ramaswamy, Chennai-India

Answer :

'Sweet' friend,
You are having impaired glucose tolerance - a stage in the life of many diabetics before overtly becoming a diabetic. The present biochemical picture - so nicely depicted by yourself , implies that you need to be careful.

You need to do the following lifestyle changes :

a) Your weight needs to be less than or close to the last two digits of your height(eg : 178 cm).

b) Diet

• Tie your mouth to tie down the diabetes demon
• Eat like a pig - but what the pig eats (lots of fibre).
• Drink like a fish - but what the fish drinks(lots of water).
• Veg or Non-Veg, don't eat upto the verge of your throat.

c) Exercise

• The mind to discover self-control.
• The body to keep below the ideal weight.

d) The legs of the chair - weight,diet,exercise , needs a fourth one - watchful vigilance of your blood chemistry periodically to keep you seated firmly on the health pedestal, keeping your head high and bottoms right.

yours sweetly,
Dr.Ravindranath