levodopa screws up your blood sugar...

[reverett123]

.....big time! High blood sugar is very serious business - ask a diabetic. Invest in a glucometer and track it for a few days. I started today and am already surprised. A lifetime of this rollercoaster can't be good. I'll let you know how it goes but I already found that my mid-day "off" was accompanied by a jump from 94 to 128!


1: Int J Neurosci. 1993 Mar-Apr;69(1-4):125-30.

The relationship between diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's disease.

Sandyk R.

NeuroCommunication Research Laboratories, Danbury, CT.

It has been reported that 50% to 80% of patients with Parkinson's disease have
abnormal glucose tolerance which may be further exacerbated by levodopa therapy.
Little is known about the impact of chronic hyperglycemia on the severity of the
motor manifestations and the course of the disease as well as its impact on the
efficacy of levodopa or other dopaminergic drugs. This issue, which has been
largely ignored, is of clinical relevance since animal studies indicate that
chronic hyperglycemia decreases striatal dopaminergic transmission and increases
the sensitivity of postsynaptic dopamine receptors. In addition, evidence from
experimental animal studies indicates that diabetic rats are resistant to the
locomotor and behavioral effects of the dopamine agonist amphetamine. The
resistance to the central effects of amphetamine is largely restored with
chronic insulin therapy. In the present communication, I propose that in
Parkinson's disease diabetes may exacerbate the severity of the motor disability
and attenuate the therapeutic efficacy of levodopa or other dopaminergic agents
as well as increase the risk of levodopa-induced motor dyskinesias. Thus, it is
advocated that Parkinsonian patients should be routinely screened for evidence
of glucose intolerance and that if found aggressive treatment of the
hyperglycemia may improve the response to levodopa and potentially diminish the
risk of levodopa-induced motor dyskinesias.

PMID: 8082998 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]



Smith 2004: We hypothesized that levodopa with carbidopa, a common therapy for patients with Parkinson's disease, might contribute to the high prevalence of insulin resistance reported in patients with Parkinson's disease. We examined the effects of levodopa-carbidopa on glycogen concentration, glycogen synthase activity, and insulin-stimulated glucose transport in skeletal muscle, the predominant insulin-responsive tissue. In isolated muscle, levodopa-carbidopa completely prevented insulin-stimulated glycogen accumulation and glucose transport…..
....Several investigators have reported high rates of glucose intolerance among patients with PD (2, 3, 27). For example, in two separate studies of 30 and 57 patients with PD, respectively, ~50% of the patients displayed abnormal oral glucose tolerance (2, 27). Similarly, abnormal intravenous glucose tolerance was found in four of eight patients with PD (3). Notably, hyperglycemic effects of levodopa and dopamine have been documented in humans and laboratory animals (3, 17, 18, 33). The decarboxylase inhibitor carbidopa is given with ....
....Levodopa and its metabolite dopamine have been shown to cause hyperglycemia in humans in a number of studies (17, 18). In one study, a 1.0-g dose of levodopa given orally to seven patients with PD caused an increase in fasting plasma glucose level from 87 to 99 mg/dl within 30 min (3). Four and five hours after a 100-g glucose load, plasma glucose concentrations were still elevated (133 and 122 mg/dl) in subjects who had ingested levodopa before consuming glucose compared with plasma glucose concentrations (83 and 78 mg/dl) in subjects for whom the oral glucose load was administered without levodopa (3). In a separate study, 1.0 g of levodopa caused hyperglycemia in patients with PD who had been treated for 3 mo with levodopa (33). Furthermore, 12 mo of chronic levodopa treatment reduced oral glucose tolerance in these patients, such that mean peak plasma glucose concentrations during oral glucose tolerance tests increased from ~165 to ~190 mg/dl (33). The year of chronic levodopa treatment was associated with a threefold increase in mean peak circulating insulin concentration and a twofold increase in insulin area under the curve during an OGTT (33).


1: Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2006 Apr 15;212(2):167-78. Epub 2006 Feb 20.

Diabetes and mitochondrial function: role of hyperglycemia and oxidative stress.

Rolo AP, Palmeira CM.

Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology of Coimbra, Department of Zoology,
University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal.

