How long for a GAD test results?

[CommandoMum]

I’ll give a bit of background.

I’ve been lurking around the site for just over a year on and off. I have a 10m Old, my third child and during that pregnancy I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. My first hospital didn’t recognise the symptoms and consultant refused to accept it was GD after I was put in the bariatric maternity clinic - I had severe hyperemesis (extreme vomiting in pregnancy) and a BMI of 19 despite being 26 weeks Pregnant, compared to the other women, the diagnosis was difficult for the clinic to accept despite sugar in my urine and elevated blood sugar, extreme baby growth and very high fluid levels (I had 6 litres of excess baby fluid..)We then moved 200 miles away and the care was excellent! Diagnosed, given metformin, apidra and humulin. Gradually increased my units until I was stable and baby delivered at 37 due to concerns over his size. We both passed the blood glucose tests and were discharged .

We’ve had a really successful breastfeeding relationship and a baby that grew rapidly 25th to 98th percentile in 6 weeks. lol good except for one thing - recurrent mastitis - on antibiotics for 7th time at the moment. I’ve been feeling unwell for 3-4 weeks with the very familiar feeling of high and low blood sugar - so I tested my BG - all my readings have been in the prediabetes and diabetes range. My personal opinion is that breastfeeding has been keeping my levels down - my readings can drop 3-5mmol by feeding. He’s a big boy but now eats more solid food and has dropped feeds - this is where the feelings of high and low started. Because I’m feeding I cannot do OGTT because feeding will alter the readings - my Hab1c came back as 37 but as GP agreed, levels have been kept even by feeding and take a 2-3m average and I’ve been feeling unwell for 3-4 weeks, not months. I’m also celiac and have elevated rheumatoid levels but no rheumatoid arthritis. I’ve lost weight, permanently hungry, sweat like an athlete, have weird dreams and recurrent nightmares. I’ve had GAD test this week - how long for the results - both GP and I think LADA. PN was not very helpful, she thought I was coming for a prediabetes type 2 diet chat and it’s quite clear there is something more complicated going on.

I’m 43, BMI 21, cook everything from scratch. I’ve been trying to restrict my carbs over the last few weeks but this has resulted in lows of 3.5mmol so I’ve stuck with eating a whole food diet and living with the highs instead. Advice, high fives? How long do I need to wait before I’ll start medication?

 

[Fenn]

Hi, Congrats on a healthy baby

Not sure 3.5's after a low carb meal is either bad or an indication of diabetes, quite the opposite I would say.

I am however not medical and should be ignored hehe

I seem to remember GAD taking 3 weeks but may be wrong

Best wishes

 

[CommandoMum]

Hi, Congrats on a healthy baby

Not sure 3.5's after a low carb meal is either bad or an indication of diabetes, quite the opposite I would say.

I am however not medical and should be ignored hehe

I seem to remember GAD taking 3 weeks but may be wrong

Best wishes

3.5mmol was after feeding, I couldn’t function, string words together and just wanted to sleep. It was 1300. This was after cutting teeth and wanting to feed more - I’d then had sweets bringing up to 5 as advised by go followed by oat smoothie and had a two hour reading of 14.

 

[Fenn]

It seems the feeding is lowering your BG for sure and if you feel terrible then it is a hypo but as far as I knew (and there is a lot I don't know) diabetes is defined by hypOglycaemia, if you are not taking meds to lower your BG and getting hypo's, that does not (to me) sound like T1 or T2 DB. the 14 is however high but considering what you ate I am still not convinced.

What happened to the 14? after 2 hours

I really don't know why I am trying to give advice here, just about everyone else on this site knows more than me lol

 

[Marie 2]

Wait for the results, a few of those things can be linked to type 1 more than type 2. Type 1's have a higher risk of celiac disease, low BMi is more likely in a type 1, sweating can be a sign of low or high BG's. And you can have normal or a little higher HbA1c as a type 1 at the beginning because you still make some kind of insulin for a while.

But none of those things means you are a type 1 either, it's just those are all things that could mean you are. There is a lot of difference in how treatment is handled with type 1 versus type 2.
So you need to wait for the tests to know. Be patient at least they are done and you will know soon enough!

