Seeking Medical Help for Unexplained Weight Gain at 40
Abnormal weight gain Hello: I am 40 years old, 170 cm tall, and currently eat one meal a day while walking 10,000 steps. My lifestyle is regular. I have gained 12 kg in the past six months, and my endocrine blood tests have shown no issues. How should I seek medical assistance?
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Aqi: 1. Factors contributing to weight gain include diet, patterns of physical activity, and differences in energy metabolism; very few cases are due to single-gene mutations or specific genetic disorders. 2. Familial obesity may be influenced not only by genetic facto...[Read More] Seeking Medical Help for Unexplained Weight Gain at 40
Understanding Blood Sugar Levels in Gestational Diabetes Management
Blood sugar issues? Hello Dr. Hsieh, I am currently 36 years old and have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. My first question is: should I check my blood sugar one hour or two hours after eating for more indicative results? Second, my blood sugar level was 155 mg/dL two h...
Dr. Xie Rongyuan Reply:
Hello: The diagnosis of gestational diabetes should be accompanied by education in obstetric clinics, emphasizing early dietary control. Blood glucose levels can be measured 2 hours after meals. In more severe cases, it is advisable to monitor blood glucose levels four times a da...[Read More] Understanding Blood Sugar Levels in Gestational Diabetes Management
Understanding Blood Sugar Levels: When to Test and What to Know
Blood sugar issues? Hello Doctor, I have been feeling a bit uncomfortable and dizzy after meals recently. Four months ago, I had my hemoglobin A1c tested, which was 5.4, and my fasting blood glucose was 97. I did not have a postprandial blood glucose test done. A few days ago, I ...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, sir, thank you for your question. Although diabetes has a genetic component, for type 2 diabetes, the chance of children of affected individuals developing diabetes is around 15%. Therefore, there is no need to be overly anxious. In other words, if you pay attention to you...[Read More] Understanding Blood Sugar Levels: When to Test and What to Know
Understanding Blood Sugar Levels: Do I Need Diabetes Medication?
Blood sugar issues Hello, Director Hsiao. A week ago, I had a fasting blood test at the hospital to check my blood sugar levels. Today, the outpatient physician informed me that my fasting blood sugar of 70 is a precursor to diabetes and that I need to take medication. This has l...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Gao Xing, 1. The treatment of diabetes primarily involves dietary control, regular exercise, and medication. Unless dietary control and regular exercise can completely manage the progression of diabetes, continuing medication is necessary. Do not discontinue medication ...[Read More] Understanding Blood Sugar Levels: Do I Need Diabetes Medication?
Can GTF (Glucose Tolerance Factor) Significantly Improve Blood Sugar in Type 2 Diabetes?
Can taking GTF (Glucose Tolerance Factor) significantly improve blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes? Hello, doctor: I saw an article online stating that consuming GTF (Glucose Tolerance Factor) can significantly improve blood glucose levels in patients with type...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Tom: 1. The term "glucose tolerance factor" generally refers to substances that contain trace elements of chromium. Chromium exists in several forms, including divalent chromium, trivalent chromium, and hexavalent chromium; divalent chromium is highly unstable...[Read More] Can GTF (Glucose Tolerance Factor) Significantly Improve Blood Sugar in Type 2 Diabetes?
Post-Meal Blood Sugar Lower Than Pre-Meal: A Case Study
Postprandial blood glucose is lower than preprandial blood glucose? Dr. Hsiao, about a month ago (on August 12), I had a blood test that revealed a fasting blood glucose level of 214 mg/dL. At that time, my weight was 87.5 kg and my height was 166 cm. Following the physician'...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Shan: 1. You have diligently changed your diet, increased your exercise, and lost weight, while frequently monitoring your blood glucose levels. As a result, you have lost 7.5 kilograms, and your blood sugar has shown significant improvement. The recommendations from yo...[Read More] Post-Meal Blood Sugar Lower Than Pre-Meal: A Case Study
Should Diabetic Patients Supplement Lutein for Eye Health?
Supplementing with lutein for diabetes? My mother is currently in the prediabetic stage and is taking prescribed medication to lower her blood sugar. Recently, I heard that supplementing with lutein can help prevent eye diseases, so I went to the pharmacy and bought lutein. I wou...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Wang: 1. In terms of biological knowledge, lutein is primarily found in the chloroplasts of plants and is one of the main pigments in plants. It is also one of the primary pigments that make up the macula of the human retina. Sometimes it is used by humans as an antiox...[Read More] Should Diabetic Patients Supplement Lutein for Eye Health?
