My husband was just diagnosed with diabetes. His blood sugar level was over 500. what does this mean?

Question

I realize this is serious but I don't know what the good and bad levels are. Everything I have found doesn't mention anything about levels being in the 500's. Thanks Jan

Answer 1

This is pretty scary stuff. But relax a bit, for you probably don't have to solve, or even understand, everything immediately. Nevertheless, you must get your husband in care of a knowledgeable medical type. This is a dangerous problem and has to be handled carefully. Your husband is likely a Type 2 diabetic, and so the doctor is likely to try several things in an attempt to get your husband's condition under control.

But to answer your direct question... In non-diabetics, whenever glucose appears in the blood (lots of carbohydrates contribute (but NOT all), starch contributes, ...) the beta cells in the pancreas notice, secrete insulin into the blood, and when the insulin is present, about 2/3 of the cells in the body begin to absorb the insulin into themselves. There are other effects, lots of them, but we can leave those aside. When the glucose level goes down, the beta cells notice and stop secreting insulin. In Type 2s, insulin resistance in body cells makes insulin less effective and the glucose level doesn't go down like it should. That's a problem for several reasons. First too much glucose makes blood thick and syrupy, and over a certain level (usually about 200 mg/dl) is dumped into the urine. That requires water to carry it out, and that tends to make blood thicker still, .... Second, glucose is a pretty reactive chemical and if more of it is hanging around than should have been, it will react with various things (often proteins) around the body. Most of those reactions cause trouble, for proteins with glucose attached won't do whatever it was that they did quite the way they used to, and are relied upon to do. It's this mechanism which is a major contributor to the long-time complications of diabetes, such as kidney damage, circulatory damage, eye damage, nerve damage, ...

So it's a good idea to keep glucose levels as 'normal' as possible for as much time as possible. And several very large studies have demonstrated very clearly (not all studies produce such clear messages) that the more nearly normal glucose levels are, the more nearly normal the incidence of diabetes complications. Well worth doing, both theoretically and experimentally.

The normal blood glucose level in non-diabetics varies somewhat from individual to individual and in any case with exercise, what and how much and how recently you've eaten, stress, infection, ...
But it's usually quoted as between about 80 and 110 or so milligrams / deciliter. This level isn't really much sugar. It's about 5 grams in an adult male, which is about 1/5 of an ounce, and is is a fraction of a sugar packet.

After a meal, the blood glucose level goes up for an hour or two, depending on what and how much you ate. Perhaps to 140 mg/dl or so. And then back to the regular level.

In Type 2 diabetics, there is usually internal insulin production, but most cells are paying less attention to it than they used to, and so high glucose levels take longer to go down as a result. In some Type 2s, insulin production is decreased or lost, and so they require different treatment.

So, what your husband should be trying for is lower glucose levels than he has had, and ideally, around or a bit under 100 mg/dl. that's likely to take a while to figure out, since unless you try, you can't know what medications or treatment your particular diabetes will respond to.

Things you can try on your own, without a prescription, include increased physical activity. (reduces glucose levels since body cells can absorb glucose after exercise, even when they've become insulin resistant; the effect lasts for several hours), and lose weight. Fat tissue in and around abdominal organs (not thighs or hips or just beneath the skin) seems to have some connection with developing and keeping insulin resistance (new research result in the last few years). Your doctor will probably refer him to a dietitian, but the good news is that he can eat anything (doesn't have to eat expensive diabetic anything), but now has to track what and how much consciously since his body isn't doing it for him automatically anymore.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

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Answer 5

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Answer 6

Sadly that his blood glucose is 500.
Normal blood glucose is from 70-110 (or 80-120 , not sure).
150 is considered diabetic.
I guess 500 is way too high and complications of diabetes are very likely to happen to him.

Answer 7

It means there is too much sugar in his blood (which his pancreas is not taking care of... insulin is not being produced adequately). 500 is VERY high, and he needs to get that under control as soon as possible. A lot of complications could result; blindness, loss of feet, even legs, poor wound healing. Good levels generally are from 80-150 or so...

