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awaiting diagnosis and due to travel abroad ?

E

eyeswideopen

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Hi I was wondering if any one can help
I have recently had routine blood tests for my high blood pressure condition.
I have since had a call from the surgery asking for me to have a repeat fasting blood glucose test...worried.
I am really concerned that I may be diabetic


I have bought a glucose monitoring and all my results have been within the normal range..except for the morning (fasting) results which have been coming in at 7.6 and this morning 7.1.

My real problem is that I am due to go on a holiday of a lifetime next weekend.

So I now have to have a repeat fasting test..wait for the gp to get the results and then does anybody have any idea what is likely to happen...will the gp send me for more tests or will I have to start meds...

I am really concerned as time is running out and I am very worried that I may not be able to get travel insurance being so newly diagnosed. I mean if I have to start meds or have more tests I cant see the insurers will be interested in taking me on .

Please does anybody have any ideas. I am fifty two years old female
 
Don'[t concern yourself too much - for a start, worrying raises blood sugar levels! The test results you have suggest you may be pre-diabetic (formerly kbnown as borderline diabetic) or diabetic, but we can't tell and you need to wait for the official results. Normally, a simple blood test known as a "HbA1c" is done which quickly confirms matters one way or the other. Whatever the result, your numbers are not that high (people are often found with fasting blood sugars in the high teens,) and it's likely that you'd be started on diet control only at least initially. My friend had fasting bloods of 16 a year or so back and controls it still on diet only. This won't inhibit your travel plans in the slightest. It might raise your travel insurance cost a little, and you MUST be honest with them or you could end up with invalid insurance, but it won't be a massive hike. I now take metformin (the first line diabetic drug) and pay for year-round permanent travel insurance to all destinations world-wide with the AA and pay an extra £70 per YEAR, so not a big issue. In recent years I've been to Antigua, Curacao (near Venezuela), the Maldives and so on.
So, don't freak out, you won't miss your hols. If they clash with any appointments for tests, delay the tests; nothing nasty will suddenly happen And if you are diagnosed, come back and let us know. There's lots of easy things you can do to manage the situation on diet alone.
Good luck, and enjoy your trip!
 
HI Thanks so much for the qucik reply. I must say I am really panicking because of the closeness of all this to my actual departure date which is the 8th september. I really hope to get to see a dr tomorrow for some advice.

The thing i worry about is the travel insurance and having to leave everything until the last possible moment. For example what will the results of the repeat fasting blood be.
will the gp get the results in time. will the gp then refer me to a specialist ?
I understand from the insurers I have already spoken to that if there are any pending tests/investigations they will not insure until the results are back. I suppose this is the problem I am trying to highlight.
I also wonder if in the worse case scenario I am actually prescribed medications ..will any one insure me...surely there would be some kind of monitoring required say for example metformin ..which could not be monitored whilst I am away in east africa. ? again i doubt i would be accepted for health insurance . it seems if I had an actual diagnosis of diabetes then things would be easier to get travel insurance. it is the not knowing and not having answers to give to the insurers on a health screening.

One of the questions I have to answer on the medical screening questionairre is are you awaiting any tests etc...so by delaying tests I would still have to answer yes and so I am back to square one..ie we will not insure you whilst you are awaiting tests.
Feels like a catch 22. Anyway thank you for being so kind as to take the time to answer my question.
seriously thankyou so much
 
So, insist on seeing the doc tomorrow, INSIST on an HbA1c test, it's a one-off blood test you can get done at local A&E, you'll get the results in a couple of days, I'm pretty certain you WON'T get referred to a specialist with the fasting BGs you have, you'll have a definitive result you can tell the insurer about, and you almost certainly WON'T go on medication to start so won't be much of an issue with the insurers. Even if you ARE put on meds it will be metformin, it's such a simple basic drug, no monitoring needed, that it won't be an issue with insurers either. I know it's all a big panic, but it WON'T be an issue. Just insist on the test. Tomorrow. The doctor can give you the blood test slip immediately, you can take it straight to the hospital/clinic for an immediate test. All done tomorrow, results by end of week, insurance sorted. No probs with food abroad wherever you go, no probs with flights. It really won't be the big deal you understandably fear it might be.
 
If you are a diabetic, or not, it nothing much will change in time for your holiday, and it is very, very, (very) unlikely that you'll suffer any complications any time soon.

A fasting of score 7mmol/l isn't all that bad - I was over 20 mmol/l when I was diagnosed, and it took me weeks to get below 7.

It looks to me that if you have T2D, then they've caught it pretty early.

Enjoy your holiday, just don't over do it on bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, anything with flour in it, or anything sweet or sticky.

