Husband went to Docs a week or two ago,as he was really thirsty all the time. They sent him for a blood test yesterday and the Docs called at 6pm last night to say they suspect severe diabetes! Don't know the ins and outs but Doc said "Normal reading is 5, people with diabetes read 12, yours is 24 !" Doc asked him to go back this morning to repaet tests,and he's just called me to say test came back as "29" !!! They are considering sending him straight to hospital from the surgery!!! Can this be right? He feels perfectly well and healthy otherwise??? What do these numbers actually mean??
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In a panic!
- Thread starter clare w
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Mark T
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Welcome to the forums, don't be in too much of a panic!
Assuming they are doing spot blood tests for blood sugar, the values are mmol/Litre and indicate how much glucose there is in your husbands blood.
The reference value is between 3.6 and 5.8 mmol/L
So at 24 and 29 he has really high blood sugar!
You Doctor should probably test for ketones at this level (which your husband may or may not have).
Assuming they are doing spot blood tests for blood sugar, the values are mmol/Litre and indicate how much glucose there is in your husbands blood.
The reference value is between 3.6 and 5.8 mmol/L
So at 24 and 29 he has really high blood sugar!
You Doctor should probably test for ketones at this level (which your husband may or may not have).
novorapidboi26
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
A hospital stay is likely, those numbers mean his pancreas is not producing insulin which allows the glucose in his blood to escape and be used by his muscles and organs........
Sounds like Type 1............the thirst is caused dehydration due to the body getting rid of the excess sugar through the kidneys, pee.........
Let the doctors decide.............dont panic........
Robster65
Senior Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi Clare. Welcome and well done for posting. 🙂
We've all survived the diagnosis of diabetes and can assure you that life goes on pretty well afterwards, although it must feel very frightening.
As has been said, your husband's blood sugar is pretty high, but most of the members on here (myself included) have had readings higher than that from time to time, so as long as he gets the attention he needs, he'll return to normal ranges but will need to be more careful about his diet, exercise and, if he's a type 1 diabetic, will need insulin injections every day.
If there are any questions you'd like answered, fire away. 🙂
Rob
We've all survived the diagnosis of diabetes and can assure you that life goes on pretty well afterwards, although it must feel very frightening.
As has been said, your husband's blood sugar is pretty high, but most of the members on here (myself included) have had readings higher than that from time to time, so as long as he gets the attention he needs, he'll return to normal ranges but will need to be more careful about his diet, exercise and, if he's a type 1 diabetic, will need insulin injections every day.
If there are any questions you'd like answered, fire away. 🙂
Rob
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Hi Clare
Just to add that while Type 1 is more commonly diagnosed in young people, there are several forum members who did not develop the condition until late into adulthood. There are other rarer more 'glamorous' forms of diabetes too, such as MODY (maturity onset diabetes of the young) and LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes in adults) which your Dr might also be testing for to get an accurate diagnosis/treatment in place.
Development of diabetes (type 1 or type 2) has little to do with how much sugar is eaten. Type 2 is a metabolic disorder where the processing of any carbohydrate (of which sugar is just one form) is impaired. Being overweight is a risk factor in developing type 2 but not necessarily the cause (there are many more overweight people than there are diabetics, and a proportion of type 2's are normal weight or under weight).
If, as seems likely, your husband is diagnosed with type 1 that is an auto-immune condition where the body begins to destroy the insulin-producig cells in the pancreas. What triggers the immune system to attack the pancreas is still not very well understood, but it has nothing to do with diet.
Hope you get some answers when you see the doctors. Hope you find this forum a good source of support.
M
Just to add that while Type 1 is more commonly diagnosed in young people, there are several forum members who did not develop the condition until late into adulthood. There are other rarer more 'glamorous' forms of diabetes too, such as MODY (maturity onset diabetes of the young) and LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes in adults) which your Dr might also be testing for to get an accurate diagnosis/treatment in place.
Development of diabetes (type 1 or type 2) has little to do with how much sugar is eaten. Type 2 is a metabolic disorder where the processing of any carbohydrate (of which sugar is just one form) is impaired. Being overweight is a risk factor in developing type 2 but not necessarily the cause (there are many more overweight people than there are diabetics, and a proportion of type 2's are normal weight or under weight).
If, as seems likely, your husband is diagnosed with type 1 that is an auto-immune condition where the body begins to destroy the insulin-producig cells in the pancreas. What triggers the immune system to attack the pancreas is still not very well understood, but it has nothing to do with diet.
Hope you get some answers when you see the doctors. Hope you find this forum a good source of support.
M
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But can it just come on suddenly like that??? And what about his squeamish ness with needles-he hates them..couldn't take the kids of their injections when they were small! And what about the fact he doesn't eat sugary stuff? So many questions just now !! Until last year when he took early retirement he had a medical exam every 6 months for his job, and that was all normal...why suddenly now??
