Help with test results

[ALIBOBSUK]

Hi Everyone

This is my first post so I am sorry if I am asking something really obvious but I have looked through some of the posts and cannot find what I need to know.

I went to GP for a regular check up and they did a fasting glucose test the result was 8.2 I was then ask back for another test. When I went for the result of this test The nurse told me was a HbA1c test with a result of 6.7 and mentioned a few things to me regarding Cholesterol as it was 5.1 I would have to take something to get this down to 4 and I would have to take something else but she did not tell me what the other thing was for. She went of to get the prescription signed and when she came back she said the doctor had been to a conference and as a result he would be treating borderline people in a different way i.e. without treatment.

I now have to go for a third blood test before they will decide what to do with me.

So we sort of left the appointment half way finished so I am very confused am I diabetic or not and how come if he had not been to a conference a few weeks ago I would have been treated straight away no questions asked and now I have to have another fasting glucose test. Also is the fasting glucose test the same as an HbA1c can some one help me, I would like to know where I stand before I have to go back and discuses my results again.

I take other medication for my Arthritis I take leflunomide and because that increases my blood pressure I also take Ramipril so I already have to have blood test to monitor the effects this has on my liver and kidneys so when I read diabetes can affect you kidneys this really started to worry me.

I am sorry for rambling but I need help and information.

Thanks
Alison

 

[jopar]

Hi Alison

Sounds as though they deciding whether or not you are a borderline T2 diabetic or a T2 diabetic that might be able to control on diet a lone..

But an HbA1c is a tad high, for non-diabetics you would expect to see an HbA1c in the 4's or perhaps 5's! I suspect that they are holding back slightly and having a look to see if perhaps you had an infection of some kind even minor infection can increase BG..

The blood glucose fasting test and HbA1c are two different things..

BLood glucuse, show how much Blood glucose is in the blood at the point of the test..

HbA1c is an adverage percentage of your blood Glucose over the preceeding 3 months, it is used as an monitor/indicator of control... It can be used as an indicator to identify your risk of developing diabetic complications the higher above the non-diaebtic range this is, the higher risk of developing long term complications you are..

Hope this helps explain...

 

[Synonym]

Hi Ali and welcome to the forum.

Diagnosis and the first few weeks are a very confusing time but please don’t worry as the doctor being away may well have done you a great big favour! You have the opportunity to get to grips with your condition and control it without resorting to drugs. Many of us on here have done this by changing our diets and exercising. 8)

You will need to self test your blood (BG levels) and keep a food diary, noting the test results against what you have eaten. This will help you to know what your body can cope with.

You will probably need to get a meter yourself as it is unlikely that your doctor would give one to you so you would do well to phone a company like Abbotts and ask them for one and buy some strips from them too.

A Collins gem Carb Counter (£3.99) or similar book will help you to make good food choices.

Let us know how things go for you and in the meantime explore the diet threads which will help you.