Frequently Asked Questions QUESTION: What method is for medium-term monitoring of blood glucose levels in diabetes patients? Also Why is a method like this required in addition to Clinistix-type testing? ANSWER: Blood testing. There’s a blood test called an HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin [hemoglobin, if you prefer the American spelling] or glycosylated haemoglobin), or A1c, more commonly, that gives an average of what blood sugar (glucose) levels have been like over the previous 90 to 120 days (3 to 4 months). This type of test shows how much glucose is attached to red blood cells during their lifespan, which is approximately 90 to 120 days in length. This method is required because a Clinistix-type test, which tests the glucose content of urine, by the way, is a ‘snapshot in time’. i.e. it shows what the glucose content was like approximately half an hour ago … not as reliable as a fingerprick blood test, which shows what blood glucose levels are doing right there and then. (It takesapproximately half an hour, or more, before blood glucose is filtered by the kidneys, and it’s only when blood glucose levels are higher than about 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/l) that glucose is excreted in urine.) QUESTION: Can blood sugar levels be high without having diabetes? I’ve heard that blood sugar levels don’t go high if you don’t have diabetes. Today I did my blood sugar randomly and it was 6.9. The other day it was 11 I think… Isn’t that high? The right level is in the 5 range isn’t it? I had eaten fatty foods a few hrs before taking it. I’m 21 in a few days and overweight. Practically everyone has diabetes in my family including my mum. ANSWER: QUESTION: What should be blood sugar levels with gestational diabetes? I know the fasting level should be 90 or lower and lower than 140 an hour after meals and lower than 120 two hours after meals, but when I eat my afternoon snack, should my sugar level stay constant? Yesterday, I had a dessert for a snack and checked my sugar an hourlater. It was 126. A couple hours later, I ate dinner and checked my levels after an hour and everything was under 140. So I guess the question is do I aim for the same guidelines for my snacks as I do for my meals or lower? ANSWER: i would aim for the same guidelines for snacks as for meals. although your doctor may have a different opinion- i’d be sure to at least ask at your next appt either with your OB or your endocrinologist. it sounds like you’re doing just fine though best of luck! QUESTION: What is the blood levels for type 2 diabetes, i have between each blood test 6 to 7? Have had type 2 diabetes since 2004, just on diet , no medication, walk hour a day at least. is the blood sugar level between 6 and 7 ok? ANSWER: It really depends on each person, different people will have different norms. I’m not diabetic but sometimes my BSL can be as low as 2.0 and i’m still fully alert and conscious! Obviously extremes such as less than 2.0 or greater than about 10.0 are not good. Withtype two diabetes the problem is that the body has too much glucose (sugar) because your body has become resistant to insulin, so it can’t metabolise it as well as it should, and hence the blood sugar levels go up. SO you always want your BSL to be somewhere between about 3.0 – 6.0 and can range a little bit either way depending on what is normal. Hope i helped QUESTION: Can type 2 diabetes be diagnosed only by the blood sugar levels? If there is no other sign exept high blood sugar levels, can that be type 2 diabetes? Is it necesary to have some clinical symptoms at all in such case? ANSWER: I had no clinical symptoms. I’m not and wasn’t overweight and showed no symptoms whatsoever. I was diagnosed only because I took a blood sugar test just to be taking one. Imagine my surprise when the numbers came out insanely high. So yes, you may not show symptoms in the beginning and still be diabetic. Please don’t wait for symptoms to manifest themselves before you go see a doctor. Theconsequences are not good. QUESTION: 17 weeks pregnant, Gestational Diabetes, Blood Levels dropped?!? I am 17 weeks pregnant with my second. My first I had Gestational Diabetes and with this one my glucose levels have already been on the higher end. Doc is pretty sure I will be Insulin dependant again at some point during this pregnancy. Yesterday and this morning, however, my blood sugar levels were all around the normal-low range (and I didn’t change anything about what I would normally eat for the day). My before lunch reading was even borderline too low. My question is if this has happened to anyone else with GD, or if this could possibly be an early sign of a miscarrage? I haven’t felt pregnant in a few weeks (mainly because my morning sickness has finally ended, hurrah!) Any stories, or insight would be much apreciated : ) Thank you in advanced : ) ANSWER: Glucose metabolism is a complex thing, especially during pregnancy. Blood sugar variation is a natural phenomenon, but it’sthe range of these sugars that are the important thing. Current guidelines suggest pregnant women should keep fasting sugars less than 5.9mmol/L and sugars 1 hour after eating less than 7.8mmol/L. As long as you’re maintaining these levels, you’re lowering the risk to your baby and yourself throughout this pregnancy. With regards to could this be a sign of early miscarriage, that’s highly unlikely given that increased stresses to your body would typically raise blood sugars. Also, it’s still early in your pregnancy, and you’re more than likely to notice your sugars rising the later on in your gestation. QUESTION: Is excessive urination when blood sugar levels are low an indication of diabetes? I’m 5’0 and 94 pounds and whenever my blood sugar levels are low, I urinate excessively- about 4-5 times within an hour. Is this a sign of dietary controlled diabetes? Answers are preferred from medical professionals. My urine is often cloudy after I eat. ANSWER: To know blood sugar levels, bloodsugar must be tested with a glucose meter. You’ll then know if you have a blood sugar problem (diabetes). QUESTION: How to lower blood sugar levels with type II diabetes? My mother is a diabetic and she does her best to control her blood sugar. She used to drink lots of green tea after eating foods high in glucose and it used to lower her blood sugar. Unfortunately, she has just realized that she has kidney stones and the doctor told her to stop drinking green tea. Do you know of any other home remedy that she could use? Ps: she does take Gen Glybe ( perscribe medication) for her diabetes. ANSWER: There are several home remedies other than green tea. They are all natural herbs