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Type 1 Reluctant diagnosis?

vet_9499

Newbie
Messages
2
Hi everyone,
I’ve just signed up to the page as I’m feeling a bit disheartened and would really like some outside input.
In the past two years I’ve had episodes of not feeling well, symptoms which I now know to be common with T1. T1 runs in my family extensively and prior to yesterday I’d never had blood sugar tests or HAb1c done.
Last week I felt awful, I decided to go to the pharmacy to see what it could be, upon explaining how I’m worried about the risk of T1 she offered me a blood glucose monitor so I started to monitor my levels...
I have only taken fasted levels and the past three mornings of testing they have been as follows...

Monday-7.2
Tuesday-6.8
Wednesday-7.3

I went to see the doctor yesterday but instead got put in an appointment with a nurse, frustratingly when she tested blood sugar it had gone down to 5.1mmol (this is still fasted and after a 40 minute walk to the doctors, which I explained I believe would bring the blood sugar levels down), anyway she was helpful and sent me for my first HAb1c test, the results of which I should hopefully get tomorrow, however, the whole time I felt as if I was made to feel I am making this up.
She told me to stop measuring my blood glucose levels as it will only stress me, which I understand the gist behind, however, when the levels are repeatedly in the pre/diabetic level shouldn’t she have encouraged me to monitor it more closely?
I’m a fit 19 year old, I go to the gym 4 times a week and play rugby, my diet is healthy too and so I’m just worried through my lifestyle I have managed to mask the symptoms for this long (to which I was told was nonsense), but every time I get the symptoms of either a hypo/hyperglycaemia they seem to be getting worse.

I just wondered if anyone else has had any frustrating experiences like this or if she’s right and I’m just blaming all my issues on something that isn’t there?

Thank you all in advance
 
Your fasting BG is higher than usual and with type 1 in your family, I can understand why you are cautious but until you get your Hb1AC, you do not have a diagnosis.

As I understand it (but I am not a doctor), typically, someone of your age would find diabetes would come on relatively quickly rather than over two years so there may be other reasons for your "episodes".
That said, getting tested is probably a good idea.

Until you get the results, educate yourself about diabetes but try not to stress yourself out too much. Apart from cutting down on carbs (if you want to) there is no much you can do until you have a confirmed diagnosis.
If you find our suspicions are correct, it is not the end of the world: you can carry on with your gym and rugby as Henry Slade and Chris Pennell do with type 1 diabetes.
 
Hi @vet_9499 I also second what Helen has said in regards to a diagnosis, generally the onset of t1 is sudden, the effects can be felt within a couple of weeks and key signs to look for are, extreme thirst, peeing, thrush, weight loss, blurry vision, smelly pear breath, low mood and irritability.

When you say you haven't been feeling well - in what way ?

A HbA1c is a good indication as to your 3 month average, however try not to get too stressed in the meantime until you have the result.
 
Thank you both for your reply.
My vision and sense of balance and coordination has really deteriorated in the last week. My glasses which are only meant to be worn whilst reading I’ve had to wear full time, my exercise tolerance has drastically reduced with vertigo and feelings like I’m going to pass out.
As for drinking, I feel like I’ve always drank a lot with 4l of water a day not being uncommon for me, there’s been no sudden change there but I’ve been peeing more and for the first time in my life getting up in the middle of the night religiously around 2-3am the last week to go to the toilet. I’ve suffered with anxiety and depression in the past, so low mood comes and goes.
I will wait for the blood tests and hopefully things will be cleared up some more.
 
@vet_9499 there is more then enough in your last post to justify a 20 minutes GP appointment. I question if a nurce has the skills to consider all the possible diagnosis.
 
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