Diabetes 2 Diagnosis
Diabetes 2 Diagnosis questions and answers
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Q: Type 2 diabetes diagnosis today - any advice?
My doctor phoned today to say I have type 2 and my blood count is 17.
Anyone know if that is really bad or just a bit bad?
She sent some Metformin round to the house so I could start taking it today - 500mg 3 times a day.
I'm 52 and thought my health was ok (though looking back I have had all the symptoms for a year. I think they have just got worse so slowly I didn't really notice).
Any advice or information would be gratefully received.
Thanks.
A: hi i have type 2 diabetes myself and when i first found out my blood count was between 18.0 and 19.0 and now its normaly between 4.0 and 8.0 it can done and taking a look at your question there your on the same tablets and number of time i am just watch what you eat take a 30 min walk a day and on it wont belong before you know what i mean just add @yahoo.co.uk to my name here if you like to e-mail me and and ask me any more i would belighted to be of any help i can
Q: Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis Question?
Hi, anyone out there with experience of diagnosing diabetes help with this please.
I was showing usual signs of type 2 so had blood tests done which showed a result of 22. I was prescribed 1000mg of metformin a day 3 days ago which I was told would take up to 6 weeks to show results. However both yesterday and today when I tested my blood at different times of the day my levels have been averaging out at around 9.
With the levels dropping so quickly I was wondering,
1. Can the metformin work so quickly?
2. If not then have I possibly been misdiagnosed?
Thanks for any advice.
A: Your bm's can change substantially during the day anyway, depending on when you eat and what you eat, especially if you've taken advice to heart and completely cut out sugars etc. That's why they usually don't recommend self-testing your blood frequently, or for that matter at all, with Type 2. It's unnecessary and often leads to confusion and alarm over the results. Instead you'll be tested on maybe a 6 monthly basis to see what the average has been over several months.
Don't fret over it too much, let your professionals tell you what you need to do.
Q: is the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes enough to shorten ones life or is it the failure to control the condition?
A: Control is the key issue. In the life insurance industry where I spent my entire career, we would charge a higher premium, in anticipation of an earlier death, only to those whose control did not appear to be adequate. The only way it can be adequate is if the person with the condition takes it seriously and modifies their diet and exercise programs.
For people where we found the patient was serious about controlling their condition and the medical records reflected that, we did not charge any higher premium as their life expectancy should not be affected. Good luck.
Q: Diabetes Type 2 query? Diagnosis and every day living.?
How does a 40yr old newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic control neuropathy when they already have Cerebral Palsy and a spinal injury caused by a wheelchair basketball accident? My uncle had Type 1 and ended up losing both legs in his 50's. I don't want that to happen to me. Doctors can't help me! All they do is shug and say they don't normally have to deal with my kind of situation! Any advice from any diabetic would be grateful as I have so many issues it's unbelievable. Despite my illness, I am positive and will do whatever it takes to protect my health. What kind of exercise can I still do, will my current non-diabetic medication cause contra-indications and.......blimey!!!!! So many questions!!!! HELLLPPPP!!!!!!!
I do not smoke and can walk a little on sticks but it is agony due to nerve pain. It feels like walking on broken glass. I damaged my neck so problems affect my whole body. I have sensation in my lower limbs but it is intermittant. I could be hit with a brick one day and not feel it and be gently stroked next day resulting in screaming agony. Sometimes even breathing hurts me so the thought of an aggressive exercise routine is difficult. I use light weights to help my arm power and try to keep mobile when I can but even my arms lose sensation sometimes. Not all spinal damage results in complete paralysis so I'm ok some days but am in hell on others. I also struggle to eat on pain days so am worried I'll let my blood sugar drop too far. I reckon God is having a laff!!!! LOL
A: doctors should tell you what meds will cause trouble, you have to tell them what you are on, you can do any exercises you have been doing. just watch out for areas that rub on things or cuts as it can get infected and if your nerves are dammaged you cant feel it, stick to the diet and take your meds and see your doctors at least every 3 months .
Q: I have type 2 diabetes. What is a healthy blood sugar reading?
My blood sugar reading after fasting is 5.1 and random blood sugar reading (after breakfast) is 5.5 I take medication for my diabetes. I watch everything I eat and workout everyday. What is a healthy blood sugar reading for fasting and randon levels?
My doctor said 4-5 is optimal. My sugar reading has come down from 22 upon diabetes diagnosis in mid Sept to 5.1 this past week. Thank you.
A: 4.4 to 6.1 is normal. You're doing great!! Right in the middle.