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi Clare, welcome to the forum 🙂 Diabetes is not just about sugar, it is about the body's ability to handle and process carbohydrates so they can be used for energy - sugar is just one form of carbohydrate, as are potatoes, rice, pasta, bread and many more. You need insulin to help use these carbohydrates or they build up and raise blood glucose levels. The sugary drinks he has been craving will be because his brain thinks he's not getting enough glucose. Type 1 is not as unusual as you may think in adulthood - I was 49 when diagnosed and there are many others here the same.
Try not to panic! If it is Type 1 diabetes then he is lucky that it has been caught before he has fallen really ill. Try to take things one step at a time and not worry or speculate too much (difficult, I know!). We are here to help out wiht any questions you may have - nothing is considered 'silly'! 🙂
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Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I was in training for a marathon, but the week before I was due to run it I became very ill - I spent the week in hospital being diagnosed! So yes, Type 1 in particular can come on very quickly indeed. In some ways, this is better than Type 2 which may go undetected for many years, but all the time causing damage. A tiny silver lining, but not much, I agree!
As for injections, he shouldn't worry about the big long syringes that people get for vaccinations etc. For diabetes these days, insulin is injected using pen-type devices that have tiny needles (as small as 4mm). The majority of the time you don't feel a thing. There are also things you can get to hide the needle when injecting and this can help.
Robster65
Senior Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
It is thought, with type 1, that a virus or trauma may trigger the body's immune system to attack the insuling producing cells in the pancreas (beta cells) and from that moment, you become diabetic, although it generally takes many months before the symptoms become bad enough to warrant a doctor's appointment.
So, yes, it can and does come on suddenly, but it may also be a gradual decline in insulin production by the pancreas.
The needle phobia is something that may need tackling separately by the medical team, but it's quite common, so must be solveable.🙂
Rob
So, yes, it can and does come on suddenly, but it may also be a gradual decline in insulin production by the pancreas.
The needle phobia is something that may need tackling separately by the medical team, but it's quite common, so must be solveable.🙂
Rob
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
A rapid onset is one of the things with T1.
When I was diagnosed I went from healthy non-diabetic to diagnosis with T1 in a matter of a few months. I understand that my pancreas will have been under attack during that time and gradually I had less and less ability to process carbohydrate and get the glucose out of my bloodstream into cells (as more and more islet cells in the pancreas were destroyed). I was asked to go straight into hospital from my 'blood test results' appointment too.
The body begins to metabolise fat to get the glucose it needs (since it can't process the carbohydrate in food any more) and then begins to go to work on muscles, making you lose weight. A by-product of this emergency measure is the production of ketones in the bloodstream which turn the blood acidic and need to be flushed out by the kidneys (hence excessive thirst and urination).
The good news is that there has never been a better time in history to be diabetic. Modern treatment methods allow the condition to be effectively controlled and managed and make living a normal, long, healthy life with diabetes possible with a little work and support.
Hope you get some good info from your Drs soon to put your minds at rest.
M
Copepod
Much missed Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome Clare - in the words of Hitch-hiker's Guide to Galaxy, don't panic; think of this board as your towel!
Numbers without units are difficult to interpret - instant finger prick blood glucose, current blood glucose level from venous blood analysed by lab, HbA1c measure of last few weeks blood glucose levels all have similar numbers, but mean different things.
However, as Northerner says, being "discovered" with diabetes when just thirsty and feeling "perfectly well and healthy otherwise" is positive. Once your husband and GP start working on his treatment, things will start to improve - the thirst will go. Of course, it won't just be your husand and his doctor - you and other family member will be involved, he may be refered to specialist diabetes clinic staff, including doctors, specialist nurses, dieticians etc; he may be able to attend a training course eg DAFNE for type 1 diabetes, DESMOND for type 2 diabetes; he and his employer may also have to make adjustments.
We can try to explain things here, so ask away - even better if he can join this board himself.
Numbers without units are difficult to interpret - instant finger prick blood glucose, current blood glucose level from venous blood analysed by lab, HbA1c measure of last few weeks blood glucose levels all have similar numbers, but mean different things.
However, as Northerner says, being "discovered" with diabetes when just thirsty and feeling "perfectly well and healthy otherwise" is positive. Once your husband and GP start working on his treatment, things will start to improve - the thirst will go. Of course, it won't just be your husand and his doctor - you and other family member will be involved, he may be refered to specialist diabetes clinic staff, including doctors, specialist nurses, dieticians etc; he may be able to attend a training course eg DAFNE for type 1 diabetes, DESMOND for type 2 diabetes; he and his employer may also have to make adjustments.
We can try to explain things here, so ask away - even better if he can join this board himself.
Natalie123
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/They
Hi Clare, Like everyone else has said, try not to panic. I had a bad needle phobia when I was diagnosed too - I think it is very common. I got used to the insulin injections and to be honest I usually don't feel them. There are people who can help your husband cope with needle phobia - I saw a psychologist who helped me deal with it, I am going to see a new one soon as I still have issues with blood tests. Best wishes to you and your husband x
Ellie Jones
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
HI Clare
Sorry it seems that you'll in a position to join our club, but has you can see there is life after diagnoses...
