Simplex sells diabetes testing kits, glucose monitors and other supplies under the Diabetes Care Club brand name — an operation it bought two years ago — and it plans to sell other types of medical supplies soon to diversify.
CEO and co-founder Doug Hudson says Simplex's eventual goal is to become a publicly traded company. Already, Diabetes Care Club ranks among the top three firms nationally for the sale of diabetes supplies, with projected sales of $185 million this year, Hudson said.
"Two years ago, we were nothing but an idea, a concept. Over the next 18 to 24 months, we expect to double in size, to around 600 employees," he added. Hudson discussed how Simplex intends to reach its goals with Tennessean Business Editor Randy McClain.
What's your background; did you have any medical supply experience before starting this company?
I had just come from selling my piece of HearingPlanet.com, which was the largest hearing aid retailer online and a direct marketing business model. So, diabetes supplies wasn't too far a departure from that. My background was in marketing and call center operations. That led to this new venture.
Also, I knew diabetic supplies would be a much larger opportunity than Hearing Planet because of the size of the problem of diabetes. We went from 35 people employed by Diabetes Care Club when we bought it to more than 300 today and growing.
Who are the top three players today in diabetes supply?
If you start at the top, Liberty Medical is No. 1 with almost 1 million patients. Medco (a health-care giant with more than $51 billion in net sales last year) acquired them about the time that we bought Diabetes Care Club.
Another one we compete with is CCS Medical, which is backed by Warburg Pincus private equity, and they probably have 400,000 patients.
CCS has a very large sales force around the country that calls on physicians. We do more direct sales to patients.
In Nashville, there's also AmMed Direct, which focuses on mail-order medications for the diabetic patient. We focus on diabetic testing supplies, test strips, glucose meters.
We made a conscious decision early on not to get into the mail-order meds business because we feel like there's lots of other guys out there (that) do a great job for the patients. We want to focus on different areas where we think we can add the most value.
Diabetes is growing so quickly. Testing supplies are a primary product for the patient newly diagnosed with diabetes. That's how we want to get to know and keep the patient.
How do you tap into that huge market?
If you look at the U.S., there are 1.5 million new diabetics being diagnosed every year.
When they get the diagnosis from their doctor, they ask: "What do I do next?" And one of the first things they have to think about is routinely testing their blood sugar. And that's where we step in.
When it comes to testing equipment, what sort of meters do you supply?
We try to focus the patient on some of the newer meters, some of the newer technologies. Our goal isn't to just send them the cheapest meter. One of the big developments in our industry is no-coding technology.
With older meters whenever the diabetic got a new supply of test strips they'd have to punch a code into the meter to properly calibrate it for that batch of test strips.
Statistics show that one in six people code their meter wrong or don't code it at all. That's important because a lot of times those readings are what they set their insulin dose based on.
We decided early on to get no-code technology into the hands of our patients to make it a better experience.
When do you hope to take the company public, sell stock to investors?
Not at this time. We know it has potential, but right now we're focusing on growing our core business.
We're moving into a 92,000-square-foot office in Cool Springs off Carothers Parkway in November, and we will begin the process of recruiting for about 300 new staff members.
We're looking to double the size of our operations over the next 18 to 24 months. We can expand the new offices by an additional 50,000 square feet as the need arises.
We'll hire across the board. The jobs will pay anywhere from $30,000 to $75,000 a year. And here in Nashville, a health-care capital, we've got a well-trained, educated work force from which to recruit.
When you hire call or contact center personnel, how do you screen for medical knowledge or just plain patience?
Ellen Hitt, our vice president of human capital management, came on board and helped us get it right. There are a couple of things you look at. You hire attitude first; we want people on board who want to serve our patients.
There's a big difference between someone at a call center selling Ginsu knives, or just taking an order, versus someone who really personally connects with a patient and wants to help them.
We also hire for technical expertise. We do a skills assessment to judge whether they can handle the job. Secondly, we don't just sign off on a person after a single interview. They meet with their potential team captain, the department manager, a recruiter and human resources. Also, we're very focused on training and quality control after we hire someone.
What are some of Simplex's quality-control measures?
One of the things we look at is patient attrition; if we bring a patient on board and they order for the first time, do they order again? That's the ultimate metric on whether they're satisfied or not.
We also pay attention to feedback from patients on things they don't like. We used to print "Diabetes Care Club" on the boxes that we'd mail to people's homes. But many customers said they didn't like that. We thought from a branding and information standpoint it was a nice touch to have that on the box. But from the standpoint of someone newly diagnosed as a diabetic, many didn't want their neighbors to know or they were somehow embarrassed or bothered by it. We took that off the package.
How many patients do you have now?
At the end of August, we were at 187,000 patients, and we consider that ahead of plan. It's also evidence of just how bad the problem of diabetes is for our country.
In 2007, we had roughly $8 million in gross revenue. In 2008, it was around $56 million. This year, as of the close of Aug. 31, we were at $127 million. We're targeting around $185 million for this year as a whole. All that is through organic growth, not any other acquisitions.
Where do you advertise to reach the diabetic patient?
You'll see us on television, and you'll also see us on the Internet. On TV, we reach more of the newly diagnosed diabetic. On the Internet, you tend to see the patient's caregiver or a family member reaching out to find information — the son or grandson trying to help mom or grandma.
We like to use TV and the Web because we can easily track it to see what's effective and what's not. On TV, we run commercials with literally hundreds of 1-800 phone numbers so we know exactly which TV spots are working for us. We intend to spend $36 million on TV next year.
Are you considering making other acquisitions?
Let's take a step back and I'll tell you the broader vision for Simplex Healthcare. We'd like to serve 1 million patients across four or five product categories, not just diabetic supplies.
Right now, we have our Diabetes Care Club brand, and in August we launched a new division called CPAP Care Club that provides supplies to patients being treated for sleep apnea or sleep disorders.
We know there's a high incidence of people who have both diabetes and sleep apnea. We'd like to help them with both. If a patient is wearing a sleep apnea (oxygen machine) at night, we can provide them the masks, the filters, the tubing … all of which need to get replaced on a regular basis.
We have diversified as a company with CPAP Care Club. We didn't do this one through an acquisition. We started it from scratch. We'd like to get our bearings first and learn how the market works. We think that will make us a much smarter potential acquirer later in this arena.
Separately, for us to buy something else in the diabetic supply space … the odds are pretty low.
How did you pick sleep apnea services as your second division?
We asked our existing clients a whole list of questions, and what we found out was that about 62 percent of our patient base has sleep apnea. So, there's a very high coincidence of diabetes with sleep apnea. And, I wear a sleep apnea machine. Hey, I know a little bit about this, too.
Masks, filters and tubing are key supplies. It's a consumable that needs to be replenished every 90 days. And as we touch base with our diabetic patients about their supplies, we can serve both and do it in a cost-efficient way.
