Newbie here... waiting for my blood test results

SPW · #1 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 10:24 AM

Hi everyone! Total newbie here... been lurking for a bit, but decided to join today so I could post. I'm awaiting the results of my blood test from a routine physical. I'm a little nervous, simply because there is a phone-in service that you can call for your results when everything is in the "normal" range for the blood test results, . But instead I got a message from my doctor that said that it's not an emergency, but she had the results of my blood test. Of course, when I called back (5 minutes later) the doctor had already left for the day.
That was on Wednesday.

When I called on Thursday, the receptionist tells me that the doctor's not in for the day. I'm so frustrated... first, the doctor calls me at 5pm and when I call back literally less than 5 minutes later, she already gone for the day. And then she's not in the following day? Why'd she even leave me that message in the first place so late in the day?!?! Just call me on today so I wouldn't have had to wait around all panicky and nervous!

Finally, the doctor calls me this morning. Of course I'm not by my phone, so she leaves me the same message: "We have the results of blood work, it's not an emergency, call back when you get a chance." This time she also asks me to let her know whether it's okay to leave my results on my voicemail next time she calls. When I call back, she's with a patient.... **sigh** As much as I would like to actually talk to the doctor, I tell the receptionist that it's fine for the dr. to leave the results on my voicemail... I'm tired of playing phone tag.

I keep trying to calm myself down by reminding myself that she said it was not an emergency and that surely she would have called much sooner if something were really overtly wrong. And even though I don't think I have the symptons of diabetes, of course now I'm second guessing myself... thinking, "well, how 'frequent' is frequent urination anyways?" And, "what constitutes unquenchable thirst? I love drinking water (always have), does that mean I have unquenchable thirst?"

So here I am, waiting for the doctor to call back. I'm driving myself bonkers!!! Sorry for this rant during my introductory post, but I'm so frustrated/nervous/anxious!!!

princesslinda · #2 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 10:30 AM

Why do you think you have diabetes? Do you have a family history of it?

The thirst that accompanies uncontrolled diabetes is a very unique thirst...you can drink and drink and drink, yet it is never quenched....and you go to the bathroom many times througout the night and through the day.

I'd try to be calm until you have a chance to speak with your doctor or get definitive results....otherwise, you're causing yourself all kinds of undue stress.

If you do have diabetes, this is the place to be. If you don't have diabetes, count your blessings and be as healthy as you can for as long as you can.

Dewey · #3 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 10:31 AM

Hello there & welcome. Here's hoping you get the results soon. I know that waiting is definitely No fun.

Feel free to ask any questions you might have. You won't have to wait long here for answers.

Also, if you don't mind, please let us know when you find out how your results are. Here's hoping for the best, but even if you do have Diabetes, you've found good people that will be glad to help.

Olidus · #4 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 10:37 AM

Right now your mind is going to be your worst enemy.
If your BGs were runnign to high - it would be considered an emergency - and they would put you in the hospital ASAP to get them under control.
It could be anything really - thyroid even, this can be controlled by pills.
If its not an emergency try not to think to much about it, I'm sure all is going to be ok. Please let us know when you finally get to talk to the Doc

SPW · #5 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 10:44 AM

Hi everybody and thank you for the warm welcome!

Sorry I didn't clarify in my original post, but yes... I have a strong family history (father, grandmother, aunts and uncles) of Type 2 diabetes, so I know I am at high risk.

I will definitely update once I get my results from the doctor. Everybody on this forum seems so supportive and so well informed!

princesslinda · #6 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 11:00 AM

SPW, if you do have diabetes, you'll be fine. Its scary to get the diagnosis, but if you read many of the posts here you'll see that it is possible to live a healthy and happy life with diabetes (for the most part--as we all have our days

).

As the others have said, please let us know what you find out.

notme · #7 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 11:48 AM

Welcome to Diabetes Forums SPW. I am sorry you are having to wait for results. It is so frustrating playing phone tag with a doctor.

