I have always had high blood iron for as long as I can remember. I learned this in college when I started donating blood through the Red Cross. My blood was always the darkest and in the minor iron test then sank in the solution quickest. I have Type O- blood so I was popular with the local Red Cross. I donated blood most of college years. In the military the interest in donating began to change, twice I was escorted to the base hospital to donate blood. I learned officially that I had high iron blood with no discussion of what that really meant.
After I resigned from the military, the Red Cross found me again and called every month for year to donate blood. I lost interest as a result of being hounded.
In my mid forties I began to pay more attention to my annual physicals since I could tell that I was getting older, less flexible and could tell the effect of age on overall health. I remember one extensive blood test where my doctor had me see a specialist about my high iron. The specialist told that I had hemochromatosis. Apparently my iron levels were not too high to worry about because the doctor told me to not take iron supplements because genetically I gathered iron from my meals while most people had a difficult time doing the same. That was about it. He did tell this was a condition I inherited and that was it.
But, about 6 months ago I was feeling tired or groggy some days so I asked my doctor about this and he said I had to donate blood to reduce my iron levels. My blood iron was high. I had tried donating a couple of years ago and the Red Cross informed that my blood was not acceptable. The Red Cross did not really tell me why. I asked my doctor why. He said there was nothing wrong with my blood. The Red Cross does screen blood for acceptability, but their tests are not very technical or extensive. I have since learned that hemochromatosis is an expensive test to do, more that the Red Cross wants to invest. My blood is fine, but is thrown away after it’s drawn.
After my first therapeutic phlebotomy, blood donation by prescription, I felt as though I had suddenly lost 10 pounds and my energy levels were high for a week. After 3 donations I know I am on the right track and look forward to better health with the promise of normal levels of iron soon.
I have become intrigued with what hemochromatosis means for me. I have found that like diabetes it’s a personal condition and is different for everyone. I did find out that had I continued donation blood since college that it possible that I may not have developed diabetes. A complication from hemochromatosis is diabetes. Since the pancreas is adversely impacted by high iron which and lead to diabetes.
Since I can pass hemochomatosis to my children I have educated them on the legacy and how it can affect there lives latter. I have recommend they be tested to find out if the have inherited the condition or are carriers for their children. For now I recommend they develop the have of blood donation to keep their iron level down and be good citizens.
So there is a relationship between hemochromatosis and diabetes. There can be a strong genetic tie. I have included to frequently asked question with answers to share with those of you who are interested. I hope it will be of some help.

Q: What is iron overload, hemochromatosis?
A: Hemochromatosis is a genetic condition of abnormal iron metabolism that permits absorption of too much iron from an ordinary diet. Hereditary hemochromatosis is an autosomal recessive disorder. It is NOT a blood disease. It is also known as iron overload or iron storage disease. It is possible for someone who has never had an iron pill in his/her life to have iron overload.

Q: Can iron overload be acquired?
A: Yes, iron overload can be acquired. The genetic form is known as primary hemochromatosis, hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) or (HHC), or genetic hemochromatosis (GH) and idiopathic hemochromatosis (from an unknown origin), term which is rarely used anymore. The acquired form (through massive doses of iron pills or blood transfusions) is known as secondary hemochromatosis, acquired hemochromatosis, or transfusional iron overload.

Q: How common is iron overload/hemochromatosis?
A: Frequency of the abnormal gene is: 1 in 100-200 people has hemochromatosis and 1 in 8-10 people is a carrier of hemochromatosis. That’s approximately 32 million Americans who are carriers and 1.5 million Americans have the double gene which can lead to full blown hemochromatosis.

Q: Who is affected by iron overload/hemochromatosis?
A: Most affected people DO NOT KNOW they are accumulating dangerous stores of iron. Tragically underdiagnosed, no race, age, or gender is immune. The American Hemochromatosis Society (AHS) has made an official position statement and issued guidelines for diagnosis, treatment, and management of iron overload/hereditary hemochromatosis, including recommendations that all Americans age 2 years and older be routinely and universally screened for iron overload as well as genetic screening. All ethnic groups can be affected, but those with an Irish/Scottish/Celtic/British heritage have an even higher prevalence of the HH mutation. Hispanics (that’s me) and Afro Americans also have iron overload.

