My Blood Sugar Is 239

When You Need To Go To The Emergency Room With High Blood Sugars

My uncle, like all his family, was a bit of a cheapskate. He hated to spend money unless it was absolutely necessary. He was thin and active, having only recently given up a career as a singer and dancer performing weekly on a nationally televised variety show. So when he felt unwell one weekend night, he turned down his wife's suggestion that she drive him to the emergency room and told her he'd wait til Monday when he could see his family doctor. Why waste all that money on an ER visit that was probably unnecessary? As it turned out, he didn't need to see his doctor on Monday. He died that night. He was a few years younger than I am now and the fatal heart attack he experienced was the first symptom he had of our family's odd form of inherited diabetes. But this is why, even though I've inherited the family "cheap" gene, if there's any possibility something dangerous is going on, I head for the ER. Usually it is a waste of money. I was in a small car accident a few weeks ago that left me with nerve pain running up and down my arms and legs. I sat for four hours at our local ER, saw the doctor for five minutes, and was sent home. The diagnosis, whiplash. The treatment, wait and see if it gets worse. The bill? Over $900. I went to the ER because I'd called my family doctor's office and they told me to. Whiplash usually resolves on its own, but occasionally it can cause swelling in your neck that can kill you. I'm not equipped to judge what kind I had, and unlike my uncle, I wasn't about to gamble. So with this in mind, you can understand my reaction when a stranger contacted me recently, after reading my web page, and told me that his blood sugar, which had been normal until very recently, was testing in the 500s on his meter except when his meter wasn't able to give hi Continue reading >>

Discussion: Blood Sugar Levels And Type 2 Diabetes

When it comes to blood sugar levels, the numbers always seem to confuse people. So we're here today to cover a whole range of reader questions that have come in. If you have questions of your own, join the discussion – please feel free to leave your comments at the bottom. Healthy blood sugar goal ranges Healthy blood sugar control values will depend on several factors, the most important being when you check it. Blood glucose levels will rise after eating meals regardless of whether a person has diabetes–however, someone with good control will be able to bring it down to a stable level after 2 hours. The diagnostic values below are for non pregnant adults with type 2 diabetes. Ranges are different for children, those with type I diabetes and pregnant women. FASTING AFTER MEALS 2 HOURS HbA1c Normal 70-99 mg/dL (4-6 mmol/L)* <140 mg/dL (<7.8 mmol/L)** <5.7% Pre-Diabetes 100-125 mg/dL (6.1-6.9 mmol/L) 140-179 mg/dL 5.7-6.4% Diabetes >126 mg/dL (>7 mmol/L) >180 mg/dL 6.5% and higher *Note that different agencies establish different standards. Some range 70-100 mg/dL, some 70-110 mg/dL, some 70-130 mg/dL **Some agencies recommend <180 mg/dL post-meal especially in the elderly and those who have had diabetes for a very long time What should your goals be? That is between you and your healthcare team because it does depend on various factors. But overall your goal is to gain good control of your diabetes, which means maintaining normal levels or getting as close to normal levels as possible (refer to the normal numbers above). We’ve answered some specific questions regarding blood sugar over here, so be sure to check those out as well. Some specific comments and questions we’ve received regarding blood sugar levels include: 1. My post meal is hovering around 140-160, Continue reading >>

Blood Sugar 239 Mg/dl After Eating - Good Or Bad? - Bloodsugareasy.com

Your blood glucose level is 239 mg/dl after eating? (or 13.26mmol/l) Blood sugar 239 mg/dl (13.26mmol/l) after eating - is that good or bad? We help you interpret your blood sugar values. You have tested your blood sugar after eating and the result was 239 mg/dl. Let's have a look at the blood sugar gauge: Very High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia / Dangerous) To improve your blood sugar after eating you need to lower your blood glucose level by 99mg/dl. Your blood sugar level (up to 2 hours) after eating should always be below 140mg/dl but not fall below 80mg/dl. It is normal for blood sugar levels to rise immediately after a meal. The increased glucose is a product of the carbohydrates in the food that was just consumed. The higher blood glucose triggers the pancreas to produce more insulin. This release of insulin usually takes place within about 10 minutes of eating. The insulin removes the glucose from the blood and stores it for the body to use as energy. In a healthy individual, blood glucose levels should return to a normal level within about two hours after finishing the meal. In diabetics, the blood sugar level often remain elevated for a longer period because of the bodys inability to produce or utilize insulin properly.An elevated two-hour postprandial (after a meal) blood sugar may indicate diabetes or prediabetes. As a general rule, a normal two- hour postprandial blood sugar is as follows: A doctor may recommend different postprandial blood sugar levels based on an individuals particular circumstances and health history. Several factors may cause a persons postprandial blood sugar to remain elevated. Smoking after the meal: Studies show that smoking raises blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Extreme stress: Stress produces the bodys fight-or-flight re Continue reading >>

