David Lock

I have type 2 diabetes and take Insulin. My sugar levels have been too high and GP has told told me to do more careful monitoring and gradually increase Insulin dose. Fine but this morning reading was 4.1 which I think is too low (??). Having had a hypo once I don't want another. I do find varying advice from the medics so if you are in a similar position what do you advise is an acceptable range for blood/sugar target range?

Thanks, David

craigo

iTrader: (1)

between 4 and 6 is great..... best thing you can do is lots of monitoring
how many years you been living with it now ?
craig

Dave Y

iTrader: (52)

i am on tablets and diet.my levels are up and down all the time.More up if i am honest.i find it hard going at times.

David Lock

Thanks Craig,

About 6 years IIRC. What annoys me is that I was a classic candidate but NHS offered no standard screening test, especially as it only takes 30 seconds and it was only when my sight went skewwiff and I told the quack did any treatment start.

David

craigo

iTrader: (1)

im 15 years now.
diabetes will always frustrate me, at times levels just dont make any sense.
i can remember when i found out.
i went to the doc with ulcers on my tongue....
he sent me straight to the hospital and i spent the next 2 days on a drip

craig

craigo

iTrader: (1)

your diet needs to be pretty strict and lots of testing, then more testing... !!

its a pain in the *** (finger)

Dingdongler

I would try and see an endocrinologist. Lots of short and long acting insulins on the market, a specialist may be able to find you the best fit cocktail.

Btw, have you had your hb1ac measured?

David Lock

Is that what I would know as the long term blood sugar level as measured by a blood sample analysed at a hospital lab? If so yes, several times.

david

Dingdongler

Yes. Any ideas what the numbers were?

RobJenks

HORIZON have just aired an episode about HIT . High Intensity Training.
Apparently significant lower blood sugar levels can be achieved by intensive training , but only in 3 x 20 second bursts !
30% lowering of BGL are achievable .

Here's the link

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

Or just cut out the sugary stuff Apols to the Type 2 sufferers if it's not that simple

TX.

Leslie

I have always followed the advice of the medico's. They are the experts after all!

Les

David Lock

Cheers - I'd heard about that.

Not sure what you're getting at. Of course I avoid "sugary stuff".


With diabetes advice varies until you get to the real top guns. Some GPs really don't have a clue about the disease.

david

David Lock

I wasn't told a figure but low teens I think.

d

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

I got diagnosed about 3 weeks ago with type 2
One of the nurses asked me if I wanted a blood test as I had high blood pressure and I have been feeling sooooooooooo tired for months now.

Anyway, the bloods came back high and I was not impressed as a diabetic nurse said about going straight on to statins and then I find out the other day that they reckon I should go on medication for the diabetas too

I said I wanted to give it 3 months with a change of diet and some exercise, then we shall see about the tablets

stevep360

iTrader: (20)

http://www.dafne.uk.com/

ask your gp to go on this course. My wife was one of the first on it and her sugars are always good.

David Lock

Sorry to hear that but it's good that it has been spotted. And it's not the end of the world btw.

Personally I would take the tablets if offered as they shouldn't do any harm and might tip things in your favour. Gliclazide is a common one and Metormin but Metformin doesn't suit everyone as it can give you the s,hits

Your decision of course. dl

Johnny E

Ive had it since xmas, when i first went for a blood test they rang me the same day and told me my blood levels were over 30, and got me in asap, i now test atleast 3 times a day. For the last 6 weeks theys have been between 5 and 7 which is good. I keep sweetie things in the van just incase i go low, the nurse told me if i go below 4 have some lucozade.....

Also i have have type 2 but just take Metformin

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

How is it you have a problem then? No sugary food should mean no insulin problem re type 2? No offence intended just curious ...

