Here is the long story about how I have come to be a low-carber! I fall into several high risk groups for diabetes -- obese, grandmother AND mother had/have type 2, have hypertension, and Cajun (25% of Cajuns have diabetes). About a month and a half ago, when describing some symptoms I felt were pre-menopausal to a diabetic friend, she suggested I might also want to investigate diabetes. My mom had given me her "old" Glucometer Elite a month before when I went to visit, so I started doing fasting bgs and got ranges from 120-150. She also gave me a copy of Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution, which I devoured! Even though one doesn't need a background in biochemistry to read it, having that background meant I knew what he said was scientifically valid.
When I went for appt for hypertension 6 weeks ago, I told the dr my story -- she was somewhat skeptical (those 1st-year interns!) but did order an HgbA1c and a fasting glucose on my return. Oh, an important point to mention -- both she and the tech who took my blood both insisted "as long as you're below 140, you're fine" -- ARRRRRRGH!!
I left there very frustrated and fearful -- what if they don't diagnose me correctly? Do they want to wait until I lose my eyesight and a couple of toes (like my mom did) or get kidney failure (like my dad, from hypertension)?!?
Well, I feared did not come true. I went again about a month ago, had my blood drawn (and then gobbled down some breakfast -- nice chicken breast) and saw a very nice dr. Not only did I lose 6lbs since last time, but my bp went down from very high to high normal (20pts on both systolic and diastolic). They tested my fasting bg as 150 (which my meter read as 149 so I KNOW my meter is good!), and the tests they did 2 weeks previous (thyroid, basic metabolic panel) were all normal. The blood they took that day was tested for cholesterol (and I got a paper a week later giving me a supposedly cholesterol-lowering diet, which was ridiculous). I discussed the possibility of metformin with her but it was decided that I should try just exercise and diet first before any meds (which I figured). I saw the ophthamologist last Tuesday and my eyes are peachy keen. And I FINALLY got my appointment with a diabetes educator/dietician last week -- am really looking forward to knocking heads with anti-low-carbers (NOT!).
Well, that's all the news from Bayou Woebegone, where all the women are strong, all the cats are calico, and all the sodas are caffeine-free Diet Coke.