Diabetic testing guidelines
Managing diabetes is about testing to see whether it’s under control. Please use the guidelines for general diabetic testing Recommended testing at doctors visits:
First diabetic examination
- Fasting blood glucose
- Weight
- Blood pressure
- Urine micro albumin
- Urine ketones
- Testing for bacteria in urine
- HbA1C – Keep level under 6.0%
- Vitamin D
- Serum-Creatinine
- Lipogram
- Other markers to access cardiovascular risk: Fibrinogen, Lipoprotein A, Homoscysteine, High sensitivity CRP
- Eye exams with pupil dilatation
- Feet pulse
- General examination and an ECG
- Fructosamine – reflects blood sugar control for past 2-3 weeks
Three monthly diabetic recommended tests
- Fasting blood glucose
- Weight
- Blood pressure
- Urine micro albumin
- Urine ketones
- HbA1C – keep level under 6.0%
Annual testing
All of the above and a Vit B12 blood test if patient are on Metformin.
Additional tests that can be performed
Fructosamine – will give you an indication how well your blood sugar is controlled over 2-3 weeks. This test can be used to check new medication regimes or in pregnant women.
Dr James’s Diabetic Diet Tips
- Protein (lean): grass fed free range beef, ostrich, game, lamb and fish
- Low GI/GL vegetables and fruits: greens, cauliflower, broccoli, peppers, celery, berries, etc. (good carbs)
- Fats: Olive oil, butter and coconut oil
- Nuts: walnuts, pecans, cashews, almonds etc
- Diabetic logbook history
- Alcohol (29kJ/ml): Limit intake 1-2 drinks at special occasions: dry wine, whiskey, spirits and no sugar loaded coolers (better not to drink at all)
- Drinks: good quality water and herbal teas
- Sweeteners: cut eventually out of the diet
- Dark chocolate (70% min) occasionally
Low Carb Diabetic Food Pyramid
Disclaimer
- All diabetics that are new to the low carb diet should reduce carbs to 30g per day until their blood sugar adjusts
- While following a low carb meal – monitor blood glucose and reduce medication to prevent lows
Exercise
To lose weight or maintain weight you should exercise 40-60 minutes daily – you can break it up if you are not fit.
The Benefits of Regular Exercise
1. Musculoskeletal system
- Increase muscle strength and muscle mass
- Increases flexibility of muscles and range of joint motion
- Produces stronger bones, ligaments, and tendons
- Lessens chance of injury
- Enhances posture, poise, and physique
- Prevents osteoporosis
2. Heart and blood vessels
- Lowers resting heart rate
- Strengthens heart rate
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves oxygen delivery throughout the body
- Increases blood supply to muscles
- Enlarges the arteries that provide blood to the heart muscle
- Reduces the risk of coronary heart disease
- Helps lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- Raises levels of HDL the “good” cholesterol
3. Bodily processes
- Improves immune function
- Aids digestion and elimination
- Increases endurance and energy levels
- Promotes lean body mass; burn fat
4. Mental processes
- Provides a natural release from pent-up feelings
- Helps reduce tension and anxiety
- Improves mental outlook and self-esteem
- Helps relieve moderate depression
- Improves the ability to handle stress
- Stimulates improved mental function
- Induces relaxation and improves sleep
- Increases self-esteem
- Improves sexual function in both men and women
