I have had a series of infections overt the last 2 months including noro virus , flu , tonsillitis with an ear infection I have also had a colonoscopy which thank fully was fine but caused a lot of stress. A blood test prior to my colonoscopy and just after the noro virus showed my BG to be hgher than normal . I was invited to have a Fasting BG test. At that test I was recovering fom the flu and was developing a throat infection. The test has come back as 6.7 and I have been asked to return for a second fasting BG test. I still have a throat infection and have been testing myself on my husbands BG monitor [he's a type 1 diabetic] After fasting I have had readings of 7.1 and 7.2 Can these repeated infections and stress raise BG to these levels, or am i going to be diagnosed as diabetic
Infection, stress and raised fasting blood glucose
- Thread starter wendy41
- Start Date
The readings seem perfectly normal to me - test yourself two hours after a bowl or cabs and see what it is then
Diagnosed type II 1998 2 x 80 mg Gliclazide, 4 x 500mg Metformin and 1 x 100mg Sitagliptin
Diagnosed type II 1998 2 x 80 mg Gliclazide, 4 x 500mg Metformin and 1 x 100mg Sitagliptin
Carbs I meant - cereal or something like that
Diagnosed type II 1998 2 x 80 mg Gliclazide, 4 x 500mg Metformin and 1 x 100mg Sitagliptin
Diagnosed type II 1998 2 x 80 mg Gliclazide, 4 x 500mg Metformin and 1 x 100mg Sitagliptin
phoenix
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Hi,
I think that stress and infections undoubtedly raise glucose levels by how much and for how long, I don't know.
To be diagnosed as diabetic with a fasting level requires 2 fasting glucose levels of 7mmol/l or above ; those are levels from venous blood with lab blood tests, not the capillary blood tested on a home meter.
They might also use HbA1c:
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/About_us/Pos ... diabetes_/
The result of your first test is that of someone who has impaired fasting glucose. Have a look at this wiki article.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impaired_fasting_glucose
I think that stress and infections undoubtedly raise glucose levels by how much and for how long, I don't know.
To be diagnosed as diabetic with a fasting level requires 2 fasting glucose levels of 7mmol/l or above ; those are levels from venous blood with lab blood tests, not the capillary blood tested on a home meter.
They might also use HbA1c:
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/About_us/Pos ... diabetes_/
The result of your first test is that of someone who has impaired fasting glucose. Have a look at this wiki article.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impaired_fasting_glucose
I am also "prediabetic". My fasting blood sugars were in tthe so-called 'normal' range, when tested, but my post prandial readings are too high for a non-diabetic.
Last year I went though three months if bronchitis which I could not fight off, on top of which I developed a throat infection and then a few weeks after came down with a cold, at the same time I had developed a secondary bronchial infection. I felt so bizarre at times, as if I had been poisoned. Knowing what I know now, it was probably raised BG. Due to having a 'normal' fasting result, my (pre)diabetes was missed. The inability to fight off infection is a characteristic of diabetes, and I'd never known anything like it.
This week I will be seeing the GP to make some progress on arranging further tests, but in the meantime I am testing at home. I have been at 9.6 2+ hours post prandial, and I dread to think what it must have been at 1 hour. Doesn't bear thinking about. Tonight my levels haven't come down from post prandial more than 0.5 since eating 5 hours ago.
If you haven't done your own readings yet, you may find it an eye opener. Or a shock!
I also believe stress plays a role. I have no obvious risk factors, although I have ME and I am physically unable to exercise, but my BP is good and I'm not overweight, I don't have a sugar habit, I rarely drink—but I have been living with long term stress because of the place where I live and having my sleep disturbed every night and morning. My neighbour who lives with similar problems also developed diabetes a few years back and she says stress was the tipping point for her.
I'm glad you're getting your (pre)diabetes investigated. I am having to be more proactive. I went through so many investigations, but the answer was right there, but masked by a 'normal' FBG even though I'd had a fairly high pinprick test from an out of hours doctor.
