I don't understand!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-10-2008
I don't understand!
9
Fri, 03-21-2008 - 3:38am
Hi,
I hope I am not bothering the people of this board...but I need some help with some questions I can't find clear answers to elsewhere!
I'm female, 27, never had kids (yet). I'm overweight by about 35 lbs but have been losing weight for the past year almost. I have a family history of diabetes: my dad's mom and dad, my granddad's mom and dad, my aunt, and my uncle. My dad and his younger brother do not have it, but the older siblings do. As far as I know none of my cousins have it. About 5-6 years ago I started having intense migraines and some other symptoms, and when my doctor suggested I buy a blood testing kit, I did. They also told me I have a greater than 50% chance of getting it at some point in my life.
Back then I usually had very low numbers, and the doctors did tests and said I was okay/hypoglycemic. After a while, that got better. But occasionally the symptoms would come back and I'd test again. Just this week I started having these headaches that wouldn't go away, increased thirst too. I tested again, and my mother's home-nurse told me she thinks I need to see the doctor. But I am unclear what numbers are "good" and what are "bad."
Can someone explain to me what they should be, and when to test? My booklet says "before dinner, and after dinner" but it doesn't say how long after. And it doesn't tell me what it should or shouldn't be, or when I should be worried/go see doctor.
For example, this evening, before I ate dinner, I was at 77. Later I was 129. Is this normal? I've also heard of pre-diabetes.
Thanks so much for any help.
Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 03-21-2008 - 9:28am

Hi and welcome to the board.


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
Fri, 03-21-2008 - 7:59pm

A couple things that might be useful for you to know.

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sat, 03-22-2008 - 12:19am

Hi and welcome to the board.


It is hard for me to tell what is going on with you. You can get severe headaches with too much blood sugar and not enough. You pre-eating blood sugar would be in the hypoglycemia range. I can't really comment on your post eating blood sugar because I don't know how it was taken after you ate. It needs to be 2 hours after yu finish eating.


With your age and your family history you need to have a fasting blood sugar performed by your doctor at least every 5 years and perhaps sooner. Your gyn doc can order these tests as part of your well woman check-up if you don't have a primary care doctor. If you were older you would need to have it checked every couple of years.


I look forward to seeing more reading and perhaps we can all help you fingure out what you should be doing next. Do have any visits with your doctor scheduled at this point?


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-10-2008
Sat, 03-22-2008 - 1:01am

Thank you all for the responses!


Definitely good information you are all giving me.

Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 03-22-2008 - 7:55am

When you have surgery, if you are diabetic they will need to know.


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-10-2008
Mon, 03-24-2008 - 4:02am

Thanks for this information. I have another question, sorry! I am not sure what to think about my tracking. Sometimes I'm lower before I eat, and then higher afterwards. But about half of the time, I am actually lower AFTER I eat than before. Is this normal or is this strange? (And for whom...diabetics, or non-diabetics?)


I realize I may not have full-blown diabetes, but something is just not right..... right?


Thanks!!


Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 03-24-2008 - 6:24am

I can't answer your question.


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
Mon, 03-24-2008 - 1:08pm

It is possible if you have the not so good for you type of carbs, they will shoot your numbers way up and then swing them back sorta way down. For instance something like chocolate candy(not sugar free) or other really sweet things.

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 03-24-2008 - 8:13pm

I would like to add my two cents worth here.


You could possibly have a form of diabetes that is hypersensistive and causes you to secrete too much insulin and thus drops your blood sugar too low.


While I absolutely hate glucose tolerance tests and think they are cruel and unusual punishment for diabetics, but this is one of the times that they are absolutely needed. IMHO, that is the only way that they will be able to figure out what is happeneing with you. So as Cheryl said, please call your doctor and get an appointment with him or her. You need to do this soon, not later but it isn't an emergency. Then please let us what the doctor told you.