Q: How serious is iron overload, hemochromatosis?
A: The excess iron injures body organs and KILLS unless detected in time for adequate iron storage removal. It is a very serious disease, but quite benign if detected early before organ damage has occurred. That is why routine screening is so important. HH is a lethal but treatable disease. Don’t let anyone tell you that iron overload/HH is “nothing to worry about”.

Q: Is there anything that can be done to treat or prevent iron overload?
A: Yes. Hereditary hemochromatosis is one of the few genetic diseases which has a prevention plan so that all organ damage and premature death can be completely prevented. When the excess iron IS detected EARLY and is ADEQUATELY removed, the individual can enjoy a normal life span in normal health.

Q: What are the symptoms of iron overload, hemochromatosis?
A: Patients can have iron overload and NOT have symptoms (asymptomatic) and that is the best time to diagnose the patient. Many doctors have been taught to look for “signs and symptoms” of HH but by the time symptoms appear, it is often too late to save the patient’s life. Iron overload and storage in vital body organs can damage and may cause:

• chronic fatigue (the most common complaint by patients);
• cirrhosis/cancer of the liver (with or without a history of alcohol use);
• arthritis/joint pain;
• impotence/sterility/infertility; early menopause/irregular menses;
• hair loss; hair thinning
• diabetes (bronze diabetes, a darkening, graying of the skin not caused by sun exposure);
• cancer (cancer thrives on iron); (especially primary liver cancer)
• abdominal pain/swelling;
• weight loss;
• frequent colds/flu/infections, compromised immune system;
• headaches;
• hypothyroidism; (low thyroid)
• heart irregularities/heart failure/heart attack (especially in younger men);
• cirrhosis of the liver (with or without a history of alcohol use);
• hepatoma/liver cancer (the leading cause of death in HH);
• premature death.

Anyone with any combination of these symptoms, or a family history of these symptoms, should be tested for HH immediately. But remember, two important facts: 1.) There can be numerous generations of “silent carriers” of the mutation who never become ill and live to old age thereby giving a “false security” that HH doesn’t “run in the family” 2.) Some patients do not have symptoms until they are end stage and their lives cannot be saved. Early detection should be achieved through: 1.) Knowledge of genetic risk through DNA Testing 2.) Annual screening with serum iron, TIBC, and serum ferritin to assure that iron storage is not taking place.

Q: I went to the blood bank and they told me I was anemic; how could I have iron overload at the same time?
A: Blood banks do NOT screen for iron overload/hemochromatosis. They are basing their comments on the hematocrit or hemoglobin readings that they take prior to a blood donation (the finger prick test) and these are not the correct tests for iron overload storage! Yet blood banks continue to give out false information to their clients, telling them that they have low “iron” or even in some cases that their iron is high! The iron-overloaded person may be anemic at the same time. There are several types of anemia that are iron-loading! Hematocrit and hemoglobin are NOT tests for iron overload/hemochromatosis; ask your physician to test you with transferrin saturation (TS) which is calculated by dividing the serum iron by the TIBC (total iron binding capacity) and serum ferritin to confirm or rule out iron overload.
compound heterozygote).

Q: How many phlebotomies will I need to have a normal iron level again?
A: The number of phlebotomies varies from patient to patient depending on how high the initial iron overload is. A patient with early diagnosis may only have to give a dozen phlebotomies before going on a maintenance program for life; other patients, in advanced stages of hemochromatosis, may require 80 to 100 phlebotomies or more to “de-iron” themselves (”de-iron” is a term used to denote a patient who has reached a serum ferritin of 20 or a target goal set by his/her physician which is usually a serum ferritin below 150). You can expect each phlebotomy to reduce the ferritin approximately 30 points each time. So, a ferritin of 3000 might require 100 phlebotomies to reach the target goal. A ferritin of 300 might only require 10 phlebotomies to reach the target goal.

Q: How will I feel after so many phlebotomies? Are their side effects?
A: The reactions or side effects of phlebotomies differ from patient to patient. For patients who have a history of blood donation in their community, treatment is no different, since it is identical to a blood donation at your local blood bank. The only difference is that it is done more often (weekly) than voluntary blood donation (usually every 56 days) and therefore patients often report being fatigued and weak after numerous treatments, however, they are necessary to prevent damage to the patient or prevent additional damage to the patient, and to prevent death. If you are in “aggressive treatment” (at least weekly) you “may” experience varying degrees of tiredness and fatigue. For advanced patients undergoing vigorous weekly treatments for extended periods of time, some have reported that they have had to stop working or get assistance from family or friends with household chores and child care. Family members and friends should be informed that treatment is necessary to save the patient’s life and understand that physical and emotional support are essential for the patient’s successful completion of initial treatment. Other patients actually report feeling “invigorated” after each treatment with a few days of tiredness after each treatment and then back to normal. Be sure to discuss any side effects that you experience with your physician.

