An Evening with Numbers: Some Insights on Diabetes

Time for a blood glucose check :) Yay! I am within normal limits!

Dr. John Vincent Policarpio

Last night, I had my blood sugar level checked before and after meals courtesy of OneTouch® . The last time I came to know about the level of sugar in my blood by means of pricking was in 2006, the very year I graduated in college and was exposed to a volunteer activity named National Health Screening Program. It was  spearheaded by my college professor in one of my major subjects. the activity lasted for about a quarter of a year. We were using a different brand of self-monitoring blood glucose meter then and has a bit of resemblance with Johnson & Johnson's glucometer. Funny to think that 6 years ago, I was one of those who responsibly check the level of glucose in the blood of curious individuals in universities and offices we've been to, and now it is about time to check mine. To tell you honestly Diabetes Mellitus runs in my family and was so grateful to have attended an evening which talked about not just Diabetes but of general health as well. Yes there were so much numbers involved but it gained    us insightful lessons  that we can carry all throughout our lives. 

To help us understand the metabolic disease better, LifeScan Marketing Division of Johnson & Johnson Philippines readied  someone who can share about how and when  has he been suffering from Type 1 Diabetes and the importance of creating an awareness. Aside from that, to discuss with the audience better the proper management and lifestyle for the said disease, a director of Medical Asean Affairs was present to encourage us and somehow assess our current blood glucose status.

To keep the 2 hour long discussion short, here are important reminders to keep in mind:

1. Glucose control is one of the cornerstones of diabetes management. 

    Meaning to say MONITORING your blood sugar level is indispensable and  should therefore be done regularly.

2. Good glucose control means

Fasting Plasma Glucose      70-130mg/dl

 Post-prandial Glucose  <180mg/dl

These levels will interpret if your are within the right range or nearing borderline when you get the reading of your blood sugar before and after eating.

3. Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose can help guide therapy towards optimized glucose control

It is but important that each household has SMBG most especially if diabetes is present in any of your family member or if it is proven that it  runs in your family. A necessary tool in assessing good health.

4. Accuracy of Glucose Meter Systems can be assessed through Zone A of Clarke-Error Grid

This grid is used to quantify clinical accuracy of patient estimates of their current blood glucose as compared to the blood glucose value obtained in their meter. Let your physician explain this to you or any member of your family who knows about this grid. Anyway, it is self-explanatory in some way. Here's an example: 

Photo courtesy

5. Eating a balanced diet is of prime importance in managing the metabolic disease like diabetes. Diet containing a variety of fruits and vegetables will definitely address the situation. Just so you know, dietary management of people with Type 1 Diabetes is almost just the same as the dietary advice for people without diabetes.

Eat well. Live well!