Hormones and Diabetis

[Leanne2]

My last blood test showed that I am pre-diabetic. My T is low and my E level is high for a male but low for a female. Oh yea, I am transgendered M to F and not presently on any hormone treatment. My GP who doesn't know about Leanne wants to put me on T therapy so I don't go diabetic. Of course, I don't want to go on T but I also don't want to be diabetic. What is a girl to do? Yes, I am overweight but can't seem to loose weight even with exercise. Is anyone else in my boat? Leanne

[Andie Elisabeth]

I think you should look at your eating habits. It's not unusual to exercise and not to loose weight.

[max]

Exercising and not losing weight is very very VERY usual for those with low testosterone. It is entirely to be expected.

[Stephenie S]

This is not rocket science, dear.

Eat less food. Eat good food. Low testosterone is not the cause of your pre-diabetes. Look to your diet. Exercise is good for you, but it's not the cure. Eating right is.

S

[Jenny Doolittle]

I am in the same boat.... I have managed to loose 30 lbs and my levels have come very close to normal at this time. And the very best part..... I am a lot closer to a size 12!!!

Good luck and good health to you.

[CharleneT]

You need to ask your doc about what to do with this, especially about the idea of hormones. I'd tell him all about you - let him understand all that you are and may need in the future. Otherwise he is working with one hand tied behind his back. Good luck with losing weight, although it can be very hard, the good news is that in most cases that would cause the diabetes to back off ;)

[donnalee]

Being in a similar situation, I can offer this. Weight loss is the key to keeping your numbers low, even if it's only a few pounds. A 10% weight reduction will get you into normal to low normal range. This means eating less than you are now, not changing your diet, although, depending on what it is, you may not get some important nutrients. One of the tricks I've used is to pre-buy (or make a desert and cut the portions to about 1/4 of normal. Have 1 after a reasonably portioned meal and chew slowly, then get up from the table and do something else,anything you like. If after awhile you still are hungry, have a piece of fruit.
I have enough health issues as to make exercise nearly impossible, so I know that this works without exercise and probably better with.

[amielts]

Going on T would be unbearable for me.

[LisaMallon]

Not sure there is any link between T levels (low or high) and diabetes. I have a good friend who has type 2 diabetes who has managed to get it under control without drugs.

Ok things you have to do:

Zero sugar, especially fructose (except for small amount of fresh fruit).
Never drink soft drinks, as they are full of fructose or other sugars. No orange (etc) drinks, massive fructose. An orange or bits of fruit are all ok.
Low carbohydrates, because these are just long chain sugars and your body just converts them to sugar.
Regular vigorous exercise, because that burns sugar.
More muscle, if possible, because even resting muscle burns sugar. Even if you can't add muscle then make sure your current ones are strong and fit.

Diet: Vegetables, salad, lean protein (fish, chicken, lean meat). Bread: something with lots of roughage, like dark rye bread.
Keep the pasta, rice and potatoes down (carbohydrates). If you want them get the darker versions, like brown rice instead of white rice.
Don't touch low fat stuff, often padded with sugar. Better to have saturated fats (like olive oil). Avoid trans or poly unsaturated fats like the plague.

Walk, walk, walk. Make you normal daily routine full of movement. If your trip is under a kilometer .. walk, don't drive.
If you have to drive to a supermarket, park far away as possible and walk.
Get an active dog if that helps, just walking and going out with it is great.

Basically zero sugar, very low carbohydrates and lots of exercise.

[Leanne2]

Thanks for the advice girls. Now I just have to get busy and loose weight. Wish me luck. Leanne

[LisaMallon]

Good luck love. You can do it. Type 2 diabetes can be beaten, not easily of course, but it can be done.

Naturally we are all there for you.