October 19, 2000
Daily Care
Question from San Francisco, California, USA:
I am 29 years old and was diagnosed with diabetes 2 weeks ago. My son is 17 months old, and I had gestational diabetes. My doctor said that my HbA1c was 6.7% and didn’t put me on medication, only on diet and exercise for three months. I am overweight by 50 pounds. My morning sugar levels are the highest from 115-140 mg/dl [6.4-7.8 mmol/L]. My afternoon and evenings run from 89-124 mg/dl [4.9-124 mmol/L}, depending on what I eat. Why are my fasting mornings high? I have been exercising and eating right and have lost 12 pounds, but still my sugar levels are high in the morning. My doctor didn’t tell me if I have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. I am scared because my mother died of diabetes at just 46 years old. She lost her eyesight, she had neuropathy in the arm and feet, and she was only like 20 pounds overweight. I want to live a long healthy life. If I practice a healthy lifestyle will I be okay, and expect to live a normal life?
Answer:
From what you describe, you most likely have type 2 diabetes, though I would ask your own doctor this question. If you have type 2 diabetes, and are dieting, exercising, and losing weight, you have a good chance of keeping your blood sugars under control and avoiding long term complications. You should discuss management of diabetes in future pregnancies with your doctor before you become pregnant again. Even if you have type 2 diabetes, you might need insulin temporarily during pregnancy. Sometimes in mild type 2 diabetes, the pancreas makes insulin too slowly, then makes a little more than necessary to lower the blood sugar. This can sometimes cause mildly elevated blood sugars after eating, followed by normal or even low blood sugars several hours later. Most importantly, you need to not be afraid to ask your own doctors specific questions about your diabetes and its control.
Good luck, keep up the good work, and enjoy your baby!
TGL