By the way, for those Americans who can't divide or multiply by 18, here's a handy converter: http://www.brist.plus.com/convert.htm
Q: Can someone give me 2 Nursing Diagnosis related to Diabetes Mellitus? Patient has an ulcer on right toe and il
Identify the nursing diagnostic category
Related to: identiify 2 factors/etilogies
AEB or AMB: identify 3 signs or symptoms
A: I like the two above me but to add to those:
Risk for infection r/t ulcer on rt toe
I guess I would need to know more about the patient: age? how long with DM? Compliant?
Q: What techniques do hospitals & laboratories use for diagnosis of diabetes?
Laboratory techniques or technologies currently in use for the detection & measurement of blood glucose, glycohemoglobin or antibodies in the diagnosis of diabetes (both Type 1 & 2)
What exactly do they use to measure glucose, HbA1c etc?
Colorimetric photometry? Biosensors? Bioassays? Some other spectrometry methods? How do these techniques work?
A: The most common test is the Fasting Blood Glucose test.
in this test, the patient MUST be fasting for 8-10 hours before the test. The doctor then takes a "finger stick" reading (he might take a blood sample and send it to the lab). This test is usually repeated twice, on two separate visits to the doctor.
If there are TWO fasting blood glucose reading over 120, the doctor suspects diabetes.
At this point, the doctor may also ask for a Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT). this test takes about 3-4 hours. That patient is asked to drink a really sweet liquid, andthe doctor takes many blood sample. the values from the blood samples are used to develop a "chart" showing how well the patient responds to a "slug" of sugar.
if the patient's body responds slowly, then the patient is diabetic.
a MUCH MROE ACCURATE test is now used. this is called the A1C test. This test measures an "average" of your blood sugar of the last 90 days. You do not have to fast before this test, and you cannot "cheat" on this test by eating correctly for 2-3 days before the test.
If the test comes back "normal" then you are probably not diabetic. if you know you already are diabteic, then a NORAML reading shows that you are correctly following doctors orders.
If the A1C test comes back high, you are probably diabetic. You should start treatments right away, and repeat the A1C test in three month to see how you are progressing.
The Old School way of testing for diabetes was to take a urine sample. This is VERY inaccurate, and is no logner used for a diagnosis. the doctor may still take a urine sample, though. he may have it tested for proteinsand blood, which shows that the diabetes has started to cause kidney disease. While sugar in the urine IS a symptom of diabetes, the finger stick test, the A1C test, and the GTT will all show diabetes long before it shows up in the urine.
Q: Hi. i want to ask if its possible for a diabetes type 2 person to have low blood sugar sometimes?
doctors diagnosis my mom as diabetes type 2. sometimes she gets low blood sugar, where she feels weak and dizzy. is that possible?
A: Absolutely. Is your mom on medication for her diabetes? Some of the meds for type 2 diabetes can cause hypoglycemia - ie. low blood sugars. In particular, Glipizide and glyburide can cause hypoglycemia. The drug metformin (brand name Glucophage) cannot.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia include dizziness, lightheadedness, sweating, shaking, feelings of hunger, changes in vision, loss of consciousness. It can be very dangerous, so when she has these symptoms it is important for her to check her blood sugar immediately. If it is low (less than, say, 70 or so) then she should drink some orange juice, eat some crackers with peanut butter, suck on a piece of candy, etc.
If she isn't on medicines, and she is still having low blood sugars, she should talk to her doctor. It is possible that she has something more complicated that just type 2 diabetes going on.
Q: Diabetes Diagnosis - Right or Wrong?
Last month when I went to see my doctor she ran an A1C test and said my results were high. This was after some 18 hours of fasting. She then told me to take Metformin, one with evening meal, and to start testing my glucose levels with a monitor 3 times a day before meals. I am over weight, but have never had any of the other type 2 diabetes symptoms: excessive thirst/urination, numbness, dizziness, etc. and my cholesterol/blood pressure reading are fine. Since then I have gone to a healthier diet (low proccessed carbs, little red meat, no snacking) and in 4 weeks of this, I have lost more than 10 pounds. All my glucose levels have been between 80-96. I had one 100 reading early one morning after 11 hours of no eating. I am worried about the original diagnosis because the new company I am working for is getting out of group coverage insurance and you know what a diagnosis o f dianbetes does to the cost of private health insurance. I'll keep up the plan, but any ideas?
The powers that be at the company I work for have decided that they will no longer offer insurance, deciding instead to subsidize private converage at a rate much lower than what it will take for even the healthy to get medical insurance. With a diagnosis of diabetes as a pre-existing condition, I am worried I have been priced out of health insurance. I have NEVER in my adult life ever not had health insurance.