Blood Glucose 239 - Diabetes - Type 2 - Medhelp

This is NOT a fasting glucose.My dad is diabetic and he has all of the tools to test blood.He has regular diabetes not Type 2 but it usually skips a generation. I had blood taken at the doctor last week, again, not fasting, for other health problems and it came back at 169.My doc obviously wants to retest me when I've been fasting and get an A1c.When my blood was tested I had eaten a bagel and olive oil spread, plus Vitamin water that day, today when I tested I had the same food Plus chicken noodle soup about two hours prior.I am on hyperthyroid treatment at the moment and am definitely overweight by 30 lbs. So with all of that info I guess I'm just curious...is 239 a horrible number to be at if you haven't been fasting and have eaten what I ate today?My doctor won't be in until next week so I'm going to be taking my fasting blood glucose every morning until I go in for labs...Just a little nervous. First off, you don't need to fast for an A1c test. And you can't make a decision based upon a non-fasting glucose reading except to understand what you consumed pushed your glucose level into the unacceptable range. Vitamin Water contains unacceptable amounts of sugar. Read the label and stop drinking it. Continue with the morning testing after fasting. Keep a log and provide a copy to your doctor to not only review but also to keep with your medical records. Understand that what you put into your body will be reflected in your test results, the A1c for the past three months. Continue reading >>

Diagnosis Of Diabetes

What is diabetes? Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. People with diabetes have problems converting food to energy. After a meal, food is broken down into a sugar called glucose, which is carried by the blood to cells throughout the body. Cells use insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas, to help them convert blood glucose into energy. People develop diabetes because the pancreas does not make enough insulin or because the cells in the muscles, liver, and fat do not use insulin properly, or both. As a result, the amount of glucose in the blood increases while the cells are starved of energy. Over the years, high blood glucose, also called hyperglycemia, damages nerves and blood vessels, which can lead to complications such as heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve problems, gum infections, and amputation. Types of Diabetes The three main types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, formerly called juvenile diabetes, is usually first diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults. In this form of diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin because the body's immune system has attacked and destroyed them. Type 2 diabetes, formerly called adult-onset diabetes, is the most common form. People can develop it at any age, even during childhood. This form of diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which muscle, liver, and fat cells do not use insulin properly. At first, the pancreas keeps up with the added demand by producing more insulin. In time, however, it loses the ability to secrete enough insulin in response to meals. Gestational diabetes develops in some women during the late stages of pregnancy. Although this form of diabetes usually Continue reading >>

Normal Blood Sugar Range After Meals

Monitoring is the only way to tell if your blood sugar is consistently staying with in range. Even non-diabetics should check their blood sugar every once in awhile to catch the potential development of the disease early. For non-diabetics, checking post-meal blood sugars is a good way to keep an eye on the potential developing disease. For diabetics, keeping an eye on after meal blood sugars is critical for to make sure the correct amount of insulin is being administered with meals. Video of the Day Blood sugar describes the molecule glucose that circulates in the blood. Glucose is the energy source that we get from the food you eat, specifically carbohydrates, and required by the body’s tissues to perform all of its basic functions. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that allows cells to take in glucose from the blood to use as energy. The tissue cells do not take in all of the sugar in the blood though; there is a specific amount that bodies like to keep in the bloodstream, according to the Blood Sugar Diabetic website. How Food Affects Blood Sugar When you eat, digestion breaks down food into smaller molecules to be absorbed into your tissues. Even before you take your first bite, your pancreas produces insulin in preparation for increased blood sugar and therefore energy absorption into cells. Carbohydrates are the main source for glucose, but protein can increase blood sugar, as well. But not all carbohydrates are created equal. Simple carbohydrates such as white bread, fruit, milk, and candy raise blood sugar more quickly than complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, vegetables, and beans. A non diabetic’s blood sugar level should be between 70 and 140 mg/dL one to two hours after a meal, according to the American Diabetes Association. If it is Continue reading >>