Hyperglycemia resulting from uncontrolled glucose regulation is widely
recognized as the causal link between diabetes and diabetic complications. Four
major molecular mechanisms have been implicated in hyperglycemia-induced tissue
damage: activation of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms via de novo synthesis of
the lipid second messenger diacylglycerol (DAG), increased hexosamine pathway
flux, increased advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation, and increased
polyol pathway flux. Hyperglycemia-induced overproduction of superoxide is the
causal link between high glucose and the pathways responsible for hyperglycemic
damage. In fact, diabetes is typically accompanied by increased production of
free radicals and/or impaired antioxidant defense capabilities, indicating a
central contribution for reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the onset,
progression, and pathological consequences of diabetes. Besides oxidative
stress, a growing body of evidence has demonstrated a link between various
disturbances in mitochondrial functioning and type 2 diabetes. Mutations in
mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and decreases in mtDNA copy number have been linked to
the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. The study of the relationship of mtDNA to
type 2 diabetes has revealed the influence of the mitochondria on
nuclear-encoded glucose transporters, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and
nuclear-encoded uncoupling proteins (UCPs) in beta-cell glucose toxicity. This
review focuses on a range of mitochondrial factors important in the pathogenesis
of diabetes. We review the published literature regarding the direct effects of
hyperglycemia on mitochondrial function and suggest the possibility of
regulation of mitochondrial function at a transcriptional level in response to
hyperglycemia. The main goal of this review is to include a fresh consideration
of pathways involved in hyperglycemia-induced diabetic complications.

PMID: 16490224 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
1: Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2006 Apr 15;212(2):167-78. Epub 2006 Feb 20.

Diabetes and mitochondrial function: role of hyperglycemia and oxidative stress.

Rolo AP, Palmeira CM.

Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology of Coimbra, Department of Zoology,
University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal.

Hyperglycemia resulting from uncontrolled glucose regulation is widely
recognized as the causal link between diabetes and diabetic complications. Four
major molecular mechanisms have been implicated in hyperglycemia-induced tissue
damage: activation of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms via de novo synthesis of
the lipid second messenger diacylglycerol (DAG), increased hexosamine pathway
flux, increased advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation, and increased
polyol pathway flux. Hyperglycemia-induced overproduction of superoxide is the
causal link between high glucose and the pathways responsible for hyperglycemic
damage. In fact, diabetes is typically accompanied by increased production of
free radicals and/or impaired antioxidant defense capabilities, indicating a
central contribution for reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the onset,
progression, and pathological consequences of diabetes. Besides oxidative
stress, a growing body of evidence has demonstrated a link between various
disturbances in mitochondrial functioning and type 2 diabetes. Mutations in
mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and decreases in mtDNA copy number have been linked to
the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. The study of the relationship of mtDNA to
type 2 diabetes has revealed the influence of the mitochondria on
nuclear-encoded glucose transporters, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and
nuclear-encoded uncoupling proteins (UCPs) in beta-cell glucose toxicity. This
review focuses on a range of mitochondrial factors important in the pathogenesis
of diabetes. We review the published literature regarding the direct effects of
hyperglycemia on mitochondrial function and suggest the possibility of
regulation of mitochondrial function at a transcriptional level in response to
hyperglycemia. The main goal of this review is to include a fresh consideration
of pathways involved in hyperglycemia-induced diabetic complications.

PMID: 16490224 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[GregD]

Thanks for posting this information. It might be the answer to some things that are happening that can't be explained by my doctor. I'm off to buy a glucometer.

GregD

[paula_w]

That's just great...just what I need is help messing up my blood sugar level when I do such a good job of it myself.

Paula:cool:

[Stitcher]

Interesting, indeed!

My diabetes onset was about the same time as my PD onset.
At this point it is now insulin controlled.

[madeoverseas]

I wonder if the diabetes was discovered though during a routine blood test ie blood sugar levels during a standard screening test.
Type 2 is increasingly common these days and often associated with obesity (not always but often) and increased age so I'm thinking maybe it's just something that was there anyway but picked up on a routine test.
Just a thought.
Lee

[reverett123]

...was that seems to be a transient effect - it comes after ldopa and then fades away. Unless your timeing was lucky testing would miss it,

[GregD]

...was that seems to be a transient effect - it comes after ldopa and then fades away. Unless your timeing was lucky testing would miss it,

However, if you had a glucometer handy.....

