my diabetes is probably getting worse (Metformin, blood, diet, fasting)

[rlrl]

what will my doctor's next step be when i see him mid October (my a1c has been holding at 6.3 the past year and i am due for a retest in a few weeks)?

i am on 1000 mg metformin twice a day

i asked him last time i saw him about insulin and he said that would be given to me only if my sugars reached like in the 300's

i notice i have been more cranky and irritable, have yellow urine often (tho i don't drink enough water and take 2 diuretics so that could be it). often tired and lethargic and the past week my sugar 3 hours after a meal was only 120-125

appetite isn't so great and i often feel constipated then have IBS(have read the prescription Vitamin D can do that tho), could i be developing neuropathy with a 6.3?

just now i took my sugar (it is 5:05PM i last had lunch at 12:30) and it was 127, normally it has been in the 90's or low 100's, tho yesterday i actually had a reading of 84 which was somewhat relieving

i had chicken salad from a high class expensive deli and a subway veggie salad and i still could do no better than 127, this is worse than if i had more carbs for lunch

[tickyul]

Wow, tough spot.

Has your doctor taken your insulin levels, both pre and post meal, this may tell you a lot about how well you produce Insulin.

Have you tried doing an Atkins type diet, severely limiting carbs (and possibly protein.)?????

Yes, too much protein can be problematic for some diabetics. Many people with carbohydrate metabolism disorders have a very exaggerated Gluconeogenesis response, will excessively convert protein into carbs.

High fat/adequate protein/low carbs should work a lot better.

[rlrl]

test in 2007 by a doctor who combined traditional and wholistic approaches. at the time my insulin was noted to be high, my a1c at that time was 6.0 so i was put on 500 mg of metformin. then i was in more of a pre diabetic state but as you can see my july reading was 6.3 and had been over the past 12 months

tho i have a small amount of protein in my urine(i take micardis/hct and lasix which keep my bp just about normal) and am overweight, oddly my cholesterol, hdl, ldl are all optimal

my triglycerides have been slightly elevated, other times normal

[tickyul]

Originally Posted by rlrl

test in 2007 by a doctor who combined traditional and wholistic approaches. at the time my insulin was noted to be high, my a1c at that time was 6.0 so i was put on 500 mg of metformin. then i was in more of a pre diabetic state but as you can see my july reading was 6.3 and had been over the past 12 months

tho i have a small amount of protein in my urine(i take micardis/hct and lasix which keep my bp just about normal) and am overweight, oddly my cholesterol, hdl, ldl are all optimal

my triglycerides have been slightly elevated, other times normal

Well, I am not a doctor......but, your situation does not sound uncommon.

I would advise you to CLOSELY watch the condition of your kidneys. Has your doctor done a 24 hour urine test for protein?????????.........that would tell a lot about how much protein you are excreting over time.

I will reiterate what I said in my last post.......a low carb diet is probably best for someone in your position...........A REAL LOW CARB DIET. I can almost gaurantee you that a strict low carb diet is best for you (check with a qualified low carb nutritionist and read the OLD ATKINS book (1972).

Remember what I said about excessive conversion of protein to carbs in a lot of people with Carbohydrate Metabolism Disorders????????? THAT MOST LIKELY APPLIES TO YOU (high insulin numbers).

With your kidneys I would really advise a HIGH FAT/ADEQUATE PROTEIN/VERY LOW CARB DIET.

I love food, know how yummy it is......very hard for lots of people to eat good.

[timneh5]

You'll get a better idea how your levels are doing, if you test your blood:
- first thing in the morning (fasting)
- two hours after you eat

You may need to eat a small snack between meals to keep your glucose numbers level; snack after the two-hour test.

Here's a site that has some helpful information: Blood Sugar 101

[rlrl]

of proteinuria (or it may be microalbumineria) is noted according to my doctor. I'm taking micardis/hct for that. my kidney function has been optimal

[timneh5]

You don't drink enough water and take diuretics...how is your potassium level?

Originally Posted by rlrl

what will my doctor's next step be when i see him mid October (my a1c has been holding at 6.3 the past year and i am due for a retest in a few weeks)?

i am on 1000 mg metformin twice a day

i asked him last time i saw him about insulin and he said that would be given to me only if my sugars reached like in the 300's

i notice i have been more cranky and irritable, have yellow urine often (tho i don't drink enough water and take 2 diuretics so that could be it). often tired and lethargic and the past week my sugar 3 hours after a meal was only 120-125

appetite isn't so great and i often feel constipated then have IBS(have read the prescription Vitamin D can do that tho), could i be developing neuropathy with a 6.3?

just now i took my sugar (it is 5:05PM i last had lunch at 12:30) and it was 127, normally it has been in the 90's or low 100's, tho yesterday i actually had a reading of 84 which was somewhat relieving

i had chicken salad from a high class expensive deli and a subway veggie salad and i still could do no better than 127, this is worse than if i had more carbs for lunch

[rlrl]

potassium was 4.8, range was 3.5-5.3

you right about not drinking enough water