Life expectancy

[doughboy]

I was diagnosed with Type 2 last week at the age of 31. Assuming that I keep fit and exercise regularly and eat good food and do everything I am supposed to do, how long can I expect to live? Will I have a normal life expectancy as a non-diabetic person or will it be shorter? Thanks.

[TvBabe]

I was diagnosed with Type 2 last week at the age of 31. Assuming that I keep fit and exercise regularly and eat good food and do everything I am supposed to do, how long can I expect to live? Will I have a normal life expectancy as a non-diabetic person or will it be shorter? Thanks.


As long as you keep your a1c to the recommended value you should have a normal life expectancy. That's why it's so important :)

[doughboy]

As long as you keep your a1c to the recommended value you should have a normal life expectancy. That's why it's so important :)

Thank you. That will be a relief for my wife who has been quite worried about my life expectancy after finding out about the diagnosis.

What is confusing is that people say that diabetes is a progressive disease and would cause more health problems down the road but it seems that the A1C value determines whether I will have problems down the road. Why is the A1C so important in determining the life expectancy? How is that different from the daily blood sugar levels? Thanks.

[TvBabe]

Since when you test on a daily basis think of those tests as a "snapshot" of that particular moment in the day. The HBa1c is a test that averages ALL of your blood sugars over the previous 3 month period, taking into consideration the highs and lows that you may have missed and not been aware of. The closer you mimic the blood sugar values of a non diabetic the more you reduce your risk of diabetic complications which would reduce your life expectancy.

[DesertDiabetic]

What has been said pretty much answers your question. I find using the A1c as your guide is correct for the reasons already stated, however, your daily blood glucose levels are what your target should be. Same thing you say. Not really. It is true that the daily readings make up the A1c it is the daily readings that determine how you are doing. Small difference perhaps, but your attitude and how you approach diabetes will make the difference. If you are aggressive from the start and understand what you eat on a meal to meal basis and how that effects the long run you don't even need the A1c. I am not saying that you don't need the A1c, what I am saying most people will already have a very good idea what their A1c should be because they know how well they are controlling.

Take the aggresive approach now and you will not have to work so hard at years down the road. It is progressive and they say that you can prevent future complictions by staying in or very close to the normal range. That would be below 5 A1c.

[mg_2204]

Not so sure non diabetic people have a longer life expectancy. Seen so many having an appalling life style...

Perhaps I'm totally wrong thinking that way but from what I read in this forum so many of us take good care of their health... I gather we are healthier than many non diabetic people.

[DesertDiabetic]

mg 2204 - I have to agree with you in that diabetics that take care of their health are in better shape than a lot, if not most, non-diabetics. But, I think the terrible part is that most diabetics don't take good care of themselves. I think that just the fact that someone hangs out on a forum like this theye are already ahead of the game - they care enough to get involved. As far as do non-diabetics have a longer life - well, that is more a matter of stats, which I don't have. We all know too many diabetics that died way too young to think that it is not the truth.

[Dewey]

Thank you. That will be a relief for my wife who has been quite worried about my life expectancy after finding out about the diagnosis.

What is confusing is that people say that diabetes is a progressive disease and would cause more health problems down the road but it seems that the A1C value determines whether I will have problems down the road. Why is the A1C so important in determining the life expectancy? How is that different from the daily blood sugar levels? Thanks.
I think taking care of yourself and using a proactive approach will help you immensely. However, there are no guarantees in life, regardless of whether you have Diabetes or not. I've seen people who've lived really healthy and then die unexpectedly and have seen folks who've abused their bodies and live what seems like forever (go figure :rolleyes: ), so really, nobody can assess this entirely. I will say that in some cases, the medical community has matured and has learned that having Diabetes does Not decrease one's life expectancy with the given treatments (& providing the patients take good care of overall health).

[DesertDiabetic]

Well, if you go beyond this forum, which is many millions of people, you won't see the same healthier lifestyles. There are millions that don't even know that they have diabetes and many many that are in denial. Diabetes is a very serious problem and in a sad state. You hear over and over again how doctors don't treat their patients like it is a serious problem and know so little themselves about diabetes. We have a long way to go before things will change.

[doughboy]

Thanks for all the responses. My question regarding life expectancy was related to the comparison of life expectancy of a diabetic person vs. non-diabetic person when everything else is equal including diet, exercise, destiny, etc.

[duck]

We have a member here who is Type 1, diagnosed in 1946 at the age of 5, I think...So the whole "short lifespan" BS you hear in mass-media all the time is more an element of factoring in those diabetics who do not take care of themselves and die of complications. Those of us who care to take proper precautions, exercise and be mindful about their general well-being should have every reason to expect a decent life based on heredity, etc.

[mg_2204]

But, I think the terrible part is that most diabetics don't take good care of themselves.

I was one of them a few years ago. I didn't know much about diabetes. My doctor prescribed pills and that was it. No meter. No explanation. Nothing. 'Take this, come back in 6 months'. I did put my head in the sand (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v138/mg_2204/ostrich.jpg) too. But it all comes down to one thing I think : lack of knowledge. The more you know about diabetes, the more you are in control. I must admit I learn almost everyday still.

[nancyaw]

I too, have worried/wondered, about life expectancy. I don't anymore. I am now, since the acceptance of diabetes, eating properly, and doing the thngs I should, for a healthier life. Prior to my "acceptance", I weighed 35 more pounds, and ate things that I shouldn't, in quantities that would serve at least one other person. Now Iknow that this HAS to be a good thing, and hopefully I'll live a long life. Just tonight, I was talking to a diabetic, who had a mom who was diabetic. She died at 94! Nancy

[doughboy]

I was talking to a diabetic, who had a mom who was diabetic. She died at 94! Nancy

How old was the 94-year-old lady when she was diagnosed with diabetes?

[lasko]

How old was the 94-year-old lady when she was diagnosed with diabetes?
Old people get diabetes a lot. I knew a diabetic man who died when he was 82. He was diagnosed with diabetes at 80.

[etm1109]

There are a lot of things that can kill you beside diabetes. Heart attacks, strokes, cancer. I've known many older people with diabetes who are into their late 70s/early 80s and still doing well as can be for people that age.