GregD

[rosebud]

I just started testing my blood sugar today because I KNOW there is a link, but had not heard anything from anyone else about it. I have a "Diabetes Story" as well, but no time for lengthy posting. I will read this whole thread again more thoroughly and also get back to you on what my results show. I was stunned to see this thread. I've been preaching to my support groups for years...blah blah blah, then they go have their coffee and donut! You can often get a glucometer free if you buy 100 test strips. They are like Barbie dolls. It's the accessories that cost the $$$. They run about a dollar a strip in this neck of the woods, and insurance doesn't pay. More later... thanks Rick.

[reverett123]

9/28/06
7:30 BS = 89 ; arose, took 1 Sinemet CR, 1 Eldypryl;
8:30 coffee black
9:00 BS = 104 even though no food yet; worse than arising; brain fog; dystonia left foot; freezing
9:15 2 Requip; glass of milk
9:30 brain fog lifting
9:45 BS = 129
10:00 BS = 103 brain back, body coming quickly
10:15 BS = 88 body coming slowly
10:30 BS = 90
10:45 Ate hamburger
11:00 2 Requip
11:15 Body coming online finally
11:20 Full function!!

note spike at about two hours then crash. no food. why spike? Ldopa!

[rosebud]

I also had some surprises when I did my glucose testing. I'm not sure how to compare the readouts I'm getting compared to yours. Maybe its just the decimal point. somewhere I have the ratio of sugar to somethingorother, I'll have to go look it up. It's been 14 years since I had gestational diabetes, and have tested twice over the line for diabetes, but was able to bring my blood tests back in line by exercise and losing weight. I have a feeling this is going to take more work. Most of the readers perusing this thread probably have no idea what their blood readings should be and I don't understand yours you've posted.
the range as I understand it is 3.0 (below that your in serious hypoglycemia) to as high as upper teens (15-20) and probably going to go into diabetic coma. I woke up this morning with a reading of 6.4 which is very high for first thing in the morning -should be in the 4.5 range. Then when my meds went off this afternoon I nearly had a heart attack when my blood tested at 9.1. My range should be 4.0 - 7.0 Out of those readings I'm into bad weather! I have to start reading because I've forgotten a lot. I'm a sugar junkie...can't imagine what a piece of cheesecake would do to me. I still have your e-mail I think...I'll keep up with you on this one. There is definitley a tie in between balanced meds and balanced blood sugar. I'm keeping a log of what and when I eat and will test about 7 times a day like I did when I had gestational diabetes. Also I have a friend who knows a lot about the patterns but I won't get to talk to him for 3 weeks at least. I've got a current copy of the GI index, but the old counting carb routines I'm more comfortable with because I know portion control is critical. Sorry if any of you reading this is feeling overloaded with info, but Rick is right....this is important and critical stuff. Why have two holes drilled in your head if you can avoid it. PS taking a blood glucose test while off is VVVEEEEERRRRRYYY tricky! What is "Oxidative" stress?

[reverett123]

here's a converter between the two systems

http://diabeticgourmet.com/Tools_and_Calculators/convert-sugar-readings.shtml

[GregD]

Rick,
Thanks for the converter. Now maybe I can make some reasonable judgements as to just where my blood sugar is.

GregD

[reverett123]

earlier this years mjf grant for a study of neuroprotective effects of an existing drug used for diabetes

http://www.primate.wisc.edu/wprc/diabetes.html

the press release implies a brand new use but now i wonder if the real effect is not countering harm from ldopa-induced fluctuations

if my experience is a guide, when one checks their blood sugar they are not going to get "high" readings as presently defined. what will be seen is a gradual climb that accelerates about the two hour mark to a peak and sudden drop back to the baseline. mine stay well within the "official" limits but my function goes all to hell with that climb then recovers post-plunge. brain fog and muscle weakness in my legs predominate during this yet are almost not present during simple "offs"

i may be wrong but i don't think that brain fog and muscle weakness were originally part of the symptoms of PD. anyone know when they were added?

[reverett123]

it's been weird.

oK, I guess I should elaborate.:)

Went out last night to a live concert. First time in months. Ate requip and Sinemet extra. 2 reqp and 1 scr at 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00PM to get me through. Did great. Scrupulously avoided carbs especially sugar. Got home at 11:00 still feelin good. Had a snack cheese, crackers, pnut butter. Headed for bed and bottom dropped out faster than ever experienced. Went from snacking standing up to barely able to walk in fifteen minutes. Unfortunately couldn't test blood sugar without waking house but sure it was high, not low. Brain fog and bladder were my companions for two to three hours.

