Where to get OGTT test?

YYvonne

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Other
Hi everyone,

I’m new here, but I’ve been fighting this battle for myself just a little over 2 years now. I was wondering if I could take some good advice from you. If not, no problem, I’d love to share my experience and hear from you anyways.

Ok, some basics. Chinese, in 40s, female. I've been trying to get an OGTT test for 2 years but kept failing.

I got Type 2 diabetic symptoms 2 years ago when I was 38 where I felt fatigue, craving for cabs and extremely thirsty. These were not surprising to me as my father side has a long history of type 2 diabetes. I bought the glucometer and my 2 hrs after meal was 8.9 mmol/L.

Since then, I have been on a long road to fight with the symptoms while researching this disease.

My first HbA1c was done 2 months after I noticed symptoms. However, I quit eating carbs when I found out my 2hrs after meal was 8.9, therefore my first HbA1c number was very nice. In hindsight, should I regret the self-control? If I hadn't controlled my diet, my numbers would have been so bad that the GP would have taken me seriously.


Over the 2 years, I have maintained my glucose numbers by

1) working out regularly

2) low-carb diet

3) intermittent fasting. I skip breakfasts.


However, in November 2024 I had symptoms again, this time with frequent urination and getting up as many as 5 times at night. My 2 hrs after mean were again 8.9. I thought I was doing everything right, but my body's ability to regulate glucose seemed to have deteriorated. Just a few moments ago, I finished my lunch, which contained very few carbs. Instead of exercising as usual after the meal, I only stood for 2 hours, and my blood glucose was as high as 7.6. I was keen to seek medical help but when I made an appointment with my GP for another medical check-up, not only was my HbA1c normal, but my blood tests were fine on all counts.

Despite telling the GP that I’ve worked very hard to maintain and the test I needed to have should be an OGTT, the GP said that only women who were pregnant could have this test. Combined with my normal blood test slips, I look like a crazy person. I'm wondering if I should make another appointment with the GP, start eating 2 hours before I see the doctor, and then test my blood sugar in front of them. If this is what a patient needs to do to be “diagnosed”, I find the system unbelievable!

I would like to take this opportunity to ask you a question:

Even if I am diagnosed as diabetic or pre-diabetic, will my GP help me find out what is causing my illness? Because this is what I want to know, and therefore to find ways to help myself.

My BMI is around 23, but I have a body fat percentage of 32% and normal muscle mass. So, assuming I'm doing all the right things with my methods (the 3 previously described), I suspect what is causing my current condition to worsen:

1) Increased insulin impedance, but this obviously requires more testing.

2) Weakened pancreas function. This is the worst-case scenario and may require medication.

I would be very interested to hear your comments and suggestions, or your experience of communicating with your GP.

I understand I can go for private but this will take up more than £1000.
 
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JoKalsbeek

Expert
Messages
6,453
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi everyone,

I’m new here, but I’ve been fighting this battle for myself just a little over 2 years now. I was wondering if I could take some good advice from you. If not, no problem, I’d love to share my experience and hear from you anyways.

Ok, some basics. Chinese, in 40s, female. I've been trying to get an OGTT test for 2 years but kept failing.

I got Type 2 diabetic symptoms 2 years ago when I was 38 where I felt fatigue, craving for cabs and extremely thirsty. These were not surprising to me as my father side has a long history of type 2 diabetes. I bought the glucometer and my 2 hrs after meal was 8.9 mmol/L.

Since then, I have been on a long road to fight with the symptoms while researching this disease.

My first HbA1c was done 2 months after I noticed symptoms. However, I quit eating carbs when I found out my 2hrs after meal was 8.9, therefore my first HbA1c number was very nice. In hindsight, should I regret the self-control? If I hadn't controlled my diet, my numbers would have been so bad that the GP would have taken me seriously.


Over the 2 years, I have maintained my glucose numbers by

1) working out regularly

2) low-carb diet

3) intermittent fasting. I skip breakfasts.


However, in November 2024 I had symptoms again, this time with frequent urination and getting up as many as 5 times at night. My 2 hrs after mean were again 8.9. I thought I was doing everything right, but my body's ability to regulate glucose seemed to have deteriorated. Just a few moments ago, I finished my lunch, which contained very few carbs. Instead of exercising as usual after the meal, I only stood for 2 hours, and my blood glucose was as high as 7.6. I was keen to seek medical help but when I made an appointment with my GP for another medical check-up, not only was my HbA1c normal, but my blood tests were fine on all counts.

Despite telling the GP that I’ve worked very hard to maintain and the test I needed to have should be an OGTT, the GP said that only women who were pregnant could have this test. Combined with my normal blood test slips, I look like a crazy person. I'm wondering if I should make another appointment with the GP, start eating 2 hours before I see the doctor, and then test my blood sugar in front of them. If this is what a patient needs to do to be “diagnosed”, I find the system unbelievable!