Let us know what happens. I hope all is well with you. If you do have Diabetes, there is lots of great people and tons of help on this site.

Eddy · #8 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 02:08 PM

As others have said: Welcome, and sorry that you're caught up in a game of phone tag.

If you were to prove diabetic, consider that stress can elevate blood sugar. Therefore, simply think: "Ah, well, they're not demanding that I be put in the hospital. No matter what the results, they could be much worse."

Voila! You've taken action that will help you -- even if not diabetic, but all the more if so.

And, here's hoping that the verdict is "not diabetic". Good luck, hang in there, keep us posted, and we're all here for ya. We'll even still like you if you're not diabetic.

SPW · #9 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

We'll even still like you if you're not diabetic.

Thanks Eddy

And as nice as everyone seems around here, I'd really rather not be a member of the club

But you're right, it's a good way to look at things.... at least whatever the outcome, it's not so serious that I have to be hospitalized right away.

I'm still waiting for the doctor to call me back... I've been going back and forth to not being worried (since I figure that if it were serious, the dr. would have called back by now) to being really worried (thinking that all doctors have a tendency to be blasé about things that are serious to the patient).

But thank you everybody for putting up with this worrywart of a newbie! Somehow it's making me feel better to vent here and I really appreciate the support

SPW · #10 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 11:09 PM

Okay, so I finally heard back from the doctor late this afternoon. It turns out that my fasting glucose is 103. According to her, nothing to be too concerned about, but that I should watch my carb intake and be retested in a 3-4 months. Unfortunately I didn't get to talk to her directly (she finally had to leave me a voicemail with all my results) so I didn't get a chance to ask her if she had also run an A1c. On a positive note, my thyroid testing was normal, bad cholesterol was normal, good cholesterol was high (yay!).

I know a fasting glucose of 103 is a little higher than normal so I've decided to be proactive about things and buy my own glucose meter to test myself periodically. I also plan to decrease my carb intake and increase my activity level. And I definitely plan to stick around these boards so I can learn from everybody on here! I know that I am at high risk and want to do everything I can to prevent myself from progressing to Type 2.

Thank you everybody for being so supportive... These boards are awesome!

EllieK · #11 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 11:19 PM

Good for you for taking the intiative to prevent this from going to full blown diabetes. You won't be sorry you are making the effort. You will feel soooo much better being healthier.
Please stick around - lots of good info on exercise and diet around here.

Katrina Stovold · #12 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 05:18 AM

Yes, I understand how you feel, this has happened to me many times! The reason you worry is because the docs give you good reason to worry by creating fear in your mind!! Do not worry, worry does not help you whatsoever!! Just rest assured it is not an emergency!! Dont worry, just wait patiently for your results. Katrina

Eddy · #13 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPW

Okay, so I finally heard back from the doctor late this afternoon. It turns out that my fasting glucose is 103. According to her, nothing to be too concerned about, but that I should watch my carb intake and be retested in a 3-4 months. Unfortunately I didn't get to talk to her directly (she finally had to leave me a voicemail with all my results) so I didn't get a chance to ask her if she had also run an A1c. On a positive note, my thyroid testing was normal, bad cholesterol was normal, good cholesterol was high (yay!).

Yes, the fasting glucose was a teeny bit high. I'd keep an eye on your A1c either way, but a one-time fasting 103 is not cause for alarm. I'd be more worried about family history than your reading.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPW

I know a fasting glucose of 103 is a little higher than normal so I've decided to be proactive about things and buy my own glucose meter to test myself periodically. I also plan to decrease my carb intake and increase my activity level. And I definitely plan to stick around these boards so I can learn from everybody on here! I know that I am at high risk and want to do everything I can to prevent myself from progressing to Type 2.

Excellent!

"Diabetes Freebies for You and Me!" Thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPW

Thank you everybody for being so supportive... These boards are awesome!