i have been feeling very tired just lately so i checked my blood sugar level this morning before i had anything to eat and it was 8.0. i have a book that came with the machine and it says that normal range should be between 3.9 and 5.8 before breakfast for non-diabetics. i checked it again 10 mins ago and its back down to 6.4 which is within normal range. l have also been getting a lot of headaches. i dont want to bother a doctor and take up their time if theres nothing to worry about but i must admit i am confused as to why my blood sugar levels are up and down like a yo-yo. any advice would be greatly appreciated.
2006-11-17 02:41:47 · 34 answers · asked by ? 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Diabetes
You need to see a doctor and get a glucose tolerance test. That is a high fasting blood sugar and needs investigating...;
2006-11-19 11:14:39 · answer #1 · answered by huggz 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Go with Leniere. He gave you ALL the most common symptoms plus he gave you a site to visit.
Type 2 diabetes is becoming more & more common. Many times (but not all the time), it can be controlled through diet & exercise. The biggest problem with Type 2 diabetics, is the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin (or enough insulin) to control blood sugar levels.
To control blood sugar levels, is to control the amount of carbohydrate consumption throughout the day, at regular intervals. Carbs are found in foods like milk & dairy products (butter, cheese, etc), fruits & veggies and grain products (breads, pastas, cake, etc).
You say you took your blood sugar & it was high. It will be high but not when you are fasting (before a meal). How do you have access to a glucometer? Family member? Friend? Dr? You probably know something about diabetes, or you would not be asking.
Unchecked diabetes can cause a host of diseases such as blindness, kidney failure & heart disease, to name just a few. You should go to the Dr & be tested. Don't consider it bothering the Dr. That is what they are paid for. Make an appt. Today, if possible. You'll be glad you did.
2006-11-17 03:22:22 · answer #2 · answered by Nancy L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't take my word for it, but I think that the cut off for type 2 diabetes is if your blood sugar (before you eat anything) is above 10. It is normal for your blood sugar to be high when you get up in the morning (because other hormones are working away while you sleep and these affect blood sugar - it's called the dawn effect), but I'm not sure if it should be as high as 8 for someone without diabetes. Try checking before lunch to get a better picture. I don't think that a blood sugar of 8 should be causing tiardness, although tiardness is a symptom of type 2 diabetes. Have a think for other causes - sorry to state the obious but are you getting enough sleep? Drinking too much coffee? Stress? etc. (these can cause headaches too!). It's best to get these things checked out by your dr anyway because there could be another cause of your headaches and tiardness - don't worry at all about speaking to a dr - that's what they're there for. Your dr can check your blood sugars and other things, and their tests will give a more accurate result. If there is anything wrong eg. diabetes, the sooner you start treatment the sooner you'll feel better, so don't put it off.
Hope you're feeling better soon xx
2006-11-20 23:08:13 · answer #3 · answered by Cathy :) 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be best to get checked out by a doctor; don't worry about bothering them, it's their job!
Fatigue can indeed be a symptom of diabetes, but it can also be a symptom of many other illnesses and conditions.
I'm not familiar with metric meters so I can't really tell you exactly what your blood sugar readings mean.
The normal way to test for diabetes is to get a fasting blood sugar drawn at the doctor's office (no food or drink other than water for 12 hours prior).
Home blood sugar meters have been known to be inaccurate, and can be several points off. They are good for managing diabetes, but not so good for the initial diagnosis.
If I were you, I'd go to a doctor and get checked out. It sounds like you've got more than enough reason to do so (with the fatigue and the high blood sugar readings).
Hope everything works out for you!
2006-11-17 02:51:26 · answer #4 · answered by rita_alabama 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tiredness can be one symptom, it can also be a symptom of several other things. Blood sugars can vary due to illness or stress or hormone changes as well. Keep an eye on it. Other symptoms for diabetes include increased hunger, increased thirst, increased need to urinate, sugary smelling breath, and increased sweat. If you are having these other symptoms go to the dr. if you have been tired and having a fluctuation in blood sugars, go see the dr. Be sure if you are talking a fluctuation you are taking it around the same time of day. You BS will fluctate depending on the time of day, and when you have last eaten.
2006-11-17 02:53:12 · answer #5 · answered by tera_duke 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not diabetic so no expert but basically, your sugar levels rise after you eat. When they get to a certain level, your pancreas releases insulin into your blood which makes you turn the excess sugar into fat (saving it for later).
Diabetics have a problem with this system, so their bodies can't regulate the level of sugar properly and they need to do it consciously with insulin / diet / constant checking.
If you really suspect you may be diabetic see your doctor to be tested. Your symptoms are vague so it may be un-connected.
You should check anyway as sugar levels becoming too low or high can result in coma / seizure and death.
2006-11-17 02:52:31 · answer #6 · answered by le_coupe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You said 3.9 and 5.8 was normal but your last report was 6.4, so that's still high isn't it? Yes, being tired is a symptom, so is excessive thirst and headaches. Go to the doc and bother him sweetie, that's what he is there for. Diabetes left untreated is far more serious than treating it, plus if that's not what it is, the doc can run other tests, b/c being tired all of the time is a sign of many things. Just have a little blood work done and see what it could be! Good Luck!!!!!
2006-11-17 02:51:40 · answer #7 · answered by surelycoolgirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tiredness can be a symptom of diabetes; it can also be a symptom of many other things, and of course it can just mean that you are tired!
Your blood sugar level was high before breakfast and you've been feeling tired lately... I think that's good enough reason to see your GP. You don't have to rush to the emergenc clinic or anything, just make a normal appointment.
2006-11-17 02:52:36 · answer #8 · answered by Adrian 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, tiredness is a symptom.
You should see a doctor if you have reasons to suspect that something is wrong. Even if you made a mistake in judgement, it is better than not seeking help and not knowing.
Here is an important resource on diabetes that you may wish to refer to http://www.diabetes-treatment-research.com
2006-11-17 03:00:01 · answer #9 · answered by mindalchemy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These are the symptoms for Diabetes:
Frequent urination
Excessive thirst
Unexplained weight loss
Extreme hunger
Sudden vision changes
Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
Feeling very tired much of the time
Very dry skin
Sores that are slow to heal
More infections than usual.
2006-11-17 02:50:32 · answer #10 · answered by leniere 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is a sign of diabetes but it is also a symtom of heart disease and countless other diseases. Make an appointment with your Dr for a check up.
2006-11-17 02:53:12 · answer #11 · answered by saved_by_grace 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