Hello,

I am 24 yrs of age and married for 3 yrs now. I was detected with diabetes (though there is no family history of diabetes) almost a year ago.The latest reports show my blood sugar level(random) is 274, ketone bodies is positive, glycosylated haemoglobin is 10.0%. I just want to know if i control my blood sugar levels will i be able to get pregnant and deliver a healthy baby.Also i want to know whether my sugar can be controlled by medicines or do i have to take insulin? If it can be controlled by medicines what are the ones i should take and how many and at what times?
Please advise.

Thanks
Smriti.

You need to see you doctor and start treatment the sooner the better. If you are overweight, oral Metformin would be a good choice after appropriate labwork. Metformin (Glucophage) belongs to class B (chance of fetal harm is remote but possible). If you are rather slim, another choice would be Glyburide, although, it is contraindicated in pregnancy.

Have your doctors done tests to determine if you're a Type I or Type II diabetic? Type II's can sometimes be controlled by diet/exercise alone, but they often need medication, and sometimes need insulin, especially during pregnancy. Type I's always need insulin.

Yes, it is possible both to become pregnant and to have a healthy baby even if you're diabetic, but the key is VERY tight control of your blood sugars, not only during pregnancy, but also in the few months before conception.

You might be able to find more information on diabetes and pregnancy through the American Diabetes Association's webisite at www.diabetes.org. (http://www.diabetes.org.) I believe you can search the archives of both their on-line and other magazine, and I know they've done articles in the past on pregnancy and diabetes.

Incidentally, I personally know of at least diabetic 3 women who've had healthy babies.
Good luck!

SamQKitty is right. Check and see if this is adult-onset diabetes that can be controlled by diet and exercise first. There's absolutely no reason to begin treatment until you have discussed all options with your doctor first.

It's possible that you could live a rather normal life. You'll need to do lots of research, and possibly change the way that you live. Your doctor should be able to help you understand that.

If you check your serum C-peptide level, you will find out if you need to take Insulin or oral meds would be enough. If C-peptide is low - too bad, you need Insulin. If it is high - you can be treated with oral hypoglycemics. Unfortunately, C-peptide test is pretty expensive...