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• December 8, 2009 9:33 a.m.

  Sarita, it sounds like your diabetes has been out of control and you are currently working with your health care team to control the diabetes. I would continue to work with your health care providers. Initially, it may take a few weeks to get the blood glucoses under control and also find the right medication treatment for you. I generally tell people; if the blood glucose has been under control and you are suddenly getting blood glucose readings greater then 300 mg/dl (16.6 mmol/l twice in a row and there is no reason for the higher blood glucose readings and or you are ill, contact your health care provider immediately.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• December 8, 2009 9:16 a.m.

  Bob, check out www.CalorieKing.com

  - Nancy and Peggy

• December 6, 2009 10:19 a.m.

  I have looked at at least 10 web sites to see if there is a 'recommended' Type 2 Diabetes food planner, to no avail. What I would like to see is a listing of foods and portion sizes recommended to be consumed on a daily basis for a week. Is there anyplace that publishes a 'simple' listing to be used as a guide? That doesn't seem to me to be such a huge problem, but Mayo, ADA and lots of others talk in generalities or couch their recommendations so convoluted that the ordinary person is pressed to find help - unless you have a professional chef preparing meals. I need something that I can follow on a daily basis that gives me some specific foods and portions such as - for breakfast on Monday - eat an egg, or lunch each 1 slice of bread, etc. Is such a plan anywhere for a 1500-2000 calorie per day plan?

  - Bob

• October 22, 2009 11:50 p.m.

  I was just diagnosed w/ type 2 and I have been trying to get an answer... I cant reach my doctor by phone, and er's wont answer questions. In blood sugar levels.... what number for high blood sugar says go to the hospital? When I was at the doctor my level was 484... no hospital trip.... when would I go? One article I found on a website said if you are ( puking AND its over 300) my blood sugar hasnt been under 350 since the doctor appt 2 days ago, I'm not puking... now what? I started taking metformin 2 nights ago.

  - sarita

• October 22, 2009 6:41 p.m.

  my blood glucose reading was 129 before fasting. is that in the normal range

  - pat

• October 7, 2009 1:35 a.m.

  LAST MONTH MY 15 YEAR DAUGHTER WAS DX WITH PCOS. SHE WAS PERCRIBED "METPHORMINE" 500MG PER DAY. I HAVE REFILLED HER MED AND THE DOC STILL INSISTS SHE DOESN'T NEED TO MONITOR HER LEVELS CAUSE HE SD THE PCOS CAUSES HER HIGH LEVELS. TONIGHT 2 HRS AFTER HER MED WAS TAKEN SHE TESTED AT 219. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT RANGE SHE IS IN?

  - FRANCINE

• September 21, 2009 1:44 p.m.

  Kathy: Hormonal fluctuations during menopause can either increase or decrease your blood sugar. Not everyone will have the same experience.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• September 20, 2009 10:54 a.m.

  In July I requested a fasting glucose test. My family has no history of diabetes but I had yrs of increased work related stress & 2 yrs of general fatigue, thirst, wt gain. Results: 1st test-169. 2nd-159. A1C-7.8. For about 3 wks I reduced carbs, increased veggies & protein, walked more. I lost some wt & the fatigue went away. Began testing fasting bg in the morning: 124 then 110-118. More diet changes. l continue to lose 1lb/wk. Now my #s are 83-99. For me it is easier to eat 'new' foods than modify old ones. No more potatoes & white bread. 1 serving of whole wheat low carb bread in the morning-but more nuts, V8, gelatin cups...I replaced bread w/ muffins (1C whole wheat flour, 1C ground almond & ground coconut in place of white flour, Stevia & applesauce for sweeteners & 'bulk'). Also fish 3x wk & I discovered spaghetti squash! Weirdly, larger portions are followed by an urge to eat more. Small meals & snacks feel more satisfying so I do not feel deprived & I can stick with it.

  - Chris

• September 16, 2009 11:53 a.m.

  how about menapause vs hypoglycemia! Here's the question...can hot flashes ( more like surges, than flashes)lower your blood sugar?

  - kathy

• September 8, 2009 3:27 p.m.

  RN in correctional setting. We hear you. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the guideline for standards of care. Rapid insulin is a parandial insulin (to be taken with meals) It starts working in 5-15 minutes and peaks in one hour. If food is not given within (15 minutes) the individual is in danger of (low blood glucose reaction) hypoglycemia.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• September 8, 2009 3:16 p.m.

  Renee, 198 is high but is not considered a dangerous number. This number is only one number (or point in time) You may have higher readings during the night you are not aware of. Question, what is the blood glucose on waking? Discussed this with your healthcare provider. Your diabetes management program can be adjusted to your blood glucose patterns.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• August 25, 2009 11:31 p.m.

  I am an RN in a correctional setting. Recently the nursing management of my institution changed the glucose measurement for our inmates from preprandial to postprandial measurement. They cited the possibility of hypoglycemia if aroit took place if the inmates received their insulin and if they were unable to eat their meal within one hour. My concern is this, our patients are not being given treatment for a disorder in the manner that is the standard of care in the community and thereby endangering their health. In addition, our licenses are at risk should some legal challenge be initiated on behalf of the inmates. We are currently under a federal receivership and are obligated to furnish constitutionally mandated healthcare, using evidence based medicine and nursing procedures/protocols to accomplish this goal. My understanding is that preprandial BG measurements provide the baseline figure for the basic insulin administration, usethe postprandial BG to check effects of exercise or food on BG and the HgbA1C as the indicator of long term BG control. I believe our licenses as RNs and LVNs to be at risk. I believe our patients' health to be at risk. Could you provide guidance on the validity of my understanding of the standards of care in insulin dependent diabetes? Tahnks

  - James

• August 18, 2009 12:46 a.m.