that you can find in specific regions, together with certain vitamins and minerals. -Bitter melon juice -Cinnamon -Gymnema Sylvestre - Banaba Some of the home remedies are very difficult to get, it depends where do you live. For more info check the source below QUESTION: Type 2 diabetes, blood sugar levelsstarted fluctuating recently between 60 pts and 200 pts per 24 hr. period. My father has had type 2 diabetes for a few years. What’s a good blood sugar level for him to shoot for and sustain. One problem is the fact that his doctor is pretty useless–except that he can prescribe diabetes medication, and dad won’t switch doctors. Finding the right med.s and dosage is too. But this last week dad’s blood suger levels started fluctuating wildly, as low as 30 and as high as 200, he can’t figure out why. His levels have never been lower than 60 nor higher than 140 or so. He has a very good dietary regiment and keeps to it…except on Sun.s he has desert in a fairly moderate amount, but he has always done that and his levels have never been this high, nor have they fluctuated so greatly. I am very concerned and I’d appreciate it greatly if someone experienced in this could clue me into these recent blood sugar fluctuations. What could be going on? Dad’s Dr. appts isn’t for another 4-6 months, aslittle help as that might be. Thank you so much. ANSWER: Some fluctuation after eating a meal is normal, but your dad’s blood sugar doesn’t seem like it’s done that much in the past. Even so, people’s “normal” levels and ranges can change with time, and that might be happening here. I would give this one more week to see if his insulin levels even out and the fluctuations stop. If it keeps up, call his doctor and move up the appointment. Something like this shouldn’t wait several more months. If his sugar dips to 30 again- take a trip to the ER. A level that low is dangerous. Even if he has recovered quickly before, there’s no guarantee he will every time; he could easily bottom out. As to his doctor- I’ve seen how *not* easy it is to get an older person to change doctors. Try talking to him and see why he’s so adamant about not changing doctors. Also, try calling the office yourself to talk to the doctor (or one of the office nurses- an invaluable liason/tool sometimes). Tell him yourconcerns, and see if there’s a reason he’s been treating your father as he has. It could be that he’s afraid of insulting a long time patient, or your dad may have forgotten to tell him everything during his previous visits. If Doc doesn’t seem responsive to your concerns- or your dad’s change in insulin levels- try again (and again, etc) to change doctors. Not doing so could be detrimental to his health. Good luck!~ QUESTION: Blood sugar levels possible diabetes? I’ve been having trouble with my blood sugar for the past few years. I have had levels from as low as 30 to over 200 frequently. Ive been having all the symptoms of diabetes. Im 22, weigh 110, and in good shape. I saw an endocrinologist two years ago and he told me I shouldn’t be concerned. I have a doctors appointment with a new doctor but it’s a few weeks away. Are these numbers bad? Diabetes run in my family. Is it possible that I might be? Any comments will help. Thanks ANSWER: 30 mg/dL is hypoglycemic, but over 200 mg/dLis firmly in diabetic range. In a doctor’s office, any random reading over 200 mg/dL is diabetic. Yes, that’s a bad number. You absolutely should see your endocrinologist and tell him that you’ve been seeing frequent blood sugar readings over 200 mg/dL on your home meter. That’ll hopefully get his attention. QUESTION: Blood Sugar levels for pregnant women (without diabetes)? Hi, now I am 20 weeks, what should be the Blood Sugar levels (without diabetes)?, Before food and after food. Please advise. Thanks ANSWER: before meals you should be 60-105 and two hours after meals 100-120. QUESTION: A question about the low blood sugar levels happening while taking diabetes medicine? I’m taking the medicine to treat my diabetes type2 as the doctor’s prescription but sometimes having the symptoms of dropped blood sugar and this make me tired, worried … What does it happen and how to overcome? Tks for answering this question. ANSWER: Speak with your doctor. You will probably need to reduce yourmedication. Eat a low glycemic index diet to help reduce quick highs and lows. See a dietitian or nutritionist for advice. When your sugar is low have some thing like sugary soda to bring it up quickly, but then a banana or fruit to keep it up at a lower speed QUESTION: If you blood sugar levels are low for a long time can you get diabetes? If you have really low blood glucose levels, can you get type 1 or 2 diabetes? ANSWER: Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease in which the body destroys its own insulin-producing pancreatic islet cells. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with non-diabetics, non-diabetic hypoglycemia, or type 2. It is not curable, as the cells in question have been destroyed. Type 1 diabetics ALL require insulin injections or use of an insulin pump or other subcutaneous delivery device. Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed by various tests indicating a persistently high blood sugar or impaired glucose tolerance. It is commonly, though not always, associated withobesity, and is a condition that can usually be eliminated / cured with medications, careful attention to diet, and exercise. Hypoglycemia CAN occur in non-diabetic individuals, but it is not diabetes. Causes vary. If the condition persists, the effects may be similar to what type 1 diabetics experience with low blood sugars. Some non-diabetic hypoglycemics appear to be “sensitive” to foods high in starch or sugar, and react as if their body “overproduces” insulin in response to the food, resulting in a low blood sugar. That’s why it’s important to distinguish the cause of hypoglycemia. In a type 1 diabetic, it’s best to treat with glucose or some form of sugar. In non-diabetic hypoglycemics, you need to get your blood sugar up without aggravating your body’s tendency to drop your sugar every time you eat. I’m not that familiar with this condition, but my father-in-law had it. I hope this helps. QUESTION: Since people with diabetes have higher blood sugar levels shouldnt they have anadvantage when excersizing? Wouldnt more avaialable blood glucose mean that you can excersize longer without “hitting the wall”? ANSWER: When you have high blood sugar levels(without availible insulin) exercising just makes it go higher, which, in type 1 diabetes can lead to ketones/fat burning/ketoacidosis/further dehydration. If you have type 2, its not good either. Higher bgs