Blood Sugar & Cholesterol Question

azsun · Regular Joined: 23 May 2008 Posts: 22

I had a mini health assesment from a nurse at work where a small amount of blood was drawn to test for diabetes and cholesterol. My blood sugar came back 171(after a coffee) and TC 249, LDL 215 triglycerides 275. I was advised to see my MD as this put me at high risk for early stroke/heart disease. I'm in my 34 and have had borderline high TC around 215-235 range the last 9years with no drugs just diet advise. Obviously as a care taker of a cancer patients I am not concerned with myself right now. My question: how long can I go like this before i really need to do something or should I go through the trouble of it now. I'd rather deal with me later. Any advise from someone who has diabetes or both issues? Thanks a bunch! Mother is type 2 and runs in her family..

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 2404

Hi Az,

I had high TC for years -- they might give you Lipitor or something. Mine went from 324 down to 229 and I think that's still where I am. I have high of the bad stuff and low of the good stuff (HDL/LDL). Don't remember which is which, but it's been that way for years. My triglycerides were 750, so I've been on that drug for years too.

Both parents were Type II diabetics and I had gestational diabetes with my first pregnancy. I was warned that if I hit middle age and was overweight, I'd be a prime candidate for diabetes. They were right. They wanted me to do my blood three times a day with one of those meters and adjust my food to lose weight and cut carbs. Yeah, that was going to be happening. I stuff my emotions and developed the diabetes while my husband was sick. I did the blood tests for a few months then put the junk in a drawer. 170 is not a great number, but it's not an emergency. Was it in the morning? I tend to run higher in the morning. They call it "sunrise effect" (I think), but is not uncommon to be high in the morning. Did they run an A1C test? That is the one where you see the average over the past three months.

You need to do what you feel is best for you. Change of diet is always a good thing, plus exercise. That being the "right thing" to say -- I didn't give a poop about what was going on with me while I took care of my husband. Strangely, I'm not all that concerned.

Follow through with a Doctor. I'd check into some meds and do whatever the doctor tells you. If you CAN adjust your eating habits during this stressful time, more power to you. I think stress itself can raise your blood sugar levels, but don't quote me. (Obviously I knew more about what my husband had than what I have. Shocked

) I have advocated for caregivers to take care of themselves because I've seen a lot of them do poorly, myself included, after all is said and done. Your immune system gets shot after months and years of stress. It affects you emotionally and physically.

By the way -- it's been barely a year since my husband passed and I still haven't done a thing. I do take chromium picolinate and that seemed to drop my A1C count by 1/2 point. Just an FYI.

Wishing you well.

PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Gillette · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 5:45 pm Post subject: cholesterol

I have had some interesting experiences with diet and the cholesterol, and sugar numbers in blood work. Some things I have seen raiseboth levels- foods that you might not think they would: nondairy creamer in coffee: non dairy food products can be higher in sugar than fats, and the odd chemical combo can influence the Chol. levels- without even having cholesterol fats in them. Some fat substitutes do not add to calories, but I have seen them effect blood numbers in a negative fashion. Increased artificial colors and flavors in foods can also make a food add to those levels. Your doctor can help in the line of medications, and I would seek a professional out for this also... I find a food diary of foods you eat (not trying to change- just document what you eat) can help a dietitian, or a dietetic technician (like me) find the foods most likely to be helping to contribute to the elevated levels, and can offer an alternative that you can tolerate. If yu don't like it, you won't eat it.
Also, what we do (care for our loved ones) is paramount, and there is a time and place to focus on our own health. Do not forget -as I do at times- you can not help your loved ones who need you if you are not taking care of yourself. We need us to help them too- don't forget it. But, when I am low, and ice cream sounds good- I eat it.
Take care, and be good to yourself.
God Bless.
_________________
Kathy: still loving Ben, as he rests with God.

azsun · Regular Joined: 23 May 2008 Posts: 22

Thanks ladies!
I've scheduled the appointment for professional advice. Although I'd prefer my "comfort foods" diet, I suppose I will attempt to eat a bit better and maybe walk. I just can't seem to do for self as I do for other...
Great idea~I have started using my mother's meter and it is much higher in the morning. I'll have 2 weeks of tally for the doc and I will start to write down what I had to eat/dring for the day. Yikes!! This will make me accountable for what I shouldn't eat. Shocked

Gillette · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 7:53 pm Post subject: health

Good girl - take care of you- a lesson I am learning myself. Wink

_________________
Kathy: still loving Ben, as he rests with God.

priscilya · New User Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Posts: 1

What can I do to lower my cholesterol in addition to changing my diet?
I found out, after having a fasting cholesterol test, that I have slightly high cholesterol. I know that I need to eat better, less fat and all. I exercise regularly (brisk walking at least 40 to 50 minutes a day). Is there anything else I can do to lower my cholesterol?
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