What is a normal blood glucose level during the day? I had blood work done at the hospital the other day because I have acute bronchitis and I asked the nurse if my sugar was ok and she said it was 121. I know the fasting glucose is supposed to be under 100 and my last test it was 92.

It depends. The "Normal" Ranges have recently become lower. 2 years ago the ranges I was given are:

"Healthy" Blood Suger Ranges

Before Meals~ 90 - 130
2 Hours After Meals~ Under 180
Bedtime~ 100 - 140

If you are concerned about your BG levels please ask your Doctor or endocrinologist do an (Hb A1c), A.K.A. Glycosylated Hemoglobin. "Normal" ranges were, again 2 years ago, 4.8 - 6.4.

According to the Joslin Diabetes Center, the goals for non-diabetics are as follows:

Before breakfast (fasting) 100 or less

Before lunch, dinner and snack: less than 110

Two hours after a meal: Less than 140

Bedtime: Less than 120

A1c: Less than 6.0

Ruth

Thanks, My a1c LEVEL was 5.7 when they checked it recently and my fasting glucose was 92..

Thanks, My a1c LEVEL was 5.7 when they checked it recently and my fasting glucose was 92..

George,
It sounds as if your numbers are fine, at least your fasting and A1cd. If that 121 that you had earlier was NOT a fasting, then you have nothing to worry about.

Wow, again...

Ruth, we need to talk.

The totally ******** numbers given by most organizations are just that. They are designed to get you, me - all of us into medications.

Don't believe me, ok. Look up the ADA (American Diebetes Administration) numbers and let's talk.

For those that don't have a weight problem, don't have a food problem, don't gain or lose even 2 lbs a year - do you know what their blood sugar A1C is???

4.6 - that is average!

Anything sustained above 5.0 is not good.

PLEASE understand that I AM AFFLICTED WITH DIABETES and have a few hundred hours of research under my belt here. My A1C was 6.1 - and now I am at 4.9. Took a bit to get there, but I know it was worth the effort.

Some like to talk about "pre-diabetic" and "boarderline". Blood disorders are not dissimilar to cancer. You either do, or don't. Make sense? The one difference is that with diabetes is that you can control it (most anyway).

The choice is up to you.

Sorry, in my rant, I did not answer your question...

Testing Recommendations:
(For one week, minimum)

You should record all numbers strictly.

Morning, prior to first eating - very soon to waking.
2 hours following a meal
3 hours following a meal

Following 6+ hours of eating (normally morning).

This will give the results you and health professionals need for diagnosis.

T2B - an a1c below 5 is dangerous for anyone on insulin. If you can manage that with diet and or oral meds, that's great. But for T1s (or T2s requiring shots), an a1c that low involves a huge amount of time being hypoglycemic which can lead to many problems including memory loss, seizures, and a loss of driving priveleges (it's sort of like drunk driving). So those guidelines are more than acceptable for non-diabetics or folks able to control their situation without insulin. But it is much too radical a prescription for someone who requires insulin.

And besides, the DCCT trial more than sufficiently indicated that an a1c below 7 offered a significantly lower risk of complications. So suggesting that anything over 5 is dangerous isn't really correct.

Cora

Thanks, Cora, for responding so much better than I could have!

But I also want to point out a contradiction, T2B, in your statement. First you say the numbers are designed to get us into medications, but then you say everyone's numbers should be even lower. Well, if one can't get them lower without medications, is one just supposed to end up sick?

It is a little know fact that insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance can develop even in people who are not overweight. I was a perfect example of this...I weighed only 125 pounds at diagnosis on a 5'3" medium frame...not at the bottom of the weight charts, but not at the top, either. My T2 was not able to be controlled by diet and exercise alone, and I had to be on oral meds right away. It also progressed rapidly and I was on insulin within 5 years. Now, mind you, there is a very strong genetic link here, on both sides of my family. I also have a friend who is a typical ectomorph...very tall, VERY thin, works out 3-4 times a week and walks every single day, and she has developed pre-diabetes. Again, it runs in her family.

I've said this before, and I'm going to say it again...the thing that counts in treating diabetes is getting those numbers down BY ANY MEANS POSSIBLE...this means diet, exercise, oral meds, insulin, or whatever it takes. As Cora said, A1c's below 7% do help protect against complications.

