Does a blood test always pick up diabetes?

[carriea]

Hi, I hope this is the right part of the forum to post. I have not been diagnosed with diabetes but I seem to have all the symptoms, apart from excessive thirst.

I have had really awful Nocturia for many years, which starts as soon as I lie down In bed, but recently it's got even worse. Last night I was up to spend a penny every 15 minutes until about 3am, I couldn't get to sleep in between as the feeling was always there. I have been told that I have an overactive bladder years ago, but when I read about that it says getting up more than twice a night. Last night I went about 30 odd times and it was before I'd actually got to sleep. Then, once I was asleep it woke me up.

I also get very itchy, but only during the night, when I can itch for England! I have checked my bed by the way for nasties, there's nothing. Plus, my bed and mattress is only a couple of months old and is hovered regularly, so I know it's not that.

I am also very hungry after eating a meal and have to have something else even if it's been a big meal.

I am very tired and achey all the time too, of course this isn't helped by the constant having to use the loo during the night, but I do sleep in to make up for this as I don't go out to work because of health problems.

I should add that I had a blood test a couple of weeks ago which included a diabetes check, but what I'd like to know is whether type 2 diabetes can go unmissed by these tests?

Hoping someone can help please, many thanks in advance.

 

[Totto]

Depends on what kind of blood test. If a test shows your bg is high it is likely you have diabetes and they will order further tests to confirm the diagnosis. If you only do a fasting blood test and it comes back normal you can't use it to say diabetes is ruled out. The most reliable test is the OGTT, oral glucose tolerance test, where you first check fasting BG, the drink 75 grams of glucose and then test after two hours to see how your body copes with that amount of sugar. I was tested at one hour too.

 

[carriea]

Depends on what kind of blood test. If a test shows your bg is high it is likely you have diabetes and they will order further tests to confirm the diagnosis. If you only do a fasting blood test and it comes back normal you can't use it to say diabetes is ruled out. The most reliable test is the OGTT, oral glucose tolerance test, where you first check fasting BG, the drink 75 grams of glucose and then test after two hours to see how your body copes with that amount of sugar. I was tested at one hour too.

Thank you for your reply. The doctor ordered a blood test - I didn't have to fast - and when it came back she ran through the results, saying my blood sugar was ok so I didn't have diabetes, but I thought I remembered reading somewhere that a true blood test for diabetes will mean that you fast beforehand?

 

[Totto]

Thank you for your reply. The doctor ordered a blood test - I didn't have to fast - and when it came back she ran through the results, saying my blood sugar was ok so I didn't have diabetes, but I thought I remembered reading somewhere that a true blood test for diabetes will mean that you fast beforehand?

Then it was a HbA1c test also known as long-time sugar. Not too reliable but does give an inkling. What was your result?

 

[carriea]

Then it was a HbA1c test also known as long-time sugar. Not too reliable but does give an inkling. What was your result?

She didn't tell me the result and I didn't ask because I knew that she would realise I didn't have a clue what the result meant!