in general means that you’ll pee more and get dehydrated quicker have no energy to exercise anyway. Its recommended not to exercise if your bg is over 240, and def.not to exercise if you’re sick and have ketones. I feel best when my own blood sugar is between 100-200 when exercising, not going up or down. QUESTION: what are the normal blood glucose levels for a person with diabetes mellitus type 1 & 2? normal blood glucose levels for an average perso n is approximately 90mg/100ml. can anyone tell me the BGL for a person with diabetes mellitus? ANSWER: There are various methods to determine blood glucoselevel. Some tests give you accurate diagnosis of diabetes or pre-diabetes, while others will tell you how well you are managing your diabetes. Fasting Blood Sugar Test: Measures the blood sugar level after 8 hours fast or overnight. Normal fasting blood glucose level is less than 100mg/dl. If your fasting blood glucose level is from 100mg/dl to 125mg/dl then you will have impaired blood glucose level also known as Pre-Diabetes. If your blood glucose level is above 125mg/dl then your doctor will diagnose as a patient of diabetes. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may repeat the fasting blood glucose test on any other day. If you have blood glucose level of 126mg/dl or higher in two consecutive tests, then you may have diabetes. If you have blood glucose level greater than 200mg/dl and you have symptoms of diabetes like increased thirst or hunger, frequent urination, weight loss, blurred vision etc, then you may be diagnosed with diabetes mellitus without confirming it with secondtest. Random Blood Glucose Test: Random blood Glucose test gives your blood sugar at any time in a day. Normal random blood sugar level should be less than 200mg/dl. If your random blood glucose level is between 140mg/dl to 200mg/dl then you will have pre-diabetes. Oral glucose tolerance test This test measures your response to sugar. First we measure fasting blood glucose level, and then glucose solution is given, after that we measure blood glucose after 1 hour and 2hours. A normal blood glucose level after an oral glucose tolerance test is less than 140 mg/dL. Level between 140 mg/dL to 199 mg/dL suggests pre-diabetes. A blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL or higher two hours after you drink the glucose solution may suggest that you have diabetes mellitus. Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test This test is not for diagnosing diabetes, but it shows you how well you have controlled your sugar in last 2 or 3 months. Normal value is less than 7%, however if it is more than 7 then you and yourdoctor should think of changing your treatment of diabetes. Always Remember, your blood glucose measurement alone is not enough to differentiate between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Your doctor may do some other tests to find out which type of diabetes you have. That it , there the same. QUESTION: Is it possible to have Type 2 Diabetes when your blood pressure levels are normal? I’m 28, my blood pressure is normal, but I have all the other symptoms like excess thirst, fatigue, sedentary lifestyle and a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 24 My blood glucose level is normal too ANSWER: Diabetes has nothing to do with blood pressure. Of course you can have a normal blood pressure but your blood sugar would be elevated unless you are taking super care of your diabetes. QUESTION: What diseases or conditions can cause high blood sugar levels other than diabetes? ANSWER: Cushing’s syndrome (excess cortisol) Acromegaly (excess growth hormone) Very high triglycerides (causes insulin resistance) Somemedications, e.g. steroids (mimics excess cortisol) Phaeochromocytoma (excess catecholamines) Severe physiological stress, e.g. surgery, severe infection (due to catecholamines) Excess glucagon (glucagonoma) QUESTION: Diabetes blood sugar levels? I have a friend with Diabetes type 2, and she has a blood sugar level of 500. Is this normal or is this a concern ANSWER: My husband has type 2 diabetes and had levels that high for a while. His doctor rang him when he saw the results and asked my husband to come to the doctor’s immediately. With medication his levesl are now under control. Here are the main symptoms to look for: Feeling thirsty. Having to urinate more than usual. Feeling more hungry than usual. Losing weight without trying to. Feeling very tired. Here are the more serious ones: lots of infections and cuts and bruises that heal slowly; blurred vision; tingling or numbness in your hands or feet; lots of skin, gum, or bladder infections. QUESTION: How does type I diabetes affectblood sugar levels? Generically. ANSWER: the body has a complex set of mechanisms to keep the glucose in the normal range. The liver is in charge of taking up and releasing glucose into the bloodstream. After a meal, the blood carrying nutrients from digestion first flows through the liver, which removes the excess glucose. When the glucose level in the blood drops (for example, after fasting or exercising), the liver does the opposite and releases glucose into the bloodstream. The liver knows how to regulate the level of glucose in the blood because it receives signals from hormones, which are chemical messengers in the blood. The two hormones that are particularly important in diabetes are insulin and glucagon. These hormones are produced in the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas, an elongated organ located behind and below the stomach in the abdomen. There are about a million islets in a normal pancreas, and they consist of several types of cells— the beta cells make insulin andthe alpha cells make glucagons. In a person with diabetes, the beta cells in the islets fail, and this alters the balance of insulin and glucagon actions on the tissues. QUESTION: Women who have/had gestational diabetes, did your blood sugar levels spike right before the end? I am 35 wks pregnant and this past week my levels have just been on the rise even after having an insulin increase. I haven’t changed my diet and have increased my activity level and it has done nothing to bring it down. I don’t understand why it’s staying so high. ANSWER: It’s two days after Thanksgiving and your diet didn’t change at all? Wow! I guess they increased your insulin because it was already increasing, so maybe it is related to your pregnancy more than your diet, but I don’t know for sure. Just don’t forget that drinks count too, and so do cough drops and medicines. I hope everything is okay, and your doc gets it all sorted out soon. Good luck! QUESTION: How can diabetes control blood sugar levels?:/ Full