[misty073]

I have a few questions I was hoping someone might be able to help with. I understand that people here are not doctors and I have seen my doctor but not sure what to think of the results.


I have 4 kids (19, 14, 3, and 1.5) I had gestational diabetes with my three year old but not with my 1.5 year old and was never tested with the other two becuase it wasnt done then my first two were high birth weight (but not over 9lbs, but I was also a smoker, yes bad I know, but now I know better ) my 3 year old was over 10lbs and I ended up on insulin and my 1.5 year old was just over 9lbs but they say I passed the glucose test.

I had a blood test after my son (3 year old) and was told everything was back to normal. I have had a constant what seems to be a yeast infection (sorry if thats TMI) for almost 4 years...the only time it cleared up was when I went on a low carb diet for 3 weeks to try to lose weight. I am 5ft 3in and 172 lbs which is more than after my last baby was born, I have been gaining weight. I have also been exhausted to the point of only doing what I absolutly need to do in a day and have been like this since the two little ones were born. I used to think it was because they were 16 months apart but both have been sleeping through the night for well over a year now.

I remember when I was pregnant with my son and thought I could almost feel when my numbers were high because I had this anxiety feeling. When I was pregnant with my daughter I thought for sure I had GD again because I would get the same feeling but I passed the test.

I asked my doctor about type 2 diabetes and if that could be a cause for my problems and he said that they tested my urine in Feb (I had surgery) and there was no sugar in it...I asked if that was enough of a test because when I had GD my strips never changed at all. So he said that no it wasnt very acurate and he would send me for a blood test.


So I took the blood test on friday and today I called and they said my numbers were within normal range.

My question is...is a random blood test enough to go off of??? I took it first thing in the morning about an hour after I had toast and coffee.

I dont want to seem like a hypocondriac (sp??) but I also dont want to miss something because the right test wasnt done. I went to see him once and told him I thought I was having gall bladder problems and he said no that it wasnt my gall bladder it was my back and sent me to physio...the physio doctor said it seemed like my gall bladder and so back to the doctor I went to get an ultrasound and within a month I had my gall bladder out.

I dont have any of the syptoms such as weight loss (but I am gaining) thirst or needing to go to the bathroom more but I do find my feet get a bit tingly sometimes (I wonder if its cause of the weight gain) I have a constant what seems like a yeast infection and I sometimes get that "anxiety" feeling.

I am a bit concerned because I usually score as high risk on any online tests.

Should I request a different test? should I go see a different doctor maybe and tell him what I think? or is the random test sufficent and if so I wonder how often should I be tested?

I am curious if anyone else took that test and it was ok but took a fasting or glucose test and it wasnt ok.

Anyways I understand that no here is a doctor (well someone might be LOL) and that no one can do a diagnosis but I was just wondering if anyone had some thoughts or info that might put my mind at ease..

Thanks

[xMenace]

Originally Posted by misty073

So I took the blood test on friday and today I called and they said my numbers were within normal range.

My question is...is a random blood test enough to go off of??? I took it first thing in the morning about an hour after I had toast and coffee.

I am a bit concerned because I usually score as high risk on any online tests.

Should I request a different test? should I go see a different doctor maybe and tell him what I think? or is the random test sufficent and if so I wonder how often should I be tested?

First off, health professionals that tell me my "numbers are within normal range" get a hockey stick shoved up ... well i ask them politely what the actual numbers are and what the tests are and what the **** they really mean!

Most of us get quarterly Hemoglobin A1Cs. It's a much more reliable indicator of our blood glucose control. A1C Test - All About Diabetes - American Diabetes Association

As you are high risk, I'd ask for one now and annually. And I'd ask for a real interpretation of the results.

And welcome to the forum

[Evermont]

Hi, Welcome to DF!

Whenever I get tests done, I ask for (and get) a printed copy of the results.

[fgummett]

Just like xMenace said... you are at risk of D and need to take ownership of your blood results. What test did they do and what was the actual number? Diabetes is unlike other conditions: firstly, anything you do now to live a healthier life will help whether you have D or not... and secondly, if you do have D then YOU need to take control of your condition and not just rely on the Doctor to prescribe treatment for you to blindly follow. You are off to a good start by coming here... arm yourself with knowledge

Welcime to DF and please come back often... ask questions and tell us how you are doing.

[morrisma]

Welcome to the club!

In addition to what others have already said, if you cannot get straight answers and still want to investigate the possibility of you having diabetes, Wal-mart has a very cheap blood glucose meter & strip system. Reli-on is their brand I think. Test 2 hours after every meal for a couple days. If the results are at or below 100, donate the meter to a group that can use it. If not, show the results to the doc.

Luck,
Mike

[Janlaton]

welcome, I agree with all the above. Insist on an A1c if that is not what was done. Get a hard copy of any test results done. Cut down on sugars and carbs in your diet. You may not be digesting them well even if not showing as diabetic. See a specialist if your insurance will allow it or go to another doctor! Exercise, I know you are tired with 2 little ones but get up and move anyway. Get a stroller and push them. Walk, Walk, Walk away the pounds and get the sugar down down down!

