Finally...some answers (and questions)

[Loobles]

So, my second round of blood results are in, which show I'm "borderline" according to my GP. By my reckoning, I am in the prediabetic range so I asked him to clarify his rather airy-fairy "borderline". He agreed - prediabetic. Muttered impaired fasting tolerance and impaired glucose tolerance, which seems to amount to the same thing...prediabetes? Anyway, I'm relieved it's not full-blown diabetes and I'm doing everything I can to keep it that way.

Given my family history, struggle to lose weight, raised BG and BP, he's referred me for some further tests and the endocrine and metabolic clinic. Just tried to book that through choose and book though and it says no appointments available. What does that mean? I've left a message for them to call me back but I'm not sure if it means there's no appointments available for like the next 6 months, or if it means they've closed. Who knows? It's hardly the seamless system I was hoping for.

Anyway...key points of the discussion...
BP - slightly raised at home 140-150 over 80-90 but he says not high enough for meds, 200/100 at the surgery today so that got his attention (though it's not normally that high) so been referred for 24hr BP. Need to take my home readings back in 2 weeks.
Weight - down 2.5 stone since last weigh in in 2011. he looked less than thrilled but I was whooping for joy LOL
BG - gave 2 weeks of readings - said they definitely weren't in diabetic range (which I already knew) but suggested impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting tolerance. Given my family history he said he'd have liked to start me on Metformin now but it's not licensed in the UK for prediabetes - that's why he's referred me to endocrine clinic.
Further tests etc - thyroid function (just had bloods but not sure she got enough to test), annual A1C and FBG. Think that was it.

Oh and he wants me to try Orlistat. Not really sure it's a good idea with my LCHF diet! I told him I was eaing low carb but never mentioed the HF bit...couldn't be bothered hearing all the duff advice, especially since I'd already been in there 45 minutes by that point.

It feels relieved to know what's going on really and why I couldn't get that abscess to go! After years of neglecting my health , it also feels good to finally be taking control over it.

 

[AndBreathe]

Well, it sounds like you have your Doctor's attention, as he is willing to have quite a number of additional tests done and specialist advice sought.

That there might be a wait between now and seeing the Endo and Metabolic people might be frustrating, but now you have more personally, factual information, the wait affords you time to do the relevant research and thinking. You are clearly a bright, proactive person, so you won't want to be swept up in the vortex of multiple appointments, without the pre-preparation (and review) time, so that you can be at the centre of any decisions and treatment planning.

In your shoes, I'd keep doing as you have been. I'd make sure I was keeping fulsome records of testing, diet, weight, BP, well-being/symptoms, and anything else you might find to be relevant. As an aside, my surgery measured, elevated, BP was what triggered my initial bloods. As I got my bloods in order and my weight came off, my BP moderated, and I'm now at the lower end of the chart "Normal" range at all times. When I had my only post-diagnosis review, I took my own monitor to show the nurse, and she was quite happy to accept those readings, in favour of hers, which had read a bit higher than my monitor's history.

I know that ideally your diagnosis would have been "not diabetic at all", but knowledge is power, and if there has to be a diagnosis for diabetes, I'd say a pre-diabetic diagnosis is the ideal. You can now get on to making a different.

Welcome to the club you never wanted to join. We don't do air miles, or Nectar points, but it is an added value place to be.

 

[Loobles]

Well, it sounds like you have your Doctor's attention, as he is willing to have quite a number of additional tests done and specialist advice sought.
.

I had to specifically ask for them but he agreed these things were worth looking into. I suppose I'm a GPs worst nightmare...ex-nurse with outdated info and able to understand what he's on about...and challenge it.

That there might be a wait between now and seeing the Endo and Metabolic people might be frustrating, but now you have more personally, factual information, the wait affords you time to do the relevant research and thinking. .

I couldn't actually book an appointment on Choose and Book - it said none were available. Not sure what that means but if they haven't rung in 2 weeks I'll get my GP to chase it up. He did say to continue getting BG and BP readings - though no offer for test strips on prescription (obviously). that would have been handy as I already have a prepayment certificate.

As I got my bloods in order and my weight came off, my BP moderated, and I'm now at the lower end of the chart "Normal" range at all times. When I had my only post-diagnosis review,

I'm hoping for that, but my BP has always been on the upper end of normal even when I was a teenager and only 9 stone...so I don't know. I hope it will reduce. He said the endocrine clinic will look into the blood pressure and may want more tests to see if there's another underlying cause.

You're right, ideally I would have come back normal, though in a funny way I feel this is just the kick up the bum that I needed. Without it, I really don't know if I'd have ever made the changes. Also, now because I'm prediabetic I've found he's being more proactive about actually helping me with my weight etc. So, now I've finally got a GP who will listen I feel pretty positive...though my GP surgery closes in 3 weeks. Agh! I think I've found a new GP though and the feedback from patients is good