Last year I went though three months if bronchitis which I could not fight off, on top of which I developed a throat infection and then a few weeks after came down with a cold, at the same time I had developed a secondary bronchial infection. I felt so bizarre at times, as if I had been poisoned. Knowing what I know now, it was probably raised BG. Due to having a 'normal' fasting result, my (pre)diabetes was missed. The inability to fight off infection is a characteristic of diabetes, and I'd never known anything like it.
This week I will be seeing the GP to make some progress on arranging further tests, but in the meantime I am testing at home. I have been at 9.6 2+ hours post prandial, and I dread to think what it must have been at 1 hour. Doesn't bear thinking about. Tonight my levels haven't come down from post prandial more than 0.5 since eating 5 hours ago.
If you haven't done your own readings yet, you may find it an eye opener. Or a shock!
I also believe stress plays a role. I have no obvious risk factors, although I have ME and I am physically unable to exercise, but my BP is good and I'm not overweight, I don't have a sugar habit, I rarely drink—but I have been living with long term stress because of the place where I live and having my sleep disturbed every night and morning. My neighbour who lives with similar problems also developed diabetes a few years back and she says stress was the tipping point for her.
I'm glad you're getting your (pre)diabetes investigated. I am having to be more proactive. I went through so many investigations, but the answer was right there, but masked by a 'normal' FBG even though I'd had a fairly high pinprick test from an out of hours doctor.
Pre diabetic is either a fasting blood glucose of 6–6.9 and/or an oral glucose tolerance test result of 7.8-11.0 2 hours after ingesting 75g glucose.
In the UK, an Hba1c blood test result of 6-7% is considered prediabetic, but in the US the threshold is 5.7%. A fasting blood glucose of 5.6 is also the US threshold for pre diabetes instead of 6.0 in the UK.
Keep testing and see if your readings come down when you are better, but these multiple infections could be a signal that you have (pre)diabetes. You could also check your pre and post prandial levels as well as just your fasting levels.
Stress—my rather high random reading last year (a big clue) was explained away by a stressful event the previous evening, but it was actually a sign of (pre)diabetes and much to my regret, I went along with that explanation after my FBG came back within normal parameters.
In the UK, an Hba1c blood test result of 6-7% is considered prediabetic, but in the US the threshold is 5.7%. A fasting blood glucose of 5.6 is also the US threshold for pre diabetes instead of 6.0 in the UK.
Keep testing and see if your readings come down when you are better, but these multiple infections could be a signal that you have (pre)diabetes. You could also check your pre and post prandial levels as well as just your fasting levels.
Stress—my rather high random reading last year (a big clue) was explained away by a stressful event the previous evening, but it was actually a sign of (pre)diabetes and much to my regret, I went along with that explanation after my FBG came back within normal parameters.
Thanks to all of you who have responded to my concerns Still got a recurring throat infection ... might be rhinitis Have cut back on carbs for two days [ No potatoes , bread , pasta, rice cake biscuits etc ] Did a test this morning on husband's monitor after a cup of tea with skimmed milk It came up as 5.7 ... Hope fully thats a positve trend
It's a better reading. A cup of tea doesn't contain enough carbs (assuming you didn't add sugar) to raise your BG levels. Keep checking with the meter, 5 minutes before eating and 2 hours after the start of your meal.
If you eat a carb free meal your levels may only show a small increase, or none at all, but a more realistic picture is after a meal with your usual carbs. (Pre)diabetes is a poor response to increased blood sugar and you won't find out if you avoid carbs for the purposes of testing.
I had a FBG test at the GP's surgery yesterday. Before I went I tested with the meter at 5.4. When I came home I was 5.2. This morning I was 5.3. If my lab result is <6.0, that's 'normal' and the GP will tell me I am not diabetic. But…last night after a home made chick pea curry with 30g brown rice I was 9.1 at 2 hours. Typically, I'm in the low 7s after my evening meal, usually with 40g (uncooked weight) of pasta, couscous, bulgar wheat or 200g potato – and that's less than I used to have before I started testing. These are not the readings of a non diabetic.
Your levels may well come down as you recover, but please pay attention to this episode as it may well be an indication that your body is not dealing as well with raised blood sugars as it used to. Take more readings, fasting and before and after meals, and then you'll have a better idea.
