gwb
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7273
posted
Today I got the bad news from my primary doctor that I have diabetes Type 2.
Pretty surprising since I have had no symptoms of it and no one in my family has been known to have it.
I have some questions that maybe some of you could give me some answers to.
Does Lyme disease play any role in this? Can lyme elevate the glucose readings?
I had the three hour fasting test. Here's how it came out:
The first blood test was 102 mg/dl
After the first hour the reading was 208 mg/dl
The second hour was 173 mg/dl
The third hour was 113 mg/dl
What should I make of this especially considering that I have not had any symptoms of diabetes (that I know of) and that no one in my family has had diabetes? Does lyme affect this test and should I get a second opinion or what?
Look forward to hearing from those of you who have some experience with this.
me too; dx 5.5 yrs. ago w/diabetes 2; 6 mo. prior to my correct dx of chronic lyme 35 yrs.
there is speculation on this; many other posts about this subject.
on your readings, had you been eating prior when the high numbers came up?
do you have health insurance? bcbs has a diabetes class they offer .... well worth it to be educated, and to go to their dieticians to get you off to a good start.
losing 10 lbs. only is a great start and will help keep your nos. lower.
you need to keep your a1c down to 7.0 and HOPEFULLY BELOW 6.5 is suggested by our drs.
7.0 and above ... you increase your risk FOR STROKES & HEART ATTACKS!! *****************************************
a1c is a month average of your blood sugars; you need to do this 2-4 times a year. since you're starting, i recommend QUARTERLY so if your a1c is increasing, you can take action to get it down.
go to www.diabetes.org web site; lots of good info there. they offer a free online newsletter, etc. join!
when i was diagnosed, it was exercise/watch your foods for 2 yrs. ... NO PILLS; NO INSULIN.
so i've been on pills 3.5 yrs; eventually as the illness progresses, we will all end up on insulin.
once a diabetic, you are for LIFE! do your best to control things now!! make life changes.
i'm 3rd generation for diabetes 2. 1 of my depression/mood pills caused me to gain 25 lbs. in 1 yr; still fighting that extra weight.
sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
My family has a lot of diabetics in it, type 1 and type 2; and I thought these numbers would be considered borderline diabetic. I have always been told that glucose numbers over 250 are considered diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes in many cases can be controlled by diet and weight. Loosing weight can bring your glucose back to normal. Of course if LD has anything to do with it then that is another story.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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gwb
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7273
posted
Thanks for your responses bettyg and sutherngrl.
No, Betty, I do not have insurance. Doctor said nothing about the a1c to me but I did read about it on the diabetes link you provided for me--thanks.
My primary care doctor is someone I found when we moved here and I am not too pleased with him. He never gives me much information and is always in a hurry to get out of the room.
He prescribed metformin for me to take but offered me no information beyond giving me a prescription.
sutherngrl, I shared with my pharmacist tonight what was going on with me and she said my numbers indicate that I am prediabetic.
Doctor said I have a full blown case of diabetes but the pharmacist disagreed. Strange. She has prediabetes too.
Not sure I want to start this medicine until I get some more information about this. I guess I should go on a diabetes forum to learn more about this.
Back to my original question. Does anyone know if lyme can elevate glucose levels? Does lyme play any role in diabetes to anyone's knowledge?
Thanks for your input.
Posts: 1349 | From OK | Registered: May 2005
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Sorry, I can't pay attention enough to read your post. I thought I might but I'm fading . . . still, I hope some of the links help.
AND this can be turned around, totally. Gymnema Sylvestre formula - last link below is of great help to me.
===================
This book is specific to lyme and other chronic stealth infections. (Bottom line, address infection and support the adrenals, too.) The author discusses the endocrine connection and effects of STRESS on a person with such infections.
You can read customer reviews and look inside the book at this link to its page at Amazon.
THE POTBELLY SYNDROME: HOW COMMON GERMS CAUSE OBESITY, DIABETES, and HEART DISEASE - 2005
by Russell Farris and Per Marin, MD, PhD
==============
Here are few things that can help: Gymnema Sylvestre tops the list. It is absolutely wonderful - and it helps stop cravings for sweets. Usually best in a formula.
WHAT IT DOES: Gymnema is bitter in taste, and cooling in action. It improves blood sugar control in diabetics, numbs the taste of sweet completely (for about 20 minutes), and decreases appetite (for about 90 minutes).
RATING: yellow
SAFETY ISSUES: None reported. Should not be used by people with low blood sugars (hypoglycemia).