And Cora...you are so right about low A1c's and insulin. If I tried to keep my numbers low enough to get an A1c below 6.0, I'd be on the floor half the time, and I'd probably lose my driver's license to boot.

Ruth

Ruth, Cora, Others,

First off, sorry for destroying this thread. Not my intent.

I suppose I was speaking to the GREAT majority of those that visit here: Type 2 diabetics. BOTH of you are far more knowledgably than I regarding insulin dependant diabetes. I very much respect your stance on such.

My passion stems from a diagnosis and two prescriptions in ONE doctor’s visit. Me being who I am, I got busy, and then got really upset. I like countless other millions was led to believe that I didn’t have options. Here, take this pill.

You BOTH know this: MOST diabetics are type 2. MOST diabetics can be cured with proper eating, and losing weight. I fully realize and respect your intelligence on the subject, but I am telling you this whole-heartedly - should you sway from hope, I will seize the moment entirely and tell the truth.

The one thing I try to leave others with (ok, type II at minimum) is that YOU DO have options. You can help yourself. The medical field, drug companies, and political organizations such as the ADA, AHA, and many others spend literally millions of dollars to make all of us spend money. It’s a business. They do so under the guide that we can’t help ourselves.

Most here are NOT drug dependant and with some decent effort don’t need to be in the future. I have never gone with the stance that “I am in trouble, come sit with me�. I would rather help those to NOT be in trouble at all.

Personally, I was very challenged many months ago with a doctor looking at me with sad eyes. It took me a bit, and then I wizened up. I took control of my eating habits, sleeping, exercising and a whole lot more.

I am diabetic with a lifelong affliction with something really bad, right? Well, now if I walk into a doctor’s office, clinic, hospital - you can’t find a reason to tell me I am sick. The only pill I take is a multi-vitamin 3 times a week.

With effort, there is a great deal of hope. That is what I wish to convey to anyone who will listen.

Sincere regards,
~ Mark

Ruth, Cora, Others,

First off, sorry for destroying this thread. Not my intent.

I suppose I was speaking to the GREAT majority of those that visit here: Type 2 diabetics. BOTH of you are far more knowledgably than I regarding insulin dependant diabetes. I very much respect your stance on such.

My passion stems from a diagnosis and two prescriptions in ONE doctor’s visit. Me being who I am, I got busy, and then got really upset. I like countless other millions was led to believe that I didn’t have options. Here, take this pill.

You BOTH know this: MOST diabetics are type 2. MOST diabetics can be cured with proper eating, and losing weight. I fully realize and respect your intelligence on the subject, but I am telling you this whole-heartedly - should you sway from hope, I will seize the moment entirely and tell the truth.

The one thing I try to leave others with (ok, type II at minimum) is that YOU DO have options. You can help yourself. The medical field, drug companies, and political organizations such as the ADA, AHA, and many others spend literally millions of dollars to make all of us spend money. It’s a business. They do so under the guide that we can’t help ourselves.

Most here are NOT drug dependant and with some decent effort don’t need to be in the future. I have never gone with the stance that “I am in trouble, come sit with me”. I would rather help those to NOT be in trouble at all.

Personally, I was very challenged many months ago with a doctor looking at me with sad eyes. It took me a bit, and then I wizened up. I took control of my eating habits, sleeping, exercising and a whole lot more.

I am diabetic with a lifelong affliction with something really bad, right? Well, now if I walk into a doctor’s office, clinic, hospital - you can’t find a reason to tell me I am sick. The only pill I take is a multi-vitamin 3 times a week.

With effort, there is a great deal of hope. That is what I wish to convey to anyone who will listen.

Sincere regards,
~ Mark

Hi Mark,
I really do appreciate your post. You are correct that many T2's can avoid medication by strict attention to diet and exercise, especially nowadays because people are being diagnosed sooner with pre-diabetes, which is when they can actually make a huge impact through diet and exercise in preventing T2.

Unfortunately, many doctors still don't take T2 or pre-diabetes, seriously enough. Once insulin resistance develops, the body compensates by producing more insulin...this can actually wear out the beta cells in the pancreas, causing death to some of the cells. So the problem worsens...insulin resistance is now complicated by lessening production of insulin. Once it gets to that stage, frequently diet and exercise alone is not enough to manage it, and oral medications must be added.