I would like to take this opportunity to ask you a question:

Even if I am diagnosed as diabetic or pre-diabetic, will my GP help me find out what is causing my illness? Because this is what I want to know, and therefore to find ways to help myself.

My BMI is around 23, but I have a body fat percentage of 32% and normal muscle mass. So, assuming I'm doing all the right things with my methods (the 3 previously described), I suspect what is causing my current condition to worsen:

1) Increased insulin impedance, but this obviously requires more testing.

2) Weakened pancreas function. This is the worst-case scenario and may require medication.

I would be very interested to hear your comments and suggestions, or your experience of communicating with your GP.

I understand I can go for private but this will take up more than £1000.
Your numbers sound fairly normal, so either the diet is working or you don't really need it. Either way, it's not likely you'd be symptomatic with anything diabetes related with your blood sugars under such good control. There are more reasons why you might be getting up at all hours for a wee... If you keep asking the doc specifically for certain tests, they might not be looking at your actual symptoms, which could come from a different ailment or condition. I was asking for a check of my kidneys, turned out my liver was causing problems instead, which was found quite accidentally. I just assumed it was something related to my kidney stones, but it wasn't... So maybe just tell them what your symptoms are, and have them check the whole shebang. Urine, blood, maybe ultrasound. (Check for infections, thyroid function, vitamin deficiencies, all of it).

I don't know how things are there, but in the Netherlands, most GP's wouldn't order an OGTT either. If they even knew what it was to begin with. That's more for a specialist to go after. But before you get a referral, I do think you should ask to find the cause of your issues... It could well be it has nothing to do with your blood sugars, and with waiting lists being what they are, you might have a long wait while you feel horrible, for something that might not be relevant.

Whatever happens, you're not feeling well and you deserve help. So don't give up on this.
Jo
 
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ftt1960

Member
Messages
18
Type of diabetes
Other
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Not a lot
You mentioned strong familial diabetic links. It could be that you and your diabetic family members are MODY. Worth a read.
 

YYvonne

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Other
Your numbers sound fairly normal, so either the diet is working or you don't really need it. Either way, it's not likely you'd be symptomatic with anything diabetes related with your blood sugars under such good control. There are more reasons why you might be getting up at all hours for a wee... If you keep asking the doc specifically for certain tests, they might not be looking at your actual symptoms, which could come from a different ailment or condition. I was asking for a check of my kidneys, turned out my liver was causing problems instead, which was found quite accidentally. I just assumed it was something related to my kidney stones, but it wasn't... So maybe just tell them what your symptoms are, and have them check the whole shebang. Urine, blood, maybe ultrasound. (Check for infections, thyroid function, vitamin deficiencies, all of it).

I don't know how things are there, but in the Netherlands, most GP's wouldn't order an OGTT either. If they even knew what it was to begin with. That's more for a specialist to go after. But before you get a referral, I do think you should ask to find the cause of your issues... It could well be it has nothing to do with your blood sugars, and with waiting lists being what they are, you might have a long wait while you feel horrible, for something that might not be relevant.

Whatever happens, you're not feeling well and you deserve help. So don't give up on this.
Jo
Hi Jo, thank you for your reply. I believe 8.9 mmol/L 2 hrs after meal is considered to pre-diabetes.
 
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Lamont D

Oracle
Messages
17,606
Type of diabetes
Reactive hypoglycemia
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
I'm aware that a glucose tolerance test is now only for specialists to organise in supervised hospital.
I do have a idea you could try.
It is to use a continuous glucose monitor.
And record the readings.
I keep a food diary, before CGM for my diagnosis with my endocrinologist.
And I used a glucometer and finger prick tested, for pre meal and two hours after first bite. To see which foods affected my BG levels.
You can trial a CGM from the manufacturers free.
And then whose your doctors the results.
Hope this helps.
Best wishes.
 
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JoKalsbeek

Expert
Messages
6,453
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi Jo, thank you for your reply. I believe 8.9 mmol/L 2 hrs after meal is considered to pre-diabetes.
It's a tad elevated, which is why I said the diet could well be working. (If you weren't on a low carb diet, it could potentially be worse). Thing is, it's one reading... And not one that'll impress a GP. Maybe go the route Lamont suggested and wear a CGM for a while, and combine it with a food diary. Would be most useful, I think, if for a day or so, you'd return to normal, carb-heavy eating though, to show what happens when you eat a regular "healthy" EatWell Plate kind of meal.