Don't be lulled into a false sense of security by a 'normal' fasting result. Last year I had a fasting lab test of 4.7, even though I'd had a rather high random reading the previous week. I wish I had done my own tests last year but I thought I was in the clear. It's tempting to take one figure and cling on to the hope that all is well. I've even had post lunch readings of 5.7 but that's after a low/no carb lunch, and it's not the whole story.
I don't mean to be a gloom and doom merchant, but you need to find out how your body responds to increased blood sugar levels and that means more testing, particularly after ingesting some carbs. That's the only way you'll find out because a fasting test won't tell you.
If you eat a carb free meal your levels may only show a small increase, or none at all, but a more realistic picture is after a meal with your usual carbs. (Pre)diabetes is a poor response to increased blood sugar and you won't find out if you avoid carbs for the purposes of testing.
I had a FBG test at the GP's surgery yesterday. Before I went I tested with the meter at 5.4. When I came home I was 5.2. This morning I was 5.3. If my lab result is <6.0, that's 'normal' and the GP will tell me I am not diabetic. But…last night after a home made chick pea curry with 30g brown rice I was 9.1 at 2 hours. Typically, I'm in the low 7s after my evening meal, usually with 40g (uncooked weight) of pasta, couscous, bulgar wheat or 200g potato – and that's less than I used to have before I started testing. These are not the readings of a non diabetic.
Your levels may well come down as you recover, but please pay attention to this episode as it may well be an indication that your body is not dealing as well with raised blood sugars as it used to. Take more readings, fasting and before and after meals, and then you'll have a better idea.
Don't be lulled into a false sense of security by a 'normal' fasting result. Last year I had a fasting lab test of 4.7, even though I'd had a rather high random reading the previous week. I wish I had done my own tests last year but I thought I was in the clear. It's tempting to take one figure and cling on to the hope that all is well. I've even had post lunch readings of 5.7 but that's after a low/no carb lunch, and it's not the whole story.
I don't mean to be a gloom and doom merchant, but you need to find out how your body responds to increased blood sugar levels and that means more testing, particularly after ingesting some carbs. That's the only way you'll find out because a fasting test won't tell you.
Thank you Janecee that really makes sense. I did a test after lunch today [which consisted of a sandwich made with 2 large slices of whole meal bread] . I tested after 2 hours and joy of joys I was 5.3 .... but I will keep testing and will continue to sensibly cut down on Carbs because I need to lose about a stone in weight to be the right BMI for my age . Tonight when I test after some Spag Bol with whole wheat spaghetti I may get a different picture. As you rightly say its a wake up call
I hope your lab results come back OK best wishes
I hope your lab results come back OK best wishes
That's a good result. Today my post lunch reading was 5.6, eating the same amount of brown rice (30g uncooked weight ) as I did last night when I had it with chick pea curry. Today I had salmon. Two vastly different readings. It obviously depends what you combine the carbohydrate with. Fat and protein seem to prevent the spike. Just be aware of what you eat with the bread, or pasta, rice, etc, as this infuences the reading. My post breakfast and lunch readings tend to be in the 5s and sometimes 6s, dinners typically in the 7s. Keep testing with different meals, and try some meals without animal protein eg beans on toast. It may well be that your BG levels normalise once you are over these illnesses, which would be good, but I'd still be wary because you may have a tendency towards (pre)diabetes in the future.
You seem to be my mentor on this discussion janeecee so just to let you know 2hrs after my spag bol and 2 small glasses of wine I had a reading of 5.1 That was a lot lower than I was expecting but I have been quite busy today and I know alcohol lowers blood sugar -so I'm not complaining
That's very good. You may well be returning to normal after your illnesses pushed up your blood sugar fighting the infection. Let's hope so. 5.1 is a very good "normal". Keep checking though, just to make sure.