Q: Is hemochromatosis reversible through phlebotomy or must a patient undergo phlebotomy on a regular basis for the rest of his life? Does phlebotomy eventually ease the symptom so that this treatment may stop?
A: The symptoms of iron overload/hemochromatosis sometimes can be improved or even reversed. Treatment, however, should continue, for the rest of the patient’s life, usually at a rate of three or four phlebotomies per year, although this rate can differ slightly from patient to patient. Aggressive, weekly phlebotomy will eventually remove the stored iron in the body, however, the iron will once again accumulate if regular phlebotomy is not maintained for the rest of the patient’s life. Remove that stored iron as safely and quickly as possible and keep it out with regular phlebotomy for the rest of your life! Remember, once you are “de-ironed”, don’t stop! Bloodletting is for life and if you don’t regularly have blood removed, the iron will simply build up again and store in vital organs. Note: if iron overload is due to “acquired hemochromatosis” through iron pill ingestion for instance, then once deironed, the treatments can stop permanently.

Q: Is the blood I give during my treatment used as donor blood? The blood bank said they were going to discard it? Is there something wrong with my blood? I thought HH wasn’t a “blood disease” or infectious?
A: Some blood banks do use the hemochromatosis blood as donor blood, but most blood banks in the U.S. do not. There is nothing wrong with hemochromatosis blood; HH is not a blood disease, nor is it infectious. HH blood can be used as donor blood as long as it meets the standards and tests of the blood bank (i.e. free from HIV, hepatitis, etc.). HH blood is not contagious or infectious in any way. The FDA was petitioned by the late Victor Herbert, MD JD, of Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, NY, to use hemochromatosis blood as donor blood. Although the FDA did not immediately change their policy, more petitions followed. In the past, the blood bank was using what many consider to be an “outdated” policy which says that any patient who gives blood for a “medical reason” is a “motivated donor” and they feel that motivated donors’ blood is not as “safe” as other blood donations because donors might donate (in order to save their own lives due to the medical condition) when they personally know that they shouldn’t (i.e. they have HIV, hepatitis, etc.). The blood bank feels that people who are “motivated donors” will not tell them about HH so that they can donate blood for free to avoid the cost of phlebotomies. Leading doctors around the country have urged the AABB and the Red Cross to change their policies concerning HH patients, who are shown to be just as safe as the general public when donating blood. In 1999, the FDA approved the use of hemochromatosis blood as donor blood. Any blood bank can apply for a “variance” to use HH blood as donor blood. The FDA did not issue a mandate that all blood banks had to use HH blood as donor blood, but did give them the option to do so if they decided to do so. More than fifty blood banks around the USA accept and use HH blood as donor blood. If you want your local blood bank to use HH blood as donor blood, you can contact the blood bank director and discuss how their policy might be changed in the future. You can find a list of these blood banks on the AHS web site or the FDA web site. The American Hemochromatosis Society feels that HH patients are very “special” since they are “super donors”.

Q: Is there a special diet I should eat or foods I should avoid?
A: Basically, iron in the diet is not going to make much difference in relation to your treatment, however, it is wise to check the labels of processed foods for their iron content. For instance, certain breakfast cereals contain 100% RDA of iron as do other products. Avoid alcohol and vitamin C which enhance iron absorption, cooking in cast iron cookware, and never take iron pills or supplements containing iron. Hemochromatosis patients should not eat raw seafood or shellfish (cooked is fine) due to a bacteria (vibrio vulnificus) which can kill the patient within hours of ingestion (due to a compromised liver which many HH patients have) unless emergency treatment of antibiotics (tetracycline) is administered. (Note: this can also happen to fishmen who handle and clean fish). Drink tea and coffee with your meals which will help block the iron in the foods you do eat. For more details on diet, you can purchase “The Hemochromatosis Cookbook” by Cheryl Garrison available through any major book store, amazon.com, or the Iron Disorders Institute (IDI).