STARTING DOSAGE:
* 1:1 extract: five to 10 ml per day * Pill: 500-1000 mg three times per day
Gymnema actually means "sugar destroyer." It grows in the wild forests of central India, all the way to Western Ghats and up to the Himalayas.
Research indicates that gymnema stimulates insulin secretion or release of insulin from the pancreas. Japanese studies have shown that it improves glucose tolerance in animal models of diabetes, and other studies show that the effects can last for up to two months after discontinuation.
This herb is a good long-term tonic for Type I and II diabetics. Results are best seen after long-term administration, over six months to a year. I prefer to use it in combination with several other herbs for blood sugar control, because it affects only a few aspects of the imbalance.
In case you're curious, sugar tastes like sand for twenty minutes after you chew on a little gymnema.
posted
Dear gwb, If you are pre-diabetic, you will be able to reverse it. Insulin Resistance is something you can repair if you make dietary changes as well as exercise. I have the opposite trouble, where my glucose drops. I have to eat an unbelievable amount of carbohydrate to raise my blood sugar up to normal.
However, this does not give me a get out of Diabetes free card. My father was just diagnosed last year, and his glucose used to run extremely low. Hypoglycemia and Diabetes are actually two sides of the same coin. You tend to eat candy and other unhealthy items to raise your blood sugar to normal levels, but eventually, your body cannot compensate and ends up being unable to produce enough insulin to counteract the dramatic rise in blood sugar. I want to do something now, since I do not want to end up like my father.
I have not been able to find any studies directly linking Type 2 Diabetes to Lyme, but I do have a theory. Since many people who have Lyme also have Candida, which causes low blood sugar, that may explain the situation. As far as I know, my father had no Diabetes in his family, and he does not have Lyme. He wishes he had taken better care with his diet now, and regrets ignoring my nutritional recommendations. I have no clue where I get my health-conscious attitude from, but it is certainly not from my parents.
A diet that really seems to make the most sense is The Zone. You eat 30 percent of each meal or snack from healthy fats and lean protein, and the remainder is 40 percent carbohydrates like fruits and vegetables. You also get one day a week off where you eat what you want all day. This means nothing is off limits, so you can have that chocolate chip cookie or that beef and bean burrito. It is basically the more scientific version of "All things in moderation." The Zone balances blood sugar levels, as well as resetting the genetic code of your body, preventing disease and illness.
luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
gwb,
Sorry about your diagnosis. I was just tested and cleared. I was very worried about it though and understand your concern.
I would definitely pay very serious attention to this warning and begin to live the anti-diabetic lifestyle. Even diabetes 2 can maim and kill, so don't blow it off.
I just read the potbelly syndrome book and it is really good. Also, Dr Mercola has just recently included two diabetes articles in his newsletter.
One says to cut out all grains from your diet and exercise 1 to 2 hrs daily (LOL). Corn is a grain by the way.
The other article is about Apple Cider Vinegar. It is really good, outlining what claims have been actually proven in studies regarding ACV. Amazingly, if you drink and 8 oz glass of water with 1 to 2 tsps of ACV before each meal. You can dramatically drop your blood sugar count. They aren't sure how it works but it does work.
The studies have found the organic ACV to be superior to the processed version. Organic ACV still has the apple fibrin in it.
Losing weight does wonders for diabetes. The Potbelly Syndrome author absolutely relates pathogens to diabetes and I believe he specifically spoke of lyme.
Luvs
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
Blood sugar levels increase when you have an infection, cold, stress etc...
Good info above.
There is a good possibility it can be controlled with diet alone.
Watch your diet and lose weight gradually to get to your ideal body weight.
Exercise if you can, get another opinion, FBS and A1C to further evaluate. Good luck.
-------------------- Sherlock Posts: 31 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2009
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gwb
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7273
posted
Wow, so much information from you all. Thanks so much for your input and suggestions.
Keebler, thanks for all of the links you provided for me. I am checking them out including The Potbelly Syndrome. Quite interesting!
Jin, thanks for your input and information on the Zone diet. I will check this out!
luvs2ride, excellent suggestion about ACV. I used to drink this years ago and stopped doing this. I'm going to go back on this pronto. Thanks!
Sherlock, thank you for your input. I do plan to get another opinion. In fact, I plan to look for another primary care doctor as the one I have now is not helpful. Diet, exercise and lose weight--gotta do it! Thanks!
Posts: 1349 | From OK | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Dear gwb, You are so welcome for the information! The Zone really does seem to be the smartest plan out there. It actually has science to back it up. Most eating plans are so extreme, like Atkins. No one can stick to it, and health risks are involved. I have the Zone Diet books, so if you have questions, feel free to ask!
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