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How often should you be tested?

P

Petrus82_

Member
Messages
14
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
My blood sugar was tested 18 months ago. It was 4.2 fasting and 6.4 two hours after breakfast. How often should I have it tested at the GP? Can it change significantly in that time?
 
Depending on what you have eaten it can change quite dramatically in a matter of an hour or less.. but why were you tested?
Did your GP suggest an HbA1c test?
 
Well as there were no problems with the last lot I doubt your doc will give you any more... It's not a routine test although I believe that some pharmacies may do it for you if you ask nicely. Or go to the doc and ask for an HbA1c if you have concerns about diabetes. Beware though they may give you short shrift after your last results.
 
Was this a fasting blood glucose test? A HbA1c? Tests pre and post prandial?
 
The first test wasn't fasting and it was 6.4. second test was fasting and was 4.2.

It wasn't HbA1c
 
If you mean NHS blood tests, they only do them routinely if there is a reason such as a long term condition or because of you age.
 
Where I live you should have a routine check every 3 month if you’re either pre-diabetic or in «danger» / disponibel of developing diabetes :)
 
Emile_the_rat said:
Where I live you should have a routine check every 3 month if you’re either pre-diabetic or in «danger» / disponibel of developing diabetes :)
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This poster has not been diagnosed as diabetic nor pre-diabetic. Her tests were normal routine tests that are on offer in most surgeries for certain people.
 
Petrus82_ said:
My blood sugar was tested 18 months ago. It was 4.2 fasting and 6.4 two hours after breakfast. How often should I have it tested at the GP? Can it change significantly in that time?
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I believe that in England surgeries should invite healthy people in for a full set of blood tests from the age of 40 onwards. Depending on the results of those tests they are invited back immediately if there is something wrong, or annually, or in 3 years, or in 5 years if all is well. My husband is not diabetic and has no other medical issues. He goes every 3 years.
 
Petrus82_ said:
The first test wasn't fasting and it was 6.4. second test was fasting and was 4.2.

It wasn't HbA1c
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Those numbers did not flag up a need for HbA1c which would be done in the event of higher value finger prick tests. At diagnosis and for months afterwards I would have traded a small grandchild for a fasting test of 4.2.
 
Petrus82_ said:
My blood sugar was tested 18 months ago. It was 4.2 fasting and 6.4 two hours after breakfast. How often should I have it tested at the GP? Can it change significantly in that time?
Click to expand...
My GP gives me a blood request form to take to a pathology shop, where my blood tests get done every three months.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
Because you are diabetic. The OP isn't. He is just on normal routine blood tests.
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Not really correct any more, I only get a hba1c and lipids every six months, I get a Digoxin level and some other tests every three months at the pathology shop.

I would be getting anxious if I had to rely on a 18 month old blood test from a GP / Nurse.

Edit: I wonder if @Petrus82_ has had a PSA and a LFT blood test recently ...
 
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