Sorry if this is in the wrong place. I'm a definite newbie but couldn't work out where to post! My son (aged 41) has just been diagnosed with diabetes type 2 today with a blood sugar level of 19. GP said she didn't know how he was still standing. I know he's an adult but I'm his mom and really worried. He has to have a fasting blood test tomorrow. Am worried in case this "off the scale" bsl has caused any irreparable damage. Have been googling all worst case scenarios and scaring myself.....
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Katrin70
- Thread starter Katrin70
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stephknits
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome Katrin, sorry to hear about your son's diagnosis. I must say that is not a particularly helpful comment made by his GP saying they are surprised he is still standing. Many people in here will have been diagnosed with a bs reading around that level, or higher with no lasting damage done (including myself). That's not to say there isn't a risk, or diminish the seriousness of a diagnosis of diabetes, but he can start making changes now to help reduce his risk of future complications. There are loads useful links in the sticky at the top of this thread.
The HbA1c that he is having done will help determine how his blood sugar has been over the last 3 months and then the GP can assess whether he needs medication to help.
It's great that you found this place so soon, loads of useful advice here from lovely people, so fire away if you have any questions and let us know how your son is getting on. 🙂
The HbA1c that he is having done will help determine how his blood sugar has been over the last 3 months and then the GP can assess whether he needs medication to help.
It's great that you found this place so soon, loads of useful advice here from lovely people, so fire away if you have any questions and let us know how your son is getting on. 🙂
Thank you both. That was a very re-assuring post Stephknits, and yes I agree it isn't wise to under estimate the potential seriousness of this diagnosis. It's just that he's always been so fit and healthy, not overweight, cycles a lot, non smoker, drinks in moderation. He has a wife and 2 children. I wonder how you know what the blood test is that he is having tomorrow and do you mind saying how it can tell what his bs has been like over the last 3 months. I thought blood tests gave current results but then I don't know much about blood tests!
Also my IT skills somewhat limited - what is the sticky at the top of the thread? Also the numbers underneath your post and the words - what do they mean please. Are they the names of the meds you are on? Sorry if I appear dumb - my brain's a bit frazzled tonight!
Also my IT skills somewhat limited - what is the sticky at the top of the thread? Also the numbers underneath your post and the words - what do they mean please. Are they the names of the meds you are on? Sorry if I appear dumb - my brain's a bit frazzled tonight!
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi Katrin, welcome to the forum 🙂 Sorry to hear about your son's diagnosis. What led him to get tested, had he been unwell or suffering symptoms? Don't worry, although the number is high it can be brought under control now that he has been diagnosed. The complications arising from poorly controlled blood glucose levels usually develop over a period of time, measured in months and years. I would also add that, although high it can go much higher - I was twice as high at diagnosis.
I would recommend getting a copy of the book Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker, which many of our members have found very helpful. It's also worth reading Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter, which should give you both a better understanding of diabetes and what it entails.
Do please ask any questions you may have and we will do our best to help out! 🙂
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi Katrin, just read your reply. The 'sticky' Steph mentioned is our Useful links thread (click on the blue link and it will take you there.
I'm interested in what you say about his diet and lifestyle, there may be a possibility that he has actually got a slow-onset version of diabetes similar to Type 1 which is unrelated in cause and origin to Type 2. Often, people are initially diagnosed as Type 2 purely based on their age. If this develped very quickly then make sure he asks the GP if this is a possibility so he can be sure of receiving the correct treatment.
stephknits
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Having looked back at your post, the test he is having tomorrow is a fasting test, just really to confirm diagnosis. If he still has relatively high blood sugar having not eaten anything beforehand, then they can confirm diagnosis. He will then have an HbA1c test, which gives you an average picture over 3 months or so. It does this by measuring the amount of glucose that has bound to haemoglobin in red blood cells. The cells last around 120 days before new ones replace them, which is why the test gives you an average over 3 months. If the glucose isn't leaving your blood properly, then more of it sticks and you get a higher H bA1c result. The test is used to monitor diabetes. We are looking to get a Hba1c of between 6 and 7% ish. It has been shown that keeping your results in this area reduce the risks of long term complications. As you can see from my results, I started off in the 11s. I was diagnosed type 2 at 44. Like your son was healthy weight etc.
the names after my hba1c numbers are the two insulins I am on since being properly diagnosed type 1. Your son may be put on various medications such as Metformin to help him. There are loads of people on here who are on all the different drugs, so let us know what medication (if any, he may manage with diet and exercise) and there will be someone who can tell you more about it.
Sorry if me HBa1c explanation doesn't make a lot of sense, I am no scientist!
All the best
Steph
Thank you so much Steph - you sound very knowledgeable. It's all a bit raw at the moment and I have a bad habit of jumping to worst case scenarios especially when something is wrong with nearest and dearest. It's so helpful to be able to talk to people like you. My son lives in Ireland and hope he'll come on the forum himself but not sure it's his thing if you see what I mean. Thanks again. Katrin
Thanks to everyone - don't mean to be ungrateful but are there are Type 2s newly diagnosed? My son is now on Metaformin 500mg x 3 per day, so quite a high dose. His wife has just told me is "up and down" and I think she means moodwise, which is very understandable I guess, as this has come as quite a shock to him. I'm sure things will level out over time.
Amigo
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi Katrin, I was newly diagnosed as Type 2 end of Feb and can understand how this has thrown you and your son into a tailspin. There's little I can add to the exceptionally good information and advice the others have given you. I am surprised that they are conducting a fasting blood test though because it seems pretty standard practice now to go straight to a HbA1c test as described by Steph. However it could be that test even though it doesn't normally have to be a fasting one. Maybe it's different in Ireland but my GP said they don't even bother with the glucose tolerance tests they used to conduct because the HbA1c is much more reliable in showing averages.
I'd be wary of Dr. Google too because he can be misleading and mercenary to the frightened. This site will offer you advice and support even if it's not your son's thing.
Initially levels can be astronomical and it could be that Northerner is right in suggesting it may not turn out to be Type 2 particularly if your son is correct weight and fit.
The good thing about diabetes (if there is one) is that it does respond to personal commitment and an appropriate lifestyle. This is liveable with for him and I've found that adapting my diet dramatically has allowed me to control it without the use of medication. And there's no reason he should experience complications if he takes this seriously.
Hope all goes well and best wishes. Amigo 🙂
I'd be wary of Dr. Google too because he can be misleading and mercenary to the frightened. This site will offer you advice and support even if it's not your son's thing.
Initially levels can be astronomical and it could be that Northerner is right in suggesting it may not turn out to be Type 2 particularly if your son is correct weight and fit.
The good thing about diabetes (if there is one) is that it does respond to personal commitment and an appropriate lifestyle. This is liveable with for him and I've found that adapting my diet dramatically has allowed me to control it without the use of medication. And there's no reason he should experience complications if he takes this seriously.
Hope all goes well and best wishes. Amigo 🙂
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