At what level do complications start?

[matrix123]

Hello,
I've read contradictory reports about diabetes complications and wanted to ask at what level of BG the complications can start?

Also, it is possible for complications to start in the pre-diabetic stage?

Thank you

 

[Mileana]

As I have understood the complications, they arise from glucose (excess) clinging to your cells.

If this is correct, any level of 'too much' is 'too much', but of course the whole thing should 'on average' go slower at 7.5 than 15.

However, there are people more prone to things than others...

Are you concerned about something in particular, or is it a general query?

-M

 

[matrix123]

It's more of a general query...sometimes I read that complications start with elevated levels (>200) for a few years....other say even > 140 for 1 year or 2 can start complications.

 

[xyzzy]

Read here for the UK safety guidlines

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html

If you actually follow through with the little [19] reference link you will end up at this doc

http://www.idf.org/webdata/docs/Guideline_PMG_final.pdf

Which are the latest IDF guidelines. The final conclusions page states 140mg/dl which in UK speak is 7.8mmol/l. The normal interpretation is if you regularly exceed that value 2 hours after eating you ARE running risks. At other times of the day you should be aiming to keep your levels in the 4 to 7 range as the table suggests.

If you want to read more then this is a good source of info if a bit grim reading.

http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045678.php

Based on all this reading I have a personal target of not exceeding 7.8 after ONE hour and not exceeding 6.5 after TWO hours but I'm ultra safe others quite rightly and happily accept the less than 7.8 after TWO hours recommendation. Most would say that 7.8 is the highest though.

 

[POD]

Hi,

This is a complex question you ask. Many people are diabetic for some time, years in some cases prior to actually being diagnosed with the condition. Therefore it is possible that it is a complication of diabetes that takes the person to the doctor, that then leads to the diagnosis of diabetes.

There are also other problems that people have such as cardiac / circulatory problems (to mention just one) that may when combined with diabetes increase the risk of complications.

The best advice is to aim to keep your blood sugars within the recommended limits, regular exercise, normal healthy diet. Regular monitoring of the condition with your GP or diabetic team. Regular checks with your podiatrist, routine eye screening.

Try not to worry about it to much and focus on the best control you can achieve.

 

[Sid Bonkers]

Hi,

This is a complex question you ask. Many people are diabetic for some time, years in some cases prior to actually being diagnosed with the condition. Therefore it is possible that it is a complication of diabetes that takes the person to the doctor, that then leads to the diagnosis of diabetes.

I think you are right Pod, I believe I read somewhere that up to 60% of diabetics may have suffered some level of diabetic complications before diagnosis, this could be from very mild, hardly measurable to something that as you say was bad enough for them to see their doctors about it which then lead to their diabetes diagnosis.