Newly minted diabetic

[Ken812]

I am a 42 year old male. I had my blood test checked before the New Year. The results came back yesterday with diabetes, blood sugar was 7.5 mmMol/L. My doctor gave me description for Metformin HCL 500, once a day. I took one this morning.
I am working out intensively and be on strict diet. My question is when the blood sugar is going down. May I stop taking medication and focusing on exercise and diet only?

Thank you very much in advance.

Ken

[WaveRider]

No fasting required for an A1c. Probably true for the hemoglobin variant but call your doctors office to confirm.

[Ken812]

Thanks a lot anyway! I have appointment with my doctor this Saturday. I will ask him to check my blood again. Should I be fasting for this test?

Ken

[WaveRider]

I can't answer that. Only a blood test can reveal whether you have hemoglobin variant, or not.

[Ken812]

I've just read the following article

http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/traitA1C/index.htm#know

Is there a possibility that I have hemoglobin variant which caused the false blood test results (A1C test)? I really don't have any symptoms and feel very normal.

Thanks,

Ken

[WaveRider]

One can inherit diabetes from a parent. That's an unfortunate fact as the bad gene is passed down to the child. Diabetes is a hidden disease too. Asian Americans are at 7.5% according to the ADA. At times there are symptoms and others nothing, one feels normal, but then the doctor whacks you with the shock factor of having it. It happens to a lot of us. We exercise, we eat what we think is a proper nutrition, we maintain proper weight but whack-o we end up being a diabetic, 23.7 million of us to be exact. Get a home meter and test, test, test to find out which foods cause your blood sugar to get unbalanced.

[Ken812]

To be honest, I was surprised when I got a phone call from my doctor about being diagnosed with diabetes. I've never thought I would have it. There were no signs of the diabetes symptoms whatsoever. I am not overweight (187 lbs, 5'8"). My diet was too bad either. The only possibilities that might make this happen were that my mom is diabetic and we are Asian American, I guess.

[WaveRider]

You're welcome Ken. Let us know if we can be of further assistance.

[Ken812]

Thank you both very much for your advice and information.

The test was comprehensive blood test that I did annually. I'm not sure if it was fasting blood sugar or HA1. I will ask my doctor about this next visit on Jan 16. My doctor just called and talked to me about diabetes diagnosis on Jan 7. He didn't even mention about blood sugar meter. However, I am going to buy one soon.

Again, thanks so much for the information. I deeply appreciate it.

[WaveRider]

"My question is when the blood sugar is going down."
Since we have no mention of a home glucose test meter in your post my question to you is how do you know when your blood glucose is going down? And when? See this link on when to test your blood glucose before, during, and after a workout. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes-and-exercise/DA00105

As Sally mentioned, it is best to monitor your blood glucose with a home test meter.This is the only way to know, besides being tested at the doctors office, your glucose levels. You can Google "when to test blood glucose" for recommendations, which is different than the above link.

[Super_sally888]

What was the test done?  Fasting blood sugar or HA1c?

The answer is yes, if you can control your blood sugar with diet and exercise you can stop taking medication.

Best that you buy a blood sugar monitor and use it regularly to determine what effect the food you eat has on your blood sugar and how succesful your control is.

Best Regards