Source: www.tennessean.com
Showing posts with label DIABETES INFORMATION. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIABETES INFORMATION. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Start Fitness Now: Beating Type 2 Diabetes - A DVD by Kim Lyons
Kim Lyons, NBC's "Biggest Loser" trainer, has announced a new three-title DVD series entitled “Start Fitness Now: Beating Type 2 Diabetes.” The DVD is supported by an online forum and was developed in collaboration with Shaila Singh, MD, Diplomat of the American Association of Family Physicians.
According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 20.5 million adults in the United States are affected by type 2 diabetes. Among blacks, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is about 33 percent, and among Latinos, 38 percent. A major concern is the growing number of children who are developing type 2 diabetes. The Mayo Clinic notes that obesity is the primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes among children. Inactivity is another risk factor, as well as family history and race (Latinos, blacks, Native Americans, and Asian-Americans are more likely to develop the disease).
The DVD series is a guide to motive people to take responsibility for their own health and to help prevent type 2 diabetes or manage it if they already have the disease. The program on the DVDs is designed to give individuals the motivation to engage in 20 minutes of physical activity daily. Dr. Singh notes that she recommends patients engage in 150 minutes of physical activity per week, a goal this DVD can help people achieve.
Each volume of the “Start Fitness Now: Beating Type 2 Diabetes” DVD includes two 20-minute workouts. For example, the first DVD is entitled “Sit Down and Shape Up 1,” and involves using a kitchen chair and doing a cardio walk. “Sit Down and Shape Up 2” includes muscle warming movements, while “Stand Up and Slim Down” consists of walking workouts. Overall the workouts are designed to strength the body, increase heart rate, enhance blood flow, and work the muscles without straining the joints.
Type 2 diabetes is an epidemic, and it is a disease that is associated with serious complications, including kidney failure, amputation, nerve damage, and vision problems. These and other risks can be reduced by more than 50 percent if people lose excess weight and engage in physical activity. The “Start Fitness Now” DVD offers patients a way to improve their health and fight this disease. Consumers can get online support, including nutrition tips, recipes, an explanation of diabetes, podcasts, weekly food journals, and more on the startfitnessnow.com website.
SOURCES:
American Diabetes Association
Mayo Clinic
Watch It Now Entertainment
This article is from www.emaxhealth.com
According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 20.5 million adults in the United States are affected by type 2 diabetes. Among blacks, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is about 33 percent, and among Latinos, 38 percent. A major concern is the growing number of children who are developing type 2 diabetes. The Mayo Clinic notes that obesity is the primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes among children. Inactivity is another risk factor, as well as family history and race (Latinos, blacks, Native Americans, and Asian-Americans are more likely to develop the disease).
The DVD series is a guide to motive people to take responsibility for their own health and to help prevent type 2 diabetes or manage it if they already have the disease. The program on the DVDs is designed to give individuals the motivation to engage in 20 minutes of physical activity daily. Dr. Singh notes that she recommends patients engage in 150 minutes of physical activity per week, a goal this DVD can help people achieve.
Each volume of the “Start Fitness Now: Beating Type 2 Diabetes” DVD includes two 20-minute workouts. For example, the first DVD is entitled “Sit Down and Shape Up 1,” and involves using a kitchen chair and doing a cardio walk. “Sit Down and Shape Up 2” includes muscle warming movements, while “Stand Up and Slim Down” consists of walking workouts. Overall the workouts are designed to strength the body, increase heart rate, enhance blood flow, and work the muscles without straining the joints.
Type 2 diabetes is an epidemic, and it is a disease that is associated with serious complications, including kidney failure, amputation, nerve damage, and vision problems. These and other risks can be reduced by more than 50 percent if people lose excess weight and engage in physical activity. The “Start Fitness Now” DVD offers patients a way to improve their health and fight this disease. Consumers can get online support, including nutrition tips, recipes, an explanation of diabetes, podcasts, weekly food journals, and more on the startfitnessnow.com website.
SOURCES:
American Diabetes Association
Mayo Clinic
Watch It Now Entertainment
This article is from www.emaxhealth.com
Diabetes Drug, Helping Obese Adults Lose Weight
A diabetes drug currently in clinical trials may have the added benefit of helping obese adults lose weight.
A study in the Lancet found that the injectable medication liraglutide, brand name Victoza, helped participants lose an average of 4.8 kilograms (10.6 pounds) with a 1.2-milligram dose, the lowest dosage available. Those who received higher doses lost more weight, up to 7.2 kilograms (15.8 pounds) with the highest dose given. Liraglutide also lowered blood pressure at all dose levels.
The study included 564 obese European adults without clinical diabetes who were randomly assigned to one of five groups for a period of 20 weeks. Four groups received differing dosages of liraglutide (1.2, 1.8, 2.4, and 3.0 milligrams). One group received the weight loss medication orlistat, found in the currently available medications Xenical and Alli. The control group received a placebo.
In addition to the medication, participants increased physical activity and followed a calorie-restricted diet.
Liraglutide works by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1 which is released into the small intestine after eating. It tells the body to release more insulin to lower blood sugar levels, and also signals the brain to stop eating. The naturally occurring hormone is typically eliminated from the bloodstream within minutes, but liraglutide contains a molecule to make it more resistant and the effects last for a full day.
After the completion of the study, researchers tracked the participants for two years and found that those on liraglutide kept the weight off.
Until this study, liraglutide had only been tested for its anti-glycemic action in people with type 2 diabetes. A third of the patients in the Lancet study were considered “pre-diabetic”, meaning blood sugar levels were elevated but not enough to qualify for clinical diabetes. At the higher doses, liraglutide reduced blood sugar to normal in 84 to 95% of participants.
The most common side effect of the medication was nausea and vomiting. This generally occurred during the first month of the study. No other serious side effects were observed.
Liraglutide is being developed by Novo Nordisk and is currently in phase II trials in the United States. It has been approved for diabetes treatment in Europe.
SOURCE:
"Effects of liraglutide in the treatment of obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study"
Arne Astrup, Stephan Rössner, Luc Van Gaal, Aila Rissanen, Leo Niskanen, Mazin Al Hakim, Jesper Madsen, Mads F Rasmussen, Michael E J Lean, on behalf of the NN8022-1807 Study Group
Lancet, online October 23, 2009
Source: Denise Reynolds RD
This article is from www.emaxhealth.com
A study in the Lancet found that the injectable medication liraglutide, brand name Victoza, helped participants lose an average of 4.8 kilograms (10.6 pounds) with a 1.2-milligram dose, the lowest dosage available. Those who received higher doses lost more weight, up to 7.2 kilograms (15.8 pounds) with the highest dose given. Liraglutide also lowered blood pressure at all dose levels.
The study included 564 obese European adults without clinical diabetes who were randomly assigned to one of five groups for a period of 20 weeks. Four groups received differing dosages of liraglutide (1.2, 1.8, 2.4, and 3.0 milligrams). One group received the weight loss medication orlistat, found in the currently available medications Xenical and Alli. The control group received a placebo.
In addition to the medication, participants increased physical activity and followed a calorie-restricted diet.
