Many people who are first diagnosed with diabetes refuse to check their blood sugar. After all, no news is good news. This is a very dangerous attitude

Today, a client came into the clinic to discuss his diet. Since it was his first visit I was more focused on developing a rapport with him than talking about his diet. I will call this person” Bob”. Bob told me he has been diagnosed with diabetes for over 15 years. For years, he tried every diabetes pill imaginable and he was still unable to get his blood sugar below 200mg/dl. His lowest hemoglobin A1C was 9.0. Finally, he talked to a diabetes educator who told him it was time for insulin. The educator told him if he did not take insulin he would die. He resented the educator’s frankness but with his wife’s encouragement he agreed to try insulin. The first day he tried insulin he checked his blood sugar and it was 90mg/dl. Instead of celebrating, Bob had a severe panic attack. Since this moment, Bob has purposefully decreased his dose of insulin and tells the doctor the insulin is not working. He continues to take pills along with the insulin. He wanted to know why he was diabetic pills and insulin if the pills were not working anymore. I told him some doctors keep their patients on diabetic pills because the patient is not ready to accept the fact they are insulin dependent. Many doctors feel once the person with diabetes becomes comfortable with injecting themselves with insulin the doctor can slowly get the patient to give up the pills. However, individuals like Bob can make this transaction difficult. Here are some other techniques that can sabotage your diabetes care:

1. Refusing to check your blood sugar.

Many people who are first diagnosed with diabetes refuse to check their blood sugar. After all, no news is good news. This is a very dangerous attitude. Checking your blood sugar can tell you if you need to ask the doctor to adjust your medications, if you need to reduce the amount of carbohydrates you eat or if you are sick. It is the first step in taking control of your diabetes.

2. Refusing to read labels.

Reading labels can tell you how many carbohydrates are in the foods you eat. Many people are amazed to find out when I am teaching carbohydrate counting that milk and sugar-free foods contain carbohydrates. A light bulb instantly flashes in their brain when they realize this information. Make sure to read the serving size on the package and the amount of total carbohydrates (total carbs) the food item contains.

3. Refusing to take the recommended dose of medications.

Many clients like Bob decide on their own to modify their medications without telling their doctor. As a result, the doctor increases the dose because the patient is not meeting their blood glucose goals. Maybe this behavior makes the patient feel in control but eventually the patient is the only victim. If you do not like the side effects of your medications please let your doctor know so you both can find a compromise. Your health is worth it.


Please email me at askard@stablebloodsugar.com if you have any questions. Allison