Good luck!
Jo
 
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YYvonne

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Other
Updates: My GP allows me to have the OGTT test and I have a referral now. Yay! However, its been few weeks we still could not find a hospital that conduct the test, including Royal Berkshire Hospital. I live in Berkshire FYI. My GP asked me to try Southampton Hospital where it apparetly does this test. I got rejected though, because 'you do not live in the area'. Im still actively looking where I can find
 

YYvonne

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Other
I'm aware that a glucose tolerance test is now only for specialists to organise in supervised hospital.
I do have a idea you could try.
It is to use a continuous glucose monitor.
And record the readings.
I keep a food diary, before CGM for my diagnosis with my endocrinologist.
And I used a glucometer and finger prick tested, for pre meal and two hours after first bite. To see which foods affected my BG levels.
You can trial a CGM from the manufacturers free.
And then whose your doctors the results.
Hope this helps.
Best wishes.
Hi Lamont,
Thank you for your post and I've been doing the same too except for the CGM.
My understanding is that each person will have one time for the free trail of CGM of 15 days so Im still sort of holding onto it.
 
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KennyA

Moderator
Staff Member
Moderator
Messages
3,649
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi everyone,

I’m new here, but I’ve been fighting this battle for myself just a little over 2 years now. I was wondering if I could take some good advice from you. If not, no problem, I’d love to share my experience and hear from you anyways.

Ok, some basics. Chinese, in 40s, female. I've been trying to get an OGTT test for 2 years but kept failing.

I got Type 2 diabetic symptoms 2 years ago when I was 38 where I felt fatigue, craving for cabs and extremely thirsty. These were not surprising to me as my father side has a long history of type 2 diabetes. I bought the glucometer and my 2 hrs after meal was 8.9 mmol/L.

Since then, I have been on a long road to fight with the symptoms while researching this disease.

My first HbA1c was done 2 months after I noticed symptoms. However, I quit eating carbs when I found out my 2hrs after meal was 8.9, therefore my first HbA1c number was very nice. In hindsight, should I regret the self-control? If I hadn't controlled my diet, my numbers would have been so bad that the GP would have taken me seriously.


Over the 2 years, I have maintained my glucose numbers by

1) working out regularly

2) low-carb diet

3) intermittent fasting. I skip breakfasts.


However, in November 2024 I had symptoms again, this time with frequent urination and getting up as many as 5 times at night. My 2 hrs after mean were again 8.9. I thought I was doing everything right, but my body's ability to regulate glucose seemed to have deteriorated. Just a few moments ago, I finished my lunch, which contained very few carbs. Instead of exercising as usual after the meal, I only stood for 2 hours, and my blood glucose was as high as 7.6. I was keen to seek medical help but when I made an appointment with my GP for another medical check-up, not only was my HbA1c normal, but my blood tests were fine on all counts.

Despite telling the GP that I’ve worked very hard to maintain and the test I needed to have should be an OGTT, the GP said that only women who were pregnant could have this test. Combined with my normal blood test slips, I look like a crazy person. I'm wondering if I should make another appointment with the GP, start eating 2 hours before I see the doctor, and then test my blood sugar in front of them. If this is what a patient needs to do to be “diagnosed”, I find the system unbelievable!

I would like to take this opportunity to ask you a question:

Even if I am diagnosed as diabetic or pre-diabetic, will my GP help me find out what is causing my illness? Because this is what I want to know, and therefore to find ways to help myself.

My BMI is around 23, but I have a body fat percentage of 32% and normal muscle mass. So, assuming I'm doing all the right things with my methods (the 3 previously described), I suspect what is causing my current condition to worsen:

1) Increased insulin impedance, but this obviously requires more testing.

2) Weakened pancreas function. This is the worst-case scenario and may require medication.

I would be very interested to hear your comments and suggestions, or your experience of communicating with your GP.

I understand I can go for private but this will take up more than £1000.
Hi - nobody in the UK diagnoses T2 from a fingerprick test. If a fingerprick test result is elevated (and yours aren't, particularly) it might make them do another HbA1c. What was your HbA1c result? And when you say you do low carb, how low do you aim for?

What you're looking for when fingerprick testing is not "the high point" - the test as far as T2 goes is to see how well your system handled the starches and sugars in what you ate. So you test before eating to establish a baseline, and then two hours later. You're looking to be back roughly in the same place as you started - the second should be within 2mmol/litre of the first and (for someone with diagnosed T2) not above 8ish.

There is a lot of variation in blood glucose for people without diabtes, in response to food and to other stimuli. This paper might be interesting to you because it describes what "normal" actually looks like.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7296129/

There's no advantage to being diagnosed T2 - it doesn't get you anything special and having the diagnosis itself might affect things like life insurance premiums. It did mine. Although my BG has been normal for 5 years now I am and always will be "diabetic" as far as officialdom is concerned. Worth avoiding if possible.