TX.

john banks

David, I could give you a better answer if I knew some or all of:

HbA1c
Insulin name, dose and how often taken
List of medication including what has been tried already for diabetes
Microalbuminuria
Cholesterol including full lipid profile
Liver function
Retinal screening results
Renal function
Heart disease
Heart failure
Smoking status
BP
BMI
Alcohol intake
Exercise habits
Variations in diet
What classification of vehicles you drive
If working, whether on shifts, occupation

If you find the GP in your practice who is most interested in diabetes that might help.

In short, a good GP will have taken all this into account considering recent updates on diabetes management. I'm not our practice lead on diabetes but I would still be considering all the above.

DAFNE is for Type 1. Aggressive control of type 2 may be harmful in some cases.

David Lock

John, You will forgive me if i don't splash my private medical details on a public board and don't want to bother you with a pm.

But some basics. I take 38-40 units of Levemir once at midnight. BP is 120/63. Cholesterol is 3.5. Slightly overweight and not enough exercise. Hardly drink (used to). Smoker

In very broad terms what do you feel is an acceptable range for home finger ***** testing and what level should I worry that I could be risking a hypo? that was really the nuts and bolts of my original post.

David

David Lock

I don't know. David

jef

iTrader: (13)

agreed, get your full blood work done, and not just a single sample, but multiple and take mean
depends how effective or ineffective your pituirty gland is functioning.

the best thing is to monitor and record insulin levels/blood glucose and food intake and compare accordingly over at least a month.

fact is insulin sensivity changes constantly, affected by stress hormones/cortisol ect ect.

its an ongoing learning rocess, that will most probably require assessment and alteration along the way

hope you manage to get as under control as possible

john banks

4-7mmol/l before meals is the generic answer for Type 2 diabetes.

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

lol at the ****s bit. That wouldn't matter too much as I suffer with irritable bowl syndrome too And being a manic depressive works a treat pmsl

Thanks for the info though But going to give it a go with diet first. At least I can say I tried then

jef

iTrader: (13)

did you go hypo through incorrect insulin (over) dosing?

how would a levemir type insulin once daily compare over a novorapid type injection per meal ect in your case?

David Lock

Re the hypo I had had a bad day the day before, feeling unwell and I had very little food and no evening meal. I took my usual shot of insulin which resulted in a hypo about 4 in the morning. The frightening thing is I wasn't in a state to recognise what it was Couldn't stand up properly, couldn't speak etc. Tired as hell. Better by lunchtime after some food and a long kip

Once daily Levemir seems to be doing the trick and my daily finger test is now around 6 so that's a lot better than it has been. And I don't especially like jabbing myself and usually end up getting blood on my shirt which is a pain

David

Leslie

I must be lucky in that I have a very good doctor who is extremely knowledgeable about just about any medical matter that has come up so far.

He is very good at explaining just why I am on a particular drug and what it does for me and also why I have had to undergo various medical procedures in such a way that I can see the common sense view of the whole business.

Les

shooter007

diagnosed aprox 6-7 years ago t2 i would listen to john banks for advice and look for diabetic forums in diabetes uk and diabetes. org and even the american diabetes association personally i think our hospital diabetic team in halifax are very good and if i may say a very understanding diabetic nurse called kate

jef

iTrader: (13)

your hypo is the typical cause of comas and insulin related deaths, in sport related use. taking insulin and forgettin to eat (eg if goout drinking) or taking to close to bedtimes and not covering the 2nd spike with carbs and going hypo while sleeping.
who gave you your advice on dosing and timings if you dont mind me asking? its amazing how insulin sensitivity can alter from day to day - its such a massive variable.
hypos are horrible, sure you wont do it again lol. during dieting i had plenty but just down to total carb depletion.

levemire gets good feedback in most users for stable levels, and reduced risk of hypos

hope its a decent long term solution.

i dont know much about insulin in diabetics but the absolute golden rule for sports people is 10g carbs for every 1 iu of insulin used. it can go lower if fat gain is apparant, but usually 8g is as low as people go.