levels and what they mean someone help

terrie2k9

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When I was told I was diabetic the doctor said my first reading was 11.5 and my second was 7.5 what does this mean is it bad or should I not be to worried all this has information is to much for me to compute all at once can anyone help me u.understand in English not medical language.
 
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6,107
Type of diabetes
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It is not possible to say what they mean unless you say the circumstances the reading were taken under. Did you have to fast from the night before? Did you have to drink a sweet drink and stay at the surgery for a couple of hours? Did they just take random blood samples?

Whatever happened the readings are high enough to be interesting.
 

terrie2k9

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The first one was taken after eating the 11.5 and the second wad fasting from night before that wad 7.5 I didn't think that one was so high so been telling myself that that are ok but after reading soon posts on here I'm not so sure
 
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terrie2k9 said:
The first one was taken after eating the 11.5 and the second wad fasting from night before that wad 7.5 I didn't think that one was so high so been telling myself that that are ok but after reading soon posts on here I'm not so sure

If the first one was taken two hours after eating then it is too high. The NICE guidlines say it should be less than 8.5.

The fasting one is also too high and if you get two like that (over 7) then you will be diagnosed as diabetic. This reading would have to be less than 5.5 for the doctor to pass you as fit.

Sorry to have to say it but get ready for the pills and join the club.
 

carty

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Dont worry too much because these figures are rather high they are not too bad and if you take the advice given on this and other forums about lowering your carbs you may be able to get away with just diet and extra exercise I am sure Daisy will post the advice for newbies soon .When you get told you have DB at first it is a big shock but stick with the people who can give good advice ie the ones controlling their DB
CAROL
 

daisy1

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Hi terrie :)

This is the information that Carol mentioned and although I have already posted it for you before, I am posting it again here to make sure that you see it.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you’ll find well over 30,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes ... rains.html

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
 

anna29

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Hello Terrie2k9

Stress in its own form, can push the BG levels "up" wards .
This can add to your worry and concern .
Yep it is sometimes a catch22 - you wonder and worry over things ,
this inwardly transpires into stress ...
Upwards - the levels 'can' go as a result.
Illness, infections, virus , bugs , colds etc can affect the BG levels ...
Antibiotics , cortisone injections , dental treatments too can push the BG levels upwards!
It is a lot to avoid I know :crazy:

Best approach is to take things one step at a time .
Ask all the questions you feel/need to .
Apply one step at a time - into your daily routine.
Eventually the tweaks/changes - add to great results and progress can be made successfully :thumbup:

It all does take some time and effort , best done gradually it is achievable . :)
With any medical worries or concerns it is always best to seek the advice of your GP/DSN.

Anna.
 

philipbrian

Newbie
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THE NUMBERS RELATE TO THE AMOUNT OF SUGAR IN THE BLOOD,
NOW THE BODY IS VERY COMPLEX MACHINE THAT CONVERTS SUGAR INTO ENERGY WHICH IT REQUIRES TO FUNCTION PROPERLY ALL THE BODY,IN AHEALTHY PERSON THE READING SHOULD BE 4 TO 6 NOW IF YOU GO ABOVE 6 ITS SAID THAT YOU HAVE TO MUCH SUGAR IN THE BODYBECAUSE THE PANCRIAS CANT USE IT PROPERLY SO YOU HAVE 2 OPTIONS USE IT UP OR DONT PUT IT IN IN THE FIRST PLAICE,PLEASE BE CARFULL TO MUCH SUGAR CAN BE DANGEROUS BUT ALSO TOO LITTLE CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS YOU COULD BLACK OUT AND GO UNCONCIOS MY ADVICE IS FOR YOU TO GO BACK TO YOU GP AND ASK HIM TO EXPLAIN IN DETAIL YOU ALSO HAVE THE RIGHTS TO SEE A DIABETIC NURSE DONT WAIT DO IT NOW ASK ALL THE QUESTIONS YOU WANT ANSWERS TO
RIGHT THEM DOWN SO YOU DONT FORGET ANYTHING
BEST OF LUCK DONT LET IT GET YOU DOWN