Type II Diabetes

[barefoot serpent]

Originally Posted by Kitsune

"Diabeetees" or "diabeetis"? The quaker oats man has confused me so.

Test and test often!

I've heard both but usually the latter.

And yes, a glucose test kit becomes de rigeuer for the diabetic.
The newer ones can be used on the forearms so pricking a finger is no longer required. I started out testing 3 times a day before meals but now I only do it every other day before breakfast. The fasting blood sugar should be < 130 but I aim for < 110 and can be sure I'm maintaining my weight (now 185 ibs) if it's < 100.

Then the doctor does a hemoglobin A1c test every 6 months.
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_hemoglac_crs.htm
This is sort of like a measure of the 30-day moving average of the blood glucose percent. I didn't get a test initially because the doctor did not suspect diabetes at the time. But it was probably close to 10% given the initial 275 glucose test. Today it is around 5 -- well within the 'normal' zone (<7).

The doctor prescribed Glucotrol XL for 30 days to help get the blood sugar down into a manageable range and then it was up to me to keep it there with diet & exercise. She also sent me to both a dietician and a nutritionist to figure out the diet. To lose the 40-45 lbs I initially went on an 1800-2000 cal/day diet and then backup to ~2400 cal/day to maintain. Definately had to cut out the between-meal snacks and no more lurking in the kitchen!

For exercise, I try to do 16 mins twice a day on an elliptical cross-trainer for cardio. So it's not all that onerous a task to set aside some time and not a big deal if I only do it once a day sometimes. And I can substitute bike riding so it's not so boring.