Answer 8

Well, he probably needs medication and fluid.
make sure he is seen by a multidisciplinary team, Doctor (endocrinologist), dietitian and nurse to review his medication and meals. They have classes availble that insurance pays for.
His pre meal levels should be 90-130, and 2 hour after eating blood sugar levels should be 140-180.
Exercise will be important as well, be sure he gets an eye exam.
They will tell him how much carbohydrate to eat (fruit, milk and starch) and how many calories.
good luck

Answer 9

It means that probably his insulin cells(beta) of the pancreas are pretty much gone. If he is way overweight, losing the weight may help. Probably will have to take insulin shots the rest of his life. In Africa, when the natives get diabetes, they just go out into the jungle and die(no insulin). It is possible to keep the A1C levels near 6. Appears do reduce damage to eyes, kidneys, and small blood vessels.

Answer 10

Sorry this is so long, but you need to know all of it. Please wade through it. You'll be glad you did.

DAMAGE FROM DIABETES
Damage to the retina from diabetes (diabetic retinopathy) is a leading cause of blindness.
Damage to the kidneys from diabetes (diabetic nephropathy) is a leading cause of kidney failure.
Damage to the nerves from diabetes (diabetic neuropathy) is a leading cause of foot wounds and ulcers, which frequently lead to foot and leg amputations.
Damage to the nerves in the autonomic nervous system can lead to paralysis of the stomach (gastroparesis), chronic diarrhea, and an inability to control heart rate and blood pressure with posture changes.
Diabetes accelerates atherosclerosis, or the formation of fatty plaques inside the arteries, which can lead to blockages or a clot (thrombus), which can then lead to heart attack, stroke, and decreased circulation in the arms and legs (peripheral vascular disease).
Diabetes predisposes people to high blood pressure and high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. These independently and together with hyperglycemia increase the risk of heart disease, kidney disease, and other blood vessel complications.
Diabetes predisposes people to high blood pressure and high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. These independently and together with hyperglycemia increase the risk of heart disease, kidney disease, and other blood vessel complications.
Many infections are associated with diabetes, and infections are frequently more dangerous in someone with diabetes because the body's normal ability to fight infections is impaired. To compound the problem, infections may worsen glucose control, which further delays recovery from infection.
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I realize that conventional health care is necessary and appropriate. That having been said, there are also many things WE can do to overcome type II diabetes, and improve life as a Type I diabetic. I've been researching alternative medicine, and the amount of help that's available to diabetics is amazing.

Natural remedies are quite effective, and include:

Cinnamon
Bitter Melon
Gymnema Sylvestre
Nopal cactus
American Ginseng
Fenugreek
Chromium picolinate

Cinnamon regulates glucose, and has a polyphenol compound called MHCP that mimics insulin and activates cell receptor sites. A quarter teaspoon twice daily makes a difference. Fenugreek increases blood flow and inhibits the growth of infectious organisms. Everything on the list has a use in fighting diabetes. Learn how to use these herbs and don't fall victim to diabetes needlessly.You can find out about about them on line, or in a book I read cover to cover--

"One Son's Quest for the Cause and Cure of Diabetes", ISBN 7890766313

The author, a doctor, lost his mother to diabetes and spent the next 20 years finding a way to overcome it. My brother was dying of diabetes, and I was just starting to need insulin when we came across this definitive work which came out in February 2005. We both lead mostly normal lives now. It's a life saver, and the best money you'll ever spend on the subject if you decide to go that way.
You might want to check Abe Books, Alibri's, or Amazon.com for a good used copy cheap. I bought mine new, and I think it was about $35. I don't get any money from anybody for telling you this--just want to help, and the techniques in this book is what made the difference for me and mine. Best of luck.

Just recently found this 8-minute non-profit video http://www.rawfor30days.com/view.html , about diabetes diet. Click on the link, then click 'View Windows Media' to watch it. Best of luck.