[Mobiker]

I am new here and to diabeties. I was told that a blood test I took had a reading of 116 and anything over 110 was diabetic. I don't know what scale was used. Dr. put me on Metformin, two a day and gave me a blood test meter. He wants me to chart the reading until he is back in the office in two weeks. He did not tell me what is a good or bad reading. 07/08/08 reading 192, 07/09/08 reading was 148.Don,t know if good or bad. Obvious I have a lot to learn.

[adiantum]

G'day Mobiker, 116 doesnt sound like diabetes to me but maybe your doctor wants you to be in a lower range.
Do you test your blood sugar when you first wake up & again 2 hrs after a meal ?

[Cormac_Doyle]

in a "perfect world", the readings should be as follows

Fasting - between 72 and 95

Post Prandial - should not exceed 120

Note that it is very difficult to achieve these numbers, but any lowering of these numbers is good!

[kgm0612]

Welcome to the forum, Mobiker.

Sounds like you may have the start of pre-diabetes. Do you know if your doctor performed an A1c on you?

Here's my advice.......test often (before & 2 hours after meals), limit your carbohydrate intake, and keep a log of your readings and what foods you're eating. This will give you a good idea of the foods that don't cause a spike in blood sugars, and which ones do.

Karen

[princesslinda]

Welcome Mobiker! I hate the way the docs give results then leave you hanging not knowing what to do.

192 and 148 fasting (i'm assuming they are your morning #s) do point to a problem.

Since you have a meter, i'd encourage you to test 2 hrs after your first bite of food, so you can see how different foods affect your blood sugars. This will allow you to make smarter food choices.

When diagnosed, I was told my blood sugar goals should be:
fasting 110 or less, 2 hrs after first bite 140 or less and random 110 or less.

Many of us have found that by limiting our carbs (esp potatoes, rice, pasta, bread--white foods) we get better readings. Regular exercise is also very important.

When you see your doctor again, i'd ask for an A1C, a blood test which will show your 90 day average blood sugar.

Also, a great book i'd recommend (whether you're pre-D or T2) is "The First Year, Type 2 Diabetes," by Gretchen Becker. She's T2 herself, and the book is loaded with great information in an easy to read format.

Hope you post often. Let us know how things are going.

[Mobiker]

The readings of 192 and 148 were taken about two hours after dinner. I think that the Dr. main concern right now is to get me to loose weight. I am at least 50 lbs over weight. I am also looking for a good diet.

[ShottleBop]

Most of us, I'd guess, find that carbohydrates have the most effect on our blood sugar levels. Almost everyone finds that sugar, white flour, potatoes, other simple/highly refined starches should be avoided; we seem to have different tolerances for other carbs: whole wheat, whole grain, beans, etc. I find that I do best avoiding bread entirely, and confining my grain to a few stoneground whole-wheat crackers. Generally, I have had good results from Dr. Bernstein's extremely low-carb diet (he has a couple of books out, available on Amazon, but you can also go to his website (Google "The Diabetes Solution") and read a lot of his book, The Diabetes Solution, online, to see if you think it would work for you.

[davef]

Originally Posted by Mobiker

The readings of 192 and 148 were taken about two hours after dinner. I think that the Dr. main concern right now is to get me to loose weight. I am at least 50 lbs over weight. I am also looking for a good diet.

Welcome to the forums, you have gotten great advice from the others. One thing to bear in mind is that Metformin will take up to 3-4 weeks to really kick in and in reality it can't do all the work on it's own, in other words you can't pop the pill and eat as you always did. The fact that you know you have to lose weight makes me think you that you won't just rely on the Metformin and the fact that you have come here implies you are ready to take control.

As has been said, watch your carb in take, they are what will make your number rise most.

In relation to a "diet", I would suggest that to start you concentrate on (A) reducing your carbs (B) Getting some/more exercise and (C) find out what foods work for your blood glucose readings. You find out what works for you by (as has been mentioned) testing two hours after your first bite of food, it can help to test before eating that way you know how much what you have eaten has raised your numbers. You will be surprised, by reducing carbs and eating the foods that suit you, you will lower your numbers and in all likelyhood lose weight too!

Visit here often, ask lots of questions,