Charles “Poker” Boyd stood puzzling over his screening results. Borderline high cholesterol and a blood sugar level of 308. Health screenings report on blood pressure, activity level, Body Mass Index (BMI), total cholesterol and blood sugar.
After several hours of working the booth for Florida Baptist Children’s Homes at the 2010 Southern Baptist Convention, he’d decided to take a break. “Someone suggested I stop by GuideStone’s Wellness Center for a free health screening. I’m glad I did,” Boyd said.
“The nurse made me promise to make an appointment with my doctor right away,” Boyd said. "I didn't really understand what the results meant, but I was concerned by her reaction."
Concerned, especially after learning his friend was recently diagnosed with cancer, Boyd called his physician and made an appointment. Boyd showed the report and shared his conversation with the nurse to the doctor.
Even though Boyd exercises regularly and eats a fairly healthy diet, he was diagnosed with the most common form of diabetes – Type 2. Normal blood sugar levels range from 70 to 140 mg. Boyd’s was more than twice that. Severely elevated blood sugar can indicate diabetes, a serious chronic condition. But even slightly elevated blood sugar can increase risk for disease. In fact, for every 1% increase in blood sugar levels the risk for death by any cause increases by 28% for women and 24% for men, according to an Annals of Internal Medicine report in 2004.
“My father was diagnosed with Type 2 when he was near my age. I was surprised and sad because I have always been active and never been sick in my adult life. I guess I had taken my health for granted. I thought I would always be problem free,” Boyd said.
Millions of Americans are unaware that they’re living with Type 2 diabetes. It depends heavily on family history and lifestyle. If a parent has Type 2 diabetes, the risk of their children getting diabetes could be one in seven, according to the American Diabetes Association. “My doctor made sure that I understood that there was nothing I did to cause diabetes. It was inherited. He also wanted me to know that I could participate in the solution to living a healthy life,” Boyd said.
“If I hadn’t stopped by GuideStone’s Wellness Center that day, I would haven’t have been diagnosed so early. I wasn’t showing obvious physical symptoms. Now I have the chance to make lifestyle changes to preserve as much of my health as possible without medicine,” Boyd said.
Those living with diabetes can take steps to control their risks by eating less fat and fewer carbohydrates, increasing fiber and exercising more. And that’s exactly what Boyd’s doctor recommended. He has cut out foods high in carbohydrates and sugars – bread, cheese, candy and cookies. Plus, Boyd and his wife exercise regularly together. “She’s committed to helping me eat better too,” Boyd said.
GuideStone’s wellness website provides him and his wife challenges to do together. Boyd also uses the site as an online educational resource to learn more about diabetes and ways to make healthy lifestyle choices.
GuideStone has provided free wellness screenings at the Southern Baptist Convention and for state conventions, seminaries and other large ministry organizations for more than a decade. All medical plans now cover annual physicals at no cost for participants. Getting an annual physical can help you stay on top of your health.
“I want to thank GuideStone for their commitment to wellness. They’re providing an important service,” Boyd said.
Read more inspirational stories.