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The Question
10/04/09 11:10 PM

"why medicine instead of diet"
Asked By: devilannwalk  
Category: Newly Diagnosed

Background Info Hide
my husband was diagnosed with sugar in august of this year the first time the dietitian seen him she wanted him on a pill we wanted to try diet but pill was the first thing from her his bs was 284 now around 150 -130 with in 2 weeks that is on diet only no pill she wanted to give us a week but we wanted 2

Expert Answers (1)

10/13/09 07:07 PM

Directions on how to treat diabetes are available to most health care professionals. Most recommend that newly diagnosed people be treated with life style changes and metformin (Glucophage). Metformin may help with weight loss and to improve cholesterol levels. It rarely causes low blood sugar reactions, is inexpensive and may prevent diabetes in people witha family history of diabetes. Metformin may take up to 6 weeks to work. When fasting blood sugars exceed 200, most protocols will recommend some type of faster acting pill be taken until the metformin kicks in.// That being said, it is important for the person with diabetes to be the head of his/her team and make informed decisions about care and treatment. People making their own decisions usually end up being more healthy that people who rely on others to make decisions for them.//Elevated blood sugars will cause symptoms. However, in type 2, these symtoms may be tolerated over a long time without out causing an emergency. It takes around 8 years of hight blood sugars to cause permanent complications,,, but, statistically, the newly diagnosed in the US have already had diabetes for 2 years.// Endocrinologists recommend fasting blood sugars be less than 110, 2-hour after meal sugars be less than 140 and a HgA1C of less than 6.5%. You did not mention your husband's A1C, or if his results were fasting or were taken after meals. . After meal results are just as or more important than fasting results because they are more damaging to the body. // Your husband's blood sugars have gone from unsafe levels to safer, but I would advise him to do further testing and aim for results reommended by the endocrinologists. Weight loss and activity CAN reverse diabetes. To find out if this is likely to happen for your husband, discuss yoiur concerns and thoughts directly with his doctor. PS. If I had to bet, I would bet that he has a good chance of reversing his diabetes without meds.
Answered By: Donna Yuscavage
Accreditations: RN, BSN, CDE
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Community Answers (1)

10/10/09 11:36 AM

The reason was your husbands bs was pretty high. I am sure they wanted to prevent any more damage from happening. If he can do it thru diet and exercise thats great. Many cant do that or wont do that. His bs are still high but that doesnt mean he cant get them down more with diet and exercise.
Answered By: furball64801
FLAG
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*** All information contained on dLife.com is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Our Expert Q&A is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for consultation with a qualified medical professional or for professional medical advice related to diabetes or another medical condition. Please contact your physician or medical professional with any questions and concerns about your medical condition.

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