A: Well ... first of all, the results of your A1C have nothing to do with fasting. The A1C is a blood test that can tell what your average blood sugar level has been for the last 3 months. the fasting would have been for the glucose test, and maybe some of your other non-diabetes related tests.
Now, if you're dieting, exercising and losing weight, your numbers will get better. It doesn't mean you don't have diabetes anymore ... my understanding of it is, is that you will have to exercise and eat healthy for the rest of your life to keep your numbers in the good range.
Q: 1.) Type 2 Diabetes - are other conditions a result of Diabetes? 2.) Restless Legs; 3.)Medication side effects
Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic 2 years ago; diagnosed w/ skin condition Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum (NLD) that began 2 years prior to diagnosis & is related to Diabetes - so I possibly had untreated Diabetes for 2 years before diagnosed.
Family M.D. treated w/ Glucophage & Glucotrol - later added Avandia - gained 10 pounds in 2 wks of Avandia & stopped taking - am already overweight & need to LOSE weight. Soon after, stopped taking Glucotrol - suspected weight gain.
Began seeing Endocrinologist - still Glucophage & added Byetta. This combo has kept blood glucose down & improved A1C. Recently Lisinopril (High Blood Pressure) & Lovastatin (Cholestorol) were added - both conditions are BORDERLINE, not really high, meds added as preventative.
Around time Byetta added, began HORRIBLE Restless Leg Syndrome (taking Requip) ALL DAY LONG not just at night & constant leg pain in right leg (the one w/ NLD). Take iron/potassium/magnesium/calcium. No relief. Requip gives hangover.
!!HELP!!
A: This is going to be convoluted but bear with me.
I have end stage renal disease (ESRD) and am on dialysis but not from diabetes. I developed renal failure from the renal toxicity of my post-transplant meds (lung transplant). Anyway, I was having symptoms of RLS and talked to my doctor, who prescribed medication. I thought that was a stupid answer because the twitchy legs are a secondary symptom (for me) and not the actual problem. Instead I went to see my chiropractor and have been getting regular adjustments and massage (about every two weeks) and my symptoms went away. My twitchy legs were muscle spasms.
I don't know exactly what Byetta is or does but if it is related to steroids (like prednisone, which I also take) then it could be causing your RLS. Try getting a massage and going to a chiropractor and see of that lessens your symptoms.
Q: Do I have a false diabetes diagnosis?
My doctor recently diagnosed me as diabetic based on my fasting blood sugar (142) and a A1c of 6 (mean avg glucose=114). However, I was not told to fast before the "fasting" test (nor did they ask me if I had been fasting)! I had a lot of sugary food a few hours before the test and, more importantly, some sugary breakfast drinks about an hour before. I told my doctor this, but he says the A1C test confirms the diagnosis, which I thought required 2 fasting blood sugar tests.
He's a new doctor for me, and I'm not crazy about him for various reasons. Should I get a second opinion/new doctor, and, if so, what should I tell the new doctor? Should I tell him about the previous doctor? I don't want my insurance rates to skyrocket if I don't really have this disorder.
Much thanks.
A: a1c of 6 isn't ideal but it isn't that bad.
sugary foods before A1C wouln't affect the test.
A1C isn't used for diagnosis, only for management.
Q: Pre-diabetes (prediabetes) diagnosis...now what?
Yesterday I went to the doctor and he told me that my blood sugar was 108. Which i later found out that that means i have 'pre-diabetes' or 'prediabetes(not sure which one is the correct term)
So what does this mean to me?
Are there any specific foods i should avoid?
What is my next step?
What should i watch for?
My doctor says he's going to send me to a diabetes prevention thing. That's fine, but what do i do in the mean time?
What type of exercising would be recommended?
I'm 5'3 and 121lbs. How much weight should i loose?
Will this only delay my getting type 2 diabetes or prevent it all together?
More details:
He didn't say anything about medications yet.
I don't eat candy or a lot of sugar.
I don't drink too much soda, maybe one a day.
No, i don't exercise. Yes, i'm planning to start.
A: I am pre-diabetic as well, which was discovered in a glucose-tolerance test. What sort of bloodwork did you have done? Fasting blood glucose, A1C or glocose tolerance?
You're either pre-diabetic because you're on the verge of type 2 diabetes, which is life-style induced. If you're active, eat well and young you're not likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Or, if you have a family history of type 1 diabetes you're probably like me, and your body is in the process destroying the pancreas, because type 1 is autoimmune. There's not a lot you can do to prevent type 1 diabetes.
