I can think of two more lies about diabetes very quickly. One is told on those of us suffering with the disease, and the other one is told by some of us.
The first of these two lies is that
People with Diabetes Can’t Get Tattoos
While it’s true that an A1C under 7.5 is best for getting a tattoo, many have gotten tatted up with an A1C as high as 9.0. Although it is possible, a tattoo in that high of a range of glucose levels for a 9.0 A1C is highly inadvisable.
The primary reason tattoos are not recommended for diabetics is the reduced ability to fight off diseases, viruses and infections.
But, if the diabetes is under control, the risk is minimized.
As a matter of fact, I know quite a few fellow diabetics who have medical alert tattoos to alert first responders to their disease in case they can’t tell the emergency personnel that fact.
Finally, there’s one more lie I need to debunk about Diabetes. This one is spread by diabetics. As a matter of fact, I used to spread this lie. It is:
I Can Tell When My Sugar Is High
I can tell when my glucose levels start heading higher. There is a specific sensation in my feet and an urge to go to sleep. But, I can’t tell “when” its high.
These sensations do not provide a reliable, accurate representation of the glucose level within my blood. It is vital that I stick my finger, and get a measurement of my glucose levels.
Without this measurement, I do not know the types of treatment (medication or injection) or the dosage required to get my glucose back into a manageable level.
Likewise, lows have unique symptoms. The “edginess,” increased energy levels, and heightened sense of awareness and all just symptoms. These sensations do not inform you as to how you should treat your disease.
As a matter of fact, there have been times when I’ve “felt” low only to figure out my BGL was in the “normal” range of between 80 and 120.
The same is true at times of “feeling” like my sugar level was high.
So… if you’re a diabetic, do not trust the sensations your body is feeling as a measurement of your Blood Glucose Levels!
Get a meter out. Stick your finger (or leg, or arm), and measure your BGL. Don’t get fooled by the way you feel! KNOW what is happening!
Tell Us What You Think...