Rachel Hyman was a healthy, active, and diet-conscious woman when she first noticed her blood sugar levels creeping upwards. A clinical psychologist living just outside Seattle, Hyman was committed to maintaining her health, routinely running and cutting out sugary foods from her diet. Despite her efforts, her glucose numbers continued to rise, eventually crossing into the “prediabetic” range.
Hyman’s situation was puzzling. She doubled down on her health regimen by drastically reducing carbohydrates and increasing physical activity, eating “a lot of salads” in an attempt to control her blood sugar naturally. Yet, nothing seemed to work. Finally, at age 48, she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes—a condition often associated with older age, obesity, or other risk factors that did not apply to her.
Faced with this diagnosis, Hyman asked her doctors for six more months to try to control the disease without medication, hoping that lifestyle changes could still turn the tide. However, her internist was firm: the elevated blood sugar levels were dangerous, and waiting too long to start medication could result in severe and irreversible damage to her body. Despite her frustration and disbelief, Hyman had to accept that her body was not responding as expected.
Her story sheds light on a broader issue many face: diabetes does not always fit a clear profile. People who appear healthy and follow good habits can still develop the disease due to complex genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors. Hyman’s experience challenges common stereotypes about who gets diabetes and underlines the importance of regular medical checkups and blood sugar testing, even for those who consider themselves healthy.
The emotional toll was significant. Hyman expressed frustration not just at the disease but also at feeling “too young” to be seriously ill. Her story also touches on the difficulties many patients face when their personal efforts to manage health issues are not enough, and medical intervention becomes necessary.
Her journey illustrates the importance of early diagnosis and intervention to prevent the complications of diabetes. It also serves as a reminder that Type 2 diabetes is a multifaceted disease that requires both patient education and empathetic medical care.