Q: Is iron overload/hereditary hemochromatosis “curable”?
A: Iron Overload is not curable if it is genetic hemochromatosis, hereditary hemochromatosis (HH). The patient will need to be monitored and treated for the rest of his/her life. However, iron overload is curable in the case of acquired hemochromatosis such as massive doses of iron pills, etc. Once the patient is “de-ironed”, he/she will not need to be treated anymore. For HH, we hope that research in the future will find a cure for this condition, until then, treatment and early diagnosis, offer the next best thing to a cure. In fact, HH can be prevented with early genetic screening and detection of the high risk gene mutations. In such cases, patients can be genetically screened, identified, and monitored, so that they will never have high iron at any time in their lives, thusly preventing organ damage and premature death.

Q: If hemochromatosis is a genetic disease, should other family members be tested? Which ones and when?
A: ALL blood relatives (not just the immediate family) of the iron-overloaded individual should be strongly warned to be screened immediately with the iron profile of serum iron, TIBC, and serum ferritin) and the new DNA genetic test. All should be monitored annually for the rest of their lives. This includes men, women (pre and post menopausal) and minor children. If the HH patient has children, the spouse should also be tested. Actually, everyone in our society should be tested, but especially family members. Due to the lack of public awareness and physician education about hemochromatosis, most family members are not screened and many diagnoses are missed as a result.

I had begun to change my diet. I had not yet tried any exercise. because I was lucky to walk around the office building. When I did try walking for exercise I remember I had to swing my whole leg to get what seemed a reasonable stride. I had acquired a tread mill for the family at Christmas. I had to hang on for dear life at 2 miles an hour. Actually, as I learned later my stride did not get longer at all, I just worked harder. I remember meeting a jogger who may have ran a half mile beyond me and would catch me on his way back way before I finished my half mile walking. Today that same jogger cannot catch me at all in the 1.5 mile I walk to catch the bus to work.

So what changed? Well my friend concerned about how I looked then asked me if I was well. I told him than I had just been diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic (HbA1c 12.1 and daily finger pick results 600+). I was on insulin to gain control of my glucose levels. Now I did not know anything about diabetes except that my father struggled with it and not very well. He suggested a diet supplement that he took. I trusted him a lot and knew that his  health had been much worse than mine most of his life. So I accepted his offer. I’ll explain about the diet supplement another time. Many small facets about my overall health improve quickly. There was a dramatic change in my diabetes.

One small facet this article is about is that I could now sleep restfully at night. I was still getting up in the night to relieve myself, that had not changed yet, but I could now quickly return to a restful sleep. I would wake up to my alarm fully awake not groggy and rested. I not talking magic here if I did not get a full night sleep due working late was tired later in the day. I swear that getting a restful night’s sleep has made big difference in my renewed health today.

Now what do I call restful sleep? For me it is being able to fall asleep quickly, sleep soundly and wake up ready to go. I require 6 hours sleep for a good night’s rest. If I get more than 7 hours sleep, I wake up a little stiff or I feel like a pile of rocks and not quite so ready to go.

So anything that helps me get restful sleep is important. I consider restful sleep the other half of getting daily exercise. Are you getting restful sleep that makes a difference in your next day? Talk to you doctor and discuss the benefits of restful sleep. I wish I did not have to  discover it myself so late in life.

Yep, I got lazy! Three weeks ago I went on a business followed by a week’s personal trip to New Mexico.

Well my discipline has been so good I thought I could slide a little. So I indulged a little on my business trip. More importantly even though I brought a pair of walking shoes I sat on my duff the whole week. I usually walk 4 miles a day to work rain, snow or hot sunshine. Well my daily finger prick numbers creeped up 20 points.  Not to worry I thought.

The next week I was in New Mexico with family. First, my cousin owns a wonderful little restaurant in Chimayo. Wonderful food and late dinner. How good? My meter read 200+ for the first time in a year and half.  Then lots of home cooking with more cousins while I am busy with a family real estate deal.  Worse of all my butt was still glued to the chair the whole week going over family history. I was in the high mountains east of Taos and the weather if cool and crisp in the morning. How dumb could I be?

After two weeks I am home and safe. So I thought. Well, it was hard to get the my diet discipline. It took two whole days. My daily numbers are still 25 points to high. But, now I am walking daily again.  For three weeks I wondered if I would ever recover back to my old renewed health position of 5 weeks earlier. At first I’ll admit I did not walk the full 4 miles each day. Personal business after work cut into my walk home. Then two weeks later my numbers begin to lower back to what I am used to. I paid close attention to my afternoon walk. I walked with purpose to increase the effort. The last walk of the day is 1.5 mile up hill. I gain over 200′ in elevation during the walk.  I noticed that is was the last .75 mile that I gain the real benefit of the walk.