Hi Janeecee Not sure if you are still checking into this post but I was wondering how you are and what the latest outcome of your blood test was . I have been doing a range of testing prior to my recall for a fasting glucose test and an 'HB whatsit' test which took place last Thurdsday. My own testings were all in the 5's range. That means I'm hopeful that things have settled but I guess the HB whatsit test will cover my periods of infection and therefore may still be a bit high . We shall see!!! Hope all is well with you and thanks for your support .
My fasting test at the Doctor's was 5.1. My own meter gave me 5.4 before I set off and 5.2 when i got home. I also had the hba1c which the Dr assured me was a healthy normal. I didn't know I'd had that test but it's part of the NHS health check at my surgery. He said "you do not have diabetes"! But…almost all of my 2 hour post prandial readings in the evening have been high in the 7s, 8s, 9s and even one on the 10s. I took my figures and he said they were normal after eating! "Even 2 hours after eating?" "Yes" he said!
I'm seeing the practice nurse this week for my NHS health check follow up and I'm taking my numbers. She does the diabetic clinic so her opinion will be as good as I'll get. I won't be referred for a GTT on a fasting result of 5.1, so no matter what I'll keep my own records. On a more positive note, I decided to try a different sort of dinner with more protein and it gave me 6.1 at 2 hours, so looks like an overhaul in the carb/protein/fat ratio is in order. If I can replicate the results then that's the way to go. Looks like I'll have to ditch my pulses and legumes in favour of fish and chicken, but it's doable.
Staying in the 5s is excellent if you are getting those readings after meals. I'm sure it will be good news. Come back and let us know, please. And good luck!
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I'm seeing the practice nurse this week for my NHS health check follow up and I'm taking my numbers. She does the diabetic clinic so her opinion will be as good as I'll get. I won't be referred for a GTT on a fasting result of 5.1, so no matter what I'll keep my own records. On a more positive note, I decided to try a different sort of dinner with more protein and it gave me 6.1 at 2 hours, so looks like an overhaul in the carb/protein/fat ratio is in order. If I can replicate the results then that's the way to go. Looks like I'll have to ditch my pulses and legumes in favour of fish and chicken, but it's doable.
Staying in the 5s is excellent if you are getting those readings after meals. I'm sure it will be good news. Come back and let us know, please. And good luck!
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jinstone
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A few months ago I think I possibly had real flu as opposed to Man Flu and was laid out for about 5 days in total. was concerned about both my blood pressure levels and blood sugar levels so visited the GP who at my practice is also the diabetic specialist. He advised me that it can take between 4-6 weeks for levels to return to normal after any form of infection, cold flu etc. If it is still high after that then do rush back to medic.
Regards Jeremy
Regards Jeremy
Just had the results of my fasting and HBa1c test and they are all fine so no further action required. Hba1c was 41 which considering my 6weeks of infection and some BG readings in the low 7's and hgh 6's at the time is fine. I can only come down further now I am better Thankyou to everyone who has offered info and support. Janeecee, in particular, good luck. I hope your practice nurse can give you further reasurance. I will check into this post to see how you are getting on
regards Wendy
regards Wendy
Great news! Long may your blood sugar levels stay this low!
No joy with the practice nurse. She said those post prandial figures were OK for a "non-diabetic" even though they prefer to see lower levels in diabetics. Can you work that one out? No, me neither!
So…I just don't know…
If I did have a test result in the prediabetic range I'd only be told to come back in a year to repeat the tests and be offered "lifestyle advice". So I've taken matters into my own hands and I'm adjusting my diet until those numbers are consistently within the normal range. Neither the fasting nor the Hba1c can identify impaired glucose tolerance at this stage, and that's what I need to address. I don't accept "normal" and there isn't a "do nothing" option as far as I'm concerned.
Exercise is a difficult one for me because I have ME/CFS. I'm sure that the inactivity as a consequence of having ME is the one big risk factor in my case, as I have no others. I'm doing little bits but whether that's enough to address impaired glucose tolerance, I don't know. That's why diet is a priority.
With my "normal" results and recent NHS health check tests—low cholesterol, good BP and so on—I'm not eligible for more testing for 5 years, which isn't really good enough. I'm seeing another doctor at the surgery for something else soon but I'll take my numbers (again) and see what this one says. I need a glucose tolerance test, but they will take some convincing. It will be a war of attrition!
