This post isn't exactly "off topic", but I don't know where else to put it, so here it is...

Some of you probably remember that I had some blood work come back abnormal a few weeks ago and I was sent back in for a re-test and scheduled for a follow up appointment. That appointment was this morning. My Dr came into the room and basically said that this morning she was going to tell me that I was a diabetic and had scary high bad cholesterol, but my re-test came back with things in the normal ranges again. She told me she was putting me on a drug I would have to take for the rest of my life for my cholesterol. I basically begged her to let me try to control it with diet and exercise and she reluctantly agreed to let me try. If I were to go on the drug, there could be serious problems with future pregnancies and she knows we want to have more children. I have to go back in a couple weeks for a follow up.

She had me stop and buy a blood sugar tester thingy (I forget what it is called) to start keeping an eye on my blood sugar. (Man…those test strips are expensive!!!) I have no clue how often I need to do it or how to do it so I am going to have to read the big ole instruction booklet that came with it. She is having me scheduled to go to some kind of diabetic classes to learn about exchanges and stuff like that. I guess all this stuff is just so I can try to figure out how to avoid becoming a diabetic.

Her mind was totally blown by the fact that my numbers were so very bad at the first test and then all came back normal the next test. I hope it was just some weird fluke thing and they are never bad again….but that is wishful thinking by the way she was talking.

The biggest concern about my cholesterol levels is that it is primarily a genetic thing. She said I can ‘try’ for a while to see if diet & exercise can keep me in the normal range, but there isn’t anything I can do about the genetics. I hope I can control it. My mom just found out she has high cholesteral, and occassional high blood sugar, so I know where I get it from.

Here is the weirdest part about this all…over this past year, I have taken diet & exercise far more seriously than I ever have before. I have lost 40 lbs throughout the year. Why in the world are these numbers coming back now when I should be healthier??? I am pretty baffled.

Aww Bep,
So sorry to hear that! My mom is a diabetic and
uses the one touch ultra blood testing. I know you test when you
get up before you eat and 20 mins after you eat to get an ideal if your
low or high. My mom does it quite often tho to judge how much insullin
to take.She is up to 3 shots a day no one in our family has had it and
shes always been skinny she's 5"2 weighs 115 so she just happened
to get it like 20 years ago!
Any1 in your family have it? Alson since your dieting did doctor mention
that it could go away with the right kind of diet and weightloss?
My sis N law had gastric bypass over a year ago and since losing all the weight she also lost all the medical problems she had associated being
overweight? Well good luck Bep things will work out for ya.
I don't know much about high colerstol? Tammy

that test could just be a fluke...

one of the last blood tests I had -- the doctor got the results and called me at like 10:00pm - and said that the results showed one of three things -- one was worse than the next... (cancer was mentioned in a whisper -and with my family history, it was a definite possibility)

I was retested two weeks later.. and the results were all clear... no sign of whatever it was that was on the first test.

I have another test scheduled in a couple of weeks tomake sure it stays clear.

Bep most of the blood sugar monitors are pretty easy to use. Some have the test strips on a roll inside and some you just insert a single test strip. They will normally come with a little clicker to prick your finger. turn the machine on and it will tell you basically to insert some blood. Prick your finger and let the strip soak up the drop of blood and it will give you a reading. throw the strip away and put up the machine. some do a test before each meal, some once a day. It just really depends on how close you watch it and how ofter you can afford to buy the test strips.

up to about 100 is considered normal(though too low is a whole other problem)
100-125 is considered a pre-diabetes stage
over 125 is considered full on diabetes and then it's normally insulin treatment.

take care of your self.

If I were really diabetic and had cholesteral problems, then wouldn't my re-test have still showed bad numbers?

OK...another question? Is it possible that a severe allergic reaction to an antibiotic could temporarily raise these numbers? The first blood test was done about 4 - 5 days after taking Bactrim. It was just an 'annual' blood workup. Just a few days after that, I was in the hospital due to the allergic reaction. When I had that bloodwork done, I didn't know yet that I was having an allergic reaction...I just thought I was really coming down with something bad that day.

i woulnd't worry until there's a third test that says there is a problem.. anything, as was proven in my case, can cause a test to go off kilter...

OK....I just got my monitor all set up and figured out and did the first test. It was 74. Now, hillbilly said that up to 100 is normal but you don't want it too low. Is 74 too low?

Your Guide to Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2

What You Need to Know About Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia happens if your blood glucose drops too low. It can come on fast. It's caused by taking too much diabetes medicine, missing a meal, delaying a meal, exercising more than usual, or drinking alcoholic beverages. Sometimes, medicines you take for other health problems can cause blood glucose to drop.

Hypoglycemia can make you feel weak, confused, irritable, hungry, or tired. You may sweat a lot or get a headache. You may feel shaky. If your blood glucose drops lower, you could pass out or have a seizure.

If you have any of these symptoms, check your blood glucose. If the level is 70 or below, have one of the following right away:

2 or 3 glucose tablets
1/2 cup (4 ounces) of any fruit juice
a piece of fruit or a small box of raisins
1 cup (8 ounces) of milk
1/2 cup (4 ounces) of a regular (not diet) soft drink
5 or 6 pieces of hard candy
1 or 2 teaspoons of sugar or honey

yea thats pretty low. you will be having to adjust it with food. The best thing is keep some orange juice on hand. small candies like butterscotch or something you like. you just try to use food and lack of sweets to get somewhat of a balance.

Is it weird to have lower blood sugar when your problem is supposed to be that you have higher blood sugar?

yea it is, mine stays on the low side. People with diabetes still have major sugar crashes so you just have to be careful.

Ok…more info…
I just got a call from the office to answer some questions of mine. They said the FIRST blood work done, my blood sugar was 154 and my cholesterol was 108. When I went back for the re-test, my blood sugar was normal and my cholesterol numbers were: total cholesterol 213 (should be under 200), Triglycerides 178 (normal should be <150), LDL 132 (normal should be <100), HDL 45 (anything above 40 is good). So basically, the first time my blood sugar was messed up and my cholesterol was normal. The second time, my blood sugar was normal and my cholesterol was messed up. Weirdness.

Does anyone know how long it takes to have an affect on your cholesterol? Can it change in a matter of days or does it take weeks or months to get the numbers to start ticking down?

sounds like it's separate problems......

My father is on cholesterol medication and it took it about three weeks to start coming down. He doesn't eat like he is supposed to so if you eat healthier like you have been I'm thinking it will take much less time than that.