Thursday, March 28, 2024

Do I Have Diabetes?

September 9, 2015 by  
Filed under Featured

Pretty blonde testing her blood glucose level

Diabetes can be deadly if left undiagnosed and untreated. If you think you might have diabetes early detection is very important. By understanding your risk, and adjusting your habits, you can reduce your risk of developing diabetes.

There are a many symptoms of diabetes. If you think you might have diabetes, it is always a good idea to talk to your healthcare team and discuss any symptoms you are experiencing.

  • frequent urination
  • constantly being thirsty even after drinking
  • unexplained weight loss or gain
  • extreme fatigue
  • irritability
  • frequent infections
  • blurred vision
  • tingling in the appendages
  • slow healing
  • being overweight
  • inactivity

If you think you might have diabetes, you should test your blood glucose levels.  If you don’t have a meter there are several store brand meters sold at pharmacies. Many of those meters come with a few free strips, but if yours does not buy the smallest package you can. Testing your blood glucose levels at home is a fairly simple process.

  • Every meter is different, so it is important to familiarize yourself with your meter.
  • After you wake up in the morning, and before you eat anything, test your blood glucose. The result will be your fasting blood sugar level.
  • Now eat something that has 60-70 grams of carbohydrates. A bagel typically the best option, but, a large white potato or a cup of white rice can also be used as an alternative. Avoid eating fats because they will slow down the absorption of the carbohydrates.
  • One hour after you eat test your blood glucose level again.
  • Two hours after eating, test your blood glucose level again.
  • Three hours after eating, test your blood glucose level again.

After testing your blood glucose levels, now it is time to interpret the results.

  • If your blood glucose raises at the the one hour mark then drops below 70 mg/dl at the two or three hour mark, this is known as reactive hypoglycemia. You should consult with your healthcare team to keep an eye on pre diabetes and heart and heart disease symptoms. It is a good idea for you to limit the amount of carbohydrates you eat in order to avoid having low blood glucose levels.  
  • If your blood glucose remained under 100 mg/dl at the one hour test and all the later tests, you have completely normal levels.
  • If your blood glucose remained under 140 mg/dl at the one hour mark, and under 120 mg/dl at the wto hour mark, then you are considered normal. If you were at the high side of that range, it would be a good idea to lower your carbohydrate intake, and exercise more.
  • If your blood glucose was over 140 mg/dl at the one hour mark, and over 120 mg/dl at the two hour mark, you might have impaired glucose tolerance or prediabetes.
  • If your blood glucose stayed over 140 mg/dl at the two hour mark, you are prediabetic according to the American Diabetes Association. At this point you are still able to avoid the complications of prediabetes and diabetes if you adjust your habits.
  • If your blood glucose levels went over 200 mg/dl at any time, you should consult a doctor immediately. Just two random measurements over 200 mg/dl is enough to diagnose diabetes. If you have diabetes it is imperative that you and your healthcare team find a way to manage your blood glucose levels in order to lessen or avoid any complications from the disease.

If you have any results other than normal it is important that you test your blood glucose at least every 3 months and compare the results. You and your healthcare team will be able to evaluate the results and determine the best meal and exercise plan for you.

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