By the way yeast infections bread on too much sugar in our bodies in case you did not know.

[misty073]

Thanks everyone for the welcomes and the information ...I forgot to add that I did just start walking in the evenings with a friend (but only 3 days a week and we just started last week.)


I have made an appointment for today at the walk in clinic for my daughter (she needed to go so I thought I would make one for me as well...go figure an appointment at a walk in clinic LOL ) I will ask about the AC1 and get a second opinion about the random test. I just dont see how they can tell anything with out even asking me what I had to eat or drink...what if I didnt eat anything then went for the test or what if I had a huge carb breakfast then went??? How can they tell?

I sometimes just dont trust the info my doctor is giving me, but its not that easy to get a new doctor here. I have medical so if any doctor thinks I need it then I can see a specialist when ever I need it.

I just find that when things dont seem right that I try to research as much as I can on the internet (I know not aways a good thing and not always accurate LOL) but I find that I am diagnosing my self or my family and taking it to the doctor...I had the gall bladder issue and he didnt even think I did...I aslo had to request diflucan for the yeast infection because nothing else was working (4 years later) I researched bedwetting (my second is a bed wetter) and found out a chiropractor may be able to help so I took that to the doctor and he said Yes it might be able to help, it wont hurt to try...she has been to 2 appointments and doest wet the night after her appointment so they must be on to something...sorry now I am off topic LOL.

I have thought about buying a glucose meter...but I wasnt sure if you could buy them with out a prescription??? When I had GD the diabetes clinic loaned me one.

Well I will see what happens today and if anything I should take this as a good sign and do a change...I just have a real hard time with carbs, we do eat fairly healthy, we probably eat take out a little more than we should but we dont eat alot of sweets...We dont buy pop ever ( and if we do because we are having a BBQ or something we buy diet pop). I just find that I crave them even when I just ate, I want to eat again


Anyways I could go on and on LOL...Thanks for the replies and the info

[fgummett]

Originally Posted by misty073

...I did just start walking in the evenings with a friend (but only 3 days a week and we just started last week.)...

Hey Misty you have to stop being so hard on yourself If you weren't walking at all before then even once a week is good for you... three times is even better Keep up the good work... take better care of yourself and your family whether you have D or no (and I hope not)

[misty073]

So I called the Drs office (what a pain in the butt I can be LOL) and the test they did was the random glucose and I was 4.9 and she said 3.6-8.3 is normal (funny how when I was GD they always wanted me to aim to get my numbers under 7???)

Anyways I just thought I should ask which test it was so I dont go ask the doctor about the AC1 and find out that was the test they did.

[slipperyelm]

So misty, what did you eat and when in relation to that test?

[misty073]

I took the test first thing in the morning (only time I could get the oldest to stay with the other 2 kids LOL)

I had a piece of toast about 1.5 hours before that and a few cups of coffee.

That is what I dont understand if I had eaten pancakes and had orange juice what would the numbers have been??? I just wonder why they dont note what you ate and when...wouldnt that really matter??

[StoneGirl]

THIS IS LONG, BUT HOPEFULLY MIGHT HELP THOSE WHOSE BLOOD GLUCOSE NUMBERS SHOW IN THE NORMAL RANGE.

Hey, this is all new to me, also. The things said in here are really helping me be informed. I'd like to agree with Mike, and add that I wish I'd have known to do the blood glucose meter testing. i DIDN'T KNOW YOU COULD GET A METER AND DO YOUR OWN TESTING. The reason? Even though my results 2 weeks ago showed 7.6 and 150, I think I've had this for a number of years. I had been telling the doc "I"M SO TIRED". I asked, could I have Chronic Fatigue or ADD or something, because I felt fatigued as hardly being able to raise my arms at times, or get up to walk to another room, and at many times feeling like I was about to faint. We tried various meds, and he did try to search with me. Meanwhile, over this past 3 years, a number of things started happening. My eyes would be nearly glued together of the morning, so I got new glasses, and my eyes were still blurred, so I also got computer glasses, but still experienced blurriness. Then my face broke out with little pimple type sores that wouldn't seem to heal. Strange, since I'd had maybe 10 pimples in my lifetime. Next, I began having yeast infections which caused terrible ulcerated inflammations. The doctor was as unsure what was going on as I was. The only thing my numbers showed was high liver numbers. He did a sonogram on my thyroid in case that was the reason I was exhausted, which showed a small cyst, but the numbers were in line. I'd seen a family doctor, podiatrist, neurologist, rheumatoligist (feet tingling). I just gave up. Then, I had bloodwork again showing A1C 7.9 and 150 after 8 hrs fasting. So, this tells me why so many things were happening, as they are all diabetes related. Then I ask - why didn't this show up sooner. Consider this!!! I was having all these symptoms 3 years ago, but when I had a previous annual check up, I'd just lost 30 pounds, and was doing aqua exercising. I think that probably made the bloodwork not show the problem, even though most of the problems still continued even during the weight loss. I gained the 30 lbs back, but we were still referring to the previous bloodwork, taken about 1-1/2 years previous. I think even my recent (above) numbers are a bit skewed because I'd again tried to diet, thus the A1C of 7.9 has a lot of good living in it, averaged with the bad. Since taking my blood numbers I've had several near 300. Thus, I say, if you are worried, but your bloodwork for your annual physical doesn't show anything, then just buy a meter and check your blood glucose for a couple of weeks. Then you'll know for sure in a more defined way. I didn't know you could do it, or believe me I would have, and would have known what was going on a long time ago. You can even get them online free, or at Walgreens for under $20, and that includes the first 10 meter strips for testing.