Well my discipline is back as are my daily finger prick numbers. I have learned my lesson. Exercise does have a sizable impact on my diabetic discipline to renew my health today. Remember all I do is walk. I don’t visit a gym. I take stairs at work rather than the elevator. I walk to visit associates down the hall or down stairs rather than use the phone. We are about to change office buildings this year and I am looking forward to my new 5 mile walk to work each day. You see exercise is good, but routine makes the body lazy. That is you need to change you exercise every 6 months or so to gain the best benefit. Just changing effort is enough to make a difference. I jogged most of my life, but walking is easier on the knees and I get the same aerobic benefit. Sometimes you will have to change your routine completely.

Now I walk at least 5 days a week year round rain, snow or hot sunshine. I have a down over coat for the cold snowy days. I really enjoy the walk rather than drive to work. I will make sure this happens even on road trips.  I think the small effort is well worth it for renewed health today. Life a mild health nut is GOOD! But, read my whole blog site.

As a side effect of high glucose levels in my blood I has lost 42 pounds in less than 30 days. Unfortunately, most of that loss was muscle. Naturally, I did not have any energy. I was shuffling rather walking. Except for the last few years I had been a life time jogger and bicycle rider. My life style had been very active and aerobic in nature.

I was scared and understood I had to build my body up. I had to renew my health. But, I could not find any time in the day for an exercise program. Then I consider taking the bus and train to work. But, I was so weak I had to swing my feet to move the heavy walking shoes I bought to provide support for the mile and half walk from my house to the bus. From the train to my office was a half mile walk. So in a day I would walk 4.0 miles. So somehow I converted the fear of being diabetic and all it complications into a driving discipline.

Today I still take the bus and train to work nearly everyday possible; hot sun, rain or snow. Since I can dress appropriately, I have walked by choice in a few heavy snow storms. I no longer desire to drive to work. The difference is walk close to 5 miles per hour rather than the less than 2 miles per hour a year ago. As a life long jogger I understand that walking can be as aerobic as jogging without the related strain on your knees, especially at my age (now 59).

Over the last year and half I have become aware of my friends who were diabetic did not exercise because I seem to recovered better than they have. I added a diet supplement that I credit improving my overall health faster. My health has improved faster. I am still and always be diabetic. This I know and have accepted. I use my condition as a wake-up call to take better care of myself.

The pay off is my last visit to the doctor resulted in a HbA1C of 5.5, a heart plus rate of 68, cholesterol normal, more athletic blood pressure and most importantly an positively impressed doctor with the better results.

So, try a small change in your diabetic and stick to it. You may fall short once in a while, but keep to it. IT IS WORTH THE EFFORT!

I could not have been more mis-informed. I found that I before I had developed diabetes that I actually was living a boring tasteless life with the meals that were not very creative and were not very healthy.

I found if I eat better meals moderately and snack in-between meals wiselyI enjoy a wonderful life of near gourmet healthy meals and a mental outlook of a long healthy life as a type II diabetic. If I were suddenly no longer diabetic I would continue with my improved diet because it would be the smartest life style I could live.

Breakfast - egg or not

Egg Omlete

2 eggs or 1/2 cup of egg beaters, three sliced mushrooms, chopped yellow onion, chopped green pepper. Sauteed green pepper and onion first, then add mushrooms; add eggs. Use two table spoons of olive oil.

Toasted Bagel

1 good sized water bagel (5 to 6 inches) cut in half and toasted to taste, spread  peanut butter.

Lunch

Wendy’s - Mandarin chicken Salad

Fast food restaurants can be OK. Control how much oriental sesame dressing you use

Two-Cheese Sauage Pizza

1 lb. sweet italian turkey sauage, 1 table spoon olive oil, 1 small red onion thinly sliced, 2 cups sliced mushrooms, 1 small green bell pepper cut into thin strips, 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 cup pizza sauce, 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese, 1 cup shredded reduced-fat mozzrella cheese, 8 pitted ripe olives

Preheat oven to 400 F, Remove sauage from casings. Pat into greased 9-inch glass pie plate. Bake 10 minutes or until sausage is firm. Remove from oven and pour off fat. Set aside

Heat oil in large skilet. Add onion, mushrooms, bell peppers, oregano, salt and black pepper. Cook and sir medium-high heat 10 minutes or until vegetables are very tender and no long give off liquid.

