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Confused not yet diagnosed but close

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Nick4344

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Hi. I got some bloods take a few weeks ago and received a call from my Doctor the week before last to give me the results. I was at work and couldn't really ask questions but she told me my blood sugar was high and I needed to get it retested, and said to leave it about 4 weeks.

I had to go the doctors today about something else and asked for clarification of my readings (different doctor). She said the hbac1 reading was 49 and that this puts me in the diabetic category and needs a retest. I mentioned the other doctor said to leave it 4 weeks but this one insisted I needed to get it done ASAP and wanted me to go tonight. I said I hadn't fasted but she said it doesn't matter for this test. She said she is on the Practice's diabetic team.

I didn't go for the immediate retest tonight. Back in the late 90's I had a similar scare (can't remember the readings) but was being sent for glucose intolerance tests. I went onto the Atkins, lost about 2.5 stone and the tests settled back down, so I'm thinking I can do the same again and throw in more exercise and drink more water (I'm pretty bad at drinking water).

Am I doing the right thing?

She also mentioned my ferritin was higher than it should be and that this could be linked to the blood sugar. She said I should get this retested but leave it about 3 weeks.

Since speaking to the Doctor originally the week before last I've been eating a lot healthier and noticed my weight reducing. I like meeting up with my mates and having a drink and I suppose less alcohol is better than more, but with the new football season starting this weekend it would be good to know how having a few pints will impact me - everything I have read so far says alcohol reduces blood sugar and could lead to hypoglycemia shock, but I have never experienced anything remotely like this.

Also - is it time to get a meter?

Many thanks for the help and advice.

Nick
 
I would have the tests done.

It is a perfectly understandable reaction to think 'hey, if I do what I did last time, it may all go away for another few years.'
But with the ferritin as a factor I would strongly urge you to get those tests done.
There is a particular type of diabetes that is called Bronze Diabetes which will not necessarily respond to weight loss, and it would be a good idea to rule that out with further tests.
It is rare, so no reason to get particularly worried, but in your situation I would prefer to eliminate it as a possibility.

Once those tests are done, you are still perfectly at liberty to trim up, change your exercise and drinking habits, and enjoy your new fit life.

Oh, and yes, get a meter. :D

Here is a link:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/hemochromatotis-bronze-diabetes.html
 
As @Brunneria says, get the tests done, if for nothing more than peace of mind.

Hypoglycemia is generally only a worry for people who are on insulin, or are taking certain types of medications.
It's true that alcohol can reduce blood sugar, and some T2's use this to their advantage. However, the reverse can be true too. The general advice for those wanting to avoid a sugar spike that can be caused by some alcohols, is to stick to red white and/or colourless spirits with diet mixer or soda water.
 
Thanks for that.

I travel a lot in my job and stay in hotels so diet can be a problem. However I do like Nando's and quite happy to eat the same every night. Will their chicken and a leafy salad be ok?

Energy (kcal) 557
Fibre (g) 0
Salt (g) 2.1
Sugar (g) 0.3
Total fat (g) 24.0Energy (kj) 2338
Protein (g) 82.1
Saturates (g) 6.0Total Carb (g) 3.4

Thanks again.
 
Nick4344 said:
Hi. I got some bloods take a few weeks ago and received a call from my Doctor the week before last to give me the results. I was at work and couldn't really ask questions but she told me my blood sugar was high and I needed to get it retested, and said to leave it about 4 weeks.

I had to go the doctors today about something else and asked for clarification of my readings (different doctor). She said the hbac1 reading was 49 and that this puts me in the diabetic category and needs a retest. I mentioned the other doctor said to leave it 4 weeks but this one insisted I needed to get it done ASAP and wanted me to go tonight. I said I hadn't fasted but she said it doesn't matter for this test. She said she is on the Practice's diabetic team.

I didn't go for the immediate retest tonight. Back in the late 90's I had a similar scare (can't remember the readings) but was being sent for glucose intolerance tests. I went onto the Atkins, lost about 2.5 stone and the tests settled back down, so I'm thinking I can do the same again and throw in more exercise and drink more water (I'm pretty bad at drinking water).

Am I doing the right thing?

She also mentioned my ferritin was higher than it should be and that this could be linked to the blood sugar. She said I should get this retested but leave it about 3 weeks.

Since speaking to the Doctor originally the week before last I've been eating a lot healthier and noticed my weight reducing. I like meeting up with my mates and having a drink and I suppose less alcohol is better than more, but with the new football season starting this weekend it would be good to know how having a few pints will impact me - everything I have read so far says alcohol reduces blood sugar and could lead to hypoglycemia shock, but I have never experienced anything remotely like this.

Also - is it time to get a meter?

Many thanks for the help and advice.

Nick
Click to expand...
I understand your worries, better if get tested. That would be the best thing to do.
 
Thanks. I'll go this Friday when I get back home. A week of sensible eating and exercise at the hotel gym will hopefully put me in good stead.
 
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