On Numbers and Neuropathy (Continued)

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Q: After fasting and a blood work up, my doctor used number 124 for my diabetes score and told me to stay away from the whites. Several of my first cousins have diabetes. What is the number for full diabetes?

A. For once, the world agrees on something: what constitutes diabetes (as you called it, “full diabetes”). The international standard for diagnosing diabetes is 2 fasting glucose readings (as in no food or drink—except for water—in 8 hours) on 2 separate days, with a result equal or greater than 126. The other standard is a non-fasting reading equal or greater than 200 with symptoms that are associated with diabetes (fatigue, blurred vision, unquenched thirst, frequent urination, tingling or pain in the feet or hands).

Keep in mind that a rising, fasting glucose value is typically a late sign of type 2 diabetes. Fasting values continue to be used for diagnostic purposes because they are least expensive and most convenient. The most definitive way to diagnose diabetes is through an oral glucose tolerance test, wherein you’d have your fasting glucose level drawn, drink 75 to 100 grams of sugar, and have hourly glucose measurements done hourly for 2 hours. Since you have a fasting level of 124, which technically places you in a prediabetes range, and since you have diabetes lurking in your gene pool, the treatment would be the same: health eating, regular activity, taking medications (if needed).

The comment made about staying “away from the whites” might be a good place to start, but is certainly not the mainstay of diabetes self-management education. That would mean no more milk, yogurt, cheese, onions, potatoes, rice, bread, pasta, to name a few. What kind of life would it be without a wide variety of food choices? I know of several physicians who advise their patients with diabetes to stay away from all white foods. Although that might be a good place to start until you get in to see a dietitian/certified diabetes educator who can individualize a meal plan, I don’t recommend it for a long-range approach.

Q: I was told that diabetes does no damage to your body unless your blood sugar is above 180. Is this true?

A. No, that is not true. The studies show an average blood glucose between 135 to 150 can prevent, reduce and in some cases reverse complications (and that is an averaged based on pre-meal and 2 hour after meal readings). If your blood sugar is consistently in the 180 range, that is high enough to cause problems.

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NOTE: The information 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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