star :)? ANSWER: For Type 1 Diabetes, you have to take life long shots of insulin. But you can lower the doze by a low carb diet and exercise. Type 2 Diabetes can be easily controlled by diet and exercise. When I was diagnosed with diabetes my fasting blood glucose level was over 400. I was given a cocktail of drugs and doctor was planning to put me on insulin. Then I met a good Endocrinologist and followed his advise of diet and exercise. I did wonders and in just one month I was able to control my diabetes. Now my fasting sugar level always around 90-100 and after meals below 130. Doctor has already stopped my most of the medications and I am only on 1000 mg Metformin at bedtime. To start with high carbohydrate foods cause blood glucose level to rise by breaking in to sugars. Also foods high in glycemic index break in to sugars very rapidly causing blood sugar to shoot up immediately. Therefore, a diabetic meal plan should be low on carbohydrates and rich in protein andfiber. Fiber delays breakdown of carbohydrates and helps in slow release of glucose in blood. I would suggest not more than 120 grams of carbohydrates per day (a typical asian lunch or dinner has thrice of it) Foods to completely avoid are boiled or baked potato, white bread, potato chips, and some high carbohydrate fruits like watermelon, mango, and pine apple. Take high protein diet like chicken and fish. Take large portions of green vegetables and fruits. Breakfast: 1 Apple and a cup or oats with milk /or two slices of whole what bread with butter and two eggs Lunch: 2 Whole wheat bread or a bowl of rice, fish/chicken, vegetables, salads. Dinner: 2 Whole wheat bread or pasta, fish/chicken, vegetables, salads, sprouted beans Snacks: Salted peanuts or fruits Since rice is high in carbohydrates, it is advisable to switch to Basmati rice which is lower in glycemic index than the normal polished rice. Chickpeas , and legumes are good source of protein and low in carbohydrates. BitterGourd (bitter melon) is a scientifically proven remedy for diabetes. A study shows that a 100mg/kg by body weight dose per day is comparable to 2.5 milligrams of the anti-diabetes drug Glibenclamide taken twice per day. Bitter melon contains a lectin that has insulin-like activity. The insulin-like bioactivity of this lectin is due to its linking together 2 insulin receptors. This lectin lowers blood glucose concentrations by acting on peripheral tissues and, similar to insulin’s effects in the brain, suppressing appetite. The other things are Cinnamon and Fenugreek seeds which can be taken a teaspoon each in powered form. Both are proven anti diabetic herbs. Exercise does wonders and brings down sugar level. You should do cycling, running/brisk walking or other cardio vascular exercises for 30 to 45 minutes five days a week. I wish best of luck and am sure that if you follow it, you will have a good control on your blood glucose. QUESTION: my dr drew blood to test for diabetes. my drsaid my levels were at 89 and normal was 17.what does this mean? Diabetes runs in my family and i keep an eye on my blood sugar and here the last few months it has been running high. i went to my dr and she said there is a test she can run to check my levels by drawing blood. i dont think she is talking about my a1c levels but im not sure. she said normal levels are at 17 and mine were at 89. can anyone tell me what levels she is talking about and what this means to me? ANSWER: I did some looking around and I found nothing so far where normal is 17. Unless it is written somewhere, I’m assuming you misheard it. Instead of 17 it is probably 70. Assuming it is 70, it is 70-110 mg/dL during a fasting blood glucose level. It is unusual that they would give only 1 number as a normal value. It is almost always a range and not a specific value. If my assumption is correct, you are within normal range in fasting blood glucose test. QUESTION: What are the longterm health implications of elevatedblood glucose levels and uncontrolled diabetes.? ANSWER: elevated blood glucose levels for a long period of time can cause a person to go into diabetic ketoacidosis; which is when your blood turns acidic. QUESTION: Blood Sugar Levels / Diabetes unsure / Comfirmed with Epilepsy? Confirmed with Epilepsy and have recently changed meds due to the side effects. My blood sugars have been weird lately, last but two reading was 3.2 and after a seizure on Thursday had one taken in the ambulance which was 9.0 and then about 3/4 quarters of an hour later in hospital which wsa 8.8. These would have been about 4+ hours since my last meal. I have an appointment, week on Tuesday, for an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, Insulin Test and Pro Insulin Test. I have also noticed that round about meal times, I can go weird – what I can describe as my auras I get with my Epilepsy. I realise that you are not medical experts and everyone is different, but what is the normal BS range for a non diabetic? Thanks ifyou can help Andy ANSWER: Your elevated glucose levels could be causes by stress from the seizures. Your 3.2 is on the low for most people. Wonder if you’re hypoglycemic and it’s contributing to your seizures? QUESTION: high blood sugar levels diabetes? i had a blood test recently and the nurse told me to see my doctor. said my “blood glucose levels” were 289. how high is that??? i remember a year and a half ago…the numbers were 106 and the doctor at that time said i was “pre-pre diabetic”. the test to determine both was a fasting before the blood test. ANSWER: That’s very high (289). You don’t want your blood sugar to go over 200 at any given time, even right after eating. With a fasting score of 289, your very likely diabetic. Some doctor’s don’t even bother to do a follow up test fasting or non if your over 200. Your doctor is going tell you that your diabetic. It’s not the end of the world and it’s not the end of a normal life either. However, to keep in good health, your going towant to make some lifestyle changes. Your doctor can be quite helpful and point you in the right direction. Diabetics is very manageable. Again, it requires lifestyle changes though, such as first, avoiding sugar and cutting down simple carbs in your diet. Getting regular physical activity. All those things will help lower your blood sugar. Also, your doctor is going to advise you that you monitor your blood sugar daily and may prescribe some medicines to help your sugar levels. Hang in there, you can get control of your blood sugar and led a very happy, productive, and healthy life. QUESTION: Question on diabetes blood sugar levels -? My cousin (46 yr old Male) has had type 2 diabetes for many years now, probably 