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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What does a fasting glucose result of 5.6 mean?

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    Endocrinology Type 2 Diabetes
    I am a 46, 51kg,(and have been since I was 20) 1m 63cm have low cholesterol levels, eat 5-7 portions of fruit and veg a day, exercise 5 times a week, no family history of diabetes and have just had a fasting glucose result of 5.6 which I understand is cause for concern.
    Any thoughts?
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  • 38

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    Carolien Koreneff

    Counsellor, Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE), Diabetes Educator, Psychotherapist, Registered Nurse

    Carolien Koreneff is a Somatic (body-oriented) psychotherapist, Health Coach, Counsellor as well as a Credentialed Diabetes Educator with over 20 years experience. She currently sees … View Profile

    I agree with Helen, I cannot see a reason why one would be concerned about a blood glucose level of 5.6. It is in the normal range and you have minimal risk factors for developing diabetes.  It is possible that not the blood glucose level, but insulin or c-peptide levels are abnormal.  BUt even if this is the case, this would only need to be watched. As mentioned by Helen, just get it checked again in a few months time and if the trend is upwards your GP could consider organising a glucose tolerance test.  Keep up with your healthy lifestyle and I doubt you have to worry about havign diabetes any time soon.

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  • 44

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    Dr Stephen Leow

    HealthShare Member

    There is an error rate in Blood Glucose Test with up to 10%, depending on how the test is done. A blood glucose of greater than 5.5 mmol/L is said to be diagnostic of diabetes but 5.6 mmol/L is only 0.1 above the diagnostic level. You can use the American method and do a HbA1c (seeing that your fasting BGL is supposed to be diagnostic of diabetes) If this test is below 5.5%, you are fine. If it is 5.6-6.5%, it is prediabetes and if it is greater than 6.5%, you have diabetes. It is much less intrusive than using a glucose tolerance test. You sound like you live a healthy lifestyle and continuing to live the way you are will lessen the chance of diabetes, However, the pancreas, just like any organ in the body, ages, and with age, it produces less insulin. When it does not produce enought insulin to satisfy the body's needs, you become diabetic. So, despite leading a healthy lifestyle, you still can get diabetes.

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  • 31

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    Princess Templeton

    HealthShare Member

    is 5.6 noirmal

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