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Old 05-18-2008, 05:40 AM
BarryE's Avatar
Junior Member
I am a: Type 2
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Worcester, MA
Posts: 38
Hello Everyone!

Good Morning Everyone!

I thought that I would make a proper introduction of myself. Currently, I have not been diagnosed with Diabetes yet. I am however going for bloodwork on Tuesday morning, after having been exhibiting quite a few of the symptoms. Needless to say I am quite scared, as I have not been to a doctor in a VERY long time. I have been testing myself though for the past month using an Accu-Chek Aviva, and I usually run anywhere from 175 to 250+ with any test, including fasting for 8 hours or more.

What should I be expecting to face at my bloodwork test?
Like I said, I am scared, so forgive me if I ramble.

Thanks for listening, and it's great to meet all of you
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Old 05-18-2008, 07:57 AM
notme's Avatar
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I am a: Type 1
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Posts: 6,945
Good morning Barry and Welcome to Diabetes Forums! Your readings are high and they indicate that you may have diabetes. Fasting numbers over 175 are quite high and you can expect that your doctor will immediately put you on medication to lower the numbers. You doctor should send you to a nutritionist and hopefully a diabetes educator. You will have a lot to learn, but there is great advice here and great people to help.

We have all been there and know how you must feel. We have all made it through and probably live healthier lives than we did before. Let us know how your tests go and check in often.

Good Luck!
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Despite the high cost of living, it remains popular.

diagnosed type 1 October 1986
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Old 05-18-2008, 08:50 AM
art's Avatar
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I am a: Type 2
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Sarasota (sort of) Florida
Posts: 326
Welcome.
With those numbers you may be here a while.

But it's ok. It's not the end of the world.

Art
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So far, So good
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Old 05-18-2008, 10:11 AM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: california
Posts: 602
good luck with your dr. visit barry,
realizing you may have this is a scary thing....lucky for you that you found us here and you won't be going through this alone....i know being here from the start has made me so much more aware, proactive and healthier...good thoughts being sent your way!
keep us posted!
susan
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Old 05-18-2008, 01:37 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 8
Hi Barry and welcome to the forum. You should start eating vegetables and meat fast and you will see your level going back down fast. Try it.
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Old 05-18-2008, 04:26 PM
Senior Member
I am a: Type 1
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 4,687
Hi Barry & Welcome. Nice people and lots of information to be found here. Good luck with your doctor's appointment on Tuesday and be sure to let us know how you make out.

Karen
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Old 05-19-2008, 06:06 AM
Senior Member
I am a: Type 2
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Oak Hill, VA
Posts: 645
Barry,

Welcome to the forum. You are right, with high readings like that it is very likely you have some form of diabetes. It is certainly scary, however keep things in context. With appropriate changes to your lifestyle such as diet and exercise and a variety of medications, you can manage your diabetes to live a reasonably normal life. In the coming months you will go through some real changes. You may be angry over this or depressed. That is normal. Try to involve others in helping you through this.

Although you are seeing a doctor, I would also recommend that you ask your doctor for a referral to a diabetes education center. You may only get 15 minutes with the doctor and you will have a greater need to discuss this with professionals. A diabetes education center will have certified diabetes educators, nurses and dieticians who can help you. Being so close to Boston, you can be assured that there are a fair number of outstanding centers available.
__________________
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T2 since 7/05. 48 yrs. 5'11 195 lbs.
Exercise, very low carb diet
HbA1c 9/07 - 6.3%, 3/08 - 6.2%, 6/08 - 6.2%
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Old 05-19-2008, 06:13 AM
BarryE's Avatar
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I am a: Type 2
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Worcester, MA
Posts: 38
Thank you all for the replies, I truly appreciate the help and advice. At 6pm today starts my fast before my bloodwork tomorrow at 8:30am, and tonight I will be going into work for 8pm until the wee hours of the morning. Needless to say at my blood draw tomorrow morning I will not only be hungry, but very tired from no sleep. I have not even taken my daily multi-vitamin & Ester-C today.

This having been said, how will this affect my readings?

Right now I am still scared about the whole thing, and still confused.