Got upthis morning feeling pretty good or at least no worse than usual. Tried to start day with just requip and selegeline. Didn't work so have gingerly added sinemet in slowly. Started to function around noon. It is now 3:00 PM here and i have eaten only a handful of walnuts and a pork chop and I feel good. Blood sugar has stayed in the 90 - 95 (US) range all day. Shouldn't I have been at least a little hypoglycemic? Going to try some carbs in a while to "stress test" this affair.

Over and out.:cool:

[rosebud]

You need the carbs bud! The heavy protien/fat is what did you in. I made the same mistake. Get a copy of recommended diet for diabetics from national website, or glycemic index and stay on the low end. I'll write more tomorrow.
It's not as simple as you might think. Where is Todd? He knows his Glycemic index and can probably tell you a lot. You will be surprised what jumps up your blood glucose. You're right about the high readings slowing your meds. I lived it today and am getting the picture. I now understand a lot of things that just didn't make sense before. But my day is over for today. I'm gone to bed ..nite nite :)

[Ibken]

I've been looking into this lately and it seems pertinent to the blood sugar discussion. My understanding is superficial at best and I don't have the inclination to deepen it as I'm obsessed with other things right now. I am taking some adrenal support supplements 'cause it just made sense. WHat do ya'll think? http://www.adrenalfatigue.org/index.php

Ibby

[vlhperry]

See following study online by searching for:

Journal of Biological Chemistry, Volume 280, Number 44, November4, 2005.

Then search:

"Diabetes-Parkinson's Link Grows Stronger"

Talk about putting the cart before the horse. Was recently screened and am positive for Type 2 diabetes. As I have the Parkin gene mutations, would explain why I always felt hungry all the time. DBS surgery will not stop this symptom. Just because a news story is printed on medline doesn't make it true.

Vicky

[Teretxu]

Here I am eating tons of sweets and carbs thinking it has not effect on me whatsoever, because my annual blood tests always show perfect blood sugar readings. It never ocurred to me that I could have high readings several times a day, if only temporarily, that would never be reflected in regular blood tests, because these are conducted first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

And that leads to the next question: if we can't eat proteins, carbohydrates and sweets - what the heck is there left for us to eat?! I'm serious. I have no other options available.

Should I cut my veins directly, or let them grow long?:D

[Stitcher]

Two comments...I'm not a doctor, of course, but I am an experienced diabetic.

First, if you eat a lot of carbs, which come in many unlikely forms, yes, you may have temporary highs (however you personally describe a high), but your pancreas is the regulator and as long as it does its job and brings the reading down to normal, with in an hour or two, you should not be concerned. If you monitor your glucose in the morning before breakfast and two hours after a meal, your normal blood glucose level should be less than 110 mg/dl, which is my goal upon getting out of bed each morning.

Second, is this saying that I possibly developed Diabetes, which is now regulated by a minimum of one injection of slow acting insulin (sort of a CR effect), and by one to three injections of regular insulin a day, because of Parkinson's:holysheep:. They both started about the same time. :(

My biggest enemies are NOT what one would consider sugar items, such as candy, chocolate bars, ice cream, etc.

My biggest enemies are concentrated juices (e.g. orange juice...I never drink anymore :Sigh:), rice, potatoes and BREAD!

:Hum:

Suffice it to say my pancreas and I stopped communicating well long ago!! Maybe my pancreas developed clognition too.

[Teretxu]

That's what I mean, Carolyn, if we can't eat proteins (meat, poultry, fish, seafood, beans, peas, nuts, eggs, milk and dairy products) nor carbs (bread, rice, pasta, potatoes), nor sweets, nor juices, WHAT CAN WE EAT??? Vegetables? HA! One single carrot can make my Sinemet stop working completely (Vitamin B6 the culprit?).
We can't survive on apples alone, can we?