T2D isn't all that bad when you get your head around it. Don't let it spoil your holiday.
 
to Ganzer and Borofergie,
I feel really re assured with the replies you have given me
I am feeling much better. I suppose really I should be horrified at the prospect of diabetes of any type...but instead I am horrified at not going on my holiday . I just wouldnt chance it. I went to east africa a few years ago with my then aged 15 year old daughter. She unfortunately contracted malaria and we very nearly lost her (seriously). we did take anti malarials but in her case it just was not effective. I cant think of going any where without health insurance so that would not be an option.
I have been really telling myself that malaria would not happen again, it was a freaky experience which could really skew ones perspective. I never imagined that I would be in a situation where I would just a couple of weeks from my dream (hopefully ) holiday be having to worry about diabetes.
I will ask for the test you suggest Ganzer and hope that I have a sympathetic GP, sometimes they are really rigid and I dont want them not to be understanding.

as I am new to all of this I feel afraid to eat.. today I have had one slice of wholemeal dry bread and after one hour my bg was 8.1..after two hours 6.1.
I dont know what to eat.
As for stress..I wonder what part this is playing in all my bg results. I have been working nights in a really very busy environment and I am just about to go on duty now for the afternoon and i am very apprehensive.
Ganzer.. I wonder why my Gp never just asked me to have the test you mentioned in your last reply, instead she is asking me to go and have a repeat fasting blood glucose ?

May be something to do with cost possibly ?
Well if it turns out I am diabetic or pre diabetic I am really reassured by you lovely folks who understand and have cared to take the time to reply

catch you later after work
 
Not sure why they don't do that test immediately; like to prevaricate and muck around before getting the surgery involved in proper tests. But trust me; you need a proper test, not another waste of time fasting one. Just be bold and assertive, "I'm not missing my hols, my fasting BGs are enough to warrant the HbA1c, I need it now!" it WILL be fine.
BY THE WAY, I'm Grazer not Ganzer
 
Incidentally, take note of Stephen (Borofergie), he had almost morphed into a sugar cube before diagnosis, and he's fine now on diet only, so he knows what he's talking about!
 
Hi. Grazer and others have given you some useful advice which I agree with. Don't worry about the travel insurance; just be honest e.g. say the tests being carried out are to confirm or otherwise T2 diabetes or pre-diabetes. I'm on three different tablets and it hardly affects my insurance premium. I use Saga who are very good for the over 50s with health conditions; there are a few others. My wife and I are covered for various conditions with some increase in premium. Travel insurance for North America does go up fast with any covered condition. I also has to wait 3 months for an Hba1C at diagnosis; I didn't even have any blood tests just a urine stick in the surgery! GPs will often just advise a 'healthy diet' (whatever that is) for a 3 months before doing any real tests. Just keep the carbs down as already recommended and let's hope you can get tests done quickly to give you peace of mind and clarity with the insurers. Your blood sugar readings are not at all bad so don't panic. BTW if you have private health insurance diabetes will probably lock out any cover for cardio-vascular conditions which is a pain.
 
thanks to grazer everybody who has replied. I really do hope I can make some impression on my GP tomorrow, I will beg and plead for the tests you suggest.
Just finished a gruelling shift at work and I suppose I should fast tonight in order to get the repeat fasting bloods done as originally requested by the gp. Guess I will have to go to the walk in centre for that..then try and get a morning appointment with the GP and ask if I can also have a Hb A1c. I find the blood sugar testing a bit compulsive. I honestly had not even thought about eating or drinking today..I know thats bad but honestly have not had time to catch my breath, when i did get a brief opportunity I managed to grab a few bits of broccolli and sweet corn..oh and not forgetting a couple of cheese crackers. test was 6.3.
thanks again to all you lovely people. for all the good advice and I will be sure to let you know of how things go tomorrow,
 
Been to walk in centre today and had fasting bloods done. Then over to the GP's, She really does not think there is a problem (hopefully) she reviewed the first fasting blood results and said it really was just borderline. Not sure of the numbers here I think she said 6 ..6 . Grazer..I asked to have a Hb1ac..is that what you suggested, she said it was not a relaible method for diagnosis..she said if anything I would be sent for a glucose tolerance test. Again, that would be another outstanding test. She did a good job of convinvin me I would be going on my holiday and she will , she promised try and look at my fasting blood results by friday.
I have asked her to really try to help me out here as I need to convince the insurers I am ok. so fingers crossed.
 
It's looking more likely that the insurers will be fine with this. Have you tried calling them to find out? (admittedly I have no idea how this works in the UK, here in NZ we just sign a form and they print out an invoice for the premium).

Like a lot of GPs, her diabetes knowledge seems a bit out of date. But that's something for another day.

Please, in the meantime, just try to eat normally, ie whatever you would normally eat. It's more important that you eat enough food to fuel your body, especially at a time of stress. Slow down and take one thing at a time. There is plenty of time to learn about healthier meal choices once you're back from holiday.
 