 

[CommandoMum]

Oat smoothie was same as eating a protein sandwich - I’d run out of gf bread - oats, unsweetened soya - also allergic to dairy, diagnosed in 1999 by Southampton Generals Allergy clinic - protein powder- this should have a slow burn and worked when I was pregnant and didn’t result in spikes in blood sugar. I felt pretty rubbish, we had been out walking and I’d drunk loads of water so such a high was surprising but I yo-yo’d for a couple of days. My period returning seems to have also made things really tricky last week with highs and lows.

Having spent last year being very unwell, to feel like this again but with two children and a baby is difficult!

 

[SB.25]

Hiya, my GAD test results took 4 weeks to come back over December 2018 .

Best of luck!

 

[DCUKMod]

Oat smoothie was same as eating a protein sandwich - I’d run out of gf bread - oats, unsweetened soya - also allergic to dairy, diagnosed in 1999 by Southampton Generals Allergy clinic - protein powder- this should have a slow burn and worked when I was pregnant and didn’t result in spikes in blood sugar. I felt pretty rubbish, we had been out walking and I’d drunk loads of water so such a high was surprising but I yo-yo’d for a couple of days. My period returning seems to have also made things really tricky last week with highs and lows.

Having spent last year being very unwell, to feel like this again but with two children and a baby is difficult!

CommandoMum - As has been intimated, GAD test results can take a few weeks to come back.

You have a lot in play at the moment, between your breastfeeding, returning menstruation, mastitis, coeliac, probably the odd sleepless night, the warmer weather (literally) to name a few off the hip. Unfortunately, any or all of those could be contributing to how you are feeling.

For normies (those who aren't living with diabetes, or any of the associated conditions) a reading of 3.5wouldn't be out of the ordinary - especially after exercising. I know you were breastfeeding, but that is also giving your body a bit of a workout, so don't panic about that. I have reversed my T2 (or however else you care to phrase it), and I see numbers like that quite regularly, and don't feel out of the ordinary.

Obviously, there's not a lot written about people living with "normal blood glucose), because not many test, and frankly, from a research perspective, it's less likely anyone's going to get a decent PhD, ormassive academic kudos out of it.

Certainly, it makes sense to keep an eye on things, and if your numbers go very high (over, say 15), then seek urgent medical giudance. Do you have any way to test for ketones? High blood sugars, plus ketones is a definite cause for concern and action.

I wonder if any of my T1 colleagues - @Juicyj , @Diakat or @Antje77 are around and could offer any wisdom.

Good luck with it all.

 

[Marie 2]

Unfortunately there are some people that have a really hard time controlling their blood sugars with hormone changes. It can really send your numbers all over the place.

Maybe try some green pills/powder like spirulina or chlorella both can help with energy and spirulina is a source of protein. Low carb, I used to use chlorella a lot for energy.

If you are a type 1 you need insulin for any carb, broccoli or oats and oats can be higher carb. But a low carb high protein drink/meal can raise your BG’s too. I had that happen the other day, I grabbed a protein drink I was a little low in BG level and needed a small boost, it was unsweetened and only 6 carbs but 20 grams of protein and I went from a 4 to a 9. It completely caught me off guard as I never have to dose for protein but I am not usually consuming low carb, high protein. I am a type 1 though.

Be careful while oats have a gluten in them that doesn’t seem to bother all celiacs there is still gluten in them that can really bother some. Bob’s red mill and maybe some other companies did come out with a gluten free oat now.

Like I said type 1 could explain some of it, but between hormones etc, who knows? So hopefully you get your tests back soon so you can move forward better prepared with what you need to do.

 

[Antje77]

Thanks for the tag, @DCUKMod

I think a lot of wisdom has already been offered, so not much to add. GAD took about 6 weeks for me, if I remember correctly. Should it come back negative, there are other antibodies as well. In the end, the important part is treatment which works. I haven't tested positive for antibodies but still an assumed T1 and treated like one, even though we're not a 100% sure.