15-20 possibly. He said his blood sugar level from the test readings always shows 205-210, sometimes spiking higher after a bad meal, into the upper 200′s. He said it reads in the low 200′s no matter if he takes his “diabetes medication” (pills he is on) or not. Is this badlong term? Is he risking bad side effects running blood sugar levels this high constantly? If so, I am wondering why the doctors haven’t put him on insulin injections by now? Maybe steady readings in the 200′s is ok to live with long term, I don’t know. It worries me because he’s been going like this for many years now – I notice he zones out sometimes, almost like he is comatose or can’t hear you talking to him, like he zones out – he told me that a couple times over the last few years, he actually had an occasional incident where he tried to talk or move or do something, but its like he was in slow motion or frozen, and couldn’t react, or talk, or move properly. I didn’t really understand it but it sounded pretty darn scarey. I do notice he seems to ‘zone out’ alot at home in his living room, he will lay down or sit in the recliner with his eyes open, say staring at the tv, but its almost like he is NOT watching it really, or not hearing it – sometimes I will say “Jeez I never knewthis or that” after something was on the TV in front of us, and he’ll say “What, what are you talking about”. I used to think he as just not that bright, but now I am starting to think he is spacing out from long term high sugar levels. What will be the ANSWER: No it’s not OK. Readings like that will lead to all the nasty diabetic complications. It is not uncommon for Type 2s to need insulin. Using insulin is not a sign of failure. Insulin is the only treatment that is guaranteed to lower blood sugar. But many people are afraid of it. Don’t be. Insulin is your friend. Use it wisely and it will help to keep blood sugar at a non-diabetic level. QUESTION: What sugar blood levels are normal for a person with diabetes? ANSWER: Since your life is shortened when you have diabetes, you should not aim for being a normal diabetic, you should aim to cure your disease, in other words, be normal in blood sugar. Type 2 can be cured. My dad did it with the Pritikin diet. It is drastic, but thedisease’s consequences are severe. Allowing it to continue is keeping drug companies and your doctor in pools of money. Get angry and get cured. If you’re going to drop oranges because they’re carbs, make sure you consume a variety of other fruits including tomatoes. Until your blood sugar drops to normal levels, cut out those starches that are made without fiber like white rice, potatoes, white bread and batter-fried foods. Who wants to be addicted to drugs for 40 years, and then die (or get crippled) early anyway? QUESTION: Blood glucose levels/concentration ?? diabetes help?!?!? My biology exam is next week and i still dont get how blood glucose concentration works??? Please help by explaining what happens! For example if a diabetes person was to eat bread, would her blood glucose concentration in her blood go higher or lower and why? is it because the starch in the bread turns into sugar? how does that make the blood glucose concentration higher? what IS blood glucose concentrationor levels? thats how confused im am Please help!!! thankss ANSWER: You’re right! The starch turns into sugar Think of starch as a long chain of single glucose units rolled up into a ball. Enzymes in your digestive system break that chain down into glucose, which goes through the wall of your intestine and into the blood stream. Because digestion takes some time, eating bread will make your blood glucose go up slowly compared to eating candy. It gives your pancreas more time to make insulin to deal with all the glucose. QUESTION: Can chemotherapy raise your blood sugar levels if you have type 2 diabetes? I am having chemo for colon cancer and my sugar levels are really high (almost 20 at night and around 10 in the morning) regardless of what I eat. ANSWER: Yes. Also, the stress from any illness, including cancer of course, can cause BG levels to skyrocket. You need to work with your doctors and/or diabetes care team to find a way to try and manage your blood sugars through thisdifficult time. You will need to adjust your oral medication/start medication, and may need insulin if you are not already on it. If you are on insulin, you will need to learn how to increase your dose when needed. Please ask your diabetes care team about finding out the right dosage adjustments you will need. QUESTION: If blood sugar levels are in normal range,can you still have diabetes symptoms? Ive been checking on my blood sugar levels because i have a history in my family and because im over weight,i also have been getting these weird symptoms like; fatigue,shaky hands,some mood swings,and my eyes be feeling weird but not blurry nor out of focus they feel like they want to sink in,but i have been checking my sugar for the past week and its always in normal range,can someone give me good advise? ANSWER: Normal range blood sugar will vary throughout the day based on what you have eaten, how much physical activity you have gotten and how long it has been since you have eaten. On anempty stomach, blood sugar levels should be between 70 and 100mg/dL for a non-diabetic. However, you still not considered a diabetic until blood sugar levels following an overnight fasting are above 126mg/dL. Let’s say that your blood sugar level on an empty stomach or after an overnight fast is around 115mg/dL. You may assume that you have diabetes – since it is above the high range or “normal” – but you do not. Rather you have what called pre-diabetes or IFG (impaired fasting glucose) and sometimes known as IGT (impaired glucose tolerance). QUESTION: diabetes blood sugar levels? I have just been diagnosed with type 2 diabeties. I’m not on medication yet. My blood sugar is 15 in the morning raising to about 24-25 in the evening Is this OK? ANSWER: If your values are in mg/dl then you are suffering from severe hypoglycemia and if they are in mmol/L then you are suffering from high blood glucose levels. In either case consult your doc immediately before its too late QUESTION: A questionabout low blood sugar levels in type 1 diabetes? I have been suffering for anxiety lately and as result, my blood sugar level dropped from 6.5 millimols per litre to just 1.1 today. I don’t understand why this happens when I worry a lot? ANSWER: Because stress will cause your blood sugar to drop. If you ask your doctor they will tell you the same thing. It has to do with the fact that when you are stressed, you blood pressure may go up a bit, as does your heart rate and