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No joy with the practice nurse. She said those post prandial figures were OK for a "non-diabetic" even though they prefer to see lower levels in diabetics. Can you work that one out? No, me neither!
So…I just don't know…
If I did have a test result in the prediabetic range I'd only be told to come back in a year to repeat the tests and be offered "lifestyle advice". So I've taken matters into my own hands and I'm adjusting my diet until those numbers are consistently within the normal range. Neither the fasting nor the Hba1c can identify impaired glucose tolerance at this stage, and that's what I need to address. I don't accept "normal" and there isn't a "do nothing" option as far as I'm concerned.
Exercise is a difficult one for me because I have ME/CFS. I'm sure that the inactivity as a consequence of having ME is the one big risk factor in my case, as I have no others. I'm doing little bits but whether that's enough to address impaired glucose tolerance, I don't know. That's why diet is a priority.
With my "normal" results and recent NHS health check tests—low cholesterol, good BP and so on—I'm not eligible for more testing for 5 years, which isn't really good enough. I'm seeing another doctor at the surgery for something else soon but I'll take my numbers (again) and see what this one says. I need a glucose tolerance test, but they will take some convincing. It will be a war of attrition!
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Janeecee may be the fact that your insulin is able to bring you back to normal levels is the most important thing to hang on to. Hope it doesn't sound patronising .. but stay positive and thanks again Wendy x
You're not patronising at all!
From my own research it seems like it's the cells that become insulin resistant in the early stages, which leads to an overproduction of insulin. I don't know if that's the case with me, but if I can get those muscles moving and maybe eat slightly less and shift a few pounds, perhaps that will help. And of course, make sure I'm not introducing more carbs than my body can deal with. Diet is the most obvious option but I'm also trying to increase my physical activity, but it's a slow slow process with ME/CFS, and sadly there are no shortcuts.
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From my own research it seems like it's the cells that become insulin resistant in the early stages, which leads to an overproduction of insulin. I don't know if that's the case with me, but if I can get those muscles moving and maybe eat slightly less and shift a few pounds, perhaps that will help. And of course, make sure I'm not introducing more carbs than my body can deal with. Diet is the most obvious option but I'm also trying to increase my physical activity, but it's a slow slow process with ME/CFS, and sadly there are no shortcuts.
Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Hi All
Oh wow after reading your posts i could feel the lightbulb turn on above my head!!!:idea: :idea:
As of many of you I had many infections as well, bad lower respiratory ones and glandular fever, ear eye and throat infections.
I also put it down to stress.
Now after another lower rspiratoy infection and felt worse-like janeecee said I felt bizarre too! I aslo had many hypos and one ended in ED.
I got looked at and tested but my fasting was fine so far so it got all dimissed.
But my post carb BGL goes up to 10 and stays up for ages. After pasta it took 3 hours to go down to a seven. Havent checked what it was before.
Im still on sickleave. back to work on tues. stressful job. lets see how my body copes with it. Im a bit concered since im still very wonky on my feed.
At least will have some tests done next week too(GTT & insulin ). So i hope that gives me a clearer picture.
Thanks so much for shring ur stories. its a real eyeopener.
Beetle
Oh wow after reading your posts i could feel the lightbulb turn on above my head!!!:idea: :idea:
As of many of you I had many infections as well, bad lower respiratory ones and glandular fever, ear eye and throat infections.
I also put it down to stress.
Now after another lower rspiratoy infection and felt worse-like janeecee said I felt bizarre too! I aslo had many hypos and one ended in ED.
I got looked at and tested but my fasting was fine so far so it got all dimissed.
But my post carb BGL goes up to 10 and stays up for ages. After pasta it took 3 hours to go down to a seven. Havent checked what it was before.
Im still on sickleave. back to work on tues. stressful job. lets see how my body copes with it. Im a bit concered since im still very wonky on my feed.
At least will have some tests done next week too(GTT & insulin ). So i hope that gives me a clearer picture.
Thanks so much for shring ur stories. its a real eyeopener.
Beetle
