Interpreting Blood Sugar Results

[Guest guest]

Heidi,

You asked, " Karyn, I believe the following is incorrect. Shouldn't

it read for the Diabetes column?

FBS - No Greater than 126

2HPP - No Greater than 200 ,

That was a good call, but I think we may be looking at this from

different angles. What I wrote was a response to what is considered

to be diagnostic results for someone who is checking their blood

sugars as a prophylactic measure for early identification of pre-

diabetes or diabetes. So therefore, if their FBS or 2HPP fell within

the parameters as written, that would be the diagnostic criteria

used by the ADA to identify normal, pre-diabetes, or diabetes.

Normal

Fasting (FBS) Less than 100

Two Hours After A meal: (HPP) Less than 140

Pre-Diabetes

FBS: 100 - 125

2HPP: 140 - 199

Diabetes

FBS: Greater than 126

2HPP: Greater than 200

This information comes from the ADA at http://www.diabetes.org/about-

diabetes.jsp, which states " that ... a fasting blood glucose level

between 100 and 125 mg/dl signals pre-diabetes. A person with a

fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dl or higher has diabetes. "

And, " .... If the two-hour blood glucose level is between 140 and

199 mg/dl, the person tested has pre-diabetes. If the two-hour blood

glucose level is at 200 mg/dl or higher, the person tested has

diabetes. "

The 2004 ADA Clinical Practice Guidelines also reiterates this same

diagnostic criteria for the health care professional.

(http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/27/suppl_1/s5)

It is important for persons with pancreatitis to be aware of these

parameters so they will be aware of their increasing risk factors

and seek medical assistance with an endocrinologist and team to

establish an aggressive plan of care to regain glycemic control.

Now to the question of glycemic control for the pre-diabetic and

diabetic. The 2004 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the ADA states

that " it is recommended that most individuals with diabetes should

attempt to achieve and maintain blood glucose levels as close to

normal as is safely possible. "

(http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/27/suppl_1/s91)

This is following a lengthy discussion with major diabetic

professional organizations, that maintaining glycemic control is

very possible, can be expected, and will ensure the highest quality

of life possible without the progression of multi system organ

failure as seen when large glucose molecules bind to the hemoglobin

cells, robbing vital organs access to life sustaining oxygen.

So, that there isn't any further confusion, let me say that the

blood glucose testing done if you are a well managed diabetic,

controlled by diet, oral pills, or insulin, should still be within

the normal range. If your blood sugars are running consistently

high, request a consultation with an edocrinologist or diabetologist

who is familiar with pancreatitis. This disease does complicate our

ability to achieve glycemic control. But it is possible.

Normal Patient or Well Managed Pre-Diabetic or Diabetic:

Fasting (FBS) Less than 100

Two Hours After A meal: (HPP) Less than 140

Pre-diabetics or diabetes are also able to achieve a HgbA1C of < 7

with meticulous attention to detail. The old school of thought was

that it was expected that a diabetic would run high, and blindness,

heart disease, kidney failure, immune system disease was an

unfortunate eventual progression of the disease.

Thanks to the millions of dollars spent in research, the

perseverance of the people getting their voice heard, and the

willingness of the health care community to support us, that has

been proven wrong.

Heidi, I appreciate you bringing this to my attention, because in

retrospect it wasn't written very clearly. I hope this helps

explains things.

Karyn E. , RN

Executive Director, PAI

http://www.pancassociation.org

Pancreatitis Association International