Peter,

A normal fasting blood sugar result is lower than 100 milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). If your fasting blood sugar level is 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL, you have impaired fasting glucose — commonly known as prediabetes. A fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or higher is consistent with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes when accompanied by classic signs and symptoms of diabetes — increased thirst or hunger, frequent urination, weight loss or blurred vision.

Your levels are indicative of pre-diabetes which can be controlled with small but significant dietary changes and exercise. For my patients, I find that only a 10% weight loss will significantly impact blood glucose levels. At your current weight, your body mass index or BMI is 32 which puts you at an increased risk for diabetes and heart disease. Normal BMI is 18-25 which for your height would be 150-200 pounds. A good initial goal for you to get your blood sugars under control would be 220-230 pounds with an emphasis on healthy body composition, not just the numbers on the scale.

It is not necessary for you to go carb free- in fact, I would advise against it. For any lifestyle change to be successful it must be 2 things- sustainable and healthy for your body. Unless you are willing to live without rice for the rest of your life, Atkins will not be sustainable. And your body needs carbohydrates for energy. Glucose is the only fuel your brain will use and I really want my pilot to be well fueled!!! There are good carbs and bad carbs and knowing what those are and how to distribute them through the day is really the key to health!

I have had considerable success treating patients with diabetes and pre-diabetes. It may not be appropriate for me to post the specifics here but if you are interested in following up with me, you can contact me through my website.

Hope this is helpful.

Dr. Hamrick