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So I have been feeling very lethargic the past year and went in to get some blood work. I fasted for 12 hours prior to test, with the exception of mint that I had that morning hour before test that had sorbitol and less than a gram of sugar.

I'm in terrific shape and have a squeaky clean diet (FODMAP for the past 2 years because its easy on my stomach) yet my blood sugar levels came back at 106 mg/dL and that is considered pre diabetic when you're fasting. Normal is 65-99 mg/dL.

So do you believe that the mint heightened my blood sugar that much that I should retake the test?

I have not spoken to my doctor about it yet (results emailed to me) and have been trying to do some research prior so I can be prepared to have any additional questions.

Thanks in advance!

Edit

Not sure if it matters, but I'm 185 lbs, 7.5% body fat and workout 6 days per week. From all that I read, it looks like the results indicate that I'm moving towards type 2 diabetes? Better yet, the best way to prevent it is to eat healthy and exercise more. I could break down my diet easily since I eat the same thing daily and record calories, fat, carbs, protein and it's all low on the glycemic index :(

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Retest

I generally retest and don't base decisions on a single reading. Although the impact of the mint would seem minimal, the abnormal result itself deserves repeating.

Unfortunately, insulin resistance has become a huge problem and I see it all the time in clinical practice and am no longer surprised when a fit appearing person or an athlete I work with has abnormal glucose metabolism.

Another test(s) to consider would be a fasting insulin and a 2 hour glucose tolerance test. An A1C can be useful combined with other tests.

The approach to figuring out your actual question - Am I pre-diabetic? hinges on the viewpoint of the treating physician.

From a functional medicine approach, normal is often pathologic. For example, using a normal A1C to exclude insulin resistance and prediabetes will miss a large number of people already in trouble.

Glucose tolerance testing is considered gold standard by many functional medicine experts. A 2-hour reading of 120-139 indicated >60% loss of pancreas Beta cell function (decreased insulin production). A 1-hour 120 or above indicates insulin resistance.

Lipids are also important in determining the risk and using a ratio of triglycerides to HDL (good cholesterol) can help identify insulin resistance.

reference: 4th International Congress on Prediabetes and Metabolic Syndrome. Madrid

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    Thanks Mitchel! I heard of the 2 hour tolerance test and believe that could also be beneficial. Just want to avoid any future health problems if possible :)
    – Dustin
    Mar 16, 2016 at 17:15
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    Absolutely great to have people who are proactive about their health. The insulin resistance issue is massive and the rise in diabetes is tragic but preventable with the right approach. Mar 16, 2016 at 22:15

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