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Seemingly all the signs, and yet?

Dreyme23

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Hi guys!

I'll preface by stating that I am currently seeking medical attention from professionals, and I know no one here can substitute that. However, I'd enjoy talking it out with people who are in the know. I'm curious about bouncing off some ideas, if that's allowed.

I grew up with a best friend who's Type 1, so I'm not new to the basics of diabetes. I also had a piano teacher be diagnosed with Type 1 in her late 40s, so I realize there is no set timeline here. Human bodies do as they please.

My usual water intake was around 2 litres a day, and at work, I usually would use the restroom about two times, maybe three. I've worked the same job (hotel) for two years, my body was very used to that environment. It's air conditioned, and for the most part, I'm sitting down at a desk. I was also a full time student, so when the COVID-19 social distancing happened, schools let out and my hours actually increased. By finals, I was mentally exhausted. Not interested in anything, was sleeping 11-12 hours a night and still exhausted all day. Chalked it up to all the stress.

Then about three weeks ago, my coworkers pointed out that I was drinking almost double my usual, and having to step out to use the restroom 5-6 times an 8-hr shift. I didn't think anything of it at first. I did mention it to my sister, who noted I have several cups around my room for water, because I was drinking so much that refilling 1 at a time seemed like a waste of time.

By now, I'm drinking well over a gallon of water (about 5 litres) and still thirsty (my mouth is constantly dry), and sometimes I'm now going 2-3 an hour. BUT, my HbA1C came back as 5.4%, no UTI, specific gravity looked normal, sodium levels were great, in fact, everything appeared normal except for minor Vitamin D deficiency.

Now, both sides of my family have Type 2, and my grandfather has Diabetes Insipidus, but that still doesn't look like it's the answer, as my sodium levels seem normal. I exercise daily (runner), eat mostly healthy (no fast food or processed foods but like pizza!), and am not overweight. I can eat a ton and not gain weight, but that could just be my metabolism.
With all of the above noted, my doctor wants to run all the tests again in a few months, to see if my A1c changes.

Another weird thing is that when I test, my fasting rate is usually around 108mg/dL, and often is 122 around 3am, and I've noticed that within the first hour of eating a meal, my BGL will drop and then rise. For example, the other day it went from 102 before a meal to 84 after one hour and then up to 122 two hours after. I realize those aren't scary numbers, but I don't understand them.

So I guess my question is, what do you think is happening?
Have you ever heard of anything similar? How quickly did your diabetes progress?

Just looking for ideas to explore with my health team. Thanks in advance! :)

edit to add: I do have one autoimmune disorder already, and an overactive immune system, for which I'm seeking immunotherapy. If that helps at all.
 
Welcome to the forums. I'm tagging in @Brunneria and @Lamont D because some of your symptoms sound a bit like reactive hypoglycemia....

Though I should also point out that none of your blood sugar levels are out of the normal range, it's just that they are atypical.

I'd be making sure that your doctor checks for non-diabetic reasons for your thirst, because I would expect your levels to be much higher before making you thirsty.

Hba1cs can be inaccurate for a number of reasons, but it sounds as though it matches your blood sugar levels....

Good luck.
 
Hi guys!

I'll preface by stating that I am currently seeking medical attention from professionals, and I know no one here can substitute that. However, I'd enjoy talking it out with people who are in the know. I'm curious about bouncing off some ideas, if that's allowed.

I grew up with a best friend who's Type 1, so I'm not new to the basics of diabetes. I also had a piano teacher be diagnosed with Type 1 in her late 40s, so I realize there is no set timeline here. Human bodies do as they please.

My usual water intake was around 2 litres a day, and at work, I usually would use the restroom about two times, maybe three. I've worked the same job (hotel) for two years, my body was very used to that environment. It's air conditioned, and for the most part, I'm sitting down at a desk. I was also a full time student, so when the COVID-19 social distancing happened, schools let out and my hours actually increased. By finals, I was mentally exhausted. Not interested in anything, was sleeping 11-12 hours a night and still exhausted all day. Chalked it up to all the stress.

Then about three weeks ago, my coworkers pointed out that I was drinking almost double my usual, and having to step out to use the restroom 5-6 times an 8-hr shift. I didn't think anything of it at first. I did mention it to my sister, who noted I have several cups around my room for water, because I was drinking so much that refilling 1 at a time seemed like a waste of time.

By now, I'm drinking well over a gallon of water (about 5 litres) and still thirsty (my mouth is constantly dry), and sometimes I'm now going 2-3 an hour. BUT, my HbA1C came back as 5.4%, no UTI, specific gravity looked normal, sodium levels were great, in fact, everything appeared normal except for minor Vitamin D deficiency.

