Not diabetes?

[angelsbridges]

As you've probably read, I was dx as prediabetic a few weeks ago.

After researching everything, I got really nervous because I have ALL of the symptoms. I wish I was kidding about it, but I'm not. I honestly never put two and two together until the blood sugar came back a little high and they mentioned possible diabetes.

I bought a home testing kit last night, and took a glucose test before dinner, it was 95 (normal). I took it an hour after dinner and it was at 91 (and same number 2 hours later).

I was feeling really really crappy earlier, even though I had eaten. I got really tired, starting slurring, and even snapped at a coworker. I decided to run home and get the test kit and check my sugar. It was 77 (normal). I took it an hour later and it was 100 (also normal). Then I ate a donut because I was still feeling low, which I know I probably shouldn't have done, but it made me feel a bit better. I tested it an hour after that and it was 110. I got home and tested and I was at 100 again. I ate dinner, checked it half an hour later and was at 122 (which I think is normal after eating?). Checked it an hour and a half after and was at 115. From what I understand, these are normal readings.

Does anyone have any ideas on what would cause all the symptoms of diabetes/LADA but have pretty normal blood sugar? I've been trying to research online and have found absolutely nothing.

My doctor just ordered a 24 hour urine test and I'm set up with a 5 hour oral glucose test next week. I guess I'm concerned now because of the normal readings...am I having them look in the wrong spot? Any advice would be appreciated, this is getting really frustrating.

Thanks :)

[ShottleBop]

Those numbers are not entirely inconsistent with prediabetes. What are your numbers like first thing in the morning (fasting)?

[angelsbridges]

I haven't checked it in the morning yet. I'm planning on doing that tomorrow.

My original reading at the doctor was fasting (after having woken up) and it came out as 103 (which is high, but not that high).

[angelsbridges]

Now I'm more frustrated, because I took it again, it's been 2.5 hours since I ate dinner, and it went from 115 an hour and a half after eating to 118. I have no idea what's normal and not normal. I'm sorry to be a nuisance.

[EeyoreButterfly]

Crash course in numbers:

"Normal" is considered anything below 100 fasting and 120 two hours post meal. The threshold for pre diabetes does not start until 140 post meal and 100 fasting so as you can see there is a 20 mg/dl difference between normal and pre D fasting numbers. That said, all your reading sound normal now. I would not worry about DKA at this poit as your numbers are nowhere near close enough for DKA. It sounds like your symptom might be due to something besides diabetes.

[mortis505]

Are you currently taking any other meds? What type of foods are you eating? Are you exercising?

[Ohana]

I don't really know your situation as I still have limited internet and haven't had time to catch up on your posts.

THAT said, there are weeks were I could eat an entire donut shop and be fine. Other weeks I can't tolerate ANY straying off the reservation.

My Dr. and I "think" I am early stages LADA even though all my antibodies were negative. No conclusive evidence though.. THE POINT IS: I absolutely think you should keep testing. Just because you are normal for a couple days doesn't mean it isn't diabetes.

I also think I am super sensitive, so I could tell immediately when something began to go wrong. You may be the same, since you are pre-diabetic, but complaining of feeling bad, you may be very in tune with your body, and even though you are not having "high" readings, they may be slightly higher than you are USED to having.

OK, I hope that made sense.

[foxl]

Get a thyroid test -- TSH and T4 and if possible free T3.

[angelsbridges]

I had a TSH done when I had the fasting glucose test, and it came back completely normal.

I am not on any medications, but when they called me and told me what was going on, I made really drastic changes to my diet. I don't eat any bad carbs any more and no more extra sugar (bad sugar - and I still eat some sugar, but it's in good foods like graham crackers and fruit, etc). I'm only eating lean meats and low carb veggies.

I can't really do any cardio right now as my foot is broken and still recovering (I broke it about a month and a half ago), but I've been doing situps and pushups and trying to walk as much as possible. Before the break, it was rare that I didn't walk at least 30 minutes a day.

I took my glucose fasting this morning and it was 95. Then I took it after I ate breakfast and it was 160, and then 2 hours later it was 140.

I don't know if there is something wrong with my tester or not, or how normal it is to "jump around", but last night for fun I took it and it was 100, then took it again 5 minutes later and it was 85, and then again another 5 minutes later (because I was thinking something was wrong with my tester) and it was 96. Blah. How do I know if this thing is accurate? (it is a "cheap" tester...it's a One Touch Ultra Mini).

The last time I had my fasting glucose checked was in 2005, and it was 83. I started having symptoms about a year ago, and back then I was eating ALL of the time. I could eat and eat and eat without getting full (and I never got "hungry", like when your stomach growls and you need to eat, I was just always eating). I gained about 15lbs, and then decided I needed to "get in shape", so I started monitoring my food, and even if I was hungry I wouldn't eat until it was meal time. I mentioned this to my doctor...but I think he's more interested in the tests than my symptoms.

Do you think my numbers could be better having changed my diet over the last month?

[angelsbridges]

you may be very in tune with your body

Sorry to post again, but it won't let me edit my post above and add this: I am actually very in tune with my body, as silly as that sounds. I'm very conscious about what is going on with it, as I've had lots of health issues since I was young.

I'm going to throw in my cholesterol readings too, just to see if it adds anything (my doctor seemed more concerned with my cholesterol):

CHOLESTEROL 229 /0-199 mg/dl (these are normal ranges)
TRIGLYCERIDE 145 /0-149 mg/dl
HDL 65 />40- mg/dl
LDL, CALC. 135 /0-129 mg/dl

[genie86333]

I don't know if there is something wrong with my tester or not, or how normal it is to "jump around", but last night for fun I took it and it was 100, then took it again 5 minutes later and it was 85, and then again another 5 minutes later (because I was thinking something was wrong with my tester) and it was 96. Blah. How do I know if this thing is accurate? (it is a "cheap" tester...it's a One Touch Ultra Mini).

Actually, that's perfectly normal. All meters have a 20% variablility - meaning if your blood sugar really is 100 your meter could read anywhere between 80 & 120 and your nmbers are well within that 20% range. And (just so you know) the Ultra Mini is one of the popular meters out there & definitely not one of the cheapest!

[angelsbridges]

Ok, good! Thank you. I was worried that it wasn't working ;)

[genie86333]

You're welcome. We get that question lots of times, so you're not the only one who wonders about it.

[SandraRN]

angelsbridges, I am going through similar problems as you are right now. My doc also thinks I have LADA and I'm getting blood work in April for the antibodies. I was just dx in December. My sugars also go alllll over the place. My sugar before a meal might be 80, and 1 hour after I eat I sometimes feel crappy, check it again, and I'm 74. Another hour later I might be 120 something. It's crazy and very annoying. She thinks I'm not eating right so I'm going to see a Diabetic educator/nutritionist this Wednesday. My sugars, even my fastings, are always normal like yours so I am also having a hard time understanding how I'm diabetic. Let us know what your 5 hour glucose test shows. I'm curious to know. I did a three hour and was 218, 274, then dropped to 138 the third hour. Hang in there, you're not alone!

[angelsbridges]

I will definitely post what the test says. It comes back same day, correct? Or does it take some time? Even my dietitian is curious to know what the test will say, haha.

[SandraRN]

It takes a day or two to get to your doc and then he/she will look at it and give you a call. I did mine on a Friday and was called first thing Monday. If you have a glucometer, take it with you and check your sugar after the lab sticks you every hour. I took mine with me cause I was just too darn curious and then I knew I was going to be getting a phone call about it.