Combine pizza sauce and tomato paste in small bowl, stir until well blended. Spread over over sausage crust. Spoon half of vegetables over tomato sauce. Sprinkle with parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Top with remaining vegetable, sprinke with olives. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until cheese melts.

Dinner

Salmon Broccoli Waldorf Salad - 4 servings

16 ouncs cut broccoli, 1 large Red Delicious apple (chopped), 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions, 1/2 cup ranch dressing (dressing to your liking), 1 can or 14 ounces of salmon drained and flaked. Cook broccli until still firm; drain and rinse in cold water. Toss together broccli, apple, onions, and dressing first then gently stir in salmon. Add pepper to taste.

I did not try to provide meals for more than one day, now. I will add more meals as time goes by. My goal was to show variety that a diabetic can enjoy.

My last HbA1c reading was 5.8 and prior to that I have had readings of 5.5 for the last two tests. My daily glucose reading are around 110-115 in the morning and mid 80 in the early evening. These numbers are wonderful, but it took me some time to learn how to relate these numbers to renewing my health today.

Everyone with diabetes should know their HbA1c score . The HbA1c test measures your average blood glucose levels over the last three months. This test will tell you how well you have been controlling your blood glucose levels. Your daily blood glucose reading by finger prick blood tests assists controlling your daily glucose levels as you discipline your diet to maintain a relative steady level of  blood glucose.

The HbA1c test score is given as a percentage of glucose in your blood, ranging from 6% to 12%. Most of the time the % sign is dropped for conversation. Here’s how that relates to average blood sugar levels:

Both USA and Canadian readings

A score of 5% to 6% is normal for people without diabetes. You should aim for an A1C score of less than 7%. If you have a score any higher than that you are at higher risk for complications of being diabetic. It’s best to have a HbA1c checked at least twice a year. I have a health check every 90 days with full blood work and to discover if any complications of being diabetic have developed.

Even a 1% drop in your HbA1c score has a big impact. One study on type 2 diabetes shows that men who lower their HbA1c score by 1% have a 35% lower risk for complications such as Erectile Dysfunction. One study directly linked high HbA1c scores to erectile dysfunction and low HbA1c scores to better sexual function.

If at all possible, you should aim to get your HbA1c score down into the range of 6% or less, where people without diabetes are. I have had HbA1c below 6% nearly a year, but I am and will be diabetic the rest of my life. I know of no cure for diabetes. However, my life is better. I live a somewhat disciplined life of eating better food, moderately and daily exercise. I have renewed my health today!

Another important factor is how you take your diabetes medication. Follow directions carefully and don’t skip doses. Skipping doses often results in worse blood sugar control and added complications from the diabetes.

Last November I was diagnosed a Type I diabetic and placed on a regiment of 10 units of insulin in the morning and late afternoon. At an age of 57 a diagnosis of Type I diabetes is not the norm. My HbA1c was 12.1 and my initial daily glucose readings were off scale, 600+. Those kinds of readings could only express themselves if my pancreas has stopped producing insulin. I was literally floating in glucose. My young inexperienced doctor knew that I had to quickly reduce my glucose level. Insulin was prescribed to do eliminate excess glucose from my system.

The insulin injections would assist my red blood cells absorb glucose to be carried to starving body and organ cells throughout my body. This would arrest the self feeding weight loss. Without the use of insulin my red blood cells could not deliver glucose and other nutrients to my body. In response my body drew necessary energy and nutrients stored in living cells. My body was in starving self feed in condition. As a result my liver and kidneys would be less stressed to eliminate excess glucose. My pancreas would be able to initiate a recovery which most fortunately it did.

Every two weeks I increased my insulin 10 units up to 30 units. My doctor was pleased with my body’s response to insulin so I was counseled to reduce my insulin in take 10 units every two week to 10 units. My daily readings dropped to the low 200s. After six weeks from in initial insulin shots, I was prescribed 500 Mg of Metformin ER during my dinner meal in place of insulin. My pancreas has recovered reasonable production of insulin.

The diagnosis of Type I diabetes may have been incorrect, but the treatment was correct to reduce my glucose build up quickly. I feel extremely fortunate that my pancreas rebounded to reasonable production of insulin. My current doctor has informed me that the rebound effort by my pancreas is normal; however, the amount of rebound is very fortunate as quickly as it happened.