Thanks again so much for the support and kind words

Barry
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Old 05-19-2008, 06:17 AM
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I am a: Type 2
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 2,882
Barry,

Welcome to the forums, facing into your doctors visit and the possibility of diabetes is frightening, I went through the same thing just last November, seems like a lifetime ago. The important thing to remember is that it really is not the end of the world if you are diagnosed with diabetes. By making some lifestyle changes you will be able to take control. I completely agree with Nancy when she said "probably live healthier lives than we did before". I am 100% certain that I am much healthier now than I was for years before diagnosis.

What you eat will play a vitally important role in managing you blood sugars and with regular testing it actually becomes second nature and very manageable.

Please do let us know how you get on, if you feel comfortable with it, it might be an idea to bring somebody with you for your visit as I know when I was diagnosed I found it hard to take in the information I was being given.

Best of luck,
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Old 05-19-2008, 06:22 AM
BarryE's Avatar
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I am a: Type 2
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Worcester, MA
Posts: 38
Thank you Dave, I will definately let you all know how I make out with the test, and beyond. My fiancee will be going with me for both my blood work, and my physical on Thursday.

Barry

Quote:
Originally Posted by davef View Post
Barry,

Welcome to the forums, facing into your doctors visit and the possibility of diabetes is frightening, I went through the same thing just last November, seems like a lifetime ago. The important thing to remember is that it really is not the end of the world if you are diagnosed with diabetes. By making some lifestyle changes you will be able to take control. I completely agree with Nancy when she said "probably live healthier lives than we did before". I am 100% certain that I am much healthier now than I was for years before diagnosis.

What you eat will play a vitally important role in managing you blood sugars and with regular testing it actually becomes second nature and very manageable.

Please do let us know how you get on, if you feel comfortable with it, it might be an idea to bring somebody with you for your visit as I know when I was diagnosed I found it hard to take in the information I was being given.

Best of luck,
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Old 05-19-2008, 06:30 AM
Evermont's Avatar
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I am a: Type 2
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Vermont
Posts: 1,307
Hi Barry,


Vitamins probably have no effect of tests but I would take them AFTER just to be sure. Ask doc if A1c test is already planned (probably is) and if not add it.

Fear is optional buddy. It's optional, and it doesn't help. It's also very normal so don't pile guilt on top. Just know that if you are motivated you will win the long term fight vs. diabetes and DF will help a lot!
__________________
Type 2 Dx 9/2007 A1c 8.8, 12/2007 A1c 6.0, 4/2008 A1c 5.7, 9/2008 A1c 6.1
No meds, daily 81mg aspirin and multivitamin, nutrition & exercise. Lacto-ovo vegetarian since Sept 1986
You can call me
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Old 05-19-2008, 07:53 AM
morrisma's Avatar
Senior Member
I am a: Type 1
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Landenberg, PA
Posts: 1,236
Welcome to the club!

Typical bloodwork will include:

An A1c (glyciated hemoglobin) to look at the last 6 weeks of sugar in your blood.

A lipid panel to check cholesterol & triglycerides. As a diabetic you will be instructed to keep those numbers even lower (or higher in the case of good cholesterol) than a non-diabetic.

Protein in urine test. This will determine if your kidneys are having a tough time. You want little or no protein in your urine.

Glucose tolerance. This is a test that takes a few hours so if you were not told about it, it may not be happening. You drink a measured amount of glucose and then blood sugar is monitored to see how long it takes to get out of your blood.

C-Peptide test. Another less likely test that can help determine whether you are type 1 or type 2. May not be needed.

Try not to get stressed since with knowledge comes power. You will, for good or ill, have the knowledge of your condition and, with proper management be able to live healthier and longer than if you ignore it.
Mike
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Pumping since 2002
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Old 05-19-2008, 08:10 PM
jacobsam622's Avatar
Senior Member
I am a: Type 2
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Mind -Langhorne PA Heart - The Shenandoah Valley
Posts: 635
Quote:
Originally Posted by BarryE View Post
Good Morning Everyone!

I thought that I would make a proper introduction of myself. Currently, I have not been diagnosed with Diabetes yet. I am however going for bloodwork on Tuesday morning, after having been exhibiting quite a few of the symptoms. Needless to say I am quite scared, as I have not been to a doctor in a VERY long time. I have been testing myself though for the past month using an Accu-Chek Aviva, and I usually run anywhere from 175 to 250+ with any test, including fasting for 8 hours or more.

