Diabetes and blood sugar levels

[mice]

My DH went to the doctors this afternoon after a few weeks of excessive thirst, and unrination. We knew these were symptoms of diabetes - but I think he was a little shocked when this afternoon he had high glucose and ketones (??) in his urine and a blood sugar reading of 27 - the doctor checked 3 times as apparantly this is very high - and he was sent straight to hospital for further tests. I am slightly panicky here at home not really knowing what any of this means so anyone who can tell me anything about Diabetes and what may happen next would be great!

That is a pretty standard reading for a non diagnosed diabetic. My dad had similar. If it is diabetes I don't think anything drastic will happen, he'll be called into your gp or the diabetic clinic at the hospital for a chat about diet etc. They may give him a chance to change his diet, that can work for some people on its own, or they may start him on insulin but my dad takes tablets so no injecting.

It is worrying, I know, but hopefully the fact that your DH took himself off to the doctor is a good sign that he'll take it seriously and not like my dad who still takes no notice of the gp

Meant to add that if taken seriously and changes to lifestyle are made, it means that anything sinister is less likely to happen. But wait till you get the results before you start googling! Actually no, don't google.

they ask u to loose weight. not have loads of suger and eat healty.i was diagnosed with premetus type 2 diabetus.

Initially they will test to find out if type 1 or type 2. Type 1 is auto-immune and has to be treated with insulin (this can be via a pump or injection) effectively if you have type 1 your body stops making insulin because your body destroys the insulin producing cells. Type 2 is when your body becomes resistant to insulin (although sometimes there is also some drop-off in insulin production). Treatment can be through diet/lifestyle adjustments, tablets, or if this isn't effective enough insulin injections.

Type 1 is sometimes described as juvenile onset, and is generally the type children get, however it is possible to develop it as an adult (as I found out myself aged 35...!). Type 2 is especially likely to occur in someone who is overweight. Both types seem to have some genetic link, however no-one in my family has type 1 so not foolproof!

Either condition is absolutely manageable but does take a bit of work, frequent fingerprick blood tests etc. If blood sugars are controlled serious complications should be avoidable. It's a lot to get used to, and you need to know what you're looking at first, there is plenty of support and advice available from organisations like Diabetes uk.

It is daunting to begin with but it is entirely possible to lead a normal life and do what you want to do with a diabetes diagnosis. Good luck.

Thank you for reassuring me! I haven't heard how the tests are going - they were talking about keeping him in overnight.
His weight isn't an issue - he is very slim anyway -and discovered today that he has also lost 10kg recently. The initial pointers were of Type 1 - but at 38 that does seems unusual!

He will be very disciplined with whatever he needs to do - and will make whatever changes he needs to - I just think he is a bit shocked about it all at the moment! He only rang the doctors this morning who couldn't give him an appointment until next week - then he managed to get a cancellation - and was sent straight to the hospital (was told to not even come home) so I think he is in shock at the speed of it all really!

Type 1 at 38 IS unusual, but by no means impossible. The slim build and weight loss may indicate type 1 as if little insulin is being produced the body is unable to access energy from food and starts breaking down the body's fat reserves instead (producing ketones in the process). Obviously am not trying to pre-empt a diagnosis from properly qualified professionals though!

IF it is type 1 the fact he is able to be self-disciplined will stand him in really good stead. There are numerous examples of very accomplished sportspeople with type 1, Steven Redgrave for example.