I'd been PreD and low carb for about 15 years (probably longer, but that was the first time I was checked as part of other investigations).
I didn't know they were supposed to be annual, or I would have asked for them.
I knew my health had deteriorated, and I felt pretty **** so I asked for a glucose tolerance test,
the experience was pretty unpleasant, massive headache, 2 days off work since I couldn't drive or use a computer because I couldn't focus.
Result was a score of 11 after 2 and a quarter hours because they mucked up the timings. (you get diagnosed with T2 if you are 11.1 or higher, so if they had taken the test at 2 hours, I would have got the diagnosis)
Was told 'No, you aren't D. Here is a diet sheet (9 portions of carbs a day please. Fruit is good for you!) and we will see you in a year for another test. This was how I knew that I should have been tested 15 times in the last 15 years, not 3 times.
So I went home. Found this forum, and sorted myself out. Went even lower carb. Got a self funded glucometer. Ate to my meter. Got 2 dogs and walk them. Take appropriate supplements.
I got called in for another glucose tolerance test, and politely refused, explaining that the last one had made me ill, so they did fasting bg tests (both were over 7 so I should have been diagnosed on those results, but no, 'we only diagnose with an HbA1c'.
And since my HbA1c is v controlled (via low carbing) it is low enough not to be PreD, so they just dismiss the idea that I might be diabetic.
As a result, I'm not on the diabetic register, don't get eye tests, foot tests, regular HbA1cs, or any other NHS support.
They have stopped calling me in for fasting glucose tests, HbA1cs and stopped asking me to take glucose tolerance tests.
On my records there is plenty of evidence that I used to be PreD.
But the last chat I had with a doc, he said 'No I won't discuss blood glucose with you. Your records don't give me cause for concern.'
As a result my diabetes is completely invisible to the NHS, and I bear total responsibility for monitoring my bg and controlling it.
Incidently, I have 2 other health conditions which make T2 a huge likelihood, yet no one seems to have connected those dots.
Do I feel let down?
Yup.