Despite recent advances in the understanding of diabetes and pre-diabetes, I am still amazed and appalled by how many people I hear of through this board whose doctors have ignored their conditions for years. In fact, the friend whom I mentioned in a previous post who is now pre-diabetic...her mother had developed severe neuropathy and her doctor STILL hadn't put her on oral medications. Her mother ended up becoming completely disabled by the neuropathy, and it wasn't until my friend moved her to an assisted living facility near her and got her another doctor that she was put on oral meds and some insulin.

Another point I'd like to make is that we are all unique creatures, and some of us can have emotional problems that make it very difficult to "just eat right"...I have often said that I wish I were the type of person who loses their appetite when under stress. Unfortunately, like many others, I am the opposite. My diet is excellent now, but it's taken years of therapy and OA to get here.

It just upsets me no end when I get a feeling of "blame the victim", which I do sometimes (not always) from your posts. So I guess what I'm saying is...your passion about turning around T2 is fine, inspiring even, but maybe needs to be tempered with a little compassion for the other problems people may be facing in their lives?

Ruth

Ruth,

You and I are coming from this at different directions. I have read and digested what you typed to me below. As stated, I very much appreciate both yours and Cora’s words on the topic. Again as mentioned, you are both far more knowledgeable on the topic of diabetes than I.

And yeah, I suppose I am a bit harsh on individuals with an opportunity of change. As mentioned I walked into a doctors office and walked out with very poor feelings. I discussed the two prescriptions, but failed to tell you the other 10 I was given also. Total in one visit: 12 prescriptions! Not long thereafter, I underwent $40,000 in medical tests (EEG’s, EKG’s, Cat scans, Ultrasounds, Biopsies, x-rays, - you name it, I had it done.) And for what? Bottom line for me was to change my lifestyle. So I did, rather quickly.

And yeah, that worked for me, across the board too. I lost 30 lbs quickly, watched what I ate, exercised more, slept better (and more) and now I am NOT at all sick. My doctor, one of the leading Internal Specialists in my metro area never discussed any of the lifestyle changing aspects, which I had to learn and do on my own. NONE of it was discussed in a professional setting. That’s what pissed me off.

So when I see folks coming to this site, talking of slightly high numbers – and many of them come with fear. I think of myself. Society has pushed a disease down peoples throats that is not necessarily a huge problem for most. I heard what you wrote regarding “victim� of the illness. But I want to get the word out that we don’t all have to be victims.

And yes, there are those with worse afflictions regarding diabetes. But the vast majority is not yet in real hot water. They can (and do) have options with proper knowledge and can help themselves tremendously even WIHOUT direction from their physicians. I did it. Knowledge is key to understanding how to help youself. I very much push people to seek that knowledge, sooner the better.

Insulin dependency is quite out of my league. I know a lot, but do not speak to this topic at all. I sit back and listen and learn to those of you like Cora too.

Ruth, I wanted you to know that I fully read your post, and will try to adjust my posting with a little more caution. I respect you whole-heartily and very much accept constructive criticism so for that, I thank you.

Best regards,
~ Mark

Ruth,

You and I are coming from this at different directions. I have read and digested what you typed to me below. As stated, I very much appreciate both yours and Cora’s words on the topic. Again as mentioned, you are both far more knowledgeable on the topic of diabetes than I.

And yeah, I suppose I am a bit harsh on individuals with an opportunity of change. As mentioned I walked into a doctors office and walked out with very poor feelings. I discussed the two prescriptions, but failed to tell you the other 10 I was given also. Total in one visit: 12 prescriptions! Not long thereafter, I underwent $40,000 in medical tests (EEG’s, EKG’s, Cat scans, Ultrasounds, Biopsies, x-rays, - you name it, I had it done.) And for what? Bottom line for me was to change my lifestyle. So I did, rather quickly.

And yeah, that worked for me, across the board too. I lost 30 lbs quickly, watched what I ate, exercised more, slept better (and more) and now I am NOT at all sick. My doctor, one of the leading Internal Specialists in my metro area never discussed any of the lifestyle changing aspects, which I had to learn and do on my own. NONE of it was discussed in a professional setting. That’s what pissed me off.