Liraglutide works by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1 which is released into the small intestine after eating. It tells the body to release more insulin to lower blood sugar levels, and also signals the brain to stop eating. The naturally occurring hormone is typically eliminated from the bloodstream within minutes, but liraglutide contains a molecule to make it more resistant and the effects last for a full day.
After the completion of the study, researchers tracked the participants for two years and found that those on liraglutide kept the weight off.
Until this study, liraglutide had only been tested for its anti-glycemic action in people with type 2 diabetes. A third of the patients in the Lancet study were considered “pre-diabetic”, meaning blood sugar levels were elevated but not enough to qualify for clinical diabetes. At the higher doses, liraglutide reduced blood sugar to normal in 84 to 95% of participants.
The most common side effect of the medication was nausea and vomiting. This generally occurred during the first month of the study. No other serious side effects were observed.
Liraglutide is being developed by Novo Nordisk and is currently in phase II trials in the United States. It has been approved for diabetes treatment in Europe.
SOURCE:
"Effects of liraglutide in the treatment of obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study"
Arne Astrup, Stephan Rössner, Luc Van Gaal, Aila Rissanen, Leo Niskanen, Mazin Al Hakim, Jesper Madsen, Mads F Rasmussen, Michael E J Lean, on behalf of the NN8022-1807 Study Group
Lancet, online October 23, 2009
Source: Denise Reynolds RD
This article is from www.emaxhealth.com
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
India leads the world in the looming epidemic of diabetes
MONTREAL: India leads the world in the looming epidemic of diabetes, the 20th annual World Diabetes Congress of the International Diabetic
Federation (IDF) was told here on Monday.
In its annual report, the IDF said India currently has the highest number of 50.8 million people suffering from diabetes, followed by China with 43.2 million and the US with 26.8 million. The report projected 58.7 million diabetes cases in India by 2010 - almost 7 per cent of its adult population.
By 2030, over 8.4 per cent of the Indian adult population will suffer from diabetes, thanks to the increasing life expectancy and urbanisation, the report said.
Warning Indian policy makers, the report said, "Evidence suggests that in more affluent parts of the country, the rural prevalence is higher than in less affluent rural areas, indicating that increasing economic growth will raise diabetes prevalence in India even more than these possibly conservative estimates have indicated.''
The rampaging diabetes will impose a huge economic burden on India and other countries, it added. Apart from losing billions in lost productivity, the report said, India will also be spending $2.8 billion annually on diabetes control measures by 2010.
There are estimated to be 285 million diabetes cases worldwide, accounting for seven per cent of the world's population.
Diabetes, along with cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, accounts for 60 per cent ff all deaths worldwide.
"Diabetes imposes a large economic burden on the individual, national healthcare system and economy. Healthcare expenditures on diabetes are expected to account for 11.6 per cent of the total healthcare expenditure in the world in 2010,'' the report said.
"Estimated global healthcare expenditures to treat and prevent diabetes and its complications are expected to total at least $376 billion in 2010.''
Addressing the congress, Martin Silink, outgoing president of the International Diabetic Federation, said the epidemic of diabetes will increase from 7 million new cases a year in 2007 to 10 million new cases this year.
The epidemic is getting out of control, said incoming IDF president Jean-Claude Mbanya. He said if the trend continues unchecked, there will be 435 million people with diabetes worldwide by 2030.
More than 12,000 delegates and 400 speakers from around the world are attending the congress.
This article is from economictimes.indiatimes.com
Federation (IDF) was told here on Monday.
In its annual report, the IDF said India currently has the highest number of 50.8 million people suffering from diabetes, followed by China with 43.2 million and the US with 26.8 million. The report projected 58.7 million diabetes cases in India by 2010 - almost 7 per cent of its adult population.
By 2030, over 8.4 per cent of the Indian adult population will suffer from diabetes, thanks to the increasing life expectancy and urbanisation, the report said.
Warning Indian policy makers, the report said, "Evidence suggests that in more affluent parts of the country, the rural prevalence is higher than in less affluent rural areas, indicating that increasing economic growth will raise diabetes prevalence in India even more than these possibly conservative estimates have indicated.''
The rampaging diabetes will impose a huge economic burden on India and other countries, it added. Apart from losing billions in lost productivity, the report said, India will also be spending $2.8 billion annually on diabetes control measures by 2010.
There are estimated to be 285 million diabetes cases worldwide, accounting for seven per cent of the world's population.
Diabetes, along with cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, accounts for 60 per cent ff all deaths worldwide.
"Diabetes imposes a large economic burden on the individual, national healthcare system and economy. Healthcare expenditures on diabetes are expected to account for 11.6 per cent of the total healthcare expenditure in the world in 2010,'' the report said.
"Estimated global healthcare expenditures to treat and prevent diabetes and its complications are expected to total at least $376 billion in 2010.''
Addressing the congress, Martin Silink, outgoing president of the International Diabetic Federation, said the epidemic of diabetes will increase from 7 million new cases a year in 2007 to 10 million new cases this year.
The epidemic is getting out of control, said incoming IDF president Jean-Claude Mbanya. He said if the trend continues unchecked, there will be 435 million people with diabetes worldwide by 2030.
More than 12,000 delegates and 400 speakers from around the world are attending the congress.
This article is from economictimes.indiatimes.com
What is SMBG?
SMBG is self-monitoring of blood glucose. Using a blood glucose monitor to do SMBG testing can help you improve control of your sugar levels. The results you get from an SMBG test can help you make appropriate adjustments to your medicine, diet and/or level of physical activity. Every person with diabetes should have a blood glucose monitor and know how to use it.
How often should I do SMBG testing?
Your family doctor will recommend how often you should test. Testing times are based on the kind of medicine you take and on how well your sugar levels are controlled.
What time of day should I test?
Recommendations for the best time of day to test your blood sugar depend on your medicine, mealtimes and sugar control. On the chart below, your doctor will check the times when you should test your sugar. Your doctor may also suggest different goals, depending on your situation.
Check your blood sugar if:
* You have symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia),which include dizziness, shaking, sweating, chills and confusion
* You have symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia),which include sleepiness, blurred vision, frequent urination and excessive thirst
* You need to learn how meals, physical activity and medicine affect your blood sugar level
* You have a job in which poor blood sugar control could cause safety problems
* You need help deciding if it is safe to drive or perform other tasks that require concentration if you are taking insulin or have had hypoglycemia in the past
Reasons to check your blood sugar more frequently:
* If your diabetes medicine changes
* If you begin taking other kinds of medicines
* If you change your diet
* If your exercise routine or activity level changes
* If your level of stress increases
* If you are sick. When you are sick, even without eating, your sugar levels may run high, so testing is important.
Follow your doctor's testing recommendations during this time. Continue testing more often until you have maintained your SMBG goal values for at least 1 week, or until your doctor advises you that more frequent testing is no longer necessary.
SOURCE: www.familydoctor.org
How often should I do SMBG testing?
Your family doctor will recommend how often you should test. Testing times are based on the kind of medicine you take and on how well your sugar levels are controlled.
