I had routine bloodwork done that revealed a blood sugar of 168 (not fasting). I had about 10 more fasting blood tests done.......all results were between 115 and 120. The A1C was 5.7. Is self testing really needed in this case? I feel like they are overreacting. Any comments?

Sorry to say this, but with those test results, you are at least pre-diabetic. And a random test result of 168 suggests that it is quite advanced. So, yes, if you want stop the diabetes from getting any worse, you need to take appropriate action and monitor the results closely.

The sooner you get started, the more successful you are likely to be. Reducing carbs in the diet and getting lots of exercise are the tactics you should be focusing on. And self-testing will tell you how well you are doing. Good luck!

Cheers,

Mark

Thanks for your input, I appreciate it. I tend to be the complete opposite of an alarmist(which most doctors are in my book). I suppose no harm can come of monitoring and I could definitely stand to cut out carbs.

If any readings come back in the 168 range, I guess that warrants another trip to the doc? I hate to be a nuisance patient......how do you know when its too high? I'm not one that goes for check-ups often.

You would be wise to aim for the non-diabetic range of readings. Fasting 70-100, 2 hrs after meals 120 or less. Exerecise, exercise, exercise. I can walk treadmill 1 mile and the BS will drop 20 points or more.

I brought my BS back under control by eating 3 oz. lean meat, 1/2 cup green veg, another 1/2 c. green veg. for lunch and dinner. Breakfast was oatmeal mixture (1 or 2 level tablespoons) cooked in water. The oatmeal mixture contains old fashion oats, oat bran, wheat bran, soy granules. After cooking added 2 T. ground flaxseed, 1 T. wheat germ. I had no snacks. Wearing an invisible zipper in closed position over mouth when in presence of food worked great.

Oh, if overweight, lose weight. Overweight people usually have insulin resistance.

Best to educate yourself about diabetes. Read, read, read, and learn more and more.

I was diagnosed early and have been able to control via diet/exercise only, no meds for 6 years. I do eat other foods now, in very small portions if BS is low enough to allow me to do so.

Thanks for the guidelines to follow. I will try to heed your advice......I really do not want to take meds or give myself injections if it can be avoided.
I also plan to start reading and researching any information I can find to stop this before it really starts. Thanks again!

Be thankful you were diagnosed early, and take it seriously! I was not diagnosed until I had permanant damage and I wish I had known I was diabetic earlier. I will be on meds and insulin the rest of my life and will have to live with the consequences. If I had known earlier, diet and exercise would probably have been enough to keep my BS under control.

Why not enjoy the life so blessed & Why start taking tensions ? Right away you dont have to worry so much & try to find out all the possible & imagnary techniques & tricks about diagnosing diabetes.
1.Great you are not having any major sign or sympton.
2. Even if you are Diabetic, Just take Medicines as prescribed with all advices. Why should you deteriate your quality of life ?
3.Just if you can, tart Drinking More or as much water as you can.
4. Take a little extra care - Avoid Sweets, Alcohol & Tensions.
5. Add food richer in Vitamin C, B6, Magnesium, Chromium & prefer eating a lot of Green Vegetables, Garlic, Onion & Fresh fruits of three different color at a time.
6. A bit Physical Strain or exercise, A more happier friend circle & above all a very Positive, Stess free enjoyable life with the feeling of living every moment.
Please live happily & enjoy to "Takecare"
This is to every one living with fear of Diabetes, with no offence to the Experts & Veterns, & sincere request to "Takecare" with no tensions

Thanks to all for your encouraging input. I have decided to take the right steps to making myself a healthier person. I have recently purchased a meter to monitor my glucose levels. Will also cut out any junk carbs and start walking on the treadmill everyday. Wish me luck......I'll let you know how I make out! Thanks again!

Yes its irony, confusing & frustrating to be diognised as Diabetic. Sure results could be - Over reaction or Depression. To add fuel to fire, most Doctors either take you very casually While few dont even care to look into right earnest.
Most of the time either the Patient is flooded with so many Advises & Suggestions, that he finds himself in a Big Fix. To make situation more dicy, The patient is asked to undergo One after other so many Tests, that proves to be too much. They go on tests untill they can find one or the other Medical Foul.

So far, all these exercises & experiments, would have drained you either Psychologically & Financially, While the "Time" was your big problem.

Your concern compels me to think that There will be lot People, suffering with confusion of either being a Pre Diabetic or With High BSL, but no Diabetes.

So a Natural & Simple Question is - What are other possible Diseases, reasons, factors & causes that can give reading of High Blood Sugur, While there can be No Diabetes ?

This one, can really clear many myths & confusions and bring Hopes to many, Who may have accepted the Diabetes, just because of Meter Showing High Blood Glucose, While the reason could be something else needing care & treatment.

Please tell & Share the facts as experienced to favor so many like me.
"Takecare"

Ok, I am getting frustrated already. I have been walking on the treadmill, have eliminated simple carbs and sugar and my numbers are rising. My fasting glucose is now between 140 and 150 every morning. 2 hr post meal readings are all over the place. Yesterday's before meal reading was 138, 2 hrs after it was 195 (I had a diet soda and a turkey & cheese sandwich.) 1 hour later it was 107 and I was having symptoms of low blood sugar which I never get. I thought you only got symptoms of low BS if your readings were below 70. Can you get symptoms going from 195 to 107 in 1 hr? I made an appt with an endocrinologist, but they can't see me until January!

.... Can you get symptoms going from 195 to 107 in 1 hr? ....
Absolutely! A rapid fall in blood sugar will make you feel terrible, even if your BG is still quite high. Sounds like you have reactive hypoglycemia, which is often a part of having T2 diabetes. The carbs in the sandwich caused your beta cells to produce too much insulin, making your BG drop further than it should. If you hadn't had any carbs (bread in this case) in the meal, this wouldn't have happened.

Cutting out carbs will make the problem go away. Don't get too hung up by the simple/complex carb distinction. All carbs increase blood sugar. Some just do it a bit faster than others.

Mark ;)

Mark,
Again thanks for your response. You were right on the money. I ate zero carbs from this morning until dinner (I skipped breakfast and lunch.......not on purpose)
and my BS before dinner was 106. I knew it was low because I was getting symptoms. What is an exceptable level of carb intake to keep levels stable. Is it a matter of trial and error?