However, I cannot give full credit for my renewed health today to wonderful medical care alone. As I began my prescription of insulin I also began take dietary supplements to assist my body repair its self as it did when I was many years younger. Even my current more experienced doctor has remarked my renewed health today was very encouraging. The only change I have introduced in to my daily discipline of healthier eating, exercise, and medication is my intake of dietary supplements.

There are many complications of a diabetic condition that overtly express themselves to greatly reduce a diabetic’s quality of life. I have experienced many complications, but fortunately not all complications. In the articles to follow I will share how I feel I have overcome those complications due to my favorable diabetic life style discipline and my intake of specific dietary supplements. I have seemed to overcome one or two conditions not directly related to diabetes, I credit the intake of dietary supplements.

In early October 2006 I was buying Dr. Pepper by the 24 pack and consuming up to 4 cans a day. I was over eating as a way to deal with job stress. Most of the time I was eating convenient food. I was tired at the end of most days. I hadn’t exercised for a least a couple of years.

Near the end of October I was eating more, but beginning to lose weight as well beginning to drink larger quantities of fluids. In this case it was Dr. Pepper. I had lost interest in sex and the ability to perform sex was waning. I has noticed a more callus build up on my feet. I was eating more and yet I was hungry before the next meal. I was also making more frequent trips to the bathroom. Worst of all I was unaware of the obvious early symptoms of diabetes.

From early November to mid November I was becoming aware that I might be diabetic. My diabetic symptoms obvious even to me and were getting worse. I was drinking 16 ounces of water a time with little relief of thirst. I was having trouble controlling urination. Even though I was eating full meals, I was loosing a pound to a pound and half a day. My big clue of awareness was sticky urine. My father has been diabetic at nearly the same age. I remember the sticky toilet bowl at home.

Then I made a dangerous decision to allow the weight loss to continue until I weighed 210 pounds. My eye sight has gotten worse. I needed glasses only to read at first. Now I needed stronger glasses to read and to drive as well. My acid reflux has gotten worse. I walked with a shuffle, I couldn’t sleep through the night, and I didn’t realize I wasn’t standing up straight any more.

Near the end of November I finally saw a doctor and was diagnosed a Type I diabetic. My HbA1c was 12.1 and when I got a glucose meter my twice daily glucose levels were off scale, over 600. I was placed on insulin. I started with 10 units of insulin which was slowly increased to 30 units until mid December.

My daily glucose readings were falling dramatically so my doctor instructed me to reduce my insulin doses. By the first week in January 2007 I was back down to 10 units of insulin. By mid January I was diagnosed a Type II diabetic and taking 500 Mg of Metformin. My next HbA1c test was 6.1.

It is now January 2008, my HbA1c is 5.5 and my daily glucose reading are around 115 in the morning and mid 80 in the eveing.  After a year coping with a diabetic life style I believe why I developed diabetes.

I was 57 and my body was slowing down due to my age. My body was converting most glucose to fat since my intake was more than I needed for daily use. Remember I was obese. Since I had stopped my exercise program my need for daily energy was much lower. Daily stress was not helping either. I believe my body reached a form of critical mass and began a shut down. I believe the production of insulin slowed down dramatically.

Very fortunately for me with the aide of proper in time treatment my body began a rebound. A rebound in some form does happen as a course of nature. I was extremely lucky that the rebound was strong enough for me to have Renewed Health Today at the age of 58.

Your daily meter glucose reading is a spot reading. It is the level of glucose attachment to your red blood cells at the exact time you took the measurement. A test result is measured in milligrams of glucose per deciliters of blood. A test result of 70 mg/dL - 140 mg/dL is considered a normal level. If you don’t eat and take sample every 15 minutes for the next two hours it should drop. Eat something and it should climb again.

Try taking you daily meter glucose results for about a two weeks the find the simple average. Now you have an idea of what your HbA1c is all about.

Your daily reading can vary wildly day by day, say from 120 to 400. Now you know why the HbA1c test is more reliable indicator of a diabetic condition.

You daily glucose readings are good in helping you discipline yourself in a daily fashion. You should be able to verify the days you slip or cheat by getting a higher number. Then you correct you intake expecting a lower reading. Its good way to find out if your carb count is what it should be per meal.

Work the glucose reading with discipline of diet and exercise and you almost don’t have to worry about you HbA1c reading every 90 days.