After fasting since last night, and having to skip both breakfast and lunch - I am really famished! I am happy to announce that my glucose level is normal for both after fasting and the next test 2 hours later.
The lab result was given to me, and I am thankful that this time round the result is easier to interpret. 4 years ago, I didn't understand what I was told and what I was reading so I asked my brother. He explained that I am not in the range of those having Gestational Diabetes, but my gynae being the overtly cautious type would already say "you better watch what you eat." This time round, I'm again not diabetic but what the result said :
' The results indicate impaired glucose tolerance but not diagnostic of diabetes mellitus'
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Extracted from website on a better understanding on those terms :-
Impaired Glucose Tolerance
Impaired Glucose Tolerance is a condition that occurs when the blood glucose sugar level is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. There are often no symptoms associated with IGT. Therefore, diagnosis can only be made after an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test(OGTT). This involves having your blood tested when fasting and then two hours after consuming a concentrated glucose drink.
One in three people with IGT risk developing Type 2 diabetes within 10 years of diagnosis. Research has shown that IGT also increases the incidence of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease, which can lead to heart attack and stroke. Two other risk factors more common in people with IGT are high blood pressure and elevated blood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides).
IGT most commonly occurs in people who are overweight and physically inactive. In particular, people who carry excess weight around the waistline are at the greatest risk. Like Type 2 diabetes, IGT is a result of insulin not working effectively. This is known as insulin resistance.
Impaired Fasting Glycaemia
Impaired Fasting Glycaemia is another category that identifies blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not in the diabetes range. It is diagnosed through a fasting blood test and not the OGTT. Impaired Fasting Glucose occurs less frequently than Impaired Glucose Tolerance, and has been associated with lower than normal levels of insulin rather than insulin resistance as in IGT. Like IGT, IFG is also linked to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.
The following table explains the diagnostic criteria for these two conditions in comparison to those for diabetes:
Diagnostic Criteria for Diabetes, IGT, and IFG
Diabetes Mellitus: Blood Glucose Level
(Venous Plasma Glucose (mmol/L))
Fasting 7.0 and above
or
2 hours after glucose drink 11.1 and above
Impaired Glucose Tolerance:
Fasting Less than 7
and
2-hours after glucose drink Between 7.8 and 11.1
Impaired Fasting Glycaemia:
Fasting Between 6.1 and 7.0
2 hour reading (usually not measured) Less than 7.8
Diabetes Mellitus: Blood Glucose Level
(Venous Plasma Glucose (mmol/L))
Fasting 7.0 and above
or
2 hours after glucose drink 11.1 and above
Impaired Glucose Tolerance:
Fasting Less than 7
and
2-hours after glucose drink Between 7.8 and 11.1
Impaired Fasting Glycaemia:
Fasting Between 6.1 and 7.0
2 hour reading (usually not measured) Less than 7.8
Management for both Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Impaired Fasting Glycaemia involves healthy eating and regular physical activity.
Healthy food choices include eating a diet low in fat (particularly low in saturated fat), high in carbohydrate (preferably low Glycemic Index or GI) and high in dietary fibre.
Regular physical activity is also very important. Not only does it improve your sense of well-being it also enhances your body’s ability to use insulin, therefore improving insulin resistance and lowering blood glucose levels. The current recommendation is to aim for 30 minutes of physical activity eachday on most days of the week. Even breaking this down to three lots of 10 minutes is beneficial for your health.
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