...or needle? Doc did not say.I have to go to class on Diabetes before I find out if I will use meds or needle.Class is week away.

Having a hemoglobin A1c of 7.4 is not terrible, it is slightly on the high side. Having been diagnosed with type II diabetes there is a very good chance that you will be able to control your blood glucose with lifestyle changes. If you are overweight, losing some of the weight and exercising could take care of it completely. Changing your diet can also help. When you meet with the diabetes educator you will learn about the things that you can do immediately to control your sugar. More often than not, after initial stabilization of your blood glucose (keeping it below 150) you may well be able to control with some oral medications rather than with injected insulin.

I have had diabetes for 15 yrs what is 7.4? I don't know a reading like that it should be between high 90's and 110 is good mine was 700 and ended up in the hospital.Read it again and see what other number's you have and i can tell you . get back to me please. not a good thing to have. sorry

An A1c of 7.4 is high but not horrible... chances are your doc will suggest meds first... if you follow the recommendations of the American Diabetic Association, you might even be able to get a 7.4 down to the target (6.5 or 6.0 depending on your doc) with diet and exercise. I keep mine between 6.8 and 7.0 with 2 oral meds and limited exercise...

There is lots of good diabetic info at the ADA site. Get lots of literature at your class and ask frequent questions about where your favorite foods stand.

I don't recommend the South Beach diet as a whole, but getting a book that breaks food down by the Glycemic Index can help you plan meals. It basically tells you which foods have carbs that raise the blood sugar faster.

Diabetes need not be end of eating yummy food... just be careful and follow your doctor's orders!

Ed (12 year Type II diabetic and Diabetes Nurse Educator)

Try controlling your Blood sugar by cuting down on sugar and foods that turn into sugar like breads. Excersice will also help. Sometimes losing weight will lower bs levels. If you can keep your levels close to normal you may not need the shots.

You'll probably be started on dietary modification and an exercise regimen and then followed up to see if there is any improvement. If you adhere to the dietary and exercise regimens and improve, you'll probably be allowed to continue. If, even after you've adhered to the dietary and exercise regimens and still have abnormal glucose levels, then they'll probably prescribe oral medication. Insulin or "the needle" will be one of the last recourse interventions when none of the above works. You wil probably need to do self-checks of your blood glucose to monitor your levels. This will entail pricking yourself with a tiny needle to obtain blood.

Please just believe in the class and no one here, This is in your best interest you will be just fine if you follow there instructions. I truly wish you the best.

You will most likely be on oral medication at first, and hopefully, that will control your blood sugars along with dietary changes and lifestyle changes they will cover in your class.