TEENAGE DIABETICS. .HARD TO CONTROL SUGAR LEVELS?

Question

Hi guys, im 19 and have diabetes for 4years but lately am finding it hard to keep my sugar levels good? Anyone else in the same boat?

What is your average sugar or hba1c level?

Also how did you overcome any bad experience with it as im finding this difficult to do!

Need support,

thanks guys x

Answer 1

Your sugars need to be very close to normal -- NO MORE than 120.

That being said, ALL people see  "apikes" in their readings right after meals, and the height of the spike is determined by what you ate and how much you ate.  So if you take a finger stick reading right after the meal (like 15 minutes after) you will get readings in the 300-400 range.

This spike is why your doctor has you take insulin shots.  The insulin is what your body needs to use the blood sugars. So in most cases the doctor tells you to take your shots just before you eat.  With the insulin in yoru system, those spikes drop down to 150-200 range.

In ANY case, the normal person's sugar readings should be under 120 after about one hour.  With insulin, your should be too.  So if you take a sugar reading after a meal, take it about 60 minutes after, not 15 minutes!

The goal is to maintain your sugar leves as close to normal as possible for as long as possible.  Therefore, most diabetics use an "alternating" schedule to take readings.  On the First Day, take your reasing just before every measl, and just before bed.  on the Second Day, take your readings 60 minutes after each meal.

ALSO, keep a diary (ask the pharmicist for one).  In this, keep a written record of ALL your finger stick reaqdings (indlucing TIME) and what you ate that day.  This will help you and teh doctor "plot a course" of action.  

With the diary you may find strange food that you shouldn't eat.  Like, some diabetics can't eat bagels.  Others can't eat onions.  So you will have to learn which food to avoid.

The HbA1C test measuer your AVERAGE blood sugar over the last 90 days,  A NORMAL reading is between 5 and 6.  This show that your AVERAGE blood sugar levesl were between 90 and 120.  For diabetics, doctors are happy if your A1C reading is betwen 6 and 7 (average blood sugar leves of 120-150).

A1C readings above 7 indicate a problem -- that your diabetes is out of control.  In this case you are endangering your life!

Note that the diabetic needs the A1C once every 3 montsh. NOT daily.

ALSO note that the A1C is NOT the same thing as a "finger stick" test.  YOU do this test 3-4 times every day.  It is extremely important that you do so!

Answer 2

me too!

like i darent say what my average blood sugar is because i'll probs get shouted at on here! haha

but my habc1 is 7.5 i think which is quite high but like for me its good because it used to be 9!

im 19 too!...and it will be my 10 year ani of having diabeties next year lol

xo

Answer 3

Aim for 120 or less. And more important, try to keep it steady during the day. There are foods you can eat at breakfast which research has shown help to stablize your blood sugar throughout the day.Cinnamon is one of them.

Answer 4

Your sugar level is good as long as it less then 200, like around 150.

Answer 5

Calm down Gary.  She's 19, not 5 - so i'm sure she knows the complications that can happen with untreated diabetes.  Actually anything below 180 is good for a diabetic.  Anything over 180 causes blood vessel damage.  As a type 1 diabetic, I have problems with my blood sugar all the time.  Sometimes I'll go on a high streak where I can't get my blood sugar under 200 and sometimes I go on low streaks where my blood sugar drops to 60 or below easily.  It's extremely frustrating but I just try my best to count carbs and give the right amount of insulin (exercise helps too).  Since you're 19, you'll soon start finding it easier to control your sugar levels because you are pretty much done growing.  It's hard while being a teen to take care of diabetes because hormones can alter blood sugar.  My average blood sugar is around 150 and my A1C is 7.0 give or take.  I'm 18 years old and have had diabetes since 8.  My A1C use to be worse at around 8.5.  A few years ago I really realized how important it is to be closer to 7 or lower.  If you really want to get good at controlling your blood sugar, get the pump (unless you already have it).  I use lantus so I don't know too much about the pump but I know it is really suppose to help.  Also, write your blood sugar readings down for breakfast, lunch, dinner, bedtime.  Look for patterns where you're either low or high and give more or less insulin depending on the pattern.  Good luck!  

Answer 6

Aim for 4 and 9mmol my friend it is hard and must be even harder for a younger person. Gd Luck..

  

Answer 7

Consume small quantity of food, several times in a day. Consult a dietitian.  

Answer 8

Arrange to have a fresh chat with your diabetic dietitian. I must say that the GI diet often helps a lot of diabetics, it might be worth bringing that up as a possible option.

Answer 9

Hey hon, I'm 18 and have had diabetes for four years as well.

Lately, I've also been having trouble keeping my levels good.  I have a feeling, that since we're having about the same trouble, that we're just  under a lot of stress, and that can cause your blood sugars to fluctuate.  Hormones also do that, I had to go on the pill because there'd be one week of the month that my blood sugars weren't at all able to be controlled.  Perhaps that's an option for you?

My average levels for my A1C is the high 6's to low 7's, though, with the way my blood sugars feel a bit out of control lately, I'm sure it'll be a little higher.  I'll find out this afternoon, actually, as I have a 3 month checkup with my diabetes doctor today.  I'm going to ask him how to get better controlled as well.  I'd suggest doing the same with your doctor.

I'm guessing you have type 1 diabetes, as you're younger.  Test your blood sugars more often, and correct with insulin every 2 hours if you need to.  It will hopefully help.  

Good luck!

***

Just decided to edit my answer a bit and add to what I said earlier.  After going to the doctor, I was informed to test my blood sugars every 3 hours or so after I skip a different meal every day until I get 2 days for each meal skipped to see what time my numbers rise the most.  Perhaps trying that and sharing your results with your doctor will help.  

Best of wishes to you.