Comments on: Wait, Did You Just Say “Diabetic”?

By: Tori

Tori — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:22:59 +0000

You’re making want to go and get a physical. I’ve got the diabetes and the high blood pressure and the heart disease in my family. I’ve just thought that if I kept my (similarly) healthy lifestyle up that it wouldn’t be a problem. I’m glad you found out, brave one and keep us posted on what’s the haps.

Not to add one more sour note to it, but is this what aging means? Bah!

By: kat

kat — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:52:58 +0000

holy crap. wow. you are one fit lady – so this is bizarre to me.

you are so on top of managing things though, i’m sure you’d kick this in the butt.

By: Mark C

Mark C — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:30:36 +0000

I’m hoping the follow-up tests come out fine. Glad you’re getting everything checked out, since diabetes is one of those sneaky conditions that can do a lot of damage if not managed. I can kind of sympathize. My cholesterol numbers are not ideal, and I have low HDL (the good kind). One of the best ways to raise HDL is aerobic exercise. WTF! I either ride or run practically every day – like 12-15 hours/week total. Oh well, I do what I can and try not to sweat what I can’t control.

By: sarahh

sarahh — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:17:25 +0000

hi Heidi,

Of all the diseases, type 1 diabetes is manageable (not easy, but at least manageable). And it sounds like your life is already right on track to deal with this one.

I’m an avid cyclist and have been using an insulin pump for just over a year.

If you need a real-life, day-to-day blog about managing diabetes, check out this one: http://www.sixuntilme.com

The initial adjustment to the idea of having a disease is really tough. You are resiliant.

Best wishes.
Sarah h

By: Guy Smith

Guy Smith — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:07:50 +0000

Your going along in life minding your own business, trying to be a healthy bike racer or runner, then POW family health history jumps out and nails you right in the ass, its just something we never thought of! Hang Tuff

By: snarkypants

snarkypants — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:04:22 +0000

Hi guys! Yep – the test was after fasting and nope, I know that it’s not a diagnosis. Just a WTF moment that I thought I would share.

They are running the hemoglobin A1C test as a follow up. I am going to monitor my glucose level myself for a couple weeks and will compare post-fasting tests.

Ian – I’d never let numbers define me! :) I’m not even really worried about this. The reaction has more to do with shock. If later down the line I do end up getting a real diagnoses of type 2 diabetes or whatever, that’s fine. I don’t feel intimidated or worried by it at all. Life happens, you just keep dealing. Thanks for the note about complex carbs… I misread it the first time!!

By: Little

Little — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:04:01 +0000

I knew there was something wrong with you. This explains a lot, actually.

By: ian

ian — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 07:12:26 +0000

hey heidi, check that info. on reducing complex carbs. in my nursing classes we educate patients on reducing simple sugar and saturated fat intake and increasing protein and complex carbs. there’s evidence that a high fiber diet can also help control hyperglycemia. i can pull that if you want to read it.

keep in mind that pre-diabetes is not a medical diagnosis. you may consider doing another 12hr fast and comparing the numbers. if you were my patient and asked what i thought i’d say continue to maintain the strong self-image you already have of yourself and not some numbers define you.

best,
ian

By: JV

JV — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 06:03:38 +0000

Heidi,
First, can we assume that 116 is fasting (>8 hrs, no caloric intake)? If not, the test is not of particular concern. The diagnostic definition of diabetes for fasting glucose is TWO measurements of >125 *or* a glucose tolerance test of >200. I think that the GTT is a better (more sensitive) test (it measures the pancreas’ ability to respond to a glucose load), but either is acceptable. The hgb A1C is used to follow/manage diabetics; not technically to diagnose, but it *is* a reasonable thing to check. And, keep in mind that your doc is right: even if you don’t meet diagnostic criteria, those criteria are *somewhat* arbitrary. They are a line drawn in the sand of a continuum. You can say that you’re not diabetic if your GTT is 195, but your risk is arguably the same as someone with a GTT of 201. So, having a mildly abnormal value still deserves attention. I hope that makes sense.
In any case, the ‘D’ word can be shocking, but I would argue that it is far from the end of days. People who are athletic, focused, and detail oriented do very, very, very well with Big D.
Cheers,
JV

By: NoPoGirl

NoPoGirl — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 05:35:18 +0000

It is definitely the end times if this is true!

I kind of know how you feel. Last year, I was diagnosed as having a HYPO-thyroid. I was like, uh, WHAT? People who have hypo-thyroid usually have trouble losing weight. I kind of have the opposite problem. It was a weird moment, for sure.

Hang in there. Funny thing is, no matter how much we try to control them, our bodies often have minds of their own!