So when I see folks coming to this site, talking of slightly high numbers – and many of them come with fear. I think of myself. Society has pushed a disease down peoples throats that is not necessarily a huge problem for most. I heard what you wrote regarding “victim� of the illness. But I want to get the word out that we don’t all have to be victims.

And yes, there are those with worse afflictions regarding diabetes. But the vast majority is not yet in real hot water. They can (and do) have options with proper knowledge and can help themselves tremendously even WIHOUT direction from their physicians. I did it. Knowledge is key to understanding how to help youself. I very much push people to seek that knowledge, sooner the better.

Insulin dependency is quite out of my league. I know a lot, but do not speak to this topic at all. I sit back and listen and learn to those of you like Cora too.

Ruth, I wanted you to know that I fully read your post, and will try to adjust my posting with a little more caution. I respect you whole-heartily and very much accept constructive criticism so for that, I thank you.

Best regards,
~ Mark

Hi Mark,
After I posted the previous, I was hoping you didn't think I was coming down too hard on you, because I didn't mean to...and apparently you did take it in the spirit in which it was intended.

And I do agree with you that many, MANY people who are at the beginning stages of insulin resistance can totally turn it around with the proper diet and exercise...no question about it! In fact, if you search other threads, you'll find that I make that statement quite often.

Guess I'm just concerned about those who can't turn it around either because they're more advanced at diagnosis or because they've got some emotional issues that make it really difficult for them to cope. I want to make sure that we offer ALL the people who come here whatever type of support they need...but then again, maybe it isn't my job to make sure of that! ;)

I just wanted to add my 2 cents here too. Mark, I love your posts, and your passion. I just hope that you will keep in mind too that things are often very different when you are dependant on insulin (versus when you are taking it and can still make a difference through diet and exercise).

But you are right. So much more can be done for people. And people need to do more for themselves - that includes thinking, interacting with the doctor, and not thinking that their glucose is "good enough". They need to strive for more knowledge, better care, and to put more effort in. Thanks for reminding folks of their own responsibilities.

Keep healthy and keep posting. I just hope you don't mind when Ruth or I add our additional 2 cents when we feel that there might be a different perspective when insulin is involved.

Cora

I just wanted to add my 2 cents here too. Mark, I love your posts, and your passion. I just hope that you will keep in mind too that things are often very different when you are dependant on insulin (versus when you are taking it and can still make a difference through diet and exercise).

But you are right. So much more can be done for people. And people need to do more for themselves - that includes thinking, interacting with the doctor, and not thinking that their glucose is "good enough". They need to strive for more knowledge, better care, and to put more effort in. Thanks for reminding folks of their own responsibilities.

Keep healthy and keep posting. I just hope you don't mind when Ruth or I add our additional 2 cents when we feel that there might be a different perspective when insulin is involved.

Cora


Cora,
In this particular case, my perspective is actually for where insulin IS NOT involved. Each T2 is in a different stage at diagnosis...some are merely insulin-resistant and, therefore, can easily manage and even prevent the onset of diabetes with proper diet and exercise. Others are more advanced, and have already lost some insulin production, and depending on how much, diet and exercise alone might not do the trick. Others have an extremely strong genetic link to T2 and, even if they remain thin all their lives and have good lifestyle management, will still need oral medications at some point.

Although I am now insulin-dependent, I was diagnosed at a very young age, was relatively thin, and immediately started losing more weight to try to control it (I was already doing quite a bit of exercise on a daily basis.) It didn't help...I still needed oral meds. Of course, there's a VERY strong family history of T2 on both parents' sides. My best friend, as I mentioned, has already been diagnosed with pre-diabetes and, trust me on this...she is the poster girl for good lifestyle...never smoked, doesn't drink, exercises religiously at least 5 days a week and has been doing so most of her life, has the healthiest eating plan I've ever seen...yet her numbers are still creeping up.

So that's my concern here...let's please not forget about those with T2 who are already doing what they should and yet their numbers are still going up. Too often I hear even doctors "blaming the patient", and the patient gets discouraged and starts feeling like they're a "bad person"...meanwhile, the numbers keep going up and no one is doing anything about it! As I said, Mark's advice is excellent, but if one follows it and STILL the numbers creep up, don't blame yourself, just get help in whatever form it takes, be it oral meds or insulin.

Okay, climbing down off my high horse now ;)

Ruth