respiration. Kind of the same thing as mild activity. The best advice I can give you is to try to relax and not let things stress you out so much. As human beings, we tend to stress about many things that will work out the way they will based just on making common sense choices. So try to relax and go with the flow a lilttle more. There is really nothing else you can do about it, stress WILL cause your blood sugar to drop. I hope this helps. Take care, good luck! QUESTION: What happens to a person whose blood glucoselevels are within normal range but is taking pills for diabetes? My brother was very heavy and his doctor prescribed medication for diabetes. He’s lost about 80 pounds now and another doctor took a blood test and sid he’s not diabetic, but my brother continues to take his medication. I’m worried. He was prescribed metformin 500mg 3 times a day. ANSWER: What is the name of the medication your brother is taking for his diabetes. Just because his blood sugars have normalized doesn’t mean he is no longer diabetic. Speak with his Dr’s as he may be able to control his diabetes with diet alone. Take care, Donna Interesting since your brother has lost so much weight his Dr maybe able to gradually decrease the Metformin and observe his BS and see what happens. It is the HBA1C that Drs judge BS control. He should remain on the diet though. Don’t be worried, Metformin does not cause hypoglycemia. I think it was a little premature of his Dr. to announce that he was “no longer diabetic as BS levelsfluctuate all the time. Your brother will be predisposed to diabetes but he is doing great. QUESTION: What exactly causes diabetes type II, and what happens when your blood glucose levels rise too fast? My mom had told me diabetes was caused by eating too much sugar, but I found out it was a myth! So, what exactly causes it? What’s the role of food with a lot of carbs? And the insulin — what happens when the pancreas produces too much? I would like answers from people who actually know about this, not from people who think they know but are not sure. ANSWER: If you believe the media, and what most people around you think, then Type 2 diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar, eating too much junk food, living a bad lifestyle, being a couch potato. You will also hear lots of information about how you can ‘prevent’ diabetes by losing a little weight and taking regular exercise. Guess what? Most of that is rubbish. I learnt that the hard way. Last year I was diagnosed with diabetes. Ihadn’t touched sugar in 15 years, and was not a great fan of any refined carbohydrates. I was known among my friends for eating a healthy, varied diet. I don’t have a car; my only form of transport is walking and I do that a lot. I used to be overweight but over the past years had lost 25% of my body weight, and kept it off. I was 129 pounds/BMI 23.9 when diagnosed. Ever since then I’ve been reading all I can about the condition, and I realized (and this is backed up by my doctors) that the only thing I did ‘wrong’ was to have chosen the wrong grandparents. Oops! How could I prevent diabetes by choosing better grandparents? I recently read a really good summary of what medical science knows (and doesn’t know) about diabetes. It’s by the chief medical officer of the American Diabetes Association and you can find it here: QUESTION: If you have diabetes mellitus what hormone injection do you receive to lower blood sugar levels? This is bio 30, the subject ate a meal prior to this and thenreceived an injection that made blood sugar levels rise. Is it insulin or glycogen? I’m not sure … Please help ANSWER: The answer to the question if it RAISED blood sugar levels it’s GLUCAGON… Which stimulates glycoGENolysis :-)…. Insulin, blood sugar drops because it’s going into cells Glucagon, blood sugar increases Glycogen, storage form of glucose in hepatocytes, muscle and some small pockets in kidneys and intestines. Hope this helps QUESTION: Diabetes and blood sugar levels: fasting levels in pre range and random in normal range.? For those who have diabetes or experts in the area of endocrinology: I have to wait until I have health insurance for a blood draw from a vein to confirm or rule out diabetes officially. I have been using accuchek to do fasting tests and those have been in the pre-diabetes range. I have done a couple of random tests and they seem to be in the normal range- 126 and 111 consequetively (different days) withint 2 to 5 hours or so of eating. What I can’tfigure out is why then is my fasting test result elevated (after at least12 hours) ? I am not on any insulin so the somogyi affect doesn’t apply. I have had increased thirst of late. Might have some other symptoms but have to wait and see if those are temporary. A lot of symptoms I don’t count because some are normal for me so they woud have to be really noticeable or extreme. I haven’t been sleeping well lately either. I figured at first maybe that would go away but it hasn’t. I think my health insurance starts in June sometime. I don’t want to add another pre-existing condition…want this to be covered whatever it turns out to be. ANSWER: get you health insurance girl===something is going on that isn’t right by the look of your description=good luck QUESTION: gestational diabetes blood sugar levels…? Ok, so I am 9 weeks pregnant and was tetsed for the gestational diabetes, I took the one hour and my levels were 161, so then I was retested with the three hour test, and the doctorcalled and told me my levels were in the 200s. I have already went through this before and it sucks. But I followed the doctors ordered and honestly watched eveything that I ate or drank. But my levels were still always high. What causes my suagr level to be so high, and how can I lower it? ANSWER: trust me instead of looking at sugar on lables use carbs u should eat about 70 carbs per meal & 20 per snack.. or 300 carbs per day, this should work pretty well includeing drinks try to stay away from pasta bread & rice unles it’s SMALL portion & pops & juices QUESTION: Diabetes and Blood Glucose Levels ? Hello ! Well, for school we’re supposed to know about diabetes and glucose levels, but for some reason I don’t understand how it works. ( i know, im kinda slow) So please, can somebody tell me how it works? What is the normal range of where your glucose level should be? What number is too high? Too low? (In Canadian numbers please) Thank you, thank you SOO much. ANSWER: Canada and most ofthe rest of the world measures blood sugar in mmol/L, the U.S. uses mg/dl. You will know the difference because mg/dl has no decimal point and will use much higher numbers than mmol/L. For example, 5.5 mmol/L (Canada) is equal to 100 mg/dl (U.S.). Normal blood sugar for someone who does not have diabetes is between about 3.5 and 5.5 for fasting (before eating) and up to about 6.7 after eating — sometimes as high as 7.8 if it’s after a very high-carb meal. Someone is considered to have diabetes once their fasting blood sugar rises above 7.0 or once their blood sugar after eating rises to above 11.1. People who have lower numbers than that but still higher than normal are considered to have “pre-diabetes” and are at higher risk of developing diabetes. Too low is generally anything under 4.0 for people who have diabetes (due to the risk of dropping much lower very quickly), or below about 3.3 for people without diabetes. QUESTION: Symptoms of diabetes but blood sugar levels when testedseem ok? Okay, so I’m currently with my GP about to visit a specialist about testing for Coeliacs, because I have all the symptoms. Another thing thats bothering me though is that for a while I’ve had diabetes like symptoms, but my blood sugar levels have been tested once in a blood test about two months ago and once last year with a glucuse monitor and they were both apparently fine. I have a constant thirst, I urinate many times during the day, I have freezing cold (unnaturally cold) hands at times, I am generally cold a lot of the time nowadays, but I also feel shaky, particularly when eating, and I also have ‘blackout’ moments a few times a day where everything goes black in front of me and I think I’m going to faint. I’m 13 years old, a BMI of 19.5 and I have a very healthy diet. Why do I when I look up all the symptoms of diabetes on the internet seem to have all the symptoms, but I’ve been tested before and it comes back ok? Please help, thank you! ANSWER: QUESTION: Symptoms ofdiabetes/weird blood sugar levels, but tests clear? I wonder if anyone can shed any light on my strange problem… Every year at about this time, the same thing happens. I get really intense sugar/carb cravings that nothing seems to subdue; I also get really thirsty and have to go to the loo more often. I usually end up putting on weight – every year for the past 3 years I’ve lost half a stone between summer and winter, but gained it again during the spring because I get SO hungry. What I eat doesn’t seem to make any difference – I eat a healthy diet that contains plenty of fruit+veg (almost always get 5 a day) and is generally low in fat and sugar, but not obsessively so – I don’t deny myself treats here and there. I’m 5’6 and 9st 12lb at the moment which is right in the middle of the healthy weight range, but I’ve put on 3lb in the past 2 weeks and I know it’s due to eating a bit too much, but it’s been because I’m really, really hungry, and if I don’t eat something I feel all shakyand dizzy. I’ve tried everything – wholegrain bread, rice, pasta etc to try to release energy slowly; I don’t have much in the way of sweets/chocolate, I eat slowly, drink plenty of water… so I haven’t got a clue why it happens. I also bloat up like a football if I commit the ultimate crime of having anything in the way of potatoes or non-wholegrain carbs – I had a white bagel earlier and now I look like I’m six months pregnant! It goes down again by morning, but it’s really uncomfortable and makes toning up a nightmare as my stomach stretches a good few inches every day – it also makes me reluctant to eat any lunch some days in case it happens and I look pregnant for the rest of the day! Last year as soon as I felt it happening again I went to the doctor because I was sure something must be wrong, and I fitted most of the symptoms of diabetes, but my blood sugar levels came back as totally normal and he couldn’t suggest anything – all he did was tsk at me for putting on a bit ofweight – REALLY helpful!! So does anyone have any idea what this could be, and also why it always happens at the same time of year? It does seem strange, but for me it’s a very real problem and if there’s a way I can stamp on it, I’d be very grateful. PS – anyone suggesting acai berries or any other weird supplements gets growled at loudly! ANSWER: I agree with you about the acai berries and colon cleanse scams – they should be severely chastised and REPORTED for a violation of community guidelines. Now, about your problem – have you ever though about what’s called ‘circadian cycles’? Other things that can cause you to want to eat more is perhaps a lack of sunlight (this is a real medical condition) causing you depression. It’s quite possible that you have your seasons a little mixed up, biologically speaking. Another item of interest might be that you are allergic to one or some of the foods you are eating. You would need to keep a very detailed journal of the foods you ate, how theyreacted in your body, any stress or other possible outside factors, then share them with your doctor. This might take a few months to do to establish a direction for them to pursue. QUESTION: What is going on with my blood sugar levels? I am 30 weeks pregnant and borderline gestational diabetes. My question is, does anyone ever high a higher 2 hour reading than than 1hour reading after a meal? Today I took my blood at 1 hour and it was 167, then at the 2 hour mark it was 197! Every other time I have taken my levels with my old monitor in the past month, my sugar goes down at the 2 hr, mark. I tested the machine and it says it is OK, but I have had some crazy readings in the few days since I bought it. Could my body change this quickly? Do people with diabetes have blood sugar levels that rise after the first hour? Thanks. ANSWER: Gestational is a little different than other types. The peak is about 90 minutes, but blood sugar is a moving target and meters can vary up to 10% even if youtook another reading with the same blood prick. BTW, your readings sound higher than borderline for gestational, and this is not something to take a wait and see attitude with. I suggest you get in with your provider and review your plan very soon. QUESTION: Blood sugar levels for gestational diabetes? I am 38 weeks and have gestational diabetes. I know I’m almost done but I’m struggling with my blood sugar levels recently. I was told that I need to keep my blood sugar levels below 120 but I feel like I’m starving to death on the diet they put me on! I’ve been so hungry lately that I’m eating more than the diet says to eat. I just tested my sugar and it was 150. I was so frustrated that I tried looking up blood sugar levels online and all I could find were numbers like <140 or <180 for a normal person. If this is true then why do my blood sugar levels have to be <120????? They also told me after my 3 hour sugar test that I just barely qualified