I’ve been trying to restrict my carbs over the last few weeks but this has resulted in lows of 3.5mmol so I’ve stuck with eating a whole food diet and living with the highs instead. Advice, high fives? How long do I need to wait before I’ll start medication?

As the 3.5 (which isn't very alarming when not on glucose lowering medication) seems to be the direct result of breast feeding, maybe you could eat something like a cracker, a cookie, an apple or such right before or during feeding, thus preventing the low instead of shooting up way high from overtreating your low. It's what I do before exercise.

I hope you'll have more clarity about your bg problems soon, but I hope even more you'll feel better shortly, regardless of your diagnosis!

Good luck!

 

[Diakat]

Thanks @DCUKMod
Hi @CommandoMum There’s a lot going on there isn’t there? You already have autoimmune issues which would support the lada theory, but 3.5 is not a diabetic number. So waiting for the gad results is the only way to go.
If it is positive then it could be while before medication is needed. Tagging @ert for their experience here.
Keep in mind that low carving will affect an ogt if you have one.

 

[ert]

I’ll give a bit of background.

Huge congratulations on your new baby. I'm sorry you're having a difficult time managing a range of symptoms.

If your GP considers you maybe type 1 or LADA, you need to be referred immediately to a specialist as they will want to do a range of tests to make sure you are on the correct treatment path including a c-peptide (which will differentiate type 1 (c-peptide < 0.2 nmol/L) and type 2 and four main antibody tests (to support LADA (antibodies combined with a higher c-peptide) or type 1 (antibodies and an extremely low c-peptide < 0.2 nmol/L). If blood tests aren't outsourced and completed in house at the hospital laboratory they take about 2 weeks (which was the time it took for mine). If your GP requests them from an external laboratory, then they could take anywhere between 2 and 6 weeks.

If you are type 1 they will recommend you begin insulin straight away. For LADA, you will end up on insulin, but they may monitor your c-peptide in the early stages.

Fingers crossed that you get a clear diagnosis soon.

 

[CommandoMum]

Thank you everyone for your kind and informative replies. Two years ago I was nailing Insanity and really fit, now I just feel rubbish, to put it mildly. The parts I find hardest are the mental fog and the dizziness- it feels like I’m nodding off to sleep and get the head jerk without moving. I’ve always been chemically sensitive and the yo-yo swings of my blood sugar are something ‘new’ but very reminiscent of being pregnant- and yes I’ve tested and no I’m not! My youngest is a great sleeper compared to his sisters so I feel relatively well rested. All my blood sugar readings since Thursday are in the pre diabetes / diabetes range for fasting, pre and post meal with my highest of 11mmol this evening despite bathing the kids, breastfeeding, cleaning the kitchen for two hours including washing all the floors and I’m really hungry! I could understand if I’d been sedentary and makes me wonder what it would’ve been otherwise ‍

My GP has advised to attend urgent care if I feel unwell but has not referred me to an endocrinologist yet but has put out a number of guidance call back requests. When she checked my urine I had neither keytones nor sugar otherwise she would’ve referred me there and then for treatment. My husband had noted that I have a Keto smell from time to time - he’s familiar with it from military training. I’ll puck up some strips to keep an eye on it. I’m pretty confident of the care locally and I’m glad this isn’t happening in our last posting where medical care was shocking.

 

[CommandoMum]

So an update - I’m still feeling really ****, called the GP to see if results are back but still not. There was a letter back from the consultant I had been referred to. She read it to me. Readings up to 10 are perfectly normal. I have readings of over 11. I should stop worrying myself and not be testing my blood sugar levels despite them all being in the prediabetes range and over 11 on occasion. Also said Gestational Diabetes causes no symptoms. Consultant is not concerned because I have no weight loss - except I do, and no increase in urine except I do. Came out of appointment feeling pretty downhearted and like an attention seeking health anxiety sufferer. Oh and I now have thrush after my 7th lot of antibiotics...

So I guess I wait on the results and watch the trend in my readings slowly creep upwards. Feel a bit let down and dismissed.

