I am concerned about my husbands chance of getting diabetes. 2 of his sisters have it and he has been testing himself due to concerns about it. Over the last few weeks when he has tested himself (using his sisters tester), the lowest his glucose has been is 130. This was after not eating all night and checking it in the morning before eating. It has been as high as 480. His doctor has been checking him with yearly blood and urine tests for diabetes and he has always been "borderline". I am concerned that he now not just "borderline", due to his high glucose numbers. His glucose has been averaging 270 which I know is high. My concerns are because I have seen how his sister through non compliance is now in end stage renal failure and is on dialysis 3 times a week. He recently had a small cut on his finger that took weeks to heal because of an infection that developed. I know being slow to heal is one of the signs of diabetes. Should I be worried?:confused:

Yes. Go see an endocrinologist that specializes in diabetes. Tell them exactly what you said here.

If you really want to verify. Get a meter and some strips. They are non-prescription and test in the morning, 1 hr after a meal, 2 hours after a meal and at bedtime for a few days. Take these numbers to the endocrinologist. Don't bother getting treated b your primary care physician (PCP).

Based on the levels, he probably needs insulin although the drug Metformin is ususlly the first line of defense and can be continued when using Insulin. It's difficult to initially tolerate and may take a month to tolerate it starting a little at a time, like 1/4 tablet and slowly increasing.

Chlolesterol and Triglycerides are probably also out of range.

You can also ask your PCP to order a Hemoglobin A1C blood test.
A glucose tolerance test can be ordered too.

He has diabetes. No question about it.

Your husband can have a test at an endocrinologist or your physician which measures the last *three months glucose* levels. Nothing can be told from occasional random readings, necessarily. There has to be a testing plan.

He should have this test done *immediately*.

Your husband should worry... it is no fun dying from uncontrolled diabetes, that's for sure.

Some info... Blood sugar upon waking should be 80-120 or so... two hours after meals should be under 120... these are my physician assigned goals so you can see. The components for managing blood sugar are medication, exercise and diet.

IF your husband drinks a lot, he has to understand that alcohol is a form of sugar.

Good luck to you and your family,

Hey crakers and niggers