|
Q: I haven't got diabetes but I have something which my doctor called 'impaired fasting glucose'. I understand that unless I am careful with my diet this might lead to diabetes. I would like to know more about this. What causes glucose impairment and how strictly should I be watching my diet?
A: Many people can have impaired fasting glucose (IFG) without knowing about it until a test is done. IFG is diagnosed when the result of a fasting blood test (having eaten nothing for at least 8 hours) is below 7.0 mmol/l or thereabouts. (too low for a diagnosis of diabetes), but above 6.1 mmol/l.
Different countries have slightly different criteria for diagnosis but all use roughly the same levels. An oral glucose tolerance test may be offered to exclude diabetes. This test involves drinking a known quantity of glucose and measuring the blood two hours later to assess the result. The causes of IGT depend on the individual, their weight - or rather their girth - and their activity levels as much as their diet. It is, as you suggest, a predictor of diabetes. Keeping active and maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle does help delay, or prevent, its progression.
By Gwen Hall, DSN/Clinical Practice Educator, Surrey PCT, Guildford & Waverley Locality
Information correct as of December 2008
|