Will have fasting BS test soon, let it be 7+ or 6-?

[sandy2011]

Hello:
I have T2 but my doctor tends to rely on my fast blood sugar (BS) tests and tells me I don't have T2.
I've found a few discussions here where some members also have this problem, that their doctors relied on the fasting BG tests and said they were okay.
I've seen my doctor a couple of times to discuss my BS.
These visits ended up sending my blood pressure (BP) too hig up. I started to have high BP at home quite often and I ended up being in the Emergency Room 10 days ago. I am probably ok now, resumed the BP med, but after the ER I had to drop everything that can make me anxious: I no longer measure BP/BS, no longer read about BP/BS, fearing that I will get anxious and then the BP will rise.

I would like to ask for your advice:
I will have a fasting BS test soon.
Should I eat more carb to let my fasting BS be over 7 so that my doctor will see I have T2, OR should I low carb as I am doing and my fasting BS will be in the 6- range, which will make my doctor continue to see me as non-diabetic?
If my doctor does not see I have T2, it would be very hard for me to discuss my T2 concerns with her.

Thank you in advance.
I also would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone here. The forum has been very helpful and I am very grateful. I would have continued to eat brown rice and fruit stuff if I hadn't found it.

More details:
My annual fasting blood sugar (BS) test in Nov 2010 showed 7.3; this was the first time by doctor mentioned the high BS thing with me. She then wanted me to have a better diet (brown rice, fruit, etc.. ) and excercise more. At this time my blood sugar started to become high too, 140.
I was only aware of these high numbers in Feb 2011 when the results came back.
She gave me a type of medecine for the BP.
Feb 2011 onwards, diet: brown rice, whole wheat bread, carrot, fruit, etc., soy, fish, chicken, not much fat because of the BP, non fat yogurt (meaning a lot of sugar!!). I did not know how to read the nutrient facts properly: I counted the sugar, not the carb. I managed to control my BP, normally in range 105+ to 120-, it no longer was a problem and I stopped my medecine around June.
My subsequent fasting BS test was on May 2011, result came back with only 5.8 because I happened to eat a lot of green veggies and not much carb the day before, just a coincidence. So my doctor said I was okay on the BS side. I thought I did not hav T2 then.
Diet after that: continued to have brown rice, fruit, bean, etc..
Starting around June 2011 I started to test my BS at home. The tests showed fasting BS 10, 9, 8 a few times (with those brown rice and fruit). So I started to have a better diet: ate smaller portions etc, no more rice, and no more fasting BS 8+.
Until I found this forum and started to low carb around Sep 2011, and now I am better at reading the nutrient facts. I don't have fasting BS 7+ any more.
So if I let the next fasting test have a reading less than 7, my doctor will continue to see me as not having T2, and therefore I will have a big difficulty discussing my BS concerns with her.

Thanks.
Sandy

 

[viviennem]

I'd go back to eating exactly what the doctor told you to eat - record your self-tests, and keep a food diary and take it with you to prove what you've been eating. She'll soon see whether you have Type 2 or not. Ask for a print-out of your results.

You won't do yourself any permanent damage by coming off the low-carb for a few days, or even a couple of weeks. Keep a record of your self-testing. Then, when you've had the test, go back to low carbing.

And when you have the next fasting test at the doctor's, take a food diary and your self-test record to that too! Then you and she can compare results and diet for both tests. Should prove something!

Good luck

Viv 8)

 

[sandy2011]

Thank you Viv for your advice.
During my visits I did bring with me my test log, I showed her but couldn't convince her and she did not even bother to read. I was so frustrated by that reaction of hers that my BP went up and up.
I told her I had noted down in my medical alert card that I have high BP and high BS, but to that she reply: "T2 is only when you are on med (*), and you are not. You only have a bit high BS" and I ), BP hit 165.

I am controlling my BS by low carbing, the readings seem in reasonable ranges for now, and I want to continue that way for a while until I figure out things about my T2 properly (such as I am eating more fat than I did before, is this okay for me, etc.). Now, say she agrees I have T2 and prescribes some medecine (see * above), can I tell her I don't want medecine yet and want to control by low carb for now?

Thanks,
Sandy.

 

[viviennem]

I love your doctor's logic! You can't be Type 2 diabetic unless you're on medication! so what do they diagnose you with to give you that medication? :lol:

Many Type 2s on here control their blood sugar levels very well with diet and exercise alone; you don't have to take any medication if you don't want to, whatever your GP says. However, it's always best to keep them on-side if you can. I take Metformin because I have a lot of weight to lose and it helps with that.

