This whole learning curve stuff is tough. I've lost 25lbs. in the last year, yet my numbers remain mainly prediabetic - fasting always between 97-111, 1 hr. under 200. The 2 hr. one is the only one I really worry about because it tends to hang right at 135-140 which I know is right on the line, but with the weight loss I would've expected it to drop and it hasn't. The only numbers that have changed is the fasting drop below 100 occasionally.

When is it acceptable to consider insulin? How would you approach your doc about it?


thanks
kt

Your doctor is the only person who can tell you if it's time for insulin and there are other less drastic things to consider before that step! Are you on any type of medication now?

IMHO those numbers are fine. Mine are about the same. Hang in there. Losing more weight will definitely help.

I've done some reading online and it seems like in some circles the suggestion is that starting insulin when you're first diagnosed and using it for only a short time - like 3 to 6 months - helps to prevent further destruction of the beta cells and gives your body a chance to level off. Then moving to an oral drug only will help delay insulin needs later on.

I'm only taking 500mg. of metformin at this point and I'm happy with that, but wonder what to do if numbers don't drop further. Longterm tissue damage can happen with bg levels at 140 even.


thanks,
kt

Definitely talk to your doctor. Lots of the info on the Net is good but some of it is dicey.
I'm on Metformin too and it seems to be stabilizing my BGL. My doctor, an endocrinologist, wants to keep me off insulin. I'll ask him about it when I see him next.

Pk Mom -

I am reading a book by Dr. Bernstein -

One of the things so far, that seems to greatly help at least me....
Was a dramatic restriction on carbs, all bad and since I have not finished his book not too many of the good ones either...

I have to have some occasionally but I go for the complex...
It has got my type II down to very smooth swings....

His approach is so far working quite well for me...

My 2c,

The Orange One

Firstly, I agree that you should discuss this with your doctor; and secondly, I started at 500 mg, and then went up to 750 mg, then later my doctor moved me up to 1000 mg, but I found that I had too many dips at 1000 -- so I recently came back down to 750 mg, and I feel much better ...

Like MR. ORANGE there, I am also cutting down on my carbs (the white, sugary kinds) and that does seem to help bring down my numbers too. I have slowly switched to COMPLEX CARBS and am limiting how many I have each meal and each day. So far, my numbers are pretty steady in the mid 5's (5.3 to 5.8 range), or for you that would be in the 85 to 93 range.

I am also PRE-DIABETIC -- and my doctor put me on the Metformin to help me keep diabetes at bay for as long as possible; and he believed that with that and eating healthier, that Diabetes could be prevented altogether. Maybe he was like this Dr. Bernstein guy too ... I wish all doctors were this positive.

PS ~ GO FOR A WALK: here's a tip that my brother shared with me; whenever his numbers got too high, he and his family would go for a walk, especially in the evening -- and he said that always brought them down for him. I am now doing the same thing; I walk every day, and my DH and I go for walks in the evening 3-4 nights a week as well. I read somewhere that WALKING also improves the circulation in your body; that's two motivations for it now!