[rosebud]

I've been grinding along on this subject for the last 6-9 months. I don't have time to write much at this moment, but the name of the game is to eat small portions and include everything except the high GI (glycemic index) items and the other obvious stuff that tastes sweet. Now this can be tricky business because sugar often comes dressed like nutrition (remember the wolf in sheeps clothing) and you have to do your homework. You will never be fat and you can eat the odd thing that you don't think you can. Like I can still have the odd ice cream treat from Dairy Queen....just not the peanut buster partfait. You may fall on either the hypo or hyper side of the line,either way it will affect you and your PD big time!!! I have a ton of log journals to demonstrate it. I did my own fasting 5 hour glucose test with my trusty glucometer and as far as I can tell I'm still on the hypoglycemic side of the scale. That's where your blood sugar rises as happens when we eat , but unlike Carolyn described your blood sugar falls in a sudden and untimely fashion and drops below what is "normal" for you. This is like a roller coaster ride for your meds and your Neurologist (like mine) may say he's never heard that one before. So you have to show him the paper(s) written to get him off his arrogant throne. I will post more later...I'm out of time for now. I don't think PD causes Diabetes, but it's very possible (likely) that there is a link between how our meds work and what our blood sugar is doing.

[rosebud]

Carolyn is talking abt hyper glycemia (diabetes....) I am refering to hypo- glycemia or low blood sugar. Did not mean to infer Carolyn had said anything that was not correct.

[Stitcher]

FYI - Don't want to confuse things. When I said the following:

My biggest enemies are NOT what one would consider sugar items, such as candy, chocolate bars, ice cream, etc.

My biggest enemies are concentrated juices (e.g. orange juice...I never drink anymore )
, rice, potatoes and BREAD!

I was referring to my diabetes and glucose maintenance. I have never seen a correlation between food intake and my PD.

[reverett123]

:)

1) the majority of PWP have glucose/insulin problems.
2) ldopa screws with blood sugar - muscle stretching corrects that
3) early morning fasting can run blood sugar UP as your body compensates
4) eating high glycemic foods in the morning can drive blood sugar DOWN as your body compensates (rebound hypoglycemia)
5) endocrinologists have extreme high rates of mental illness

ok - i made that one up :D

6) the protein problem is overblown. i think it was dr. lieberman who said that only twenty percent had the problem

finally- here's my own theory on one of PD's many causes
hypoglycemia kills brain cells fast. no problem for you? not so fast. ever think about the fact that glucose is carried across the BBB by transporter molecules. anything that interferes with that process can mean dead cells...

[vlhperry]

Bing, Bing!!

[rosebud]

very cute post vicky:)

To back track a bit to some of Teresa's questions about what we can eat if we are Hypo. First I'd like to say that I belive the line between high and low is rather a grey area. The only way you'll know is if you go for a 3 hour fasting blood glucose test and even then it is a poor indicator as people regularly slip through the gaps in the results. As Rick said it is a very complex thing. Diabetes is a silent killer. The only reason I know I'm having gluscose problems is that it does affect how my meds work. Otherwise I would feel fine. (except of course for the fatigue, lack of sleep, depression etc etc etc that plagues everyone on the planet...or at least that part of the planet affluent enough to have too much food rather than too little)

Back to what you can eat. If you want to track down a copy of "Hypoglycemia: A Better Approach" by Paavo Airola written in the mid 70's it is a goldmine to anyone withy Hypoglycemia. I suspect it is out of print and the author died in the 90's. I've come across two copies at used book stores and snapped them both up. My copy is dogearred and marked up and is next only to my Bible in it's position in my bookcase. I refer to it contantly. Just recently I bought a copy of the latest edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" by Phyllis Balch and she has a really good informative section on Hypoglycemia and refers to Airola's work. I made a list of the most important nutrients (supplements) and am now trying to stick to a program that she recommends. The difference in my tremor is quite remarkable. Also I am sleeping better at night and my off time is much shorter. The top two nutrients she recommends as did Airola are: Brewers Yeast (no live yeast in it) and Chromium picolinate. I take 4500 mg of Brewers yeast spread out over three doses, and 200-400 mcg of Chromium picolinate daily. I got off track for a few days and what a difference! Brewers Yeast is full of B vitamins , so I top them up with the really important ones B1/B3/B5/B12. Or at least the important ones for me. Eat a diet high in fiber including large amts of vegetables. For protien eat low fat cheeses, raw nuts, natural yogurt (add your own flavorings) -my favorite it stevia and vanilla extract. I love to dip apple slices in it. Eat starch foods like corn, noodles, pasta, yams etc in moderation. Stay away from fats and fatty foods. Grains and Pulses are good, but easy on the portions. I slice of whole grain bread is sufficient for your needs (open faced sandwhiches) My favorite anytime food is popcorn. A big bowl of popcorn with a little butter (or try flavored cooking oil spray) will keep me happy for hours. I keep whole wheat crackers in the car, in my tote bag and almonds in my pockets all the time. My cracker of choice is Triscuit as it is 100% whole wheat and nice and salty. I stuff the whole inner liner of the box of crackers into a large plastic peanut butter jar for the ones I leave in the car. That keeps them from getting stale. (that tough waxy paper that cereal and crackers come pkged in actually acts as a perservative to keep them fresh.) Anyway ...just some ideas to get you going if you want to pursue the program. Hypoglycemia sometimes does not even show itself on a glucose test. These are sly and devious beasties that plague us in many cases. Yes Albert Einstein was quite right when he said the universe is a place even stranger than we can imagine. :grouphug: (are these a string of molecules?)

