What should I ask the nurse to test for?

berylc said:

I want to prove to the practice nurse tomorrow (or rather today as it's now 0.40 hrs!) that I am trying hard with my new diet, so am taking my notebook with me with all my recordings (BS readings, meals, exercise, weight etc). I get a blood test, not sure which one. What should I be asking her to test for? Would appreciate a reply asap as my appointment is at 10am

I'm also going to wear an outfit that makes me look much thinner! I'll wear the coat that used to be a good fit, now it looks like a sack on me!

I've had lots of people at work say how much weight I've lost and how much better I look. One lady thinks that being 9 st 2 lb is far too light (I'm only 5 ft 1 1/2" ) and that I'm stupid for losing almost 2 stone! When I said I'm aiming for 8st 10 ish she was really shocked!

Wish me luck Slightly nervous about the appointment.

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Hi. You are definitely doing the right thing by recording everything - well done. Some medical staff really appreciate it and it reassures them you are in control...particularly if you can draw conclusions from your notes to back up what you think. Sadly, some hardly give it a look (IGNORE THEM AND KEEP DOING IT). The test will no doubt be an HbA1c, and accurate way to establish the average level over a 3 month period. I wouldn't ask anything unless you have a particular concern. if you don't know the result of your last one - ask. Once you have the result from today's test, you can see whether or not you are making progress (and hopefully the result will show that your own meter readings aren't too far out from the real average). Then you can ask questions. To be honest, I learned what I need from this site and from my own records. Let us know how you get on. Good luck. Also, I don;t think your weight is too low at all...prior to my diabetes (which was caused by a post op steroid course) my weight has always been below the average for my height. I am 6 ft and now about 11st 10lbs but for years and years I was under 10 stone and perfectly healthy. It's a personal, individual thing. I don't think you should go much further though - you are obviously NOT overweight. Wear what you want tomorrow - nurses can be angels and they can be scary - but they are not the gestapo!

Hi @berylc I would ask the nurse for cholesterol levels to be tested too. When I had my 3 month HbA1c retest my GP didn't request cholesterol test. It is useful to know, though it might have gone up a bit with the LCHF, but should come down again.

berylc said:

Nurse was very happy when she saw me and said I was doing really well. She looked at all of my BS readings and was impressed Weight with clothes on is now within the body mass index for my height, before it was way above. She said it was a pity that a specific female Dr wasn't on duty today as she would have liked her to see me and look at my notes
She agreed with my testing too To make things even better my fasting blood this morning was 6.6

My husband has been invited as a guest on HMS Duncan tonight and I'm allowed to go with him too (For the Jutland centenary. I live in Orkney, did anyone watch the programme on BBC on Tuesday?). It's a reception and Capability Demonstration on board, drinks and a finger buffet, followed by Ceremonial Sunset at 9pm I'll allow myself to eat some of the food as afterwards we are going to a wedding dance with ceilidh dancing, so I will get plenty of exercise. I'll leave the alcohol though. So all in all a GREAT DAY

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That's great! Happy for you. Enjoy your night and I wouldn't necessarily avid all alcohol. I've never been much of a "drinker" but I often have a nice quality bottle of beer with my dinner these days and a wee whisky now and again. Spirits like whisky, vodka and gin can actually have a temporary reducing effect on blood sugar as the liver deals with alcohol as a priority preventing it from dealing with the glucose situation for a while. Anyway...have a good time; it sounds deserved.

Well done @berylc your hard work has paid off. Have a great time tonight you deserve it! X