Proven Methods To Reduce Fasting And Postprandial Glucose Levels

Scientific studies indicate that any amount of fasting glucose over 85 mg/dL incrementally adds to heart attack risk.1 Postprandial glucose surges over 140 mg/dL lead to diabetic complications, even in those who are not diabetic. If you can choose an ideal fasting glucose reading, it would probably be around 74 mg/dL.2 We know, however, that some people are challenged to keep their glucose under 100 mg/dL. What this means is that it is critically important for aging individuals to follow an aggressive program to suppress excess glucose as much as possible. The good news is that many approaches that reduce glucose also lower insulin,3,4 LDL,3,5-7 triglycerides,3,8-10 and C-reactive protein,11 thereby slashing one’s risk of vascular disease,9,12-14 cancer,15-18 dementia,19-23 and a host of other degenerative disorders. This month’s issue featured an in-depth review of green coffee bean extract that has been shown to reduce postprandial glucose levels by an average of 32%.24 It functions by inhibiting the glucose-6-phosphatase enzyme that enables the body to create new surplus glucose and inappropriately release stored glucose from tissues. To achieve optimal glucose levels, some people will need to take steps to impede glucose absorption and improve insulin sensitivity. In this section, we succinctly describe drugs, hormones, nutrients, and lifestyle changes that facilitate healthy glucose levels. Nutrient Options Since Life Extension® members know it is best to take dietary supplements with meals, it should not be difficult for them to make it a routine practice to shield their bloodstream from excessive calorie absorption by taking the proper nutrients before most meals. An efficient way of obtaining nutrients that can impede the impact of carbohydrate and fat food Continue reading >>

Blunting Post-meal Glucose Surges In People With Diabetes

Go to: TO THE EDITOR Non-communicable chronic diseases are costly[1]. The public at large foots a sizable chunk of the economic cost while patients are faced with the double whammy of compromised general health and sizable monitory costs. This note highlights a surprisingly low-cost way to address this problem worldwide. Moderating post-meal glucose surges is a critical part of diabetes management because these surges are directly linked to the microvascular complications that in turn lead to organ damage and increased morbidity and mortality[2]. There are three well recognized approaches to managing post-meal glucose peaks: Diet, exercise and medications. Poverty, however, stands in the way of using food and medications properly to fight post-meal glucose surges. Physical activity is free for all. People with insulin resistance have difficulty processing carbohydrates. The general recommendation for getting around this problem has been to rely on “appropriate” carbohydrate intake. American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends individualized meal plans with the right carb count that would offer a postprandial glucose (ppg) value under 180 mg/dL (9.99 mmol/L)[3] with an expected HbA1c of 7.0%. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) is even more cautious: AACE recommends a ppg under 140 mg/dL (7.77 mmol/L) and an expected HbA1c of 6.5%[4]. Since glucose levels peak around 1 h after the start of meals[5] patients who have glucometers should be able to adjust the carb content of meals with the help of the 1-h glucose value following the major meal of the day. Balancing meals with protein, vegetables, fiber and healthy fat decreases the glycemic load of the meal and offers lower glucose peaks[6,7]. Studies featuring moderate exercise after meals consis Continue reading >>

Blood Sugar Level Control

here's some very important stuff I'd like to share with you: My doc told me that controlling your blood sugar levels, even if achieving the "perfect values" so much wanted, will not prevent long-term complications to occur !!! Ok, that scared me a bit so I asked him more abt that. He said that ensuring normal blood sugar levels in a diabetic will decrease / prevent the occurrence of long-term damage of small vessels (as those in your kidneys, eye, liver, heart - the coronaries, skin, fingers and toes) and nerves; that's good since you your limbs will be spared and not be amputated !!! He also said that very good control of your blood sugar levels together with excellent control of your blood pressure levels and avoidance of extra salt in your food may actually reverse the kidney damage and the proteins thus disappear from your urine; they may actually halt the kidney damage; that's good news !!! However, large vessels (such as the aorta, the neck vessels, the limb vessels etc) may continue to get damaged in spite of excellent blood sugar levels; my doc said that in order to prevent that you must: 1. control the blood pressure levels (keep them under 125/75) 5. take care of your cholesterol levels (keep bad cholesterol/LDL below 100, keep TGs below 120, keep good cholesterol/HDL above 55-60) Last edited by admin ; 01-23-2008, 04:43 PM. I am deffinately going to ask my doc. Thank you it's helped me alot. Thank so much. I am going to talk to my Dr about this too. Hy and glad to come back. Here's sth weird I'd like to tell you today. I've tried to search for the so called "normal blood sugar levels", that is the sugar levels found normally in a person without diabetes. I have been enormously disappointed at the end when I found out that there are so many differnces even wh Continue reading >>