It is daughting and very frightening at first turning your world upside down, and yes you do go through a grief process for the lost life you percieved you had...
But thankfully there of forums like this one (one of the best) where not only can we show that there is life after diagnoses, but it can be quite normal... And we can explain the lingo as diabetes does come with a complete new language to it... We are very good at explaining things in laymens terms and translating diabetic medical terms..
If your hubby finds himself having to inject insulin, he soon get over his fear and dislike of needles.. Partly because of the use of insulin pens rather than a sysring and you can even get needles with a little auto-cover on them so you don't actually see the needle itself, how cool is that...
I had a total fear of injections, when I was diagnosed it was syringes only😱 But you do learn to cope with the notion of stabing yourself...
Mind you After 20+ years of injecting myself, I've still not actually over-come my fear of other people injecting me! When I sustained a dog bite at work ended up in minor injuries unit, the practioner nurse was rather bemused that every though I could inject myself, I almost hit the deck when he gave me a tetanus injection... Went white as a sheet and very faint LOL
So don't worry too much (I know it's not easy) as there plenty of help and support about... And never forget no question is silly, if you don't know then ask.. as we've all asked the same questions ourselves..
Sorry it seems that you'll in a position to join our club, but has you can see there is life after diagnoses...
It is daughting and very frightening at first turning your world upside down, and yes you do go through a grief process for the lost life you percieved you had...
But thankfully there of forums like this one (one of the best) where not only can we show that there is life after diagnoses, but it can be quite normal... And we can explain the lingo as diabetes does come with a complete new language to it... We are very good at explaining things in laymens terms and translating diabetic medical terms..
If your hubby finds himself having to inject insulin, he soon get over his fear and dislike of needles.. Partly because of the use of insulin pens rather than a sysring and you can even get needles with a little auto-cover on them so you don't actually see the needle itself, how cool is that...
I had a total fear of injections, when I was diagnosed it was syringes only😱 But you do learn to cope with the notion of stabing yourself...
Mind you After 20+ years of injecting myself, I've still not actually over-come my fear of other people injecting me! When I sustained a dog bite at work ended up in minor injuries unit, the practioner nurse was rather bemused that every though I could inject myself, I almost hit the deck when he gave me a tetanus injection... Went white as a sheet and very faint LOL
So don't worry too much (I know it's not easy) as there plenty of help and support about... And never forget no question is silly, if you don't know then ask.. as we've all asked the same questions ourselves..
Well, he's back..def diabetes type 1 by the looks of it. He has boxes of gear, Metformin pills (??) a Contour machine and urine test sticks....kind of expected some sort of leaflet with advice/info ,but nothing..so much to take in so quickly..all they said was if his urine changes the test stick colour he must go straight to hospital !
shiv
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
If they are sure he is type 1, he shouldn't be on Metformin, he needs to be on insulin. Is it possible that they think he has one of the other sorts of diabetes such as LADA or MODY, which has the potential to be treated with tablets to begin with?
Ellie Jones
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
If he's got T1 diabetes as Shiv says metformin isn't going to help I know this from personal experience...
The meter he's been given, he should use it to test before a meal and 2 hours after, when he gets up and before bed latter I tend to keep this one at set time, mine is 10pm rather than doing it the verious time I toddle off..
The next week or so it's wise to keep a food diary as this can help to interpretate his BG reading better, and he will learn to understand how different foods effect him...
Don't be tempted to avoid a bg test because it might be high, as this give the information that's need by both himself and his diabetic team to work out how and what treatments need changing and/or started...
The urine sticks given are for Ketones and these can be nasty little blighters indeed as they production is the sign that the body is heading towards DKA, so if they appear yep get off to the hospital..
As it's the weekend so gp won't be available, I suggest any concerns get yourself off down to the hospital..
The meter he's been given, he should use it to test before a meal and 2 hours after, when he gets up and before bed latter I tend to keep this one at set time, mine is 10pm rather than doing it the verious time I toddle off..
The next week or so it's wise to keep a food diary as this can help to interpretate his BG reading better, and he will learn to understand how different foods effect him...
Don't be tempted to avoid a bg test because it might be high, as this give the information that's need by both himself and his diabetic team to work out how and what treatments need changing and/or started...
The urine sticks given are for Ketones and these can be nasty little blighters indeed as they production is the sign that the body is heading towards DKA, so if they appear yep get off to the hospital..
As it's the weekend so gp won't be available, I suggest any concerns get yourself off down to the hospital..
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Are the urine test sticks called 'ketostix' or 'diastix'? Sounds like they may be suspecting a slow-onset Type 1 and the metformin may help to keep his blood sugar levels down a bit for now. If you have a contour meter then this will be to do a fingerprick test to see what his blood glucose levels are. Did they explain any of this to you and how to use it? Or did they give you a phone number to contact if unsure? If you have any doubts, then please ask - there is a lot to take in at first.
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