[pepper922]

Like so many of you, this is my first posting. (I'm sorry to make it so long)

In July as part of a routine annual exam my doctor ordered some bloodwork. After a week or so I got a form letter in the mail saying i had "chronically elevated blood suger level". When i called, they said the only way i could get more info was to come in...and the first avaliable appointment was a few weeks later.
I made an appointment with another doctor, who was willing to sit with me and explain (most of which i proptly forgot) and didn't write down the numbers. The result of that meeting was "loose some weight" and lets test your blood sugar levels in 3 months.

So at the beginning of November i had another random blood glucose test and the A1c was 6.2 and the other number was 143. 2 days later this doctor is "firm" that i am a diabetic.

Now, in reading as much as i can about the disease, I have had no fasting test, no 2 hour test. No directive to test my blood after eating.

I am going to make an appointment with another doctor (after the holiday), but would like some good information from the people who really know - you

[jer.lawrence]

Test test test! I know you've seen that a LOT if you've been reading this forum. I'm guessing (by your experience) that your Doc thinks you're T2. The "lose weight" is there because it's typically the excess weight that leads to insulin resistance.

What you'll want to do is start cutting certain things out of meals, and testing after these meals to see how your numbers are.

Avoid certain "white" foods like rice, flour, sugar, milk, breads -- sure, we can still eat them. Moderation is the key word. Avoid a lot of processed foods that contain things like High Fructose Corn Syrup ("hard pour corn") like sodas, juices, most cereals and lots of the sweets.

That's a good start. As you learn how these different foods affect your sugar levels, you can start putting together a plan that works for you. Endocrinologists are usually our friends and have a good understanding of diabetes.. if you're looking for a specialist, consider one of these!

If you're up for some "light" reading, take a look at one of my blog posts from recently. I've tried to compile all that I've learned in a concise (considering how much info is available, anyway) form.. I'm certainly no doctor, and pretty new to this myself, so take everything you read with a grain of salt.

The Life of Jeremy: Diabetes Research

[yannah]

yeah, you have diabetes, but you caught it really early.

this is a good thing.

so stick around and get on top of this.

[pepper922]

thanks for the support, it's been a tough year, and this was news i just didn't need right now.

Since my random test is pretty much at the border of low. I wonder if I can wait a few months before seeing another doctor. As i mentioned it was only a random test - so i do not know my fasting level or after eating. I also wasn't told to check (no meter recommended).

My thought would be if I loose a bit more weight - maybe the numbers will come in normal? (i need to loose about 50 pounds). Or am i just trying to avoid the issue?

[fgummett]

Losing excess fat mass (weight) is good for many reasons, including improved BG control... even only 10% seem to reap huge benefits. Just don' kill yourself with starvation diets and overdoing it at the gym -- find an approach that works for you, that you can sustain for life.

[JayDee1950]

Suggest you invest $100 and buy a meter, strips and lancets. Test 3 times a day (M/N/E) and record the results for discussion with your doctor. Diabetes is like Herpes, it lasts forever, you can't ignore it - you could die if not treated.

[pepper922]

i could try that. Do i go to my local pharmacy to buy a meter? testing 3 times a day - when are good times for that? i assume first thing in the morning before i've eaten anything. when should i do the other 2?

my doctor was so intense about the whole thing, then i come home and my husband says he doubts i am diabetic, that the doctor was just trying to scare me.

right now i just feel a bit overwhelmed and sad.

[JayDee1950]

Meters are inexpensive, any pharmacy will have them.
Test strips are just like printer cartridges - that's where the companies make their money.
Cheapest I've found is $20 for an AccuCheck Ultra Mini meter, strips are about $1 each, sometimes lancets come free.
Fasting test each morning (6 am),
just before lunch (noon) and dinner (6 pm),
if you wish test around 10 pm or before bed.
Don't worry, many here will help you - you are not alone!

[yannah]

this is how you test, first thing morning, should be under 100.

before a meal..

2 hours after a meal. aim to be under 140 by then.