Diabetes runs in my family. Almost everyone on my dad’s side of the family has/had it and many of them suffered quite a lot under it. My dad was diagnosed when he was 44 (he’s 75-now and needs insulin shots multiple times a day) and my brother, who is gonna be 40 next year, was diagnosed earlier this year or last year (not sure if he’s insulin dependent or not). I just turned 41 this September and have been riding the “high glucose/pre-diabetic” test results high-wire for the last decade or so. I used to be much more active (pre-COVID) and ate better in the past, but as I get on in my years, I am worried that this is going to become an inevitability even if I were to resume my previous exercise and nutrition regiments. I think a lot of us can benefit greatly from hindsight and, even if it can’t help you now, what were some warnings/indications you were diabetic before you actually confirmed it? If you’re up for sharing, what was the final event that forced you to seek help and eventually get diagnosed? Thank you, in advance, for any information you are willing to share!

About 3 years ago I started getting tingling in my toes. That soon evolved into pain, and numbness. Eventually, I ended up having a small stroke. During the stroke it was discovered that I had an a1c of nine which is extremely high. I’ve gotten it under control now but the damage is done and I have full-blown neuropathy on my feet.

Thank you for sharing and sorry to hear about your health issues. I get my glucose checked at least once a year, but only since talking to my brother about his health issues did the term A1C come up. I don’t understand why my doctor hasn’t had that test on the docket for labs. Seems like a good thing to keep track of given, ya know, the family history and my line-riding of the glucose scale.