There is no "diabetic" diet. You should eat the same healthy foods that are recommended to everyone: Lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. Cut all refined sugar and starches out of your diet and stay active. 150 minutes of cardio a week will make a big difference.
In my case, my father and grandfather both have/had type 1. I'm 28. I'm technically underweight, I'm active and I eat well, but that probably won't stop the natural progression of a disease that's programmed into my genes. The best I can do is stay healthy so if and when it happens I'll be prepared.
Your weight sounds fine for your height. I wouldn't suggest losing weight, but you can still do a lot to stay healthy.
Talk to doctors and dietitians to get as much advise as possible. It's daunting but pre-diabetes is a lot better than diabetes. You may still have a fighting chance!
Good luck.
Q: Can someone explain to me the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes? (In "lay" terms, please!)
I think I've been exhibiting some of symptoms of diabetes (examples: extreme thirst, frequent urination, headaches, etc.) and when I mentioned it to a friend (who is obv. not a doctor) she didn't seem to think I had diabetes. She has a friend who does and he exhibits the classic symptoms everyone thinks of associated with diabetes: typically a "drunk", woozy and lethargic feeling when the blood sugar is low. Now, I do NOT have symptoms like THAT, however after doing research there are those that I do have -- actually what seems like quite a large majority.
Are there any doctors out there who might be able to answer my question? I hate going to the doctor's with a list of symptoms, ready to produce my own diagnosis.
And I am not a hypocondriac. My mother, who hated going to the doctors, died of a sudden stroke while she had no known health problems. I think she may have been diabetic because a stroke is a complication, and she also had glaucoma and possibly high bloodpressure.
A: Do You Have Diabetes?
Millions of people have diabetes mellitus, commonly called diabetes. You may be surprised to know that many of these people don’t even know they have it.
Diabetes is a serious disease and should not be ignored. If you have it, correct treatment can help you live a long and healthy life.
What Is Diabetes?
If you have diabetes, your body can’t make or use insulin. Insulin helps change sugar into energy to keep you alive.
There are different kinds of diabetes. The main ones are type 1 and type 2.
Type 1 Diabetes
This type of diabetes is mostly found in children and young adults. If you have type 1 diabetes, your body does not make insulin and you must inject insulin daily.
You May:
urinate often
be very thirsty
be very hungry
lose a lot of weight
be very tired
be irritable
have blurred vision
have trouble seeing.
Type 2 Diabetes
Most people with diabetes have this form of the disease. Type 2 is usually found in people over 45, who have diabetes in their family, who are overweight, who don’t exercise, and who have cholesterol problems. It is also common in certain racial and ethnic groups (blacks, American Indians, and Hispanics) and in women who had diabetes when they were pregnant. If you have type 2 diabetes, your body cannot make enough insulin or correctly use it. Treatment is diabetes pills and sometimes insulin injections, as well as diet and exercise.
You May Have:
any of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes
a lot of infections
cuts or bruises that heal slowly
tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
skin, gum, or bladder infections that keep coming back.
Controlling Diabetes
Daily monitoring and careful control of blood sugar levels are the most important steps to take for people with diabetes. If not treated, diabetes can cause:
High blood sugar (which could make you thirsty, tired, lose weight, urinate often, or give you infections that won’t go away)
Many serious health problems (which could hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves, or heart).
Warning: Low Blood Sugar
People with diabetes may develop low blood sugar because their blood has too much insulin or other blood sugar-lowering medication or from not eating enough food. It is important to follow the eating and medication schedule your doctor has prescribed to avoid low blood sugar.
Low blood sugar could make you shaky, dizzy, sweaty, hungry, have a headache, have pale skin color, have sudden mood or behavior changes, have clumsy or jerky movements, have difficulty paying attention, feel confused, or have tingling sensations around the mouth.
Taking Care of Your Diabetes
The best way to take care of your diabetes is to make sure the levels or amount of sugar in your blood are near the normal range. This will make you feel better and help you stay healthy.
Your doctor will tell you how often to check your blood sugar level. To do this, you will need to take a drop of your blood and place it on a special test strip. Then a device, called a blood glucose meter, reads the strip. This device measures the amount of sugar in your blood.
Writing down this level, along with the time and date, will help you see how well your treatment plan is working.
Remember:
A person’s blood sugar level rises after eating any meal that contains carbohydrates or protein. Table sugar (also called ?sucrose) counts as a carbohydrate. Artificial sweeteners, such as saccharin, aspartame (NutraSweet), and sucralose (Splenda), do not count as carbohydrates or fats. They make food taste sweet. But they do not raise blood sugar levels and have little or no calories.
