[d.dom]

Im 27years old type 1 since 20

I never really test my blood sugar
Just take my insulin with meals an I can
Always tell when I'm feeling low or high

My drinking - I have calmed down most
Weekends about 7 8 pints, 4 5 vodka soda
And black current Saturday roughly 10pints
Roughly 5vodka soda and black current
Sunday about 5 too 8 pints lately iv been trying
To cut a Friday or Saturday out but not every
Weekend and then every now an again
I wil have about 3 too 5 pints during the week

Smoking 10 too 20 a day Maybe more at the weekend

How much damage is this actually doing to my body

My girlfriend is always moaning to me saying how bad
It is so wanna know how bad ?

[dano]

Welcome to the Forum!

I know that you are Type 1, but please read through the first three threads in the Type 2 Section, when you get a chance, if you have not already done so. These threads will most-likely help you a lot. Self education is one of the keys to successful management of your diabetes, along with a healthy / sensible diet and exercise. Basically, diabetes requires a life-style change for the better.

Blood Glucose Testing is very important to people with diabetes. This value determines the base amount of insulin needed, along with an additional amount of insulin to offset the carbs that we eat per meal. We call this total the meal bolus.

The carb count for beer can vary (~6 carbs per 12 oz to ~20 carbs per 12 oz) by brand. I know that the European term for one beer is a pint, but I am not sure how many ounces that is. Here in the USA that would equate to 16 oz. In short, several of "your pints" would amount to several carbs. There is nothing wrong with drinking a couple of beers. However, you should always calculate the carbs and bolus for the carb intake.

There are normally not very many carbs in liquor. However, there can be several carbs in the mixers. The best mixers, for people with diabetes, are those containing very few carbs, such as diet soda or tonic water.

In summation, prolonged high blood glucose along with alcohol over indulgence and smoking will harm your body. Please work diligently to reduce your average blood glucose to below 140 mg/dl or 7.8 mmol/L, cut back on the alcohol consumption and learn to count carbs and bolus for your meals. You body will thank you down the road.

Test your blood glucose often. Good luck with your control and management.