So im fairly new diagnosed at the age of 17 and am terrified of the complications that diabetes offers and ive heard my life expectancy has been reduce by 10 years to 66y/o.
Is it possible to avoid these complications by keeping my blood sugars within the correct levels (4-7) or is it guaranteed that i will have a problem caused by diabetes at some point in my life. All of this just scares me so a bit of clarification would be great
Hey
@olster - I'm one of those type 1s that have managed to avoid complications and although I try to get my BGs to range between 4-7 more times than not I'm outside that range. The best my A1C has ever been is 6.8 - it usually runs in the mid to high 7s and occasionally in the 8s.
I think one of the big differences between me and others who have been hit hard by complications is level of physical activity. I've maintained a high level of physical activity all my life and continue to this day - It sure hasn't been my A1Cs or BG control that's for sure.
As to life expectancy - that's changing, a lot of the past life expectancy studies didn't separate type 1s from type 2s in particular type 2s that had gone un-treated for several years and as result tended to die young.
So my advice to you -
1. Be active as much as you can - activities that build your cardiovascular health - even walking 5 KMs 3 times a week will in my opinion be a good payoff for your heart health and circulation.
2. Stay away from over processed carbs
3. Try to keep within a 4 - 7 BG range but don;t stress out when or if you hit higher than that range
4. Do what you're doing now - build a good support system - consult with other Type 1s
5 Try to maintain positive mental health which in a way is related to the first 4 points.
You may have a wonderful, productive life free from complications - it does happen to some of us