Does Drinking Sugary Beverage Before Fasting Blood Test Affect Results?
Drank a sip of sugary beverage before blood draw? Fasting for 8 hours before a blood draw is typically required for accurate results, especially for tests related to blood glucose levels. Drinking a small amount of sugary beverage at 7 AM before a 9 AM blood draw may affect the r...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Lee: 1. According to the diagnostic criteria for diabetes set by the American Diabetes Association: a. Fasting plasma glucose level ≥ 126 mg/dL after fasting for at least 8 hours. b. Plasma glucose level ≥ 200 mg/dL during a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test. c. HbA1c ...[Read More] Does Drinking Sugary Beverage Before Fasting Blood Test Affect Results?
Understanding Discomfort from Skipping Meals: Causes and Solutions
Discomfort caused by excessive hunger? Hello Doctor: I have experienced 2 to 3 episodes of extreme hunger leading to discomfort over the past year (for example, only having breakfast, skipping lunch, and eating dinner). The symptoms I experience include intense hunger, trembling ...
Dr. Li Zhiyao Reply:
Hello, Xiao Kai: Based on your description, your symptoms of discomfort seem to be more like those caused by "hypoglycemia." I recommend the following: 1. Limit your intake of sugary beverages. 2. Maintain regular and balanced meals. 3. Consult an endocrinologist.[Read More] Understanding Discomfort from Skipping Meals: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Elevated Blood Sugar: Is 104 mg/dl a Warning Sign?
Regarding elevated blood sugar levels? Hello doctor, I would like to ask if a fasting blood glucose test result of 104 mg/dL indicates that I am in a prediabetic state? Or could my recent consumption of ice cream and sweets during the summer have affected this value?
Dr. Li Zhiyao Reply:
Hello Ms. Lin: According to the definition, a fasting blood glucose level of 104 mg/dL is considered "prediabetes." However, a single test result is not sufficient for a diagnosis. It is recommended that you reduce your intake of sugary foods and follow up in three mont...[Read More] Understanding Elevated Blood Sugar: Is 104 mg/dl a Warning Sign?
Understanding Diabetes: Key Questions About Diagnosis and Management
Diabetes concerns? Hello Doctor: My son is 26 years old and has been attracting ants with his urine. He went to the clinic for a blood test, which showed a fasting blood glucose level of 266 mg/dL and a hemoglobin A1c of 10.58%. There is a family history of diabetes (both of my p...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Miss Wang Su-Chen: 1. According to the diagnostic criteria for diabetes set by the American Diabetes Association, a. a fasting plasma glucose level ≥126 mg/dL after fasting for more than 8 hours, b. a 2-hour plasma glucose level ≥200 mg/dL during an oral glucose tolerance t...[Read More] Understanding Diabetes: Key Questions About Diagnosis and Management
Why Switching to Brown Rice May Cause Hunger and Weakness Symptoms
After switching to brown rice, I feel hungry quickly and often experience cold sweats from hunger? Hello Doctor: I would like to ask about my situation. I usually have white rice as the main staple for dinner, but I recently switched to a mixture of brown rice and white rice. Sin...
Dr. Li Zhiyao Reply:
Hello: Based on your description, it does indeed sound like symptoms of hypoglycemia. This may be related to abnormal insulin secretion or dietary factors. I recommend that you visit a hospital and consult with a specialist in Metabolism (Endocrinology), as it would be more appro...[Read More] Why Switching to Brown Rice May Cause Hunger and Weakness Symptoms
Understanding Creatinine Levels and Glomerular Filtration Rate Changes
Creatinine and Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) Hello Doctor, two weeks ago, the hospital came to the community to conduct free health check-ups. Today, when I went to review the report, the doctor informed me that my creatinine level is 1.05 mg/dL and my glomerular filtration ra...
Dr. Wu Jiyu Reply:
Hello Mr. Wang: Regarding your question, I will address it in two parts. (1) The changes in creatinine and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) should be evaluated based on their "trends." If you only have two data points for comparison, you can only determine whether the...[Read More] Understanding Creatinine Levels and Glomerular Filtration Rate Changes
Managing High HbA1c Levels: Tips for Diabetes Prevention and Care
Health check values Hello doctor, there is a family history of diabetes in my household, and I have had consistently high HbA1c levels for the past three months, with values of 6.0, 5.8, and 5.8. My fasting blood sugar levels are 90 and 116, but I forgot the third measurement. Ad...
