About High Cholesterol

Learn About Type 2 Diabetes

"Blood sugar" and "blood glucose" mean the same thing when talking about type 2 diabetes. You may hear either term. Here are some answers to common questions about blood glucose.

What is blood sugar?

Your body breaks down the carbohydrates in the food you eat into a sugar. This sugar is called glucose. The measure of this sugar is called the blood glucose level. Your blood carries glucose to the cells in your body.

What causes high blood sugar levels?

The cells in your body change glucose into energy using a hormone called insulin. Your pancreas makes this hormone. Sometimes your cells do not change glucose into energy as they should. This may happen because the cells in your body, such as those in your muscles, liver, and fat, do not use insulin the right way. It may also happen because your body is not producing enough insulin. Then glucose stays in your blood and causes high sugar levels. Your cells do not get the energy they need. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a disease in which blood sugar levels are too high.

What are healthy blood sugar levels?

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) suggests healthy blood sugar levels.

• For patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus, healthy blood sugar levels are 70 to 130 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) before meals and less than 180 mg/dL at 1 to 2 hours after starting meals
• A way your healthcare provider measures your blood sugar level is through the hemoglobin A1C test. It shows your average blood glucose level over the last 3 months. It is the best way to learn your overall blood glucose level during this time
• The ADA recommends an A1C goal of less than 7%

Why is it important to control your blood sugar levels?

Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition. You may have heard people say they have "a touch of diabetes" or "my sugar is a little high." These words suggest that type 2 diabetes is not a serious disease. That is not correct. Type 2 diabetes is associated with many serious health problems. High blood sugar levels may cause:

• Blindness
• Gum infections in your mouth
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Nerve disease
• Poor blood flow
• Stroke

Welchol has not been shown to prevent heart disease or heart attacks.

People with type 2 diabetes need to make healthy food choices, stay at a healthy weight, and be physically active every day. It's important to take care of your Type 2 diabetes.

What can I do to help lower my blood sugar?

It is important to take care of yourself. When you have type 2 diabetes, you need to:

• Eat healthy food
• Control your weight
• Stay active—start with as little as 10 minutes of exercise a day
• Take your medications as directed by your doctor

In addition to a healthy diet and exercise, your physician has prescribed Welchol^® (colesevelam HCl), along with one or more additional medications, to help you manage your blood glucose level. It is important to take these medications every day, even when you are feeling well.

The power to manage your type 2 diabetes is in your hands. It's important to reach the goals set by you and your physician. With diet, exercise, and the right medications, you can make changes that may help you succeed!

Please see Important Information about Welchol below.

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