Newbie, please help?!?

[shelleyh]

Okay, now I'm really overwhelmed hearing about type 1.5 for the first time.

First off, thank you for being here! I'm grateful to have found this forum!

I recently had an OGTT just before Thanksgiving. My fasting level was normal, but at 2 hours it was 267. My doctor says this is nothing to be concerned about because the fasting rate is normal. He ordered an A1C and I'm awaiting results. I was so frustrated with his reaction because at the ogtt, I had uncontrollable shakes, dizziness, nausea, etc. which was obviously not a "normal" reaction. Plus, for the first time in my life, I feel like I'm finding out what has been ailing me since my early 20's (I'm currently 39). I don't know what my bmi is, but I'm only 105 lbs, so that is confusing because people look at me like there's no way I'm diabetic. I'm so frustrated right now.

I bought a glucose meter last week and am finding that diet can control it if I'm extreme, but I have had a few times when my blood sugar is elevated and I get the racing heart, indigestion, nausea, fatigue, thirst, etc. I'm at about 140 when that happens. Then when I start to feel better, I see my meter results lowering as well. I'm convinced this is an issue. My doctor won't think that's high, because at 2 hours I'm much better. But it doesn't feel "fine". One concern, is that two days ago when I had that reaction, it was simply from eating one apple and a handful of raw cashews. I thought I was being great. I ate an apple one other day and had no reaction like that and blood sugar only went to about 100. One difference is that I had a cup of coffee in the morning and I'm now convinced that my body cannot handle caffeine so I have cut out that bad habit.

Any insight here? I figured type 2, but now there's this type 1.5...could that be a possibility?

Should I be seeing an endocrinologist or something? My doctor just doesn't seem to be taking me seriously. I sent him some recent info from the World Health Organization about the significance of the 2 hour glucose reading and how 30% of those with diabetes have normal fasting levels.

What should I do next? If you have any comments, I'd love to hear them and would be most grateful. Thanks so much!

Shelley

[jer.lawrence]

I think I still have this in my clipboard from a previous post.. let's give it a try.

ADA Recommendations (3) for Diagnosing Diabetes
· Diabetes symptoms (polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, increased fatigue, weight loss, blurred vision, growth impairment) exist and casual plasma glucose ³200 mg/dl (11.1 mmol/l)
o Note: casual is defined as any time of day without regard to time since last meal;
OR
· FPG >126 mg/dl (7.0 mmol/l);
OR
· Plasma glucose ³200 mg/dl (11.1 mmol/l) during an OGTT

Yep, look at that. Glucose of over 200 mg/dl at any point during an OGTT is reason for diagnosis.

I suggest you find another doctor. I don't like recommending that, typically, because I know that once I find someone I like, it's tough to change. But he is so far off-base wrong, that you really should get a second opinion. And ask him for the test results so you can show them to another doc.

[shelleyh]

Its me again...I just got a call from the doctor's office and my A1C was 5.5 and they said I have no indication of diabetes. What about the reaction to the ogtt? Why did he even order that test if he wasn't going to read anything but the fasting level! Sorry....I'm just having a tough time. Does a 5.5 reading dismiss everything? They told me if I have any concerns, to see an endocrinologist. Don't know how to pick out one of those!

[foxl]

I would not hesitate to see an Endo.

Go to your insurance policy website, find one affiliated with a hospital system that is reliable, and call them.

Its me again...I just got a call from the doctor's office and my A1C was 5.5 and they said I have no indication of diabetes. What about the reaction to the ogtt? Why did he even order that test if he wasn't going to read anything but the fasting level! Sorry....I'm just having a tough time. Does a 5.5 reading dismiss everything? They told me if I have any concerns, to see an endocrinologist. Don't know how to pick out one of those!

[yannah]

I would get a meter and some strips and see what my 2 hours readings are. I would do this a couple of weeks before going to see an endo. no way I would let this die here.

something seems amiss. diabetes and doctors......lots of confusion out there.

[ljjhouser]

It doesn't seem like you need it, but here is a great BMI calculator
Body Mass Index calculator you'll like
I guess it is possible that you just very recently have high BG indicators of diabetes. The A1c, of course, averages about 3 months. But I would certianly check readings. Something does not seem right. When I was dx'd, my BG was 246. My a1C was 10.7. I would go to another doctor. No matter what, if you find your BG is that high and stays very high, you are at risk for the complications of diabetes. Welcome, we are glad you are here. Take care of yourself. Best Wishes, Larry

Okay, now I'm really overwhelmed hearing about type 1.5 for the first time.

First off, thank you for being here! I'm grateful to have found this forum!

I recently had an OGTT just before Thanksgiving. My fasting level was normal, but at 2 hours it was 267. My doctor says this is nothing to be concerned about because the fasting rate is normal. He ordered an A1C and I'm awaiting results. I was so frustrated with his reaction because at the ogtt, I had uncontrollable shakes, dizziness, nausea, etc. which was obviously not a "normal" reaction. Plus, for the first time in my life, I feel like I'm finding out what has been ailing me since my early 20's (I'm currently 39). I don't know what my bmi is, but I'm only 105 lbs, so that is confusing because people look at me like there's no way I'm diabetic. I'm so frustrated right now.

I bought a glucose meter last week and am finding that diet can control it if I'm extreme, but I have had a few times when my blood sugar is elevated and I get the racing heart, indigestion, nausea, fatigue, thirst, etc. I'm at about 140 when that happens. Then when I start to feel better, I see my meter results lowering as well. I'm convinced this is an issue. My doctor won't think that's high, because at 2 hours I'm much better. But it doesn't feel "fine". One concern, is that two days ago when I had that reaction, it was simply from eating one apple and a handful of raw cashews. I thought I was being great. I ate an apple one other day and had no reaction like that and blood sugar only went to about 100. One difference is that I had a cup of coffee in the morning and I'm now convinced that my body cannot handle caffeine so I have cut out that bad habit.

Any insight here? I figured type 2, but now there's this type 1.5...could that be a possibility?

Should I be seeing an endocrinologist or something? My doctor just doesn't seem to be taking me seriously. I sent him some recent info from the World Health Organization about the significance of the 2 hour glucose reading and how 30% of those with diabetes have normal fasting levels.

What should I do next? If you have any comments, I'd love to hear them and would be most grateful. Thanks so much!

Shelley

[CALynn]

You wouldn't go to Jiffy Lube to have engine work done on a Porsche.......

See an endocrinologist.