Some doctors still have difficulty with a low-carb diet - my own diabetic specialist GP is one of those - but equally, she can't make you eat carbs! As for fat - as long as you stick to healthy, unprocessed fats you shouldn't have too much trouble - apparently about 80% of our blood cholesterol is made by our livers anyway! It's not easy to take in enough calories on a low-carb diet if you try to low-fat as well. I find that low-carb lowers my cholesterol levels anyway - also my BP, but that could be the weight loss. Just keep an eye on your regular blood test levels, meanwhile getting as much information as you can about diabetes.

A good book that I use is Atkins diabetes revolution, by Vernon and Eberstein. I've lost 56lb following their principles, lowered my cholesterol a bit, and am just about to come off blood pressure medication . It doesn't suit everyone, but it's worth looking at.

Whether you really are Type 2 or not (I can't diagnose!), following a low-carb diet will help you if you are, and maybe stop you getting there if you aren't. The diet your doctor suggests would be too high carb for me, and would soon show in my blood glucose levels. Good luck!

Let us know how you get on!

Viv 8)

 

[Dougie22]

My original doctor put it like this - "If you are T2, you need to eat more healthily, exercise and lose some weight. If you are not T2, you need to eat more healthily, exercise and lose some weight."

Don't stress over it!

If you're doctor/patient relationship is poor, you maybe need to think about a new doctor. This is the position I'm currently in (though I haven't taken the plunge yet).

 

[sandy2011]

Thank you very much Viv and Dougie22.
Viv I read your 2nd reply yesterday but Monday was a bit hectic at work so I did not acknowledge and thank you yet.
Sandy

 

[sandy2011]

Hi everyone,
This is my update on this topic:
I had my tests done yesterday and the results will come back in a few weeks.
(My original post was in early October and) As I got closer and closer to the test day I thought probably it is best now if I let my fasting test reflect my current status and diet (meaning the test will come back as in acceptable range - less than 7.0), which in turn will mean my doctor won't see me as diabetic. The more I read from this forum (and thank you so much everyone) the more I understand how important it is to constantly control the disease everyday. I chose that over my doctor not giving me medecine this time.
Prior to the test day I ate what I normally have: reduced carb, not high protein and med fat. Before getting to the lab I tested at home and got 4.6.

Thanks to everyone.
Best regards,
Sandy

 

[Sid Bonkers]

I understand how important it is to constantly control the disease everyday.

Before getting to the lab I tested at home and got 4.6.

It is only important to control this disease IF you have it!

With a fasting bg level of 4.6 mmol/L I would say stop wishing yourself diabetic and get on with living.

 

[sandy2011]

I don't know why I got a 4.6 on that day, I normally get somthing 5-ish or 6-ish, very rarely did I have a 4-ish since I started reduce-carbing.

 

[viviennem]

I have to disagree a bit, Sid - I can get fasting BS levels in the 4s by low-carbing. Mind you, I am on metformin, but I honestly don't think that makes much difference. I certainly wouldn't be over 7 without it.

I'm normally in the 5s, but no question about me being Type 2 - even if I am 'mildly diabetic' to quote my GP. Maybe Sandy is the same - has been caught early, and wants to make sure it goes no further.

All I would say ( and this is where I do agree with Sid :lol: ) - stop getting anxious about it, and get on with living! You're doing okay.

Once you get more confident with it, you won't have a problem.

Viv 8)

 

[Sid Bonkers]

With respect Viv this member has been told by their GP that they are NOT diabetic, now we cant diagnose so if they are unhappy with their GP's diagnosis then they should seek a second medical opinion not ask for advice on a diabetic forum.

Hello:
I have T2 but my doctor tends to rely on my fast blood sugar (BS) tests and tells me I don't have T2.

Get diagnosed and then come back and ask any question you like but until then please stop wishing your health away.

Harsh maybe but true non the less.

 

[anna29]

Hi sandy.
Have read your posts with interest, and would like to reassure you that you are doing really well and you are obviously with good health awareness.
Please dont worry unduly or too much , thus making your BP and BG climb up with anxiousness and worrying yourself silly. Stress CAN do this, and its not a realistic or valid reading then!
As when you relax and chill it can go down a bit...
Best to be grateful for your life, and continue with a meds free nondiabetic routine, [lots of diabetic's manage well on a meds free lifestyle, using diet and excercise only] - than be an insulin dependent diabetic when everyday life CAN then become a world of calculated balance and health issues...
Life IS precious and should never be worried or wished away to be something more serious.
I can see sids point here!
I went months and months and months of trying EVERYTHING to get my terrible high BG and high HbA1c's under control to be forced to come to terms with the fact that I NEEDED insulin therapy to do it for me. I truly would never wish it on anyone , even myself ... It IS life changing .
Only worry when you HAVE to, smile and feel blesssed for now . Your one of the lucky ones!