  I was diagnosed with type 2 over a year ago. Everything was fine for a while but then I let go of myself didn't take care of me for about a month. Have been back on plan (taking meds/eating well balanced diet) since July...I am waking up in middle of night with lighheaded, far away feeling, very scarey for me. When I checked my blood sugar tonight it was 198. Is this number dangerous during sleeping hours? How can I bring it down? I feel a headache and a constant lightheadedness, feel like I am floating, can't sleep

  - Renee

• July 22, 2009 10:23 a.m.

  Jane - A normal fasting blood glucose target range for an individual without diabetes is 70-100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or 3.9-5.6 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). The American Diabetes Association recommends a fasting plasma glucose level of 90-130 mg/dL (5.0-7.2 mmol/L) and after meals less than 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L). If your doctor feels that you are pre-diabetic it would be okay to check a fasting blood sugar at home once a week or so.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• July 22, 2009 10:18 a.m.

  John - You take as much insulin as you need to bring your blood sugar down. You need to learn how to adjust your insulin doses. We recommend that you see a local endocrinologist to see a diabetes educator. The diabetes educator will teach you how to adjust your insulin dose based on a 3 day pattern.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• July 20, 2009 2:06 a.m.

  Diabetic, taking 50units of lantus daily at night time, 30 units of novolog before each meal, and 40 mlg of glipizide and my blood sugar does not goes down under 235 any time of day. 5.11 183 lbs 55yo do exercise every day, and super healthy diet. I have ask my doctor and staff diabetic nurses I'm concern with how much i can take, they dont know

  - John

• July 13, 2009 2:10 p.m.

  5' 4", 110 pounds, 66 years old. 110 not fasting reading and 95 fasting reading. Doctor thinks I am pre-diabetic. Father was diabetic. Should I start checking my blood levels at home?

  - Jane

• July 9, 2009 2:31 p.m.

  My sister was put in the hospital over night because she had a blood sugar level of 295 she is 5'4 and weighs between 250-3oo pounds. How dangerous is this reading to her health? Michelle S.

  - Michelle S

• July 2, 2009 3:14 p.m.

  Beth and Lexie, I would strongly recommend taking your daughter to an endocrinologist and soon.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• July 1, 2009 6:17 p.m.

  My daughter is 9 years old, normal height, but weights 52 lbs. She eats non stop, frequent urination and we have some some emotional issues that fall in line with type one diabetes. I have taken this to my Dr. several times and this spring he asked that I "borrow" a tester and test her blood twice a day. I bought one and I have been doing so, once in the morning and once two hours after dinner. Of course, when we have emotional issues, or she complains of other behavior that is in line with a diabetic, I test then too. Mothers day, her blood sugar was 252 two hours after dinner and playing in the yard the whole time. She complained of a headache, a stomach ache and "weird" feeling. I woke her up a couple hours later and it was 178. The next morning, she was 64. We tend to get more low numbers than high, on average her numbers are 70 first thing in the morning and not much higher after eating. We talked to the Dr. and asked that we find out more, so he reluctantly is sending us to a childrens hospital, but only to a nutritionists. There has never been an A1C done, nor has there been a urine dip. Should I be pushing to have her tested. I should say, she is adopted and bio family had a lot of folks with diabetes. She recently has had to wear glasses for vision issues and has lost a pound,that she can't afford to lose, this past year. I just need to know if I should pursue this or let it go. I am trying now to monitor her food intake. Please

  - Beth and Lexie

• June 18, 2009 1:38 p.m.

  Mac, your healthcare provider will instruct you on the best times to check your blood glucose. That will be according to the treatment program you are on. American diabetes Association (ADA) recommends a fasting reading target of 90-130 mg/dl (5-7.2 mmol/L) and a 2 hour post meal target of below 180 mg/dl or below (10 mmol/L).

  - Nancy and Peggy

• June 11, 2009 8:51 p.m.

  When do you check after meals? 2 hours after eating or 2 hours from when you started evening meal? I had thyroid tumor and take replacement med (Levothyroxine @ 125 MCG in AM) and (Hydrocortisone @ 10 MG 1 AM - 1/2 PM). My weight is high since (5' 8 @ 245lb). what should my reading be and when to take?

  - Mac

• May 23, 2009 4:07 a.m.

  diagnosed diabetic a year ago. Chose to lose weight rather than inslin. Now down from 176 to 129. Blood sugar within normal range but concerned about ache in my limbs. Is this a diabetic complication?

  - wini

• May 22, 2009 2:58 p.m.

  Joe, remember a blood glucose target is only one part of the total picture of diabetes management. The ADA recommends a target of 90-130 mg/dl or 5-7.2 mmol/L fasting or before meals. The A1c is also part of the equation. Since blood glucoses fluctuate and diabetes is a balancing act; if you are in target range 75% (great)!

  - Nancy and Peggy

• May 14, 2009 10:30 a.m.

  I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabeties in November of 2008. I have attended 2 diabetic counseling sessions at one of our local hospitals and the Dietician assigned me target glucose levels of 80 - 110mg fasting. I have been charting my readings and with the assigned levels, I am over range 72% of the time (reading done fasting before breakfast). If I change the range to 80 - 120mg (as you recommend) I am over range 27% of the time. Since I am still learning to cope with this condition, it is mentally stressful to me to be over the target so much of the time when using the 110mg upper limit. I am 5'7" and 184 lbs. Would you recommed using the 120 upper limit just for my mental well being, or stick with the 110 as my dietician assigned?

  - Joe Mac