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Diagnosis - return frrom holiday

P

popps

Well-Known Member
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Hello all,

As I posted before my holiday I've had two fasting BS tests, one at 7.1 and the second at 7.2, which means I'm diagnosed as diabetic. I've to see the practice nurse next Tuesday. What happens next? Is diabetes a gradual thing? I mean, am I likely to have been around the 7 mark for a number of years, or can the BS reading suddenly shoot up? What will I need to do to reduce the BS levels? Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated as I am stilll in a state of confusion.
 
Nope, I'm told by my Practice that the trigger is 7. Did it used to be higher, and does anyone know what the trigger is in other countries?
 
Well, for what it's worth, my GP told me when I was diagnosed last week it was 11.2... maybe it's because you've had two fasting tests over 7?

Some of the more experienced people will be along shortly I'm sure :D

Regarding what you need to do, cut out sugar (chocolate, sweets etc) Don't drinkhigh sugar drinks.

Give serious thought as to how many carbs you're eating, to be fair, if you're at 7 and that's high you've got a good chance of getting it down, I'd love to have a high of 7!
 
Non-diabetic usually have a fasting BG of less than 5.5. Anything in the 5.5-7 range is generally considered to be pre-diabetic and 7+ is usually indicative of full-blown diabetes. Most doctors like to confirm this with a Glucose Tolerance Test, although but two readings of over 7 on separate days is fairly conclusive.

There is no way of telling how long you have had diabetes, although if you have no symptoms then it is probably either fairly mild at the moment, or else you have not had it very long. Although your figures are in the diabetic range, they are quite low by the standards of uncontrolled diabetics. Because mild diabetes doesn't tend to cause symptoms, it sometimes takes many years before it is diagnosed. However, the important thing is that if it hasn't caused you any problems yet then you can control it and should be able to prevent such problems from occurring.

What to do now. First of all, don't panic! Diabetes is a nuisance, but it isn't the end of the world - it is quite possible to control it and still lead a normal life. If it is Type 2 diabetes there is every chance that you will be able to control it with diet and exercise, but if that doesn't work then there are a number of very effective drugs. Secondly, the most important thing that you need to do is to start learning about the condition. This web site is a great place to start - read through past discussions and remember that the only stupid question is the one that isn't asked! Talk to your GP and your diabetes nurse - they will, no doubt, give you plenty of advice. You might like to get some books on diabetes - see discussions on here for some ideas as to which ones are worthwhile or post questions.
 
The Governor said:
Well, for what it's worth, my GP told me when I was diagnosed last week it was 11.2... maybe it's because you've had two fasting tests over 7?
Click to expand...

Exactly. In non-diabetics the fasting level might go this high the day after a particularly huge feast, but even then it is quite unlikely. Unless you lead a pretty amazing (not to mention suicidally overindulgent) lifestyle then the chances of this happening on two different days are zilch. My old endocrinology textbook says two readings of 7+ on separate days are diagnostic. A glucose tolerance test is more reliable, though.

Have you had your HbA1c measured yet? That will give an idea of what the average BG has been over the last few months, and this is rather more meaningful. If you have had your blood sent of to a lab then you should have this as well as many other figures. It is probably quite a good idea to get a copy of these numbers. Even if they don't mean anything to you now, as you learn more about the condition then they will become useful.
 
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