 

[Marie 2]

You just need to hang in there for the results. I hate it when you feel dismissed by your medical doctor or team. In this case you need the results though.

If you are not happy with your doctor after, try to switch doctors, it makes a world of difference. Years ago when I was unhappy with my doctor and I switched, it led to a wonderful doctor who sent me to a new endo who did the tests on me to end up being diagnosed properly.

Obviously you are not feeling good, hormones and blood sugar problems both commonly cause depression too. So you are not wrong in wanting to find out why you aren’t feeling good. Or that you are feeling down because they aren’t paying attention to your not feeling good. But in this case for blood sugar issues they need the result to determine the proper treatment. So try hanging in there . Big hugs, it sucks to not feel good.

 

[CommandoMum]

You just need to hang in there for the results. I hate it when you feel dismissed by your medical doctor or team. In this case you need the results though.

If you are not happy with your doctor after, try to switch doctors, it makes a world of difference. Years ago when I was unhappy with my doctor and I switched, it led to a wonderful doctor who sent me to a new endo who did the tests on me to end up being diagnosed properly.

Obviously you are not feeling good, hormones and blood sugar problems both commonly cause depression too. So you are not wrong in wanting to find out why you aren’t feeling good. Or that you are feeling down because they aren’t paying attention to your not feeling good. But in this case for blood sugar issues they need the result to determine the proper treatment. So try hanging in there . Big hugs, it sucks to not feel good.

I’ve been really happy with the care from my GPs so far but I think the locum needs to work on her delivery. She went from ‘wow, this is really complicated, please come in and see me ASAP today on the phone to ‘stop worrying’. She’s leaving a note for my normal GP for when she gets back and hopefully the GAD will be back. I’m very aware of the post eating spikes I’ve been getting, something I had during pregnancy, and the physical symptoms associated when it happens - pins and needles over my back is really unpleasant - during pregnancy I was told it was baby pressing on nerves, it went away after delivery but is back again over the last few weeks.

 

[CommandoMum]

So GAD negative but now readings are in Diabetic range, referred to endocrinologist and OGTT on 23rd September. Fasting frequently over 7 and pre bed 10.5 - 11.5 on a very healthy whole grain diet

And I still feel like utter rubbish.

 

[Antje77]

So GAD negative

GAD aren't the only antibodies, there are a couple more of them.

Fasting frequently over 7 and pre bed 10.5 - 11.5 on a very healthy whole grain diet

If you have diabetes (regardless of type) and are not on bg lowering medication, whole grain makes your bg just as high as white stuff. Many diabetics of all types cut down on grains because there are a lot of carbs in them.

 

[KK123]

So GAD negative but now readings are in Diabetic range, referred to endocrinologist and OGTT on 23rd September. Fasting frequently over 7 and pre bed 10.5 - 11.5 on a very healthy whole grain diet

And I still feel like utter rubbish.

Hi there, can you tell us what your whole grain diet consists of specifically? The reason I ask is that even though that may be healthy for the general population (and possibly even you in certain amounts), those grains will still turn to 'sugar' and most likely raise your levels. What you choose to eat is of course up to you but it's good to know the foods (however healthy they are) that will raise you if lower levels are your priority. x

 

[DCUKMod]

@CommandoMum - Have you had a decent panel of blods done to check all your auto-immune stuff? I'm wondering if your Coeliac is playing up a bit, or if your oats you mention could be contaminated in any way? I'd also want a decent panel done for thyroid function.

Our thyroids are a major factor in our metabolic health, and although weight gain is often associated with thyroid issues, it certainly didn't happen to me in my hypothyroidism story. Other major hypothyroid symptoms include some extreme fatigue, giddiness, loss of cordination and many more.

When I was seeing an Endo, to open the investigations into some really weird temperature regulation issues, I had a huge list of bloods done, looking at everything from the obvious autoimmune thyroid disease, through rheumatoid factor, coeliac, lupus, general connective disease and a gazillion more.

Oviously, nobody here can diagnose you with anything, but I'd urge you not to focus too hard on one thing, as other conditions can lend themselves to blood sugar levels going off-piste bit.