Question:
Diabetes II & Blood Sugar Level
I am 4 months post op and have lost a total of 54 lbs to date. 8 months ago I was told my blood sugar level was a little high (120) and that I should watch my sugar intake. This week my PCP told me that my blood sugar level was at 125 from a blood test taken 1 month ago. (Another doctor took the blood test for something else.) Before surgery I was addicted to all kinds of sugar products, pastries, donuts, lots of candy, soda, juice, etc. Post op, my addiction for all the pastries, donuts and candies were gone. I do still have a craving for juice and slushies, etc. even though I know I shouldn't be consuming them -- no lectures are needed here folks. My question is that are sugar cravings one of the symptoms of diabetes 2? If so, I haven't seen it anywhere. My PCP refered me to a Nurse, dietician, and an Opthamologist. I still have 100 lbs to lose to reach my goal. Will my blood sugar level go down after I reach my goal and stablize my diet without the sugary drinks? This news kind of hit me blindsided. I was surprised to hear it especially after the 54 lbs lost. Thanks! — Jonna B. (posted on July 29, 2000)
July 29, 2000
This just happened to me, Jonna. My sugar was 129 - but it was not a
fasting blood sugar. I realized this and phoned my PCP's nurse and she
said that I should probably do what the PCP wanted just to be sure. I have
more blood work in about a week. I'm pretty sure that this is a non-issue
for me because my diabetic husband checked my sugar and it was fine. Was
your lab work done when you were fasting?
— Diane S.
July 30, 2000
Hi Jonna, It probably wouldn't hurt to ask your pcp to do a fasting blood
sugar on you. The 120 reading is actually not bad, it's right in the
normal range (80-120). Could it be possible that you were a borderline
diabetic before your surgery and just weren't aware of it? The continued
weight loss should, indeed, lower your blood sugars. Make sure you eat as
balanced meals as you can and include all the food groups (as you can
tolerate)with every meal. And try to eat on a regular time schedule.
Because different foods "burn off" at different rates, eating
balanced meals at regular intervals will help to keep your blood sugars at
a more "even" level. Fluxuations in blood sugar levels could
also inhibit your weight loss. "Low" sugar levels
(which could happen when you don't eat or don't eat properly) are like
"red flags" to the body and cause it to think you MIGHT be trying
to starve it so it slows down it's metabolism in order to try to preserve
itself. Sugar "cravings" aren't necessarially a symptom of
diabetes. High thirst, frequent urination and "unexplained"
weight loss are symptoms, but because of our wls, those symptoms may be
just a tad "masked". Another symptom of high blood sugar is a
heavier, unexplained vaginal discharge. The only way to know for sure is
to have a fasting blood sugar done (or several over the span of a few
months). The slushies and juice consumption could contribute to a higher
level. So could consumption of excess carbs (expecially bread products)
and fresh fruit. Are you taking any antibiotics? That could also
contribute to a higher level. It wouldn't hurt to talk with the nurse and
the diatician. They might have some suggestions that will help. Diabetic
or not, it's still important to have our vision checked on a regular basis,
but high blood sugar can affect our vision dramatically, so seeing an
Opthamologist is probably a good idea too. This is your life, sweetie, and
having wls is just one step in the process of regaining our health. See
this through and find out one way or the other. Don't give up now. Good
luck and God bless, cj
— cj T.
July 30, 2000
Joanna, I have/had Diabetes Type II also. I no longer have to take insulin
but continue to take glucophage. You may want your PCP to do a more
specific blood sugar. I think it's called A1C, but not sure, maybe 1AC.
What this test does is estimates what your blood sugar has been doing the
last 3 months (by comparing old red blood cells and how much glucose is
"stuck" to it against newer red blood cells). In any case, this
will give your PCP a better view of how your body has been processing sugar
and how you've be utilizing your natural insulin over the last 3 months.
My PCP does mine every 4 months or so. The Glucophage I am on is not
insulin, it's a medication that makes your body utilize the insulin it
produces, and a nice side effect is that it can cause some weight
loss...Talk to your PCP about that blood test (sorry I couldn't remember
the name, maybe someone out ther knows the official name). Good luck.
— Alicia B.
July 30, 2000
I cannot address the diabetes issue, so I'll hit the one question that
struck me. Sugar cravings will often mask a protein shortage. Once the
body falls low in any elements, it will send you for "calories".
"GET ME CALORIES!!!" ad sugar is the fastest one. There is no
malabsorption with sugar-instant calories, instant fat. It doesn't stop the
cravings, however, since it really wants NOURISHMENT. When you get your
blood work, look at your total protein & albumin levels and compare
then to your pre-op numbers. If you are lower than pre-op (and all the
blood sugar things pan out), you may need to up your protein supplement
(mixed with water or s/f juice). And of course, if you are still using
milk, that will keep your sugar cravings high since the milk content is so
high in sugar. Be sure to get copies of your labs and op report to keep in
a file at home. Don't play with them, of course, and try to guess what's
going on, but you certainly can be an early warning signal to your doc if
you see any elements dropping or getting too high over time. The elements
don't change over night, so it's always the "pattern" that you're
watching for and your doc is too busy to lay out all your labs side by side
and compare, element by element. It also gives me more of a feeling of
control over my health to SEE NUMBERS.
— vitalady
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