Re: Questions from a newbie

On Jun 25, 9:39 pm, "Michelle C" <bookbug...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
<traly...@xxxxxxx> wrote in message

news:141c2e18-defe-448a-8560-5ab099d43733@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx





Hello.

I think I am about to be diagnosed withdiabetesand I'm freaked out.
I had blood work recently and results came back with fasting blood
glucose level of 143 and trigliceride level of 530. My doctor sent me
for an A16 and a thyroid test (STH or SHT or something like that.) I
had the additional blood work yesterday but I don't go to the doctor
for the results until Tuesday, which gives me plenty of time to think
about all the worst case scenarios. I've been reading a lot online and
from what I've seen, a fasting reading above 126 meansdiabetes, so
I'm freaking out, feeling depressed and blaming myself for not
exercising more.

My father and my grandfather have Type IIdiabetes, so it runs in the
family

I'm still hoping this is all one big mistake. I have in the past
tested my own blood sugar once in a while with my father's monitor and
it was always in range. It's been maybe a year since I've done that,
though. (He lives five hours away -- as does my grandfather -- so I'm
not able to test myself now.)

I'm trying to look at this as a good wake-up call. I have spent the
last week (since I got the results of the 143 reading) eating very
well and walking 30-60 minutes every day. I've lost three pounds so
I'm doing something right! Also, I don't know if this is my
imagination or not, but I do feel more energetic. And earlier today
when I was starting to feel crabby and irritated, it was a clue to me
that I should eat something, and that did seem to make me feel better.
I never spent much time before thinking about the connection between
food and the way I feel, so I think I am becoming more aware at the
least.

If it does turn out to bediabetesI guess I am lucky for finding out
now. My dad was diagnosed only about a year ago but the more I learn
aboutdiabetesthe clearer it is to me that he has had it for many,
many years.

So, some questions for the group, if you don't mind:

1.) Does a one-time fasting reading of 146 mean I definitely have
diabetesor could this be a fluke? (Note, the day before the reading I
did eat exceptionally badly, even for a non-diabetic. I had friends
visiting from out of town and we went out for a huge carbo-loading
brunch. Could this have caused the high number?)

2.) If I m able to managediabetesvery well and keep my numbers in
range, then is that enough to definitely avoid all the bad
complications ofdiabetes-- vision, neuropathy, etc -- or can that
stuff happen anyway, even if I do everything I'm supposed to do to
manage thediabetes?

3.) If I am diagnosed, I will definitely meet with a nutritionist or
dietician to get clear answers on this, but in the meanwhile, does it
seme reasonable to have three meals a day of 20-30 carbs and two or
three snacks a day of 10-15 carbs?

4.) Several years ago I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety order.
I was having anxiety attacks (not full-blown panic attacks, except
maybe twice) and they mostly happened late at night. I would have
ruminating thoughts (for example, imagining that I made a horrible
mistake at my job). I would get heart palpitations, become sleepless
and feel sweaty and aggitated. These seem like some of the same
symptoms of hypoglycemia that I've been reading about recently. Any
thoughts on whether these could have actually been a diabetic incident
rather than actual anxiety? (I did go on Lexapro for this and it
helped a lot. I am still on Lexapro.)

5.) Why would my doctor be testing my thyroid as a result of high
fasting glucose and high triglicide numbers? Are these related? (By
the way, my cholesterol and blood pressure are normal.)

Thanks so much for reading this. I know I am jumping the gun on a lot
of this stuff since I don't yet know if I havediabetes, but I would
like to know as much as possible.

-tracie

Hi Tracie,

First off, don't panic!  Yes, a FBG of  >126 indicatesdiabetes, but
although it sucks, it's far from the end of the world.  You'll have a lot to
learn, but for many of us here on ASD, the diagnosis led to feeling better
than we have in years once we got our BG under control.  ASD is great place
for both information andsupport, so you've come to the right place.

Secondly, do not blame for your diagnosis.  While exercise should be a part
of your normal routine now as it will help you manage your BGs, it would not
have prevented your diagnosis.  I realized I had a glucose problem when I
was 42 years old, and I'd been walking daily for over 15 years.  Also, it is
the nature ofdiabetesto cause you to put on weight--especially when eating
a typical American diet--not the other way around (weight gain causingdiabetes).  So don't fall for that myth either.

Now to your questions.

1.)  Yes, a FBG of 146 indicatesdiabetes.  And no, what you ate the day
before would not have mattered if you were non-diabetic.

2.)  We here on ASD strongly believe that maintaining normal glucose numbers
will either stop the progression of the disease or slow it to a snails
crawl.  Many here have lived with the disease for many years and have not
progressed or developed complications.  I've been at it for 2.5 years and
have seen no worsening of the condition whatsoever.   Here is a good source
of information:http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/

3.)  The best thing you can do for yourself is to buy your own glucometer
(or if your insurance covers it have your doctor prescribe one) and follow
these directions:  http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/newlydiagnosed.htm
This method is what most of us have relied on to achieve normal numbers.

Now a word of caution:  The doctor and dietician likely will tell you that
you need a minimum of 130 carbs per day, and will probably encourage you to
eat more along the lines of 180-200 carbs per day.  The standard medical
treatments fordiabetesdo not consider reducing carbs.  Many here tried to
follow their dieticians guidelines and found it impossible to achieve normal
numbers.  The American Diabetic Association recommends taking more meds
rather than reducing carbs.  For most of us here, this doesn't make sense.
Most of us on ASD have reduced our carbs to achieve normal numbers.  I
personally probably average @75 per day.

4.)  As for the general anxiety disorder, I used to suffer from hypoglycemia
frequently (before diagnosis) and I can see the similarity in feelings
between anxiety and hypoglycemia.  I can't say for sure that hypoglycemia is
the cause of your symptoms rather than just plain old anxiety, but I think
you've got a good hypothesis to consider.

5.) I'm not sure why your doctor is checking your thyroid.  However,
hyperthyroidism is a cause of anxiety, so he may be checking this avenue.
It won't change yourdiabetesdiagnosis regardless of the result.

High triglycerides are another clue to your condition.  When your body has
excess carbs, it changes them to triglycerides.  When you get your BG
normalized, your triglycerides will come down too.

Now, take a deep breath.  Calm yourself.  Pat yourself on the back for being
so proactive!  Keep us posted, and keep asking questions.  The only stupid
question is one that doesn't get asked.
--
Best regards,
Michelle C., T2
diet & exercise
BMI 21.5- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Michelle --
Thanks so much for the very thoughtful and thorough answers, and for
the support. I'm sure I will be back with more questions.

The more I am learning about diabetes, the more I am seeing that I
have some of the symptoms/complications. I had keratitis about six
months ago and a couple months ago I began having pain that I know
think could be frozen shoulder.

Someone else posted that anyone whose parent has diabetes will
definitely get it, too. Is this right? Does that mean my children will
definitely get it? (I don't actually have kids (yet), but I am
thinking of my nephews in asking this.)

Thanks.
-tracie
.

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