[bcort]

I'm jumping in from the 100 lb club - obviously a lot of work to be done to get healthy again. I went to the gyn last fall for a checkup - my fasting blood sugar level was 135. I know that's above acceptable limits, though the dr. didn't say I was diabetic or anything. I got the impression from her that she didn't want to deal with a fat person, so she didn't say much of anything. I thought I would just work on it at home, but haven't lost the weight in a year. I haven't checked my glucose levels again, nor returned to the dr. How long should I go this alone, & is it at the point where I should go to a real dr. for possible diabetes help? In the meantime, what should I be doing to bring those levels down, other than exercise & lose weight?

[JulieJ08]

I don't think you should let it go at all. A fasting blood glucose of 135 is high enough to diagnose diabetes, if repeatable. That's the part you don't know - if it was repeatable. Even if you have diabetes, you might still be able to control it with diet, but ... if you have diabetes there is other testing and screening that should be done, and you deserve that. You also deserve knowing if it's *not* diagnosed!

[Justwant2Bhealthy]

By 'real' doctor, I suppose you mean a general physician; the way we see gyn's -- they are internal female specialists here in Canada. Diabetes may not be her specialty so that may be the real reason she didn't say anything; and she may think that you are seeing a general physician for those kinds of things.

The best thing you can do for now is watch what you eat; maybe check out lower GI foods: eating more complex carbohydrates (low-starch veggies and whole grain breads and cereals), maybe 2 fruit a day, dairy, and lean meats with some good fats like olive or canola oils. It may be wiser to see a dietician to get a more specific meal plan; you could ask your doctor for a referral to one at your local hospital or area.

WALKING is the best exercise to keep your blood sugar down and it helps the overall circulation in your body too; even if you only do it in 10 minutes spurts several times a day. As you already know, any amount of weight you lose is helpful, even 10 lbs. Make small changes over time so you don't feel overwhelmed and don't worry if things aren't perfect; just correct at the next snack or meal.

Your last blood sugar reading was 135 or what we call 8.4; it depends on the doctor -- but some would be concerned about that number, while some don't worry until it gets to 9 (144) or higher. The normal range here is 5-7 or 80-112. Our nurses here and my last doctor started to get concerned when I was sick and had numbers in the high 6's (90's); but illness can elevate your numbers too.

My doctor called this PRE-diabetes or Metabolic Syndrome and put me on Metformin; plus we discussed my eating plan at length and he made some suggestions where I could improve things. We were both pleased that before long my numbers were back in the 4.7 to 5.7 range; it varies depending on the day, but my main goal is to stay below 7 or 112.

Hope this helps you a bit ...

[ANewCreation]

Yeah, you need to pursue this and not go it alone.

I can't believe your doctor didn't make arrangememnts for follow up labs at the very least. I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic this summer and my doctor gave me some great advice and made sure I was back in 3 months later for follow up blood work.

Pre-diabetes is nothing to mess around with nor is diabetes (if you're considered either one). You need professional follow up care. Your health depends on it.

My doctor has me on a low glycemic index diet and not only have my numbers improved (still considered pre-diabetic but greatly improved) but I've lost most of my weight eating this way.

I agree--you deserve to know what's going on. By the way, good job on the 8# loss! Keep up the good work!

[FitGirlyGirl]

Count me as another vote for go ahead and go to the doctor now. I vote for ASAP. Diabetes and its high blood glucose do not need to get extremely bad or go on for a long time in order to kill you or cause other serious damage. It is more likely the longer it goes and the higher the numbers, but it can happen quickly without crazy high numbers. Once you have been to the doc it is not very hard to get it under control if you do everything you are told to do by the doc and work hard to eat right and lose weight. I was diagnosed at the beginning of July and I have been a very good girl since then and at the beginning of October I tested with non-diabetic glucose levels, not to mention dropping my cholesterol and normalizing my blood pressure. If the doc tells you that you are diabetic or pre-diabetic ask about a drug called Januvia. That's what I am on now and I like it much better than the commonly prescribed metformin. I have had no side effects and I do think it is helping with the weight loss too. As for what to do to lower your numbers it really depends on the person. Some diabetics are helped by a low carb diet, others eat higher numbers of carbs and eat low fat, there are many "diabetic" diets. You can get a meter and strips pretty cheap at wal-mart or Kroger if you have one of those. You could go ahead and start testing yourself and experiment to see what types of meals give you lower postprandial numbers (about 2 hours after you start eating - you are aiming for around 140). Whatever types of meals give you the best postprandial numbers are the kind of diet that will help you control it the best. There is lots of info out there about what numbers are used to diagnose diabetes. If you get a meter and test yourself you can pretty much diagnose yourself. Diabetic numbers = diabetes, period. I (and many others including my diabetes specialist) do not believe in pre-diabetes, I think that saying someone is pre-diabetic is about like saying a woman is a little bit pregnant.

Hubby says these are good links and wanted me to add them to the post:

http://www.medindia.net/patients/cal...ugar_chart.asp http://renewedhealthtoday.com/diabetes/glucose-levels
http://www.medicinenet.com/hemoglobi...st/article.htm
http://www.geocities.com/diabetescha...ugarchart.html
http://www.isletsofhope.com/diabetes...lycemia_1.html

He says they have charts and things that are very helpful. If you want any other info, help, just someone to talk to about it please feel free to send me a PM.

[jillybean720]

I'd just like to add www.bloodsugar101.com as another resource for information. And add my vote that you go see someone about this sooner rather than later. I am diagnosed with type 2 and would cringe to see 135 as a fasting reading even having been diagnosed.

[bcort]

Thank you all for your input, I appreciate it very much.