[reverett123]

I don't mean just skipping lunch, but serious caloric restriction while maintaining vitamin and mineral intake? It has been well established that it is powerful against long term PD degeneration but I haven't seen where anyone had reported how it affects symptoms.

[Stitcher]

I am probably going to say more than you care to know...can't help it...diabetes is a dangerous disease...both highs and lows! No joking matter.

You can often get a glucosemeter free if you buy 100 test strips. They are like Barbie dolls. It's the accessories that cost the $$$. They run about a dollar a strip in this neck of the woods, and insurance doesn't pay. More later... thanks Rick.
If you see an Internist or a Family Practice doctor, they should have supplies of meters and can give you one for free...just ask for one from the doc. I he/she doesn't have them on the office shelf, he/she can get one the next time the pharmaceutical rep is in the office.

You can also go to a website...e.g. Ascensia, and print out a coupon for a free one from your local pharmacy. The companies don't make money off the meters. They make the money off the 1,800 or so test strips I use each year, along with my syringes and pen needles, and insulin...whether vial or pen (I use both)...that, to date, has never been offered in generic form...go figure :(

If you diabetic and on Medicare...good news:D (with or without RX insurance of any kind), and the doctor will prescribe the strips, your co-payment should be no more than 20%. Ask your pharmacist how to obtain testing supplies through Medicare. I get 150 strips a month at a cost is $154, but I only pay $12.00. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/diabetesmckinney/1067/get-help-for-your-diabetes-from-medicare

The level quoted in post #9...if you are having glucose number fluctuations...see your medical doctor.

Fluctuations are a diabetics hourly chore to control. When I do real exercise at the gym, I have to check my glucose at 30 min and 60 min...especially before I walk out to get in my car and drive away...no passing out allowed :winky: If I am walking long distances...mall...or traveling...I have to check it often due to the level of activity I am doing.

Then there's that stress thing...you know, that thing we are all suppose to avoid. Stress also effects you glucose level. The more stress the higher you glucose may rise. I can only imagine that being off, with dystonia, etc., is a stresser in an of itself.

Posted by Christine McKinney, M.S., R.D., C.D.E. on Fri, Nov 10, 2006, 4:00 pm PST:
A result between 100 and 125 mg/dL is prediabetes; a result 126 mg/dL or greater is type 2 diabetes. A two-hour oral glucose tolerance test of 140-199 mg/dL is also a diagnosis of prediabetes (200 mg/dL or greater is type 2 diabetes).

The oral glucose tolerance test is more sensitive to detect prediabetes and diabetes, but it's more expensive and time-consuming and therefore is not as commonly used as the fasting blood glucose test. However, it's your right to ask for either one of these tests.

Please don't consider glucose highs and lows to be a PD problem.

There could be other reasons for what you are feeling...like diabetes

Diabetes is a dangerous disease!

The fear to crashing...for me under 75...is as bad as the highs...for me, I consider a high to be over 120.

If you have a question as to whether you have a glucose problem, please ask your medical doctor...not your neurologist. You don't have to see a endocrinologist, just see your regular medical doctor.

Get a copy of your fasting glucose test and check the numbers for yourself. In addition to your glucose number..."Know your A1C number! This lab test, also known as the glycosilated hemoglobin test, is a weighted average of your blood glucose levels during the past two to three months.

")We know that keeping A1C values below 7 percent helps to prevent complications from diabetes. What most people don't know is that you can have an A1C of 7 percent and still be in danger." Posted by Christine McKinney, M.S., R.D., C.D.E.)

Thanks for letting me "preach to the choir."

[reverett123]

bumpity bump