Now, both sides of my family have Type 2, and my grandfather has Diabetes Insipidus, but that still doesn't look like it's the answer, as my sodium levels seem normal. I exercise daily (runner), eat mostly healthy (no fast food or processed foods but like pizza!), and am not overweight. I can eat a ton and not gain weight, but that could just be my metabolism.
With all of the above noted, my doctor wants to run all the tests again in a few months, to see if my A1c changes.

Another weird thing is that when I test, my fasting rate is usually around 108mg/dL, and often is 122 around 3am, and I've noticed that within the first hour of eating a meal, my BGL will drop and then rise. For example, the other day it went from 102 before a meal to 84 after one hour and then up to 122 two hours after. I realize those aren't scary numbers, but I don't understand them.

So I guess my question is, what do you think is happening?
Have you ever heard of anything similar? How quickly did your diabetes progress?

Just looking for ideas to explore with my health team. Thanks in advance! :)

edit to add: I do have one autoimmune disorder already, and an overactive immune system, for which I'm seeking immunotherapy. If that helps at all.

Hi and welcome to the forum,

To be honest it doesn't sound like Hypoglycaemia.
There are quite a few conditions, that are not diabetic but can be metabolic as in metabolic syndrome but with your immune system not helping the situation, all I can advise is keep talking to your doctors, get the tests.

Keep safe
 
Hello all!

Quick update to see more opinions, as I am hating this waiting game and trying to be patient while simultaneously diligent.

My meal BGL went from the pattern of 102-84-122 (example from above) to now a pattern similar to 106-168-131 of before meal, 1hr after, 2hrs after. My diet has not changed, and if anything, I've been working out more intensely (weight-lifting).

Also have learned that I have 4 T1 family members in my mother's side, so I know there can also be a genetic aspect to it.

I tend to be an overthinker, and have 6 more weeks stuck inside my head before my follow up HbA1c test is scheduled. So with the new information, am I being too concerned?

Thank you in advance; I appreciate you all so much! :)

P.S. I apologize if there ends up being 5 duplicate messages. My browser keeps glitching.
 
Hello all!

Quick update to see more opinions, as I am hating this waiting game and trying to be patient while simultaneously diligent.

My meal BGL went from the pattern of 102-84-122 (example from above) to now a pattern similar to 106-168-131 of before meal, 1hr after, 2hrs after. My diet has not changed, and if anything, I've been working out more intensely (weight-lifting).

Also have learned that I have 4 T1 family members in my mother's side, so I know there can also be a genetic aspect to it.

I tend to be an overthinker, and have 6 more weeks stuck inside my head before my follow up HbA1c test is scheduled. So with the new information, am I being too concerned?

Thank you in advance; I appreciate you all so much! :)

P.S. I apologize if there ends up being 5 duplicate messages. My browser keeps glitching.
Intense exercise can up blood sugars, as your liver'd dump glucose to help you out in the energy department. That's why long, steady walks are usually advised rather than doing something actually strenuous. Then you'd just be burning, not dumping to feed the burn. All in all, your numbers don't seem very dramatic, but if you're experiencing changes, like the thirst and all, do keep testing, and keep that next HbA1c in the back of your head. Ask questions of your GP, maybe get kidneys and such checked too. If you want, you could try going low carb to get your blood sugars down, which would help if you're prediabetic or headed for T2. https://josekalsbeek.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-nutritional-thingy.html should help with that.

Good luck!
Jo
 
My meal BGL went from the pattern of 102-84-122 (example from above) to now a pattern similar to 106-168-131 of before meal, 1hr after, 2hrs after. My diet has not changed, and if anything, I've been working out more intensely (weight-lifting)

Look, your levels are still in the normal range, but it is a (very slight) concern that they are increasing. But they are still at a level where I would expect no physical symptoms (thirst etc).

So, some options

1) You're fine bit stress has increased your levels.
2) You're very early T1. If this is the case you certainly don't need insulin yet and your monitoring will tell you when you move to needing treatment. No one has worked out a method to avoid T1 diabetes, though it's possible that going low carb will delay things.
3) you're heading towards T2 in which case you can lower carbs (now or later) to avoid medication.
4) you've got something else (there are some weird forms of diabetes) or not diabetic at all.


In any case, if you are diabetic (and that is a very very big if) you need your levels to go higher before any medical treatment is required (or offered). My recommendation would be to keep an occasional eye on your levels but not to worry as regards diabetes (no comments on any other illnesses). If you have it then your levels will go up higher, and no one is going to medicate you at current levels.

Big disclaimer : I am not a doctor and cannot diagnose. Talk to your own doctor.

Good luck.
 
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