Blood Sugar level - Diabetes Message Board

Flipppy · 10-13-2003, 04:26 PM

I just had a second blood sugar test and it's 134. Tha doc just said to be careful of sugar intake. I don't eat much sugar at all. My dad and his mother both had diabetes. Where am I on the blood sugar range here? Is there a good information site that tells you what you should and shouldn't eat? Am I doomed to a life of nothing but lettuce and carrots? lol
Thanks

Ron AKA · 10-13-2003, 04:45 PM

If this is a fasting test, then you have diabetes. A number over 126 is diabetes, while a number between 110 and 126 is pre-diabetes. The other less common in the US way of diagnosing diabetes is called an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). BG is taken 2 hours after a glucose drink. Diabetes is more than 200, while 140 to 200 is pre-diabetes. You should take this very seriously and do what it takes to get your BG under control. For sure get a meter and start testing. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommend that you need an improvement (if possible) in your treatment if you exceed any of the following numbers:

Morning fasting or pre-meal > 110
2 hours after meals > 140
A1C > 6.5%

You can find some information about diabetes diagnosis here:
[url="http://www.diabetes.org/main/info/pre-diabetes.jsp"]http://www.diabetes.org/main/info/pre-diabetes.jsp[/url]

And here is some good basic information for a new diabetic. The only issue with this site is that they have more liberal (higher risk in my opinion) allowable BG readings for good control.
[url="http://www.joslin.harvard.edu/education/beginnerguide.shtml"]http://www.joslin.harvard.edu/education/beginnerguide.shtml[/url]

Hope that helps. This disease is very treatable providing you take it seriously and work to fully understand how to treat it.

Ron

[This message has been edited by Ron AKA (edited 10-13-2003).]

Flipppy · 10-13-2003, 05:01 PM

Thanks Ron. I only got this news this afternoon and am just beginning to educate myself. The blood tests were done before I had anything to eat or drink except water. The doc said to come back in three months and didn't seem real concerned about this.I have to go every three months to regulate thyroid meds. Anyway I will read the sites.
Thanks again

Ron AKA · 10-13-2003, 08:12 PM

Flipppy,

Going back to your first post, one of the most common questions that new diabetics ask is "What can I eat?", or where do I find a "diabetic diet". The answer is that there is no such thing as a diabetic diet, just a healthy diet. Diabetics have a high risk of heart disease and stroke, so the most important thing you can do is eat a heart healthy diet.

Diabetes and high blood sugar is not caused by eating sugar. In fact sugar is not the worst thing you can eat. Potatoes, white rice, most breads, and many cereals are quite a bit worse than sugar for making your BG go up.

In my opinion it is not appropriate for someone diagnosed with diabetes to be told to come back in 3 months. You should go back to your doctor and ask to be referred to a diabetes training clinic. Also, ask for a prescription for a meter, and an appointment with a dietitian. If the doctor objects find a new one.

Ron

SamQKitty · 10-13-2003, 09:26 PM

It is a sad fact that many general internists do not take Type 2 diabetes seriously enough. Your doctor should refer you to a diabetes education class, and also to a registered dietician for advice on managing your diet. He/she should also write a prescription for a blood glucose monitor and test strips, and you should be testing your blood glucose levels at least several times a week, at different times (fasting, two hours after breakfast, two hours after lunch and/or dinner, and before bedtime). You can scatter these tests throughout the week, and it will give you an idea of how your blood glucose is responding to your eating patterns.

Type 2 can, indeed, often be managed by diet and exercise, but it needs to be taken seriously. Unfortunately, many people don't take it seriously until they start to have symptoms such as neuropathy, vision problems, etc., which is truly unfortunate because complications can be minimized by tight blood glucose control.

If your doctor says you don't need to do anything, then I would make an appointment to see a diabetes specialist (an endocrinologist or diabetologist) for help in managing your diabetes. It's far better to be proactive in managing diabetes than to be reactive!