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Pre-diabetic and symptoms?

D

DaveAC

Member
Messages
6
Hi everyone,

Apologise if I have done this wrong - never posted on a forum before.

I was told I was prediabetic nearly 2 years ago with a HBA1C of 45. Saw a diabetic nurse and explained about the numerous symptoms I had, which I was told you cannot have as you are not diabetic. I did say the reason I wanted screening was because of the symptoms and my father is diabetic as was his father. I have not been called for another HBA1C test, I still have these symptoms which seem to be getting worse/more often - like fatigue (cant seem to recuperate after time off), thirst (at times just want to keep my mouth in a bowl of cold water), dry mouth, dry itching skin, strange stabbing pain in feet comes and goes, burning feet, numbish toes and fingers at times - sitting down is starting to become so annoying due to pain/discomfort, bladder and bowel issues (frequency, incontinence, constipation, loose etc). I do have a meter and most 2 hour post meals is between 8 - 10.4, not really sure what it should be. Was the diabetic nurse right that I cant have any diabetic symptoms as I am not diabetic? I get so depressed at times and the 3 hour commute to work each way is really tiring me out with all this.

I appreciate your time in reading this
 
Hi Dave and welcome to the forum, your post is fine and perfectly placed. We can’t diagnose on this forum, however you were in the prediabetic 2 years ago and now with your current symptoms, it would be perfectly acceptable to book an appointment with your GP and request another HbA1c to find out what it is now.
 
Hi Rachox, many thanks for your quick response and I fully take on board the point with regards diagnosing. I was wandering if the nurses comment that I cannot have any symptoms because I am not diabetic is correct, especially being quite close to the mark. Again, many thanks Dave
 
DaveAC said:
Hi Rachox, many thanks for your quick response and I fully take on board the point with regards diagnosing. I was wandering if the nurses comment that I cannot have any symptoms because I am not diabetic is correct, especially being quite close to the mark. Again, many thanks Dave
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You were prediabetic 2 years ago. That doesn't mean you still are. It's quite a bit of time to have passed without a check-up. That's why you need to go back to the doc for a new HbA1c. With your current symptoms you could have progressed to T2, as nothing was done to prevent you becoming one, from the sound of it. (That's the usual though... Why help someone prevent a condition when there's still time eh? Urgh.) And honestly, there's enough going on that merits a visit to the doc. Even if your numbers turn out to still be prediabetic, get checked over. The fatigue alone should have you making an appointment, could be anything. (Diabetes, thyroid, a bunch of other relatively easily treated things). So basically, get thee to the doctor. And if it turns out you're progressed to T2 in the meantime, we're right here to help you get your numbers back down.

Good luck!!! (And make that call!!!!)
Jo
 
Interestingly I am just waiting for A1C results. I have been getting between 8 and 10 2 hours after eating and I am tired with a dry mouth so symptomatic. I was wondering exactly the same as you.
 
Your nurse was wrong to say your symptoms could not be down to your diabetes (pre-diabetes) although it would be unusual. She was also wrong in not following guidelines and booking you in for another HbA1c at the most 12 months after the first. Make that phone call and ask for another HbA1c. With all those symptoms and your family history, you will have no problem being granted this. Do let us know how you go on.

Goodness - a 3 hour commute each way would have killed me off. I thought 25 minutes was a lot!! No wonder you are shattered, and that won't be helping your health.
 
DaveAC said:
Hi Rachox, many thanks for your quick response and I fully take on board the point with regards diagnosing. I was wandering if the nurses comment that I cannot have any symptoms because I am not diabetic is correct, especially being quite close to the mark. Again, many thanks Dave
Click to expand...
As I understand it, these things aren't positive/negative like a pregnancy test. As a pre-diabetic, you are already suffering from the metabolic derangement associated with T2D, just not to the degree that will get you a T2D diagnosis. No one is perfectly metabolically healthy one day and wakes up with T2D the next - that person has usually been getting gradually sicker for years. So your nurse's view that there is some vast gulf in kind between pre diabetes and diabetes makes no sense to me: it's all the same pathology, just a matter of degree. Whether you're pre-diabetic, or even if you have crossed the invisible line that divides pre-diabetes from 'official' diabetes, now is a great time to make the lifestyle changes you need to turn your health around before too much damage is done. There is so much wonderful advice on this site. As others have said, please get another HbA1C.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
Your nurse was wrong to say your symptoms could not be down to your diabetes (pre-diabetes) although it would be unusual. She was also wrong in not following guidelines and booking you in for another HbA1c at the most 12 months after the first. Make that phone call and ask for another HbA1c. With all those symptoms and your family history, you will have no problem being granted this. Do let us know how you go on.

Goodness - a 3 hour commute each way would have killed me off. I thought 25 minutes was a lot!! No wonder you are shattered, and that won't be helping your health.
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Thank you for the reply, just over 5 years on that commute now! Will make the call and post back.
 
andromache said:
As I understand it, these things aren't positive/negative like a pregnancy test. As a pre-diabetic, you are already suffering from the metabolic derangement associated with T2D, just not to the degree that will get you a T2D diagnosis. No one is perfectly metabolically healthy one day and wakes up with T2D the next - that person has usually been getting gradually sicker for years. So your nurse's view that there is some vast gulf in kind between pre diabetes and diabetes makes no sense to me: it's all the same pathology, just a matter of degree. Whether you're pre-diabetic, or even if you have crossed the invisible line that divides pre-diabetes from 'official' diabetes, now is a great time to make the lifestyle changes you need to turn your health around before too much damage is done. There is so much wonderful advice on this site. As others have said, please get another HbA1C.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for your reply, they are all really appreciated - really feels supportive. I will call them.
 
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