What Else Can You Do?
Eat well-balanced meals. The right amount of healthy food will keep your weight under control and help manage your diabetes.
Your body needs food from the four main food groups every day:
Fruits and vegetables (oranges, apples, bananas, carrots, and spinach)
Whole grains, cereals, and bread (wheat, rice, oats, bran, and barley)
Dairy products (milk, cheese, and yogurt)
Meats, fish, poultry, eggs, dried beans, and nuts.
Remember:
Too much fat and cholesterol in your diet can be very harmful to people with diabetes. Food that is high in fat includes red meat, dairy products (whole milk, cream, cheese, and ice cream), egg yolks, butter, salad dressings, vegetable oils, and many desserts.
Can You Do Anything Else?
Exercise is important for good diabetes control. It usually lowers blood sugar and may help insulin work better. Exercise and a healthy diet can also help you take off extra pounds if you are overweight.
Warning:
Check with your doctor before starting any exercise program. You may need a snack before or during the activity to avoid having low blood sugar while you exercise.
Q: is this really type 2 diabetes?
I was diagnosed last year with type 2 diabetes and have been treating it with metformin (currently 1000mg/day) as well as trying to eat healty (low-carb, high protein) and staying active.
Since diagnosis I have lost 25 pounds (quite easily without a lot of change in my habits - I was already quite active and eating well), but my BS numbers have not really improved, in fact they seems to be rising, despite doubling my medication. In the morning it is usually about 130-150, and 2 hours post meal it is often over 200, and occasionally over 300. I am starting to wonder about it being type 2 since I seem to not have any of the risk factors or indications...
I'm 23, weigh 125 pounds (I'm 5'5"), I'm active, and have absolutely no family history.
Anyone have any ideas? thanks!
A: There are more than two types of diabetes. You might be a type 1.5 where instead of the immune system destroying the beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin fairly quickly, it does it over a longer period of time, up to four years! I have this type and it's common to be misdiagnosed as a type 2. Some of the drugs might work some in the beginning but as the immune system continues to destroy beta cells they begin to fail.
It's possible that you're a different type of insulin resistant diabetic. You should see an endocrinologist that specializes in diabetes. Tell him/her your concerns and ask to have an antibody test and your insulin levels tested. If your insulin levels are elevated or normal then you're probably insulin resistant. If it's low, or even on the lower end of the scale, you could be a slow onset type 1 (type 1.5). The antibody test may or may not come back positive, but doesn't rule out type 1 or 1.5. Family history is only one factor...and sometimes those who are older might have not been diagnosed. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
Q: is this Type 1 or 2 diabetes?
I am 23 and was diagnosed with diabetes at age 21. At the same time I was being diagnosed with Celiac disease. Since then I have weighed around 75-85Lbs, I am around 4'10 so that is still underweight. My blood sugar went from around 200 to 400 within a month (eating the same amount of the same food) and I was put on oral meds. There is no Diabetes in my family at all. I have never been very active and used to eat quite a bit though, I used to weigh 100Lbs but since the Celiac got active I lost all that weight and havent been able to regain it. My cholesterol level was borderline at diagnosis but I think it has got a lot better with my change in diet. Could this be type 1.5? I never heard of a underweight person having type 2 diabetes but is it possible? especially at my age?
jalee- that is actually what I was thinking, could they have misdiagnosed me? my levels are not at 400 now, i have managed to keep it under control with diet/pills. But I have to be very careful with carbs of course or it will go very high even when taking meds. Unfortunately I dont get to pick my doctor, I am on goldcard which is a government plan.
Barbara- I am pretty sure Mary Tyler Moore is a type 1 Diabetic, but I could be wrong though.
A: Oddly enough, some recent research has indicate that there may be a link between Celiac Disease and Type 1 Diabetes. Many researchers think that BOTH disease are "auto-immune" diseases -- your body's immune system is "out of whack", probably due to a genetic problem.
Stay in very close touch with your doctor! If you DO have Type 1 Diabetes, you need insulin injections. There is NO oral medication available for Type 1 Diabetes.
At least for the time being, you should see your doctor at least once a month, maybe sooner.
DO NOT let the diabetes get out of control. Ask your doctor for a referral to an ENDOCRINOLOGIST for further treatment.
BTW: There IS NO "1.5" There is Type 1 Diabetes, which is complete failure of the pancreas, and Type 2 Diabetes which is failure of the pancreas to produce ENOUGH insulin, OR the body's inability to use insulin (insulin resistant diabetes).
IF the autoimmune link between Celiac Disease and Diabetes is true in your case, you have (or are developing) Type 1.