No one is Ever Free from the Diabetes Threat

“I do not have diabetes”

“What are your readings?”

“I do not remember”

“When did you last check?”

“About 2 years ago”

“My fasting level is about 100”.

“What about the reading after lunch?”

“I did not go back for that one”.

These kinds of conversations about diabetes are unfortunately common in today’s world. Many people assume or hope that their glucose metabolism is in order, but do not check it thoroughly.

It is optimal to check for diabetes 2-3 times a year. There is a test for glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) which requires drawing blood just once, and without an overnight fast. However, readings after an overnight fast, without one 2 hours after lunch, does not really rule out diabetes. There is another test called Glucose tolerance, in which readings are taken before and after drinking a measured amount of glucose and some doctors prefer this to get a close fix on how well the body is able to handle sugar.

Diabetes is a silent condition and can strike anyone. Some people live on the border between diabetes and normal glucose metabolism, in a condition called pre-diabetes. They may slip in to a diabetic state after major trauma, infection, or even due to indulgent eating in an extended social or business event.

So please get out tomorrow and have a medically valid test for diabetes, if you have not had one in the last 6 months: once a year is fine for children.