as diabetic. I'm worried about my babybeing too big or having some other problems, but I've hardly gained any weight at all since I've been on this diet. ANSWER: Oh honey I hear ya! I hate GD, I feel like I am permanently starving to death and I just want to eat!!! But I’m good and I stick to my diet and still have trouble keeping my levels down. With my last baby I had GD and I stuck to the diet and exercise plan, I only gained 2kgs (approx 4lbs) and my levels still remained high. I had to go on insulin and when I reached 37 weeks the Dr started planning to induce me as I was just unable to control my levels. Thankfully my son was born at 38 weeks with no induction. He weighed an average 7lbs and had no problems, thank god. Currently with this pregnancy I have GD again and am starving all the time. It really drives me mental. I am on insulin again and although my levels seem to have calmed down, its the insulin keeping them like that. I’ll be 37 weeks on Tuesday and am praying this little man comes soon so I can eat andactually feel full. And I’m the same as you, my levels were off by only one point on my test but it still makes me have GD. I know its really hard (well it is for me) but you HAVE to stick to the diet and meal plan they gave you. Just remind yourself your doing all this for your baby. And it should all be over soon and then you can eat what you like, when you like and how much you like. Sticking to the diet/meal plan is a small price to pay to ensure the health of our babies. I’m not sure exactly why our levels have to be different from those of other people with GD, but I think it has to do with the fact that our blood sugar levels are not just effecting us but the baby also. Plus all the insulin resistant hormones we have floating around and the fact that the baby is producing more or less insulin to make up for our sugar levels. I really really do know where you are coming from. And it sucks majorly, but we just have to deal with it until our little ones are born. Thank God we areboth not far from our due dates, lol. Just keep telling yourself its only for a couple of more weeks, only a couple more weeks. I wish you all the best and hope you manage the next couple of weeks. Its hard but we are nearly at the finish line!! QUESTION: Blood sugar levels are good but I dont feel well .Are there other Type 1 problems with diabetes.? My blood sugar levels are good , but I feel weak , lack of sex drive , stomach aches etc. Do diabetics need other meds beside insulin? ANSWER: QUESTION: how to lower blood sugar levels in diabetes? ANSWER: Lots and lots of exercise…. particularly the mental exercises: QUESTION: question for our american friends, in diabetes how do you measure blood sugar levels.? in england we measure in mmoles and normal level is about 6-7 mmoles, what is yours. i heard the other day normal was about 106, whatever that is, in england that would mean the person is dead, 20 is high, so what is normal in america. thanks. ANSWER: Americans measure it inmilligrams per deciLiter (mg/dL). The normal is anywhere from about 70-110 mg/dL. To convert, take mmol # and multiply it by 18 to get the mg/dL equivalent, OR take the mg/dL number and divide it by 18 to get the mmol equivalent QUESTION: Gestational Diabetes blood sugar levels? I just found out that I have GD and had a nurse visit me for the first time yesterday. She explained to me how to take my blood sugar readings and gave me an example of what to eat and I started testing last night. Well she said that I should also test in the morning before I eat and that my fasting blood sugar should be under 95. I tested this morning and it was 97. How bad is that? Do 2 points really make a difference? PLEASE keep in mind that Gestational Diabetes is not the same as Type I and Type II diabetes. ANSWER: QUESTION: what are the normal blood suger levels for diabetes type two.i am on glipizide 5 mg. ANSWER: Normal blood sugar levels are between 80 to 120, anything over 120 depends on how long agoyou ate before testing sugar. You should check your sugar first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything. That is more or less your fasting sugar level. If sugar is running 140 or higher you are on the high side and need to get it down now. Testing meters and strips should give you information on what is the normal level for that stirp of meter. If in doubt as to what it should be go to you doc and ask them. They have diabetic educators that will teach you what to eat, give you a guide on what to do to improve your health. Your doctor is your best freind when you are fighting diabetes. As a side note. I am diabetic and I take a supplement with my doctors permission of Full Spectrum Cinnamon which lowers my sugar levels if they go to high, but follow directions on the bottle. QUESTION: If you have diabetes type 2 and you keep your blood glucose levels around 100, can you still get neuropathyy? I watch what I eat and take the Metaformin and still I am getting terrible toepain from nuropathy and half the time I can’t see to read or write a letter. Is my body still being damaged even though I am doing good at trying to control my blood sugar????????? ANSWER: Diabetes is a progressive disease and doesn’t start at the time of diagnosis. Most diabetics have had it for a few years prior to diagnosis as their blood sugars were gradually creeping up. As we all know it’s a very individualized disease and you may had had some nerve damage occurring prior to and after diagnosis. There are specialists that can definitively determine if that’s the case with both your feet and eyes. QUESTION: I have gestational diabetes and I am having a hard time lowering my fasting blood sugar levels help please? Does anyone know how to lower these levels. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone has a clue. ANSWER: diet? grapefruit in the morning with oatmeal and dry seven grain bread. turkey chicken or salads the rest of the day. don’t eat too late- stop eating at least 3 hoursbefore bed. no sugars or dairy or bread for a while. oh yeah and good exercises every day any form of exertion will do. drink tons of water. i dont have diabetes … but your doctor should be able to tell you ways to lower it. QUESTION: what is the normal range of blood sugar levels in a women without diabetes? ANSWER: If the woman is not pregnant, then her normal fasting (before breakfast) blood sugar level should be 70 to 99 ml/dL. Within 2 hours after she eats (called the postprandial level), her blood sugar level should not exceed 120. At no time during the day should her blood sugar level exceed 140. During pregnancy, a woman’s blood sugar level can fluctuate by trimester.
