Hello, I live and work in Qatar, and therefore I don't have easy access to the NHS. In fact a few years ago I tried to get them to assess my diabetes from the results tests taken in Qatar. Their response was that they didn't use those units. I was thinking, it's a straight conversion, just Google it! Anyway, it was clear to me that they didn't want to do it.
I don't trust the health professionals here, they don't seem that knowledgable and some will try to change your prescription without any tests; presumably for backhanders from pharmaceutical companies.
Anyway, I have recently done some trials with the Freestyle Libre and love all the data I can get from it. I already know that white rice causes a huge peak; but potatoes, chips and ice-cream appear to have relatively little effect. I am still experimenting so no firm conclusions yet.
So back to the original question, given that I can now calculate the increase, the rate of increase, the recovery rate/time and all sorts of other metrics; is there a way of determining if I actually have diabetes?
Hello There,
I am in same situation, from Australia, British, but reside Mallorca. Unfortunately, due to the diabetes system set up all their cut off levels to give a label diagnosis if one is Pre or diabetic are ARTBITRARY SET NUMBERS, acknowledged by the ADA and others, are at whim, random choice, with no backup support of clinical or medical evidence as t the final number A1C test or realblood finger tests, they all differ worldwide. So... its a case of WHERE YOU ARE RESIDING IN THE WORLD TIME OF DIAGNOSIS.
Myself, in NZ they have 6.7% cut off with two tests A1C blood test with abnormal finger tests if viewed diabetic
here in Spain cut off is 6.5% if one has 6.6% in Spain you are viewed diabetic!
In Australia New Zealand, you are viewed as PRE DIABETIC.
How confusing is that.
You are not wrong in your assumptions, the medical world and pharms are linked, and of course, Diabetes in my personal opinion from researches al 300 pages in all! I have come to the conclusion is the biggest business in the world, Diabetes is nt going away. When numbers for lab testing and finger testing are reduced i.e,. it was 140mg/dl fasting as normal if below,
then 2010 dropped a further 110mg/dl, then again to 100mg/dl what heppend inbetween, normal people suddenly overnight became abnormal pre or diabetic, resulting, thousands off to the pharmas as prescribed drugs and need monitors for finger testing etc.......this is frightening........ yes its explained lowering numbers is to catch the disease earlier, yes this sounds fine, but not so black and white, firstly, not all numbers suit the same person, age and motifivation life style has to be taken into consideration and is not sadly. Then we have the worry, perhaps many people mis diagnosed unnecessary given a life changing label of diabetes! when they may only be Pre for example, caution and take control......or over prescribed metformin or other drugs unnecessarily????
I am sceptical being resident in Spain about diabetes and its numbers until they have a clinical and medically supported cut off number that the world follows strictly, I dont even worry about checking fingers anymore only 4 monthly, for the fact I am placed in a situatino Spain labeled diabetic, v. new Zealand I am viewed Pre Diabetic.
diabetes world should be embarrassed and feel disgrace to allow such a confusing situation to take place.
My suggestion not a doctor would be to ask for an A1C, but have your fingers checked fasting, 2hr after eat and random anytime after breakfast. See the results.
If they you come under being diabetic in country your in, get second opinion and dont panic, as each country differs on their levels of cut offs, and take that into consideration, I would get a Genteel finger tester they are great no pain and no sore fingers, as peace of mind for yourself, and whatever your tests reveal Pre or Diabetic, once you get home, ask for the same tests and see the difference, that may assist in the interim
i can relate to concerns in being overseas in another country, when each countries levels differ, that is not to say Qatar is wrong, or Spain where I live, they are just following the medical cut off rule of that country, but that also does not mean they may be 100% correct, New Zealand is not wrong either, again, following their more pragmatic sensible approach to cut off levels taking into consideration age of person and other.
Just ask for the two tests for your peace of mind, A1C and three finger tests.
View Dr. Jason Fung on two lies about diabetes. Also view how to reverse diabetes, I am a great fan.
At the moment as you state you DO NOT KNOW if you are, so dont worry about something that has not happend yet, cross that bridge if it comes, if you are diabetic, its reversable and curable despite what the say its chronic and progressive, all you have to do and is recommended to help reverse and good for Pre diabetics too
eat low carb 20 to 50 a day
View
www.dietdoctor.com website wonderful
Eat Keto foods programme
Exercise walk min 5 klm a day
If you have treadmill walk 10 mins on tread at 5.7klm an hour after breakie, lunch and dinner evening
Intermittent fast as and when you want or able
I did this, I turned around reversed my A1C results by 23%, lost 21 kilos in 11 months, and lost 23cm off my waist, by doing simple change of lifestyle, I have total control on consistent basis of my sugars which are all normal for fasting, 2 hr after eat and random any time.
Dont worry your in Qatar, here in Mallorca I have had same problem.
I changed my doc 2 times, now finally found a doc with same approach as New Zealand, prefers lifestyle change for his patients rather than medication first, and first thing he did was wipe and delete the label word in the spanish system of my medical records froM DIABETIC, to PRE DIABETIC.
So, if the doc does not support you he is not the right doc, and get another one.
Hope this helps. Dont worry, especially if you dont know whether you are diabetic or not.
Mallorca