[LL Perkins]

How does this occur in an underweight (not severly) senior, who has no family history? Oops, I need to be clear, he is "pre-diabetic."

I'm concerned he is not being taken care of properly (like being fed well)... can anyone explain this to me?

thanks!

 

[Shanny]

Diabetes caught up with my own mom after her 70th birthday. None of her immediate family were diabetic, although one of her aunts was. Mom was a good cook and cooked from scratch - she loved fresh vegetables & healthy foods. She was able to control her diabetes with diet, but the fact remains - she didn't outrun it.

I know the urge to blame someone is human nature, but I seriously doubt if there's any villain here, except for diabetes itself. There is just no explaining it any more than explaining when/where lightning strikes.

 

[diabetes86]

BECAUSE ITS NOT BEING FAT that makes a person diabetic (despite what the TV says)

 

[Shanny]

Excellent point, Chris! And absolutely true . . . being fat (or thin) is not what determines whether you get diabetes.

 

[tammypg]

However...

It can definitely push you in that direction if we are talking about Type II!

 

[LL Perkins]

thanks, Shanny

I guess I am looking for a reason here! and if it just strikes randomly, that's good for me to know. I do understand that type II is often linked to obesity, I don't mean to imply it ALWAYS is. When my (always trim) dad started losing weight the last few years and it became apparent his new wife cooks/eats very little - as she's looking to lose weight - it seemed perhaps his pre-diabetic state could be linked to not eating well. He's very old school and doesn't cook for himself and won't stop to eat unless someone puts it in front of him, and she doesn't do that ... I worry a bit.

thanks again.

 

[Shanny]

Do you think he'd be willing to open a protein drink now & again to boost his intake? Something like Glucerna? It wouldn't require cooking anything - just keep a sixpack in the fridge. If his doctor recommended such a supplement, wouldn't his wife be willing to comply?

 

[Richard157]

Hello LL, welcome to our community! Your dad sounds just like most type 1 diabetics when they are diagnosed. In you dad's case, his pancreas is probably still producing some insulin. If the pancreas eventually stops producing insulin then he will be diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic. Then he will be given insulin to enable him to avoid high blood sugar and still eat his meals.

Most type 1 diabetics do not have any relatives with type 1. If someone is prone to become type 1 there are many things that can trigger it to appear. When I was 5 I had mumps and chicken pox within a couple of month's time. That weakened my pancreas and soon after that I had all the classic symptoms of type 1. There are many other things that can cause the pancreas to shut down and trigger type 1. I devoted a chapter in the book I wrote to causes of type 1. Type 1 can be diagnosed at any age.

I am not saying he is necessarily type 1, but it seems like that is where he is headed. What are his symptoms? Thirst? Passing a lot of urine? Weak and fatigued? You already told us he has no appetite and he has lost weight. I suggest that he should test his blood sugar at home, if he will. Have him test in the morning before eating anything, and again 2 hours after his first meal. Let us know thIe results.

I have been type 1 since 1945 and I am very healthy. If your dad is diagnosed with type 1 and he takes good care of himself he can have many healthy years ahead of him.

Richard

 

[Adjitater]

Prediabetes is not a real big elevation in blood sugars and may be easily caused by medications or other medical situations.

 

[LL Perkins]

So much good info

thanks again, for all these replies!

i am going to suggest the supplement drink, hopefully that will go over OK... and am going to get more data on his situation. But I appreciate all the input here, and thanks for reminding me that the "pre" is a good thing here...