Blood Sugar 239 Mg/dl - Good Or Bad? - Bloodsugareasy.com

Nerve damage, nerve pain and numbness or tingling in the extremities (peripheral neuropathy) Individuals with diabetes are not able to convert blood sugar into energy either because on insufficient levels of insulin or because their insulin is simply not functioning correctly. This means that glucose stays in the bloodstream, resulting in high blood sugar levels. Diabetes takes two distinct forms: Type 1 and type 2. Diagnosing hyperglycemia is done by assessing symptoms and performing a simple blood glucose test. Depending on the severity of the condition and which type of diabetes the patient is diagnosed with, insulin and a variety of medication may be prescribed to help the person keep their blood sugar under control. Insulin comes in short, long and fast-acting forms, and a person suffering from type 1 diabetes is likely to be prescribed some combination of these. Individuals who are either diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or are considered at risk for the disease are recommended to make alterations to their diet, lifestyle habits and exercise routine in order to lower blood sugar and keep it under control. These changes generally help to improve blood glucose control, individuals with type 2 diabetes may require medication eventually. These can include glitazones, acarbose, glucophage or sulphonylureas. Continue reading >>

Why Does Blood Sugar Spike In The Morning?

Joan Bardsley, RN, CDE, is an assistant vice president at MedStar Health Research Institute. Q. Why does my blood sugar spike in the morning? A. There are many reasons for a high reading. First, look at food. What you ate the night before may be behind the blood sugar spike -- for example, if you ate much more than you usually eat, or if the amount of food was more than your medications are made to handle. A second cause could be your medicine. Perhaps the medications you take aren't lasting through the night, or the dose isn't high enough to keep your blood sugar in check. Another possibility is one that happens naturally in the body in response to low blood sugar. When your blood sugar drops, your body releases stored sugar -- mainly from the liver -- and overcompensates. If your blood sugar level drops in the middle of the night, this overproduction of sugar can cause a high level in the morning. This is called the Somogyi effect. When your blood sugar is low, it's best to eat about 15 grams of carbohydrates, and then wait 15 minutes before repeating the process. Or, the spike could be due to the release of hormones between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. that raise blood sugar. Your body needs to balance these high hormone levels by making more insulin. When it can't make enough insulin to compensate, your blood sugar will be high. You may need to manage the timing or amount of your medicine. The risk of having high blood sugar in the morning is that it can raise your average blood sugar levels, as measured on the hemoglobin A1c test. And starting out high in the morning means you'll have to work harder to keep your blood sugar in range for the rest of the day. The first thing to do is find out what caused the blood sugar increase. Talk with your diabetes team ahead of time, so i Continue reading >>

Lipid & Glucose Levels In Blood

Blood tests can help your doctor determine risk for disease, diagnose disease or follow the progress of treatment. Two common blood tests are a lipid panel and blood glucose test. A lipid panel, also called a coronary risk profile, is used to help determine risk for heart disease. Lipid panels include total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, and triglycerides. Blood glucose levels are used to diagnose diabetes, or if you have diabetes, help to determine if it is well-controlled. Video of the Day A lipid panel measures different types of fats in the blood. It is performed after a nine to 12 hour fast, meaning you cannot eat or drink anything in that time frame. The American Heart Association recommends a first screening test for all adults age 20 or older and every five years thereafter. Your doctor may recommend more frequent testing depending on prior blood test results, your age or if you have other risk factors for heart disease or stroke. Cholesterol is a type of lipid. It is a wax-like substance found throughout the body. Some cholesterol is needed for various functions in the body, including making the sex hormones and vitamin D. Cholesterol is found in animal fats and is consumed in the diet, but the liver makes cholesterol, as well. Too much cholesterol in the blood can clog your arteries. A desirable total cholesterol is under 200 mg per deciliter, or mg/dL; borderline high is 200 to 239 mg/dL; and high risk is 240 mg/dL or higher. LDL and HDL Since the blood is made of water, the lipids need a “carrier” to take them from place to place in the body. LDL and HDL help transport cholesterol, triglycerides and other fats. LDL is referred to as “bad cholesterol.” An optimal LDL range is less than 100 mg/dL or less Continue reading >>

What Is Ok For A Sugar Level?

