sugar levels

I just found out 2-35-2004 that i'm a type 2 diabete. Could you tell me is it normal for sugar level to jump around. I check my sugar it was 161 I ate and it jump to 256 and 1 hour later it jump to 325.

[JDRF-Team-gg]

Dear Ladybug,

I am a volunteer with The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), and not a medical professional, so any information that I give you should be verified with your healthcare team.  JDRF deals with type 1 diabetes (or juvenile diabetes).  Because you have type 2 diabetes, you should seek additional information from other sources, such as The American Diabetes Association, who deal with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.  

It is quite normal for blood sugar levels to fluctuate as yours have.  As the foods that we eat metabolize, the blood sugar level is affected.  In order to keep your blood sugars in good control, you should be following a healthy meal plan and getting regular exercise.  Both of these factors play a major role in maintaining good control of your diabetes.  

Good luck to you in finding out more about your new situation.  Education is key.

[JDRF-Team-LRS]

Hello Ladybug,
It is common for our blood sugar to "jump around," and yet we should strive to keep those jumps at much lower levels than we usually have at diagnosis.  

Our bodies are harmed by levels in the 200s, 300s and higher -- altho' at time we all experience those levels and can maybe even do some normal activities at those levels.

Normal ranges are 70-120 and I'd encourage you, over the next few months to aim for "jumps" that are closer to those numbers.  It takes a while for our bodies to adjust again to normal blood sugars, so don't be surprised if you don't feel "too good" right now at lower numbers.  Your body will adjust (and you will avoid or delay many of the devastating complications diabetes can bring) in time to good numbers.

Type 2 diabetes has a different source than Type 1 and there are more treatment options that may help you achieve good blood sugars.  Just remember, that even tho' a diabetic might go for hours, days, weeks or months with 100% normal blood sugars (with a combination of diet, exercise, meds) -- that diabetic is STILL a diabetic -- unfortunately.  

Type 2s often face the challenge of being told, after many decades of certain ways of living, that they need to change their habits (foods, exercise, weight loss).  That challenge is enormous for many, and so if you've been told to make changes, strive to make them in small, manageable steps -- so that you'll gradually be successful.  Drastic changes can rarely be sustained for very long.

This book comes highly recommended by my Type 2 pals (I have Type 1): The First Year Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by Gretchen Becker.  There is a lot to learn and this book can help you begin to build your knowledge.