I cant do any deals with the insurers until I have a result from the GP...insurers it seems will happily insure you if you have a clear diagnosis, however whilst investigations/tests are pending they are just not interested. I can do the insurance over the phone no problem except it is not straightforward when you have to declare you are awaiting test results and investigations

thank your for the tips on eating .. have a lot to learn
 
Again I only know how it is done in NZ not the UK, but diabetes or pre-diabetes would not be considered "show stoppers" for travel insurance purposes. Have you considered seeking advice from a travel agent or insurance broker? Would a letter from your GP suffice - if she said yes you are awaiting tests but they are only for a condition that is not likely to affect this trip? How long is the holiday for?
 
Hi
I know not show stoppers...

I have contacted a health insurer (at this stage general questions I had so did not go into personal details ) I have high blood pressure and generally go through the medical health screening bit with insurers. So I already know one of the questions will be with reference to awaiting medical tests/investigations. I explained to the insurer that I am awaiting a repeat fasting blood glucose plasma and he in turn explained that until the results from that are known then I would not be able to be offered cover.

My GP today has looked at the results from the first fasting blood glucose plasma test and she said she was not too concerned for the numbers..looks like borderline in her opinion. So, she is awaiting the results now of my second fasting test which I gave this morning. Prob she will get results friday.
she did say she doubts it will come to much and I can tell the insurers (once she has the results) that any further tests will be required after I return from my hols . so i am worried still..because surely worse case scenario is that it will still just look like I am awaiting tests investigations. I am so confused I cant actually think any more .
 
Hi any one
I have spoken again with inusurers, as far as they are concerned ..if my fasting blood results come back raised again, then as part of their screening I am told they will be requesting form me to have a glucose tolerance test....and want results.

I am so p---d off. I will never be able to get that done between now and when I am due to leave for my holiday and no insurance without results.
got to to be a way around this
Any ideas folks ?
 
A lot of people will never have had an OGTT.
The (very) new criteria allows for diagnosis using an HbA1c.
The older criteria says that in the absence of symptoms diabetes can be diagnosed on the basis of 2 fasting glucose tests (with symptoms they only need one)
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/About_us/Our ... diabetes_/

If you have had one fasting glucose of 7 or over and the next is also above then this would diagnose diabetes. A second below that level means that your doctor might want to keep you under observation . They should give you advice since you would have impaired fasting glucose (unless the second test is very much lower )but this is technically not a diabetes diagnosis.
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/About_us/Our ... diabetes_/
 
Not sure WHY your doctor is saying HbA1c is unreliable - it is now the standard for diagnosis. I've never had an OGTT. Afraid The doc is being daft. The HbA1c would give you clear results by Friday for insurance. It's no good the doctor saying its borderline. That means nothing. That is called pre-diabetic nowadays and is also diagnosed by HbA1c. Why is she being difficult? I'd ring again and say "unreliable or not, I WANT an A1c today! Then you can clearly give the insurers a result with no more tests needed. If you have a diagnosis, they wouldn't ask for an OGTT. It's really not as complicated as people seem to be trying to make it.
 
H,

I've never had OGTT either, only 2 fasting blood tests needed for diagnosis. Can you see another doctor in the same surgery? Second opinon and all that. In my surgery there is a specialist diabetes GP, but maybe I am just lucky.

Hope it works out
Jane
 
thanks again to everyone here.
Ive tried so hard to day to get an appointment with my usual gp but had to see the next (in my opinion best one). She did look at my first fasting plasma and said it was borderline, she said she will try and see my repeat fasting results tomorrow and will ring me poss by friday. I mean she was very nice and she said I will be going on my holiday, no matter what...but i wasnt reassured despite her good intentions, I just rationalised it was my anxieties.
I did ask for the Hb A1c..but as i said she said the oral glucose test s the one to go for. It is a very modern and busy surgery and I have always felt her to be a spot on doc in the past.

I have eaten normally tonight and tested blood glucose 1 and half hours later and it was 10.7 .
Im stressed but even so I guess if there was nothing too worng it wouldnt go up so much would it ..thats high.

Well I am fast giving up hope here. I an try again and see the docs but I may be just told to go away. I cant seem to get the docs to understand that if they ask me to have a oral glucose test the insurers wont insure until the results are back,
I dont think i will have much luck with the other blood test you recommend.
I think there would be a waiting list for that one any way which wont get me sorted with insurers.

I cant beleive the timing of all of this. I thought i have controlled high blood pressure and would be honest with insurers with this and now I just cant believe that because of a borderline fasting result I may not be going anywhere. I just dont know what to do next. I feel I am losing a fight here. I think it would be better that the gp just prescribed me metformin or soemthing and then i could just declare it and get on with the higher premium with the insurers.

thanks to you all with ideas and contributions.. off to work..take care all of you and thanks again
 
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