What time of day should I test?
Recommendations for the best time of day to test your blood sugar depend on your medicine, mealtimes and sugar control. On the chart below, your doctor will check the times when you should test your sugar. Your doctor may also suggest different goals, depending on your situation.
Check your blood sugar if:
* You have symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia),which include dizziness, shaking, sweating, chills and confusion
* You have symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia),which include sleepiness, blurred vision, frequent urination and excessive thirst
* You need to learn how meals, physical activity and medicine affect your blood sugar level
* You have a job in which poor blood sugar control could cause safety problems
* You need help deciding if it is safe to drive or perform other tasks that require concentration if you are taking insulin or have had hypoglycemia in the past
Reasons to check your blood sugar more frequently:
* If your diabetes medicine changes
* If you begin taking other kinds of medicines
* If you change your diet
* If your exercise routine or activity level changes
* If your level of stress increases
* If you are sick. When you are sick, even without eating, your sugar levels may run high, so testing is important.
Follow your doctor's testing recommendations during this time. Continue testing more often until you have maintained your SMBG goal values for at least 1 week, or until your doctor advises you that more frequent testing is no longer necessary.
SOURCE: www.familydoctor.org
Friday, October 16, 2009
Diabetes Primer
Diabetes interferes with the way the body processes the sugar glucose, the body's main source of energy. When all is going well, cells absorb glucose from the blood stream after we've eaten and use it as fuel, or pack it away for future use. Insulin, produced by the pancreas, orchestrates the process. With diabetes, the process breaks down, and glucose start to builds up in the blood.
There are three types of diabetes:
- Type 1, usually diagnosed in children and adolescents, is caused when the body can't produce insulin. The body's immune system or environmental factors are believed to trigger Type 1, which accounts for 10 per cent of diabetes.
- Type 2, which accounts for 90 per cent of diabetes, usually begins when the glucose-absorbing cells lose their ability to mop up sugar and it starts to build up in the blood. Overeating, sedentary lifestyles and an aging population are believed to be fuelling the explosion of Type 2, which affects 250 million people worldwide, up from 30 million in 1985.
- Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and increases the risk to both the mother and child of developing Type 2.
- "Pre-diabetes" means the body's cells are not responding properly to insulin, and sugar levels in the blood begin to rise. Left unchecked, more tha half of people with pre-diabetes develop full-blown diabetes within eight to 10 years.
Diabetes interferes with the way the body processes the sugar glucose, the body's main source of energy. When all is going well, cells absorb glucose from the blood stream after we've eaten and use it as fuel, or pack it away for future use. Insulin, produced by the pancreas, orchestrates the process. With diabetes, the process breaks down, and glucose start to builds up in the blood.
There are three types of diabetes:
- Type 1, usually diagnosed in children and adolescents, is caused when the body can't produce insulin. The body's immune system or environmental factors are believed to trigger Type 1, which accounts for 10 per cent of diabetes.
- Type 2, which accounts for 90 per cent of diabetes, usually begins when the glucose-absorbing cells lose their ability to mop up sugar and it starts to build up in the blood. Overeating, sedentary lifestyles and an aging population are believed to be fuelling the explosion of Type 2, which affects 250 million people worldwide, up from 30 million in 1985.
- Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and increases the risk to both the mother and child of developing Type 2.
- "Pre-diabetes" means the body's cells are not responding properly to insulin, and sugar levels in the blood begin to rise. Left unchecked, more tha half of people with pre-diabetes develop full-blown diabetes within eight to 10 years.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
DIABETES TESTING: Animals Can Have Diabetes Too
Diabetes mellitus, or DM, occurs in an estimated one out of every 500 dogs and one out of every 400 cats.
DM usually occurs in middle-aged dogs (6 to 9 years) with females being three times more likely to develop the condition than males.
The most commonly affected breeds include German shepherd dogs, schnauzers, beagles, poodles, golden retrievers, and keeshonds.
There is no breed predisposition among cats, but castrated males are more commonly affected. DM has been diagnosed in cats of all ages, but typically occurs in older cats.
The cells of the body use a sugar known as glucose for food. Glucose can only be absorbed and utilized by the cells in the presence of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas.
If insulin is not available to move glucose into the cells it accumulates in the bloodstream creating a condition called hyperglycemia.
Most dogs and 5-20 percent of cats are affected by Type I or "insulin dependent" diabetes, a condition where the pancreas produces no insulin at all.
The remaining 80-95 percent of cats will suffer from Type II or "non-insulin dependent" diabetes, a condition where the pancreas produces some insulin, but not enough.
The most commonly seen signs of DM in cats and dogs include excessive drinking, excessive urination, excessive eating, weight loss or weight gain, and dehydration.
In cats the rear legs may become weak or wobbly (due to nerve damage). In dogs, vision problems and cataracts may become apparent.
To diagnose DM your veterinarian we use a complete blood count, serum chemistry and urinalysis.
These tests will be used to confirm a persistent fasting hyperglycemia and identify concurrent infections.
The goals of treatment are to reduce or eliminate the signs associated with persistent hyperglycemia and to prevent cataracts, nerve damage and other diabetic complications.
This means a low carbohydrate diet for cats and a high-fiber, moderate carbohydrate diet for dogs. Numerous prescription diets are available. Insulin injections will probably need to be given once or twice a day. Although this may seem daunting at first, most people do quite well with just a little practice.
Cats and dogs may be treated with animal insulin or with human synthetic insulin.
The type of insulin used will vary between pets and may require some experimentation.
If left untreated diabetes is life threatening. However, early diagnosis and treatment may prevent nerve damage, blindness, and even lead to remission in many cats.
Because early diagnosis is so important, our hospital offers wellness blood testing during yearly exams. As always, if you have any questions or concerns contact your veterinarian.
(Dr. Chris Rainey, a veterinarian at Animal Hospital of Orange Grove, encourages questions for this column. Write to South Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association, 20005 Pineville Road, Long Beach, MS 39560 and include a self-addressed stamped envelope.)
This article is from www.sanluisobispo.com
DM usually occurs in middle-aged dogs (6 to 9 years) with females being three times more likely to develop the condition than males.
The most commonly affected breeds include German shepherd dogs, schnauzers, beagles, poodles, golden retrievers, and keeshonds.
There is no breed predisposition among cats, but castrated males are more commonly affected. DM has been diagnosed in cats of all ages, but typically occurs in older cats.
The cells of the body use a sugar known as glucose for food. Glucose can only be absorbed and utilized by the cells in the presence of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas.
If insulin is not available to move glucose into the cells it accumulates in the bloodstream creating a condition called hyperglycemia.
Most dogs and 5-20 percent of cats are affected by Type I or "insulin dependent" diabetes, a condition where the pancreas produces no insulin at all.
The remaining 80-95 percent of cats will suffer from Type II or "non-insulin dependent" diabetes, a condition where the pancreas produces some insulin, but not enough.
The most commonly seen signs of DM in cats and dogs include excessive drinking, excessive urination, excessive eating, weight loss or weight gain, and dehydration.
