Could I have diabetes?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-09-2004
Could I have diabetes?
5
Sun, 10-10-2004 - 12:22am
I have experienced some troubling symptoms during the past few months, and I'm wondering if I'm diabetic. I am 28 years old, and I have gained 10 pounds in the past year. Also, my blood sugar goes up and down drastically throughout the day. I can tell this from my energy level throughout the day. Sometimes, if I eat later than my usual mealtimes, I get very weak and dizzy, and I have to eat something immediately. Also, I get thirsty a lot. However, it seems like no matter how much I drink, the thirsty feeling does not go away. There is a family history of diabetes on both sides of my family, which I know increases my risk factor for developing diabetes. Does it sound like I might have diabetes?
Avatar for coldfingers
Community Leader
Registered: 04-30-2000
Sun, 10-10-2004 - 12:34am
Hi and welcome to the board....
Photobucket
Avatar for cl_d_minnick
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 10-10-2004 - 4:48pm

My advice to you is call your doctor and get yourself checked immediately with a fasting blood sugar. Also ask to have a glucose tolerance test done to see what you get as a result since that helps to show what is going on with you better in the way of how your body uses the sugar. As you already know if there is a family history of it you chances become stronger for also becoming diabetic, but that only means you have a possibility of it. By what you describe with being thirsty all the time is a sign, but does not mean you are since none of us can tell you that for sure. The best thing to do is get yourself tested right away, because it is nothing to put off at all since it can cause so many other problems.


I sure hope you find out you are not diabetic since I know that is the last thing you want to find out. Just know if you do get diagnosed with diabetes we are all here for you to give support and help answer any questions you might have. Do let us know if you get tested and what your results show, because we will be thinking of you and hoping to hear great news from you. Take care and do have wonderful day!

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 10-10-2004 - 8:37pm

Hi and welcome to the board.


There are several things that possibly could be wrong including nothing being wrong. It is impossible to determine your blood sugar without testing it. How you feel isn't accurate. What I advise is to schedule a visit with your physician, and it can

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-09-2004
Mon, 10-11-2004 - 3:42pm
Hi, I've been diabetic for 17 years, and I'm 22 (diagnosed when I was 5) You don't sound like you have type 1 diabetes. If anything you may be pregnant, or have hypoglacymia which is what diabetics go throught when there is not enough sugar in the blood and we go into secures. Typical type 1 diabetes syptoms include frequent urination, dehidration reguardless how much water we drink, rapid and dramatic WEIGHT LOSS, and chest pain. And unless you have someone in your family who has type 1 diabetes, you don't have it either. type 2 how ever is NOT HEREDITARY and so you might have that. Another thing is that you just might have hypertension. I hope this helps you in any way possible to ease your fear.

much luck

jill

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 2:00am

Jill,


I am sorry you are wrong. Type 2 diabetes is very hereditary. I am a third generation type 2 diabetic. And the symptoms that you listed are found in both types of diabetes. The only difference is that I don't have an autoimmune variety of diabetes and that is what causes type 1 diabetes. For some reason your body has turned on itself and your body has destroyed your beta cells in your pancreas which make your insulin. You can't survive without taking insulin either by injection or with a pump. I have been a type 2 diabetic for 15 years and while I still make some insulin I don't make enough so I was started on insulin in March. The hope is to preserve my pancreas' ability to make what insulin it does make. The other difference is that about 90 percent of type 2 diabetics are overweight, often significantly.


By the way I don't think your message was actually addressed to me as there is no way in this world I could be pregnant!


Have a great day and please keep posting!

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40

Co-CL Diabetes Board