Hi all
Having been recently diagnosed with early onset cataracts in both eyes, my ophthalmologist referred me for a fasting blood test, to rule out diabetes as a potential cause (I am only 36). My fasting bloods came back within the normal range.
In the meantime I had been intermittently monitoring my blood sugar levels (I had gestational diabetes with my first child so have all of the kit) and found that although my blood sugar levels do tend to be normal upon waking, they fluctuate considerably throughout the day, particularly during my time of the month when my 2 hour post meal reading can be between 10 and 15 mmol.
On this basis, I insisted on a glucose tolerance test which harvested a 2 hour reading of 10.8 mmol - just below the threshold for diabetes. As such I have been labelled as having pre-diabetes and have an appointment with the nurse in a couple of days to have an 'assessment'. Not sure exactly what this will entail but I assume based on my pregnancy experience it will be a brief lecture about diet and exercise and then a 12 month call back for a GTT.
I have so many questions that I don’t believe that the nurse (or even my GP) will be able to answer, such as:
•Should I be worried about how close to 11 my reading was?
•Can it be possible that pre-diabetes caused my cataracts to develop?
•Is it possible for diabetes to be linked to reproductive hormones? I know that it is quite normal for blood sugar to spike during menstruation but I am talking here about impaired or diabetic level readings.
•Should I push for a referral to a specialist or stop worrying, diet, try to do some more exercise and see what happens when I have the next test???
As background:
•My father has type 2 diabetes.
•I had gestational diabetes during my first pregnancy.
•My BMI is around 23.1 and although I am generally slim, I do put on weight around my middle.
•Whilst I am fairly active at weekends - I have two young children and we walk everywhere - I sit at a desk all day during the week and don't exercise.
Throughout my adult life I have experienced the following:
•Extreme tiredness
•Recurrent vaginal thrush (at least one 'bout' every couple of months, sorry for TMI!)
•Hypo-like symptoms 2 or 3 times a month (sudden cold sweat, shaking, weakness, irritability, light headedness etc)
Any advice or guidance you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all!
Having been recently diagnosed with early onset cataracts in both eyes, my ophthalmologist referred me for a fasting blood test, to rule out diabetes as a potential cause (I am only 36). My fasting bloods came back within the normal range.
In the meantime I had been intermittently monitoring my blood sugar levels (I had gestational diabetes with my first child so have all of the kit) and found that although my blood sugar levels do tend to be normal upon waking, they fluctuate considerably throughout the day, particularly during my time of the month when my 2 hour post meal reading can be between 10 and 15 mmol.
On this basis, I insisted on a glucose tolerance test which harvested a 2 hour reading of 10.8 mmol - just below the threshold for diabetes. As such I have been labelled as having pre-diabetes and have an appointment with the nurse in a couple of days to have an 'assessment'. Not sure exactly what this will entail but I assume based on my pregnancy experience it will be a brief lecture about diet and exercise and then a 12 month call back for a GTT.
I have so many questions that I don’t believe that the nurse (or even my GP) will be able to answer, such as:
•Should I be worried about how close to 11 my reading was?
•Can it be possible that pre-diabetes caused my cataracts to develop?
•Is it possible for diabetes to be linked to reproductive hormones? I know that it is quite normal for blood sugar to spike during menstruation but I am talking here about impaired or diabetic level readings.
•Should I push for a referral to a specialist or stop worrying, diet, try to do some more exercise and see what happens when I have the next test???
As background:
•My father has type 2 diabetes.
•I had gestational diabetes during my first pregnancy.
•My BMI is around 23.1 and although I am generally slim, I do put on weight around my middle.
•Whilst I am fairly active at weekends - I have two young children and we walk everywhere - I sit at a desk all day during the week and don't exercise.
Throughout my adult life I have experienced the following:
•Extreme tiredness
•Recurrent vaginal thrush (at least one 'bout' every couple of months, sorry for TMI!)
•Hypo-like symptoms 2 or 3 times a month (sudden cold sweat, shaking, weakness, irritability, light headedness etc)
Any advice or guidance you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all!
