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Dr Gill
Advice from the Woman’s Weekly doctor
DrGillJenkins
hasmorethan^25 years’
experienceasaGPHELPLINES
Our phone lines give you access to professionals who
can offer you help and advice
DR MELANIE WYNNE-JONES
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You must have the bill payer’s permission. Service provider: Spoke, 0333 202 3390Mandatory
vaccinationis
controversialCOPING WITH
PREDIABETES
Prediabetes occurs when blood
sugarlevels are just higher than
normal, and will lead to diabetes
U
p to18 million
UKadults, that’s
onein three,
arethought to
havetheslightly higher
thannormalblood sugar
levelsofprediabetes, also
calledimpaired glucose
regulation(IGR), which will
eventuallyleadto Type 2
diabetesitself.Each year,
5-10%ofpeople with
prediabetesgoon to
developType2 diabetes,
butit canpotentially be
slowedorevenreversed.
Thereareseveral risk factors
forprediabetes,only some
of whichyoucan work on, as
theincreasedrisk as you age
is impossibleto alter. Family
historyisrelevant, as some
typesof Type2 diabetes are
genetically linked
andcertain races
are more
prone,including South Asians,
Afro-Caribbeans and Native
Americans. The biggest risk
factor, and one that can be
altered, is being overweight
or obese, and being inactive.
Other risk factors include
having already had a stroke
or heart attack, or if you have
polycystic ovary syndrome
(PCOS). If you have high
blood pressure, low HDL
(good cholesterol) or high
triglycerides (another
cholesterol group), or have
given birth to babies over
9lb, you should ask for
blood sugar testing.
Symptoms may be absent at
first, and even then very slow
to develop, but eventually the
symptoms of diabetes itself
occur, such as tiredness, thirst
and frequent peeing.Blood tests
HbA1c is a blood test usedto look at the overall sugar
levels for the previous three
months, while a glucose
tolerance test (GTT) assesses
how your body responds to
a sugar load. Your baseline
fasting plasma glucose level
(FPG) is also useful.
The UK and the World
Health Organisation
have no definite criteria
for prediabetes but it’s
considered that an HbA1c of
over 5.5% (42mmol/mol), orWays to help
✿ Stick to a well-balanced,
healthy diet. If you need
help consult a nutritionist
or look online for The
Eatwell Guide, a visual tool
to the best balance of the
types and amounts of food
you should be having.
✿ Portion size control is the
easiest way to lose weight
if you need to. You can still
eat what you want, but just
take smaller portions.
✿ Activity helps your
muscles manage blood
sugars, so slightly more
activity, such as walking or
cycling, will gradually help.
✿ If you are diagnosed with
prediabetes, your doctor
should clearly set out the
steps you need to lower
your risk of developing
Type 2 diabetes.No vaccine,
no school
NEW URINE
INFECTION TEST
With measles rates rising
and vaccination rates
falling, NHS managers
are watching as Italy has
decided on a policy of
mandatory immunisation
of children before they
enrol in school. They
include vaccinations
for chickenpox, polio,
measles, mumps and
rubella. Without proof
of vaccination, children
will be turned away. It’s
controversial, but it’s
hoped it will return
vaccination rates to the
WHO target of 95%.A urine dip-test kit, with result
reading via a smartphone app for
high standard accuracy, is being
launched in the UK. Available from
pharmacies, you will be able to buy
the test, privately dip-test your urine,
scan the test strip via the app, and if there’s
an infection, the pharmacist will be able
to sell you an appropriate antibiotic. It’s a
non-NHS service, but will mean you don’t
need to wait for a GP appointment.30 womansweekly.com