Normal Fasting Blood Sugar Levels Your body uses glucose for energy. When you wake up in the morning after fasting for at least eight hours, your blood sugar should fall between 70 and 100 milligrams per deciliter, or mg/dL. Levels between 100 and 120 mg/dL in the morning indicate that you have pre-diabetes, a condition that makes it likely that you'll develop type II diabetes in the future, the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse warns. Blood Sugar After Eating What you eat and how much you eat influences how high your blood sugar level rises after eating. If you have a normal blood sugar level, your level even after eating normally won't rise above 125 mg/dL most of the time, according to MedlinePlus. When testing for diabetes, a level of less than 200 mg/dL one hour after ingesting a high-glucose drink or snack and less than 140 mg/dL two hours after ingestion is considered non-diabetic, MedlinePlus also reports. A blood sugar level that is between 140 to 199 mg/dL zero to two hours after ingestion indicates pre-diabetes, however. Diabetic Fasting Levels The American Diabetes Association says diabetics should maintain a normal fasting blood sugar level between 70 to 130 mg/dL. Some diabetics are prone to hypoglycemia, a condition in which blood glucose levels are less than 70 mg/dL. Hypoglycemia can lead to shakiness, sweating, trouble concentrating and loss of consciousness if not treated. If you have a tendency toward hypoglycemia, your doctor might suggest testing your blood sugar level more frequently or changing your diet. Diabetic Levels After Eating Compared to non-diabetics, blood sugar level in diabetics generally rises higher after a meal. According to the ADA, blood sugar level of diabetics should remain less than 180 mg/dL even after eating. If yo Continue reading >>

What Does It Mean To Have High Blood Sugar?

What is hyperglycemia? Have you ever felt like no matter how much water or juice you drink, it just isn’t enough? Does it seem like you spend more time running to the restroom than not? Are you frequently tired? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have high blood sugar. High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, primarily affects people who have diabetes. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin. It can also happen when your body is unable to absorb insulin properly or develops a resistance to insulin entirely. Hyperglycemia can also affect people who don’t have diabetes. Your blood sugar levels can spike when you’re ill or under stress. This occurs when the hormones that your body produces to fight off illness raise your blood sugar. If your blood sugar levels are consistently high and left untreated, it can lead to serious complications. These complications can involve problems with your vision, nerves, and cardiovascular system. You generally won’t experience any symptoms until your blood sugar levels are significantly elevated. These symptoms can develop over time, so you may not realize that something is wrong at first. Early symptoms can include: increased urinary frequency increased thirst blurred vision headaches fatigue The longer the condition remains untreated, the more serious symptoms can become. If left untreated, toxic acids can build up in your blood or urine. More serious signs and symptoms include: vomiting nausea dry mouth shortness of breath abdominal pain Your diet may cause you to have high blood sugar levels, particularly if you have diabetes. Carbohydrate-heavy foods such as breads, rice, and pasta can raise your blood sugar. Your body breaks these foods down into sugar molecules during digestion. One of these Continue reading >>

A High Sugar Level After A Meal

It's normal for your blood sugar level to rise after you eat, especially if you eat a meal high in refined carbohydrates. But if your blood sugar rises more than most people's, you might have diabetes or pre-diabetes, a condition that indicates a strong risk for developing diabetes in the future. If you already have diabetes, you doctor will recommend keeping your blood sugar within a prescribed range. A glucose tolerance test, done one to three hours after you eat a high-carbohydrate meal, can check your blood sugar levels. Why Does Your Blood Sugar Rise? When you eat carbohydrates, your body breaks down the sugars they contain into glucose. Your body can't absorb most sugars without breaking them down first. Simple sugars such as refined sugar break down very quickly; you absorb them rapidly into your bloodstream, which raises your blood sugar. In healthy people, the levels don't rise very high and they drop back to normal quickly. If you have diabetes, your levels after a meal will rise higher and stay high longer than levels in other people. This occurs because your pancreas either don't release enough insulin, the hormone that helps cells absorb glucose, or because the cells don't respond properly to insulin release. Normal Levels If your doctor suspects that you have abnormal glucose levels, he might suggest doing a glucose tolerance test. You are given around 75 grams of carbohydrate after fasting for 12 hours. At one- to three-hour intervals, your doctor draws blood and analyzes your glucose levels. A normal fasting glucose is 60 to 100 milligrams per deciliter; your levels should rise no higher than 200 mg/dl one hour after eating and no more than 140 mg/dl two hours after finishing the snack. Most healthy people without diabetes have two-hour readings below 12 Continue reading >>