In cats the rear legs may become weak or wobbly (due to nerve damage). In dogs, vision problems and cataracts may become apparent.
To diagnose DM your veterinarian we use a complete blood count, serum chemistry and urinalysis.
These tests will be used to confirm a persistent fasting hyperglycemia and identify concurrent infections.
The goals of treatment are to reduce or eliminate the signs associated with persistent hyperglycemia and to prevent cataracts, nerve damage and other diabetic complications.
This means a low carbohydrate diet for cats and a high-fiber, moderate carbohydrate diet for dogs. Numerous prescription diets are available. Insulin injections will probably need to be given once or twice a day. Although this may seem daunting at first, most people do quite well with just a little practice.
Cats and dogs may be treated with animal insulin or with human synthetic insulin.
The type of insulin used will vary between pets and may require some experimentation.
If left untreated diabetes is life threatening. However, early diagnosis and treatment may prevent nerve damage, blindness, and even lead to remission in many cats.
Because early diagnosis is so important, our hospital offers wellness blood testing during yearly exams. As always, if you have any questions or concerns contact your veterinarian.
(Dr. Chris Rainey, a veterinarian at Animal Hospital of Orange Grove, encourages questions for this column. Write to South Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association, 20005 Pineville Road, Long Beach, MS 39560 and include a self-addressed stamped envelope.)
This article is from www.sanluisobispo.com
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
When is DIABETES TESTING ordered?
Blood glucose testing can be used to screen healthy, asymptomatic individuals for diabetes and pre-diabetes because diabetes is a common disease that begins with few symptoms. Screening for glucose may occur during public health fairs or as part of workplace health programs. It may also be ordered when a patient has a routine physical exam. Screening is especially important for people at high risk of developing diabetes, such as those with a family history of diabetes, those who are overweight, and those who are more than 40 to 45 years old.
The glucose test may also be ordered to help diagnose diabetes when someone has symptoms of hyperglycemia, such as:
* Increased thirst
* Increased urination
* Fatigue
* Blurred vision
* Slow-healing infections
or symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as:
* Sweating
* Hunger
* Trembling
* Anxiety
* Confusion
* Blurred Vision
Blood glucose testing is also done in emergency settings to determine if low or high glucose is contributing to symptoms such as fainting and unconsciousness. If a patient has pre-diabetes (characterized by fasting or OGTT levels that are higher than normal but lower than those defined as diabetic), the doctor will order a glucose test at regular intervals to monitor the patient’s status. With known diabetics, doctors will order glucose levels in conjunction with other tests such as hemoglobin A1c to monitor glucose control over a period of time.
Occasionally, a blood glucose level may be ordered along with insulin and C-peptide to monitor insulin production.
Diabetics may be required to self-check their glucose, once or several times a day, to monitor glucose levels and to determine treatment options as prescribed by their doctor.
Pregnant women are usually screened for gestational diabetes late in their pregnancies, unless they have early symptoms or previously have had gestational diabetes. When a woman has gestational diabetes, her doctor will usually order glucose levels throughout the rest of her pregnancy and after delivery to monitor her condition.
SOURCE: www.labtestsonline.com
The glucose test may also be ordered to help diagnose diabetes when someone has symptoms of hyperglycemia, such as:
* Increased thirst
* Increased urination
* Fatigue
* Blurred vision
* Slow-healing infections
or symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as:
* Sweating
* Hunger
* Trembling
* Anxiety
* Confusion
* Blurred Vision
Blood glucose testing is also done in emergency settings to determine if low or high glucose is contributing to symptoms such as fainting and unconsciousness. If a patient has pre-diabetes (characterized by fasting or OGTT levels that are higher than normal but lower than those defined as diabetic), the doctor will order a glucose test at regular intervals to monitor the patient’s status. With known diabetics, doctors will order glucose levels in conjunction with other tests such as hemoglobin A1c to monitor glucose control over a period of time.
Occasionally, a blood glucose level may be ordered along with insulin and C-peptide to monitor insulin production.
Diabetics may be required to self-check their glucose, once or several times a day, to monitor glucose levels and to determine treatment options as prescribed by their doctor.
Pregnant women are usually screened for gestational diabetes late in their pregnancies, unless they have early symptoms or previously have had gestational diabetes. When a woman has gestational diabetes, her doctor will usually order glucose levels throughout the rest of her pregnancy and after delivery to monitor her condition.
SOURCE: www.labtestsonline.com
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Why do we need DIABETES TESTING?
The reason to care about testing is because by paying attention to the amount of sugar in the blood, we may actually save a diabetics’ life by preventing extreme events like crippling falls, dangerous disorientation, and severe comas.
Most diabetics take medication to help our body’s natural system of balancing the amount of sugar in our blood. And the medication science has given us is not perfect yet. So when our bodies are not chemically balanced--when the sugar in our blood is too high or too low--we have extreme events forced upon us. Stories about diabetics passing out, going into comas, and having accidents because of the diabetes are true.
So, when we care for a person with diabetes, we learn about living with these very real fears. And it is important that everyone realize that extreme events happen to diabetics even when doing our best to prevent them. That is why having diabetes is scary for all concerned. But even if you don’t have a clue about the complexities of the disease, help the aging diabetics you know by testing their blood sugar for them.
Routine doctor visits should always include a blood sugar test by medical personnel. But accidents due to unstable blood sugars in diabetics don’t usually happen at the doctor’s office. This is why family, friends, and caregivers who do blood testing every day will improve safety for the aging diabetics they love and serve.
SOURCE: National Council of Aging (Article Written by Laura Murphy Baillie)
Most diabetics take medication to help our body’s natural system of balancing the amount of sugar in our blood. And the medication science has given us is not perfect yet. So when our bodies are not chemically balanced--when the sugar in our blood is too high or too low--we have extreme events forced upon us. Stories about diabetics passing out, going into comas, and having accidents because of the diabetes are true.
So, when we care for a person with diabetes, we learn about living with these very real fears. And it is important that everyone realize that extreme events happen to diabetics even when doing our best to prevent them. That is why having diabetes is scary for all concerned. But even if you don’t have a clue about the complexities of the disease, help the aging diabetics you know by testing their blood sugar for them.
Routine doctor visits should always include a blood sugar test by medical personnel. But accidents due to unstable blood sugars in diabetics don’t usually happen at the doctor’s office. This is why family, friends, and caregivers who do blood testing every day will improve safety for the aging diabetics they love and serve.
SOURCE: National Council of Aging (Article Written by Laura Murphy Baillie)
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
DIABETES TESTING Tips
Diabetes test tips and tricks
By taking the blood glucose diabetes test, you can make smart choices about managing your diabetes. For example, you can decide when and how much medicine to take, when to exercise and when to eat meals or snacks. And you’ll ensure good results when you follow these tips:
Strip tips
1) Always use a fresh test strip. Diabetes test strips are only good for three months after opening the vial.
2) Code your meter. When opening a new container of diabetes test strips, be sure to code your meter using control solution and a new strip.
