Suspect diabetes and scared to get tested

[Fallgal]

Hi all. I have suspected I have diabetes for over a year now. I've read various symptoms lists, and although I don't seem to have the two "main" ones, I have other secondary symptoms/problems. I am quite overweight, and had two grandparents with diabetes.

I don't know much about being tested, yet I am scared to do it. I don't know which I am more scared about - the testing or the confirmation. I know delaying the testing is the stupidest thing I can do.

Can someone please tell me what exactly the procedure is and how long it takes to get the results?

Thank you so much.

 

[mo1905]

If you go to see your doc they should do a finger prick test straight away which will give you an instant idea. There may be other tests that take a little longer but you should have a good idea with the initial test. You know it makes no sense putting it off and if the result is positive, at least you can begin to take action. Good luck !
Mo

 

[dawnmc]

Literally overnight, they take a blood test and that's it. You ring the doctors and get the results. What makes you think you may be diabetic tho?

 

[carraway]

A pharmacy can do a basic check. I know Lloyds do it. Go I the morning before you eat or drink other than water and look for a result under 7.

It's not fool proof or perfectly accurate but you'd get a very good idea.

Report back to us!

Cara

 

[Fallgal]

Thank you, all.

I suspect I have diabetes because I constantly crave sweet things and carbs, I get weird skin things (in fact, I have skin cancer at the moment), I suffer from genital itching (although it has greatly subsided in the past several months), my fingers and toes are always cold and my toes are stiff, painful, and I can't move them on their own. I always have that pins-and-needles feeling. I'm not excessive thirsty nor do I have to urinate all the time, but the other things worry me.

If I go to Lloyd's, do I need an appointment?

 

[Daibell]

Hi. Not all of your symptoms indicate diabetes but some might such as tingling. You shouldn't need to have an appointment for Lloyds but may be worth asking; the finger prick test only takes a couple of minutes. Do get the initial test done. If the finger prick test is noticeable above 7 then you would need a GP appointment and they can do a Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT). Whatever you do, do try to get the weight down as you are at a high risk of Type 2. Try to reduce the carbs and portion sizes; exercise also helps.

 

[Fallgal]

Hi. Not all of your symptoms indicate diabetes but some might such as tingling. You shouldn't need to have an appointment for Lloyds but may be worth asking; the finger prick test only takes a couple of minutes. Do get the initial test done. If the finger prick test is noticeable above 7 then you would need a GP appointment and they can do a Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT). Whatever you do, do try to get the weight down as you are at a high risk of Type 2. Try to reduce the carbs and portion sizes; exercise also helps.

Well I had planned to wake up early and go to Lloyd's before I ate anything, but my plans changed (work commitment). I went anyway, but about 3 hours after lunch and my reading was 19.7. They gave me a referral to my GP. I will call in the morning to book an appointment for a fasting test.

 

[carraway]

Hi

It is a high level. Had you had anything at all in those 3 hours including drinks?

But well done for taking the first test. Please keep us all up to date with how you get on

Cara

 

[Fallgal]

For breakfast I had a large bowl of cornflakes with semi-skimmed milk.

I had two cups of tea with semi-skimmed milk and Stevia.

For lunch I had a small amount of chicken breast with Wensleydale cheese & cranberries on a wheat wrap, a handful of crisps and a large Kitkat bar. (This is, unfortunately, a normal lunch for me and one I will definitely have to change.)

After lunch I had a small glass of fizzy flavoured water. This was all 3 hours before the test.

I might have had two sips of the above water at the very most before I left, which would have been 2-2.5 hours before the test.

Oh, and the two people I saw seem a bit alarmed. 19.7 is VERY high, isn't it, even a few hours after a meal?

 

[Daibell]

Hi. Great that you had the test. Yes 19.7 is very high but it needs to go into the 20s/30s to be dangerous. At that level I'm afraid you do have diabetes. I'm sure the fasting test will confirm it. A fasting test isn't as reliable as a GTT but with your level it should confirm diabetes

 

[Fallgal]

Well, it comes as no surprise.

Do they normally do a GTT at the first appointment, or is that only for when the random test is borderline?

 

[Daibell]

It seems to vary a lot between surgeries. The GP may not do a GTT but use the fasting test as a diagnosis. Once diagnosed you would normally have an HBa1C test after 3 months which is one of the best tests as it measures your average over the previous 3 months and helps guide on the level of meds needed together with diet & exercise

 

[Lenny3]

I never had a GTT, my finger prick test was 16 something, and the reason I had gone to the doctor was persistant thrush. So apparently it was obvious, that and I am over weight.

I found my diagnosis and discovery of this site was the best thing that happened to me, strange I know, but it was the kick up the backside I needed to really do something to change my life. So far Im 3 stone lighter, have a much better outlook on life and more determination to be healthier.

Have a read around this site on the diets etc, but the most important tool you can have is a Blood glucose monitor. Ask you nurse or GP but if they wont give you one you may have to buy one. SD Codefree seems to have the cheapest strips, which is the bit you'll need to keep buying.

Good luck, Im sure you'll be fine.

 

[Fallgal]

Hi and thank you all for your replies. I called my GP to book an appointment and the receptionist told me she has nothing available that she can pre-book and that I have to call each day next week at 8 a.m. to see if I can get an appointment. I told her the results of the test I took at Lloyd's, but she didn't seem alarmed at that, so I guess that is okay? She also said I would need to see a GP "first". I guess that means I have to talk to a doctor on my first appointment, and THEN be scheduled for the test at a later point? I am a bit new to the NHS, so I don't fully understand the way they do things.

 

[Daibell]

Yes, it's normal to see a GP at first and for him/her to confirm the diagnosis. After that you may be seen by either the GP or nurse. It has varied a lot over the years for me and you need to ask each time who you should book for next (and get a blood test form if relevant for the next time). I now just see the DN as she specialises in insulin. Yes, do get a meter as it's unlikely you will be given one. As long as you reduce the carbs and have plenty of fluids you should stay below 20 that is not ideal but safe for a while until you have your appointment. In the unlikely event you feel unwell and have a ketone (fruity) smell on your breath then seek more urgent treatment. I stress this is unlikely if you avoid too many carbs.