Dr. Li Zhiyao Reply:
Hello: Based on your test results, you are currently in the "prediabetes" stage, and there is a significant risk of progressing to diabetes. It is recommended that you consult an endocrinologist to guide you in weight management and other lifestyle changes to prevent th...[Read More] Managing High HbA1c Levels: Tips for Diabetes Prevention and Care
Understanding Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels During Pregnancy
Abnormal blood glucose levels Hello Doctor: I would like to ask why my blood sugar level two hours after a meal is higher than one hour after the meal? I did not eat anything in between. For example, my blood sugar before lunch was 85, one hour after lunch was 127, and two hours ...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Lulu: 1. Generally speaking, blood sugar levels rise gradually after eating, peaking around two hours postprandially, and then gradually decline. If high-sugar or high-calorie foods are consumed and there is sufficient insulin secretion in the body, blood sugar levels m...[Read More] Understanding Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels During Pregnancy
Is a Blood Sugar Level of 114 mg/dL a Sign of Early Diabetes?
Blood sugar issues? Hello doctor, I started fasting at 8:00 PM and had blood and urine tests at 10:00 AM the next day. The report showed a blood glucose level of 114 mg/dL. Does this mean I am in the early stages of diabetes? Thank you!
Dr. Li Zhiyao Reply:
Hello: Based on the values from your report, you can be classified as having "prediabetes" (not early-stage diabetes). If you could also test for "glycated hemoglobin" (also known as HbA1c) and postprandial blood glucose levels two hours after eating, it would...[Read More] Is a Blood Sugar Level of 114 mg/dL a Sign of Early Diabetes?
Could My Symptoms Indicate Diabetes? Understanding Blood Sugar Levels and Weight Loss
Could this indicate the possibility of diabetes? Hello, Doctor. In mid-May of this year, I had a blood test that showed a hemoglobin A1c of 5.0 and a fasting blood glucose level of 86. From the end of May until today, my height and weight changed from 160 cm/55 kg to 160 cm/52 kg...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. NN: 1. Zoloft® (Sertraline) is classified as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) because it specifically inhibits the reuptake of serotonin, exhibiting a selectivity for serotonin transporters that is 300 to 3000 times greater compared to norepinephrine tran...[Read More] Could My Symptoms Indicate Diabetes? Understanding Blood Sugar Levels and Weight Loss
Understanding Proteinuria and Elevated Blood Sugar: A Guide for Patients
Urinary protein and blood glucose? A few days ago, my father went to the clinic for a blood test, and the results are as follows: Urine protein 1+, fasting blood glucose 125 mg/dL (after fasting for just over 7 hours), total cholesterol 127 mg/dL, triglycerides 229 mg/dL, HDL 39....
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, In response to your father's concerns, here are my replies: First, regarding the protein in urine, the clinic report indicates a preliminary positive result. It is recommended to visit a larger hospital for a quantitative urine protein test, and possibly a 24-hour ...[Read More] Understanding Proteinuria and Elevated Blood Sugar: A Guide for Patients
Is Abnormal Blood Sugar with Normal HbA1c a Sign of Diabetes?
Abnormal blood glucose levels with consistently normal glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) may not necessarily indicate diabetes. It is important to consider other factors and conduct further testing to determine the underlying cause of the abnormal blood glucose levels? Hello Doctor, fo...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Huang: 1. According to the diagnostic criteria for diabetes set by the American Diabetes Association: a. A fasting plasma glucose level of ≥126 mg/dL after fasting for more than 8 hours; b. A 2-hour plasma glucose level of ≥200 mg/dL during an oral glucose tolerance tes...[Read More] Is Abnormal Blood Sugar with Normal HbA1c a Sign of Diabetes?
Is Your Blood Sugar Test Accurate? Understanding Post-Meal Readings
Same-day follow-up appointment? Hello, doctor. Continuing from my previous question, that night I felt anxious and restless. After having dinner, about two hours later, I went to one of the clinics to self-pay for a blood glucose test. The nurse cleaned my finger with alcohol and...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Cheng: 1. Blood consists of approximately 55% blood cells and 45% plasma. During circulation, some plasma can seep into the interstitial spaces, mixing with the secretions of tissue cells to form interstitial fluid. Therefore, the concern you have regarding the dilution...[Read More] Is Your Blood Sugar Test Accurate? Understanding Post-Meal Readings