Sample tips
1) Wash and dry your hands. Before performing your diabetes test, use an alcohol
pad to clean the area that you're going to prick. (Washing your hands in hot water gets the blood flowing).
2) Use a fresh lancet. Prick yourself with a fresh, sterile lancet to get a drop of blood.
Reusing lancets can lead to calluses, infections and increased pain.
3) Try the side. It may be easier and less painful to prick your fingertip on one side, not
on the pad — especially if you perform this diabetes test several times a day.
4) Dangle and squeeze. If you have trouble getting a sample, try dangling your hand below your heart for a minute then slowly squeeze from the base to the tip.
Bad results?
1) If the entire color spot area of the diabetes test strip does not show full color development (not enough blood) or appears “wet” (too much blood), discard the strip and repeat the diabetes test with a new test strip.
2) If your diabetes test results in an abnormally high or low test reading (a number you feel does not match your symptoms), use control solution to check that your meter is coded properly. Then, retest.
SOURCE: American Diabetes Association
By taking the blood glucose diabetes test, you can make smart choices about managing your diabetes. For example, you can decide when and how much medicine to take, when to exercise and when to eat meals or snacks. And you’ll ensure good results when you follow these tips:
Strip tips
1) Always use a fresh test strip. Diabetes test strips are only good for three months after opening the vial.
2) Code your meter. When opening a new container of diabetes test strips, be sure to code your meter using control solution and a new strip.
Sample tips
1) Wash and dry your hands. Before performing your diabetes test, use an alcohol
pad to clean the area that you're going to prick. (Washing your hands in hot water gets the blood flowing).
2) Use a fresh lancet. Prick yourself with a fresh, sterile lancet to get a drop of blood.
Reusing lancets can lead to calluses, infections and increased pain.
3) Try the side. It may be easier and less painful to prick your fingertip on one side, not
on the pad — especially if you perform this diabetes test several times a day.
4) Dangle and squeeze. If you have trouble getting a sample, try dangling your hand below your heart for a minute then slowly squeeze from the base to the tip.
Bad results?
1) If the entire color spot area of the diabetes test strip does not show full color development (not enough blood) or appears “wet” (too much blood), discard the strip and repeat the diabetes test with a new test strip.
2) If your diabetes test results in an abnormally high or low test reading (a number you feel does not match your symptoms), use control solution to check that your meter is coded properly. Then, retest.
SOURCE: American Diabetes Association
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Tips on DIABETES TESTING 2
Proper Disposal of Syringes and Lancets from www.americandiabetes.com
Laws regarding the proper disposal of your insulin syringes and lancets, vary from state to state. Primarily you would want to dispose of these items in a puncture-proof and leak-proof container, referred to as a Sharps Container. It's important to dispose of insulin syringes and lancets in order to protect individuals who may come in contact with your discarded needles, for example, your trash collector.
To find out what is required in your local area, try contacting one of the following agencies for specific information for your immediate area: Hazardous Waste Disposal, Public Health Department, or your community hospital.
Sharps containers can be purchased from your local or mail-order diabetic supplier.
Some communities may offer an exchange program in which you can swap out a filled container for a new one. Other communities may offer a mail-in service to exchange or dispose of the sharps containers.
If these options are not available and purchasing a Sharps Container is not in your budget, please follow health/safety guidelines. Use a rigid, leak & puncture-proof plastic container, such as a Clorox bottle & mark it as Bio-Hazard. When it is full, put the lid on and tape it securely shut. Place this bottle in the middle of the trash bag, and double-bag. Do not recycle hazardous materials!
SOURCE
Laws regarding the proper disposal of your insulin syringes and lancets, vary from state to state. Primarily you would want to dispose of these items in a puncture-proof and leak-proof container, referred to as a Sharps Container. It's important to dispose of insulin syringes and lancets in order to protect individuals who may come in contact with your discarded needles, for example, your trash collector.
To find out what is required in your local area, try contacting one of the following agencies for specific information for your immediate area: Hazardous Waste Disposal, Public Health Department, or your community hospital.
Sharps containers can be purchased from your local or mail-order diabetic supplier.
Some communities may offer an exchange program in which you can swap out a filled container for a new one. Other communities may offer a mail-in service to exchange or dispose of the sharps containers.
If these options are not available and purchasing a Sharps Container is not in your budget, please follow health/safety guidelines. Use a rigid, leak & puncture-proof plastic container, such as a Clorox bottle & mark it as Bio-Hazard. When it is full, put the lid on and tape it securely shut. Place this bottle in the middle of the trash bag, and double-bag. Do not recycle hazardous materials!
SOURCE
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Non Invasive DIABETES TESTING
I've been thinking of buying a non invasive DIABETES TESTING kit. I'm just not sure yet if this is good for monitoring per se or for diagnosing diabetes. If you happen to be using any of the non-invasive DIABETES TESTING kits, please share with me your experiences by posting a comment. Thank you.
By the way, on my way to researching on this non invasive DIABETES TESTING, i found this short article naming a particular brand. I wonder if it really works.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a noninvasive blood glucose monitoring device for adults, children, and adolescents with diabetes. Noninvasive monitoring means checking blood glucose levels without puncturing the skin for a blood sample. The GlucoWatch G2 Biographer, manufactured by Cygnus Inc., was approved to detect glucose level trends and track patterns in people with diabetes. It must be used along with conventional blood glucose monitoring of blood samples. The device, which looks like a wristwatch, pulls body fluid from the skin using small electric currents. It can provide six measurements per hour for 13 hours.
Over the years, scientists have been trying to find noninvasive ways for people with diabetes to measure their blood glucose. Most methods of monitoring blood glucose require a blood sample, usually obtained by using an automatic lancing device on a finger. Some meters use a blood sample from a less sensitive area, such as the upper arm, forearm, or thigh. Other devices use a beam of light instead of a lancet to pierce the skin. SOURCE
By the way, on my way to researching on this non invasive DIABETES TESTING, i found this short article naming a particular brand. I wonder if it really works.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a noninvasive blood glucose monitoring device for adults, children, and adolescents with diabetes. Noninvasive monitoring means checking blood glucose levels without puncturing the skin for a blood sample. The GlucoWatch G2 Biographer, manufactured by Cygnus Inc., was approved to detect glucose level trends and track patterns in people with diabetes. It must be used along with conventional blood glucose monitoring of blood samples. The device, which looks like a wristwatch, pulls body fluid from the skin using small electric currents. It can provide six measurements per hour for 13 hours.
Over the years, scientists have been trying to find noninvasive ways for people with diabetes to measure their blood glucose. Most methods of monitoring blood glucose require a blood sample, usually obtained by using an automatic lancing device on a finger. Some meters use a blood sample from a less sensitive area, such as the upper arm, forearm, or thigh. Other devices use a beam of light instead of a lancet to pierce the skin. SOURCE
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Recommendations on DIABETES TESTING
This article is from www.mayoclinic.com. I find it very helpful in understanding the DIABETES TESTING procedures we undergo upon consultation. I hope you'll find it informative too.