What should I be expecting to face at my bloodwork test?
Like I said, I am scared, so forgive me if I ramble.

Thanks for listening, and it's great to meet all of you
Don't let the people here scare those are elevated numbers. When I was first diagnosed back in 2004 my numbers averaged around 500 to 700. A guy in my diabetes class was diagnosed with numbers in the 900 range. Take charge now and you can bring this under control. You need to change the way you look at food and exercise. Here are a few tips to help you get through the confusion.

The ADA feels that only type-1s should maintain tight control. They feel Type-2 can’t handle the added emotional responsibility of maintaining tight control and deal with all the other issues. I strongly disagree It’s your life you should be the one to take control and you do that by testing.
Test before and after every meal.

If you eat something that makes your bg go up high exercise as long as the bg reading is below 275. If your bg goes above 275 either drink a glass of red wine, shot of spirit’s or lots of water.

Test 2 hours after meal.

Your bg goals
Morning below 130 -----------------------ideal around 95 - 110
2 hours after meals below 140 ---------ideal below 120
Before bed below 140--------------------ideal 120 to 130
Never go to bed with bg below a 100 when you wake up your bg will be =>130.
As gain more control the number should get tighter.

To determine carbs subtract fiber from the total carbs. You can also subtract artificial sweeteners.

Traditional wisdom says = Portion control is a must and do not get seconds. I like my way better get smaller portions that way you can get seconds It is an old Jedi Mind trick

Some Fats are good we need them for healthy cholesterol. Mono and poly are good.
Trans fat and saturated fat are bad.

Low fat foods are not good for diabetes because they replace fat with sugars


Foods you can eat:

Meat = Beef well trimmed, chicken, fish broiled or baked, eggs, hotdogs without bun.

Nuts - most nuts are low in carbs, peanuts, walnuts, cashews, and almonds any that have total carbs of less then 10g.

spreads buy no sugar added jelly or try one of several reduced sugar brands , no sugar added Peanut butter – good for cholesterol

vegetables = Small kernel corn on the cob. Eat lots of Green beans it raises good cholesterol. Broccoli, cauliflower, squash, celery,

Sugar free ice cream or no sugar added, sugar free jell-o

Chocolate that has a cocoa % >= 60% or low carb chocolate

Breads = whole grain or low carb whole grain. I try to find bread that have less then 7 grams of carbs per slice. Pepperidge farms have several brands in the 5g per slice range.

Pasta = whole grain: “Dreamfields”, Another good brand is “Barilla Plus” whole grain pasta the penne pasta is pretty good.

Rice = brown rice, wild rice

sodas = diet only

Alcohol = Low carb beer, brands like Michelob ultra, Miller-Lite, there is at least two others. Red wine or wine that is at least 13% alcohol
I like the four wise-men: Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Jose Cuervo, Johnny Walker


Avoid high carb food any anything with a lot of refined sugar or white flour

Fruit = try different ones to see how they effect your BS. Remember a sugar is sugar no matter how big or how small. Avoid fruit high in fructose

if you have acid reflux avoid eating fruit at meal time.

General rule if it’s brown then its OK for diabetes

Never go to sleep with a low Blood glucose level when you wake up your bg will be really high. You have choice eat a small snack like a hand full of peanuts or drink a glass of red wine or a low carb beer. The trick is to convince your liver not to dump a load of glucose into your system. I recommend you read the sugar busters book.


HbA1c
(%) Avg. Blood Sugar
(mmol/L) (mg/dL)
4 3.3 60
5 5.0 90
6 6.7 120
7 8.3 150
8 10.0 180
9 11.7 210
10 13.3 240
11 15.0 270
12 16.7 300
13 18.3 330
14 20.0 360
__________________
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Sugar busters life style
Exercise = cardio and running after twins Ben & Josh

"Oh for Pete's sake" -Ben "Let me think" - Josh

Ok Wildcards watch your six.

You too will be assimilated! You will become one with the Borg. You will all become one with the borg."

To lose this war means more than defeat. To surrender is to never go home. All of us must rise to the call above and beyond". Lt Col TC McQueen

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