How do I prepare for endocrinologist ?

[Claudia 1961]

Hi,
I have been diagnosed as pre diabetic by HBA1C but not Diabetic. I saw a doctor to check up on some other thing and he could not believe that in his eyes the proper things weren’t done for a diagnosis of diabetes. His view was that fasting blood sugar level of 8.8 warranted a glucose tolerance test not just HBA1C and then a formal diagnosis could be made. And only then should any medication be considered. My normal doctor felt it was fine for me to go on metformin which controlled symptoms I was complaining ( thirst , always hungry and tired,) I take 500mg twice a day. She said the Hba1c is what matters. To be honest I think I achieve that by low carb eating. My fasting blood sugar levels are 6.4 to 6.8 on Metformin. Should I go off metformin two weeks before I see the endocrinologist? To give her a ‘clean slate’ for any tests?

 

[Resurgam]

Diabetes is not normally diagnosed by a glucose tolerance test, but by Hba1c levels.
Rather than altering anything, maybe wait until you see the endocrinologist and take their advice on what to do and what tests need to be done at what time.
As long as the endocrinologist understands that you had symptoms and have been eating and taking medication suitable for a type 2 there shouldn't be any problem, hopefully

 

[Daibell]

Hi. A fasting glucose test means little as the body does an overnight liver dump of glucose. The HBA1C test is much more useful. As always, a low-carb diet should help a lot. Metformin is a very safe drug and taking it early on shouldn't matter.

 

[Lamont D]

Did you ask why a glucose tolerance test was needed?
And referred to an endocrinologist with prediabetes?

Do you know if they are looking for something in particular, to do with insulin resistance or first phase insulin response?

Thanks.

 

[Elamber]

Diabetes is not normally diagnosed by a glucose tolerance test, but by Hba1c levels.
Rather than altering anything, maybe wait until you see the endocrinologist and take their advice on what to do and what tests need to be done at what time.
As long as the endocrinologist understands that you had symptoms and have been eating and taking medication suitable for a type 2 there shouldn't be any problem, hopefully

I am starting to doubt the results I personally get from HbA1c tests. I have several long running symptoms which suggest type 2 diabetes but my HbA1c reports that I am no more than pre-diabetic. I notice there are articles (I don't know how reliable) which say that HbA1c may give misleading results in a very small group of people who have disorders affecting their blood.

 

[HSSS]

I am starting to doubt the results I personally get from HbA1c tests. I have several long running symptoms which suggest type 2 diabetes but my HbA1c reports that I am no more than pre-diabetic. I notice there are articles (I don't know how reliable) which say that HbA1c may give misleading results in a very small group of people who have disorders affecting their blood.

If you are one of those with a condition of the RBC then there are alternative tests that can be done, not just the OGTT but one called a fructosamine test too (often used in pregnancy). The reason they may put hba1c into doubt is that the test is reliant on seeing how much glucose has attached to the RBC during it’s typically 12 week lifecycle. Changes to the cell, it’s shape or life span etc can mess with these measurements. Some types of aneamia would be amongst the more common examples. Details of your other condition would definitely be useful to have at your appointment to discuss if it is relevant and potentially affecting hba1c results.

 

[Lamont D]

I am starting to doubt the results I personally get from HbA1c tests. I have several long running symptoms which suggest type 2 diabetes but my HbA1c reports that I am no more than pre-diabetic. I notice there are articles (I don't know how reliable) which say that HbA1c may give misleading results in a very small group of people who have disorders affecting their blood.

You do have to remember that T2 is a broad spectrum, which the notable feature is a hba1c test result of over a certain agreed upon level.. It is not a definitive be all and end all. It is a label for a diagnosis. There are many reasons for getting a high than normal hba1c test. Many causes, many variables.

You take that hba1c test and if you lower your hba1c levels and improve them, to get rid of that label.
Of course, it is not as straightforward as that!

Keeping to a low carb diet will always help!

I don't have a blood disorder, I have an intolerance to carbs.
Mind you , I am non diabetic! But I was labelled as one in 2009.

Best wishes