In June 2009, an international committee composed of experts from the American Diabetes Association, the European Association for the Study of Diabetes and the International Diabetes Federation recommended that type 1 diabetes testing include the:
After the diagnosis
Once you've been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, you'll regularly visit your doctor to ensure good diabetes management. During these visits, the doctor will also check your A1C levels. Your target A1C goal may vary depending on your age and various other factors, but the American Diabetes Association generally recommends that A1C levels be below 7 percent, which translates to an estimated average glucose of 154 mg/dL (8.5 mmol/L).
Compared with repeated daily blood sugar tests, A1C testing better indicates how well your diabetes treatment plan is working. An elevated A1C level may signal the need for a change in your insulin regimen or meal plan.
In addition to the A1C test, the doctor will also take blood and urine samples periodically to check your cholesterol levels, thyroid function, liver function and kidney function and to test for celiac disease. The doctor will also examine you to assess your blood pressure, and he or she will check the sites where you test your blood sugar and deliver insulin.
In June 2009, an international committee composed of experts from the American Diabetes Association, the European Association for the Study of Diabetes and the International Diabetes Federation recommended that type 1 diabetes testing include the:
- Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test. This blood test indicates your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. It works by measuring the percentage of blood sugar attached to hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. The higher your blood sugar levels, the more hemoglobin you'll have with sugar attached. An A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher on two separate tests indicates you have diabetes. A result between 6 and 6.5 percent is considered prediabetes, which indicates a high risk of developing diabetes.
- Random blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken at a random time. Blood sugar values are expressed in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Regardless of when you last ate, a random blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher suggests diabetes, especially when coupled with any of the signs and symptoms of diabetes, such as frequent urination and extreme thirst.
- Fasting blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken after an overnight fast. A fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is normal. A fasting blood sugar level from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) is considered prediabetes. If it's 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher on two separate tests, you have diabetes.
After the diagnosis
Once you've been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, you'll regularly visit your doctor to ensure good diabetes management. During these visits, the doctor will also check your A1C levels. Your target A1C goal may vary depending on your age and various other factors, but the American Diabetes Association generally recommends that A1C levels be below 7 percent, which translates to an estimated average glucose of 154 mg/dL (8.5 mmol/L).
Compared with repeated daily blood sugar tests, A1C testing better indicates how well your diabetes treatment plan is working. An elevated A1C level may signal the need for a change in your insulin regimen or meal plan.
In addition to the A1C test, the doctor will also take blood and urine samples periodically to check your cholesterol levels, thyroid function, liver function and kidney function and to test for celiac disease. The doctor will also examine you to assess your blood pressure, and he or she will check the sites where you test your blood sugar and deliver insulin.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
What is Oral Glucose Tolerance Test?
This article is from www.medicine.net
Oral glucose tolerance test: A test to determine the body's ability to handle glucose .
In the test, a person fasts overnight (at least 8 but not more than 16 hours). Then first, the fasting plasma glucose is tested. After this test, the person receives 75 grams of glucose (100 grams for pregnant women). Usually, the glucose is in a sweet-tasting liquid that the person drinks. Blood samples are taken up to four times to measure the blood glucose.
For the test to give reliable results, the person must be in good health (not have any other illnesses, not even a cold). Also, the person should be normally active (not lying down, for example, as an inpatient in a hospital) and the person should not be taking medicines that could affect the blood glucose. For 3 days before the test, the person should have eaten a diet high in carbohydrates (150-200 grams per day). The morning of the test, the person should not smoke or drink coffee.
The oral glucose tolerance test measures blood glucose levels 5 times over a period of 3 hours. In a person without diabetes, the glucose levels rise and then fall quickly. In someone with diabetes, glucose levels rise higher than normal and fail to come back down as fast.
People with glucose levels between normal and diabetic have what is termed "impaired glucose tolerance" (IGT). People with IGT do not have diabetes. Each year, only 1-5% of people whose test results show IGT actually develop diabetes. And with retesting, as many as half of the people with IGT have normal oral glucose tolerance test results. Weight loss and exercise may help people with IGT return their glucose levels to normal.
Oral glucose tolerance depends on a number of factors including the ability of the intestine to absorb glucose, the power of the liver to take up and store glucose, the capacity of the pancreas to produce insulin, the amount of "active" insulin it produces, and the sensitivity of the cells in the body to the action of insulin.
To know what outcomes the test would show, click SOURCE
Oral glucose tolerance test: A test to determine the body's ability to handle glucose .
In the test, a person fasts overnight (at least 8 but not more than 16 hours). Then first, the fasting plasma glucose is tested. After this test, the person receives 75 grams of glucose (100 grams for pregnant women). Usually, the glucose is in a sweet-tasting liquid that the person drinks. Blood samples are taken up to four times to measure the blood glucose.
For the test to give reliable results, the person must be in good health (not have any other illnesses, not even a cold). Also, the person should be normally active (not lying down, for example, as an inpatient in a hospital) and the person should not be taking medicines that could affect the blood glucose. For 3 days before the test, the person should have eaten a diet high in carbohydrates (150-200 grams per day). The morning of the test, the person should not smoke or drink coffee.
The oral glucose tolerance test measures blood glucose levels 5 times over a period of 3 hours. In a person without diabetes, the glucose levels rise and then fall quickly. In someone with diabetes, glucose levels rise higher than normal and fail to come back down as fast.
People with glucose levels between normal and diabetic have what is termed "impaired glucose tolerance" (IGT). People with IGT do not have diabetes. Each year, only 1-5% of people whose test results show IGT actually develop diabetes. And with retesting, as many as half of the people with IGT have normal oral glucose tolerance test results. Weight loss and exercise may help people with IGT return their glucose levels to normal.
Oral glucose tolerance depends on a number of factors including the ability of the intestine to absorb glucose, the power of the liver to take up and store glucose, the capacity of the pancreas to produce insulin, the amount of "active" insulin it produces, and the sensitivity of the cells in the body to the action of insulin.
To know what outcomes the test would show, click SOURCE
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Free DIABETIC SUPPLIES
Good day! This morning, I found this website called www.mydiabetessupply.com advertising Free DIABETIC SUPPLIES. I'm just wondering if anyone has ever tried this before. Please share your experiences with me/us by posting a comment. Thank you.
I found this bit of information in their site. However, upon clicking the link which supposedly leads to the Free section, I was diverted to another website offering Free Smileys. Disappointing. Anyway, I've manage to post the name of the company who is advertising the Free DIABETES SUPPLIES. Please see below:
QualityHealth is the best rated and fastest growing community for diabetic people, their caregivers and/or loved ones, and health care professionals. If you are one of the millions of Americans suffering from diabetes, you may qualify to receive free diabetic supplies or at little cost.
