Sugar levels?

Question

I had my blood tested last Friday and it was the blood test that is 3 months levels, I don't understand how that works but the nurse called and said my level was 9.6. How bad is that? They want me to start insulin, I'm afraid to, my mom started insulin and shortly after that she passed away. My chlorestrol is 223 they are gonna put me on lipitor, Can anyone tell me your thoughts? I'm just scared to start insulin.......

Answer 1

If this is your first battery of tests I would get a complete physical before starting insulin but if they have been checking your blood sugars because they have consistently been high you may need to start insulin. I would get another opinion for your own peace of mind though. You may just have to take oral meds instead of insulin. I don't know when your Mom passed away but checking your blood sugar is so much more accurate these days with glucometers that it should be easier to keep your blood sugar regulated. The test you took tells them an average of what your blood sugar was during the last three months.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

The 3 month diabetes test is the hba1c - it measures an average of your blood sugar readings over approximately the last 3 months, going by the amount of glucose attached to your hemoglobin.

9.6 is very high (a non-diabetic will generally not get an hba1c over 5.5) and insulin will help you feel much better! I can understand you being worried about it, but I'm sure you'll be happy with once you're used to it.

It's highly unlikely that insulin had anything to do with your mother's death - unless she had a very very bad hypo. These days we have blood sugar meters on us all the time, and more reliable insulins, so hypoglycemia is much less of a problem. In fact, although it feels pretty horrible for a while, it's nice to have an excuse to eat junk foods!

As soon as you start insulin, be prepared. Never go anywhere without your blood sugar meter and some lollies or glucose tablets. You can do anything you want if you're always prepared to knock a hypo back before it gets bad.

My best advice to you is to get to know your disease, and get to know other diabetics. Only a diabetic truly understands! There are thousands of us online, plenty of forums and even chat rooms. Lots of people understand you and would be happy to help.

Don't worry too much about your cholesterol either - high blood sugars and high cholesterol seem to go hand in hand! Most people find their cholesterol goes down quite fast once they get their blood sugars under control.

Answer 4

9.6 is the top of the line, you probably have a sugar level of over 200 that's why insulin is very important to start it right away, also i you have bad cholesterol it helps sugar levels go up. Insulin can be very frustrating at first, but like any treatment if you do it right taking your shots like indicated by your Doctor, exercise, eating right, etc. soon after you'll take less lipitor, and take less shots, and the go into taking pills or sugar, and after leaving everything completely, It take time, but it is possible, it all depends on you!!! GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 5

If they're checking an AC1 level, which is a specific test for diabetics, it shouldn't be higher than 6. A normal blood sugar should be anywhere from 80 to 120. While your fear about taking insulin is understandable, I'm sure that wasn't the reason for your mother's death. You need to sit down with your doctor and / or a diabetes specialist to discuss the specifics. Ask as many questions as you feel the need to-- remember, this is YOUR health.

Answer 6

Well, I can't say too much about your treatment because I don't know your case, much less know it as well as your doctors who have had the chance to take a history and examine you, but I can say that starting insulin isn't the end of the world.
It is certainly better not to need it, don't get me wrong, but if you do need it, then taking it is much better than not, and managed carefully, will make your much more likely to live a longer and healthier life.
Insulin can be a dangerous drug, but only if it's used incorrectly. Talk to your doctors, express your concerns, and listen carefully when they tell you how to use it, how much to take, and when to take it. All drugs have the potential to harm if taken improperly, but for a diabetic, taking insulin can literally be lifesaving.

Answer 7

Hi friend
Don't be afraid of diabetes and insulin. I know some childrens of age 2-3 take insulin everyday. so don't panic.
For further details visit

http://www.healthsinfo.com

Answer 8

Don't be afraid of insulin, you will feel so much better. They will show you how to give yourself shots. The thing is watch what you eat, take your medication and diet seriously it is a matter of quality of life or no life at all. Alot of people with diabeties do not take it seriously until it is too late. Work at it like your life depended on it. It does. Take it from a person who knows. Me.

Answer 9

all of those other answers sum it up for you. but i want to stress that your mom starting insulin is not the reason that she died. I can 99% promise you that. she had something else going on.

You need to get educated about diabetes! you can overcome it with all that stuff the others suggested. you need to watch your blood sugar/ blood pressure....all that stuff- you need to know everything about yourself- take it seriously. it's your life- and you need to know! if you do take it seriously, you can possibly recover from it. diet and excersize are the biggest and hardest. you need to inform your doctor about changes you make in everything. learn about foods and everything. it's like taking a school or something. doctors give lectures about this stuff, the communities are becoming more aware about it, so you will have plenty of resouces! just don't get bogged down- there are plenty of worse things out there! (look up dialysis!) that's what happens if you don't take care of your self! good luck and God Bless!

Answer 10

It sounds like you are talking about the hemaglobin A1C test. DIabetics should have a number between 6 and 7 (My last one was 6.1). The lower the number the better. I found out I was diabetic last year in October on my 43rd birthday. Just before Christmas last year I had a heart attack. I'm fine now but my advice to you is to do what the doctors tell you or you may end up like me.