I found this bit of information in their site. However, upon clicking the link which supposedly leads to the Free section, I was diverted to another website offering Free Smileys. Disappointing. Anyway, I've manage to post the name of the company who is advertising the Free DIABETES SUPPLIES. Please see below:
QualityHealth is the best rated and fastest growing community for diabetic people, their caregivers and/or loved ones, and health care professionals. If you are one of the millions of Americans suffering from diabetes, you may qualify to receive free diabetic supplies or at little cost.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Tips on DIABETIC TESTING
Getting a Blood Sample from your Fingers:
All glucose meters vary in technique. Refer to your owner's manual for more information specific to your glucose meter and diabetic testing strips. However, here are some simple diabetic testing tips for getting a blood sample from your fingers.- Wash hands with warm soapy water
- Avoid using alcohol, since it can cause drying and cracking of the skin
- Shake hand down at the side of your body to increase blood flow
- Grasp finger near the area to be lanced and squeeze gently until redness appears
- Prick the side, rather that the center of the finger, because there are fewer nerve endings
- Squeeze gently until you obtain a large drop of blood; do not apply force
- If necessary, gently rub hand from the base of the palm to the finger tip to increase flow
- When you have a large hanging drop of blood, apply it to pad on the test strip. Or, if your strips are "sip-in" style, touch the strip to the blood droplet.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
What is the Fasting Plasma Glucose Test?
The Fasting Plasma Glucose Test is a DIABETES TEST that screens for diabetes by measuring the level of glucose in a person’s blood plasma after a period of fasting (not eating). It is given to nonpregnant adults who are at high risk for diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, these “high-risk” candidates for testing include everyone age 45 or older, obese individuals (people who are 120% of their recommended body weight or above), individuals with first-degree relatives (parents, children, or siblings) with diabetes, members of high-risk ethnic groups (Native Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans, and African-Americans), women who’ve had gestational diabetes or given birth to big babies (9 pounds or more), people with high blood pressure, people with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels at or below 35 mg/dl or triglyceride levels at or above 250 mg/dl, and individuals who have impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance.
The fasting plasma glucose test is performed after a person has fasted for at least 8 hours. A sample of blood is taken from a vein in the arm. If the blood glucose level is greater than or equal to 126 mg/dl, the person is retested and, if the results are consistent, diagnosed with diabetes. (Until a few years ago, the diagnostic cut-off point was 140 mg/dl, but the ADA lowered it because research has shown that even people with fasting plasma glucose levels between 126 mg/dl and 140 mg/dl tend to develop the medical complications of diabetes.)
Individuals with a fasting plasma glucose level less than 126 mg/dl but greater than or equal to 110 mg/dl are classified as having impaired fasting glucose. Though they do not have diabetes, these individuals do not metabolize glucose normally, and they have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, blood lipid disorders, and Type 2 diabetes. SOURCE
The fasting plasma glucose test is performed after a person has fasted for at least 8 hours. A sample of blood is taken from a vein in the arm. If the blood glucose level is greater than or equal to 126 mg/dl, the person is retested and, if the results are consistent, diagnosed with diabetes. (Until a few years ago, the diagnostic cut-off point was 140 mg/dl, but the ADA lowered it because research has shown that even people with fasting plasma glucose levels between 126 mg/dl and 140 mg/dl tend to develop the medical complications of diabetes.)
Individuals with a fasting plasma glucose level less than 126 mg/dl but greater than or equal to 110 mg/dl are classified as having impaired fasting glucose. Though they do not have diabetes, these individuals do not metabolize glucose normally, and they have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, blood lipid disorders, and Type 2 diabetes. SOURCE
Monday, July 27, 2009
How does the A1C Test work?
An A1C (also known as glycated hemoglobin or HbA1c) test gives you a picture of your average blood glucose control for the past 2 to 3 months. The results give you a good idea of how well your diabetes treatment plan is working.
In some ways, the A1C test is like a baseball player's season batting average. Both A1C and the batting average tell you about a person's overall success. Neither a single day's blood test results nor a single game's batting record gives the same big picture.
How does this type of DIABETES TESTING work?
You know from the name that the test measures something called A1C. You may wonder what it has to do with your blood sugar control. Hemoglobin is found inside red blood cells. Its job is to carry oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body. Hemoglobin, like all proteins, links up with sugars such as glucose.
You know that when you have uncontrolled diabetes you have too much sugar in your bloodstream. This extra glucose enters your red blood cells and links up (or glycates) with molecules of hemoglobin. The more excess glucose in your blood, the more hemoglobin gets glycated. It is possible to measure the percentage of A1C in the blood. The result is an overview of your average blood glucose control for the past few months.
To know more about the A1C DIABETES TEST, click SOURCE.
In some ways, the A1C test is like a baseball player's season batting average. Both A1C and the batting average tell you about a person's overall success. Neither a single day's blood test results nor a single game's batting record gives the same big picture.
How does this type of DIABETES TESTING work?
You know from the name that the test measures something called A1C. You may wonder what it has to do with your blood sugar control. Hemoglobin is found inside red blood cells. Its job is to carry oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body. Hemoglobin, like all proteins, links up with sugars such as glucose.
You know that when you have uncontrolled diabetes you have too much sugar in your bloodstream. This extra glucose enters your red blood cells and links up (or glycates) with molecules of hemoglobin. The more excess glucose in your blood, the more hemoglobin gets glycated. It is possible to measure the percentage of A1C in the blood. The result is an overview of your average blood glucose control for the past few months.
To know more about the A1C DIABETES TEST, click SOURCE.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Gestational DIABETES TESTING
The Three-Hour Glucose Tolerance Test
Why it’s done: To confirm or rule out gestational diabetes.
When it's done: After you have received an abnormal reading on the one-hour oral glucose tolerance test.
How it's done: You must fast for 10 to 14 hours before the test. Be sure to discuss any medications you are taking with your doctor to see if they may interfere with the test results.
This test is similar to the one-hour oral glucose tolerance test, except the sugary beverage now contains 100g of glucose, not 50g. Blood is first drawn before you drink the glucola. This is called your fasting glucose level. Blood is drawn again after one hour, two hours and three hours.
What your results mean:
Abnormal readings for each section of the test are:
Why it’s done: To confirm or rule out gestational diabetes.
When it's done: After you have received an abnormal reading on the one-hour oral glucose tolerance test.
How it's done: You must fast for 10 to 14 hours before the test. Be sure to discuss any medications you are taking with your doctor to see if they may interfere with the test results.
This test is similar to the one-hour oral glucose tolerance test, except the sugary beverage now contains 100g of glucose, not 50g. Blood is first drawn before you drink the glucola. This is called your fasting glucose level. Blood is drawn again after one hour, two hours and three hours.
What your results mean:
Abnormal readings for each section of the test are:
- Fasting: 95 mg/dL or higher
- One hour:180 mg/dL or higher
- Two hours:155 mg/dL or higher
- Three hours: 140 mg/dL or higher
Tips
- Due to the 10- to 14-hour fast, most women schedule the test first thing in the morning.
- Some people may feel faint or lightheaded during this test. It is a good idea to have a designated driver and to bring food to eat when the test is over.
- Bring a magazine or book so you’ll have something to do between blood test.
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