[Janlaton]

Question, what did you put in the coffee?

Not familiar with the term random glucose test. I still think an A1c would be a good idea and/or a fasting glucose tolerance test. I think also a visit to diabetic educator might be a good idea. Since you have all the symptons of at least prediabetic, it will not hurt to get information on setting up a good diet and dealing with carbs as well as different ways to exercise. I know I keep harping on exercise but I believe it is a vital part of the disciplined life we live.

[misty073]

Sorry I didnt get a chance to update yesterday

I put cream and sweetner in my coffee.


I went to the walk in clinic and just asked about the randome test and he said yes your numbers could be different depending on when you took the test and what you ate I am so confused as why they would even do this test on someone who is high risk?????? or anyone for that matter????


Anyways the doctor must have been close to 100 years olds and sure liked to talk LOL I didnt get in until 1 hour past my appointment time and the clinic wasnt even that busy (oh it was great fun with 2 small kids)

He said he has 3 rules for not being or becoming a diabetic
1. your upper belly fat on a woman must be under 32 inches (mine is 36...that is between the breast bone and the belly button...I am more than that around the belly button area )

2. your blood pressure must be below 140/90 24 hours a day. He took my blood pressure and it was 130 over something (cant remember the second number)

3. You need to walk for 40min 7days a week.

Anyways after all his talking and letting me know about lectures and other people he knew LOL...he said it wouldnt hurt to have an AC1...so he sent me for that, and a fasting glucose and a cholestral test.

Plus he asked if anyone in my family had diabetes and I said my grandmother did.

So I have to still get the tests done but we will see how that goes.

[jacobsam622]

Originally Posted by StoneGirl

THIS IS LONG, BUT HOPEFULLY MIGHT HELP THOSE WHOSE BLOOD GLUCOSE NUMBERS SHOW IN THE NORMAL RANGE.

Hey, this is all new to me, also. The things said in here are really helping me be informed. I'd like to agree with Mike, and add that I wish I'd have known to do the blood glucose meter testing. i DIDN'T KNOW YOU COULD GET A METER AND DO YOUR OWN TESTING. The reason? Even though my results 2 weeks ago showed 7.6 and 150, I think I've had this for a number of years. I had been telling the doc "I"M SO TIRED". I asked, could I have Chronic Fatigue or ADD or something, because I felt fatigued as hardly being able to raise my arms at times, or get up to walk to another room, and at many times feeling like I was about to faint. We tried various meds, and he did try to search with me. Meanwhile, over this past 3 years, a number of things started happening. My eyes would be nearly glued together of the morning, so I got new glasses, and my eyes were still blurred, so I also got computer glasses, but still experienced blurriness. Then my face broke out with little pimple type sores that wouldn't seem to heal. Strange, since I'd had maybe 10 pimples in my lifetime. Next, I began having yeast infections which caused terrible ulcerated inflammations. The doctor was as unsure what was going on as I was. The only thing my numbers showed was high liver numbers. He did a sonogram on my thyroid in case that was the reason I was exhausted, which showed a small cyst, but the numbers were in line. I'd seen a family doctor, podiatrist, neurologist, rheumatoligist (feet tingling). I just gave up. Then, I had bloodwork again showing A1C 7.9 and 150 after 8 hrs fasting. So, this tells me why so many things were happening, as they are all diabetes related. Then I ask - why didn't this show up sooner. Consider this!!! I was having all these symptoms 3 years ago, but when I had a previous annual check up, I'd just lost 30 pounds, and was doing aqua exercising. I think that probably made the bloodwork not show the problem, even though most of the problems still continued even during the weight loss. I gained the 30 lbs back, but we were still referring to the previous bloodwork, taken about 1-1/2 years previous. I think even my recent (above) numbers are a bit skewed because I'd again tried to diet, thus the A1C of 7.9 has a lot of good living in it, averaged with the bad. Since taking my blood numbers I've had several near 300. Thus, I say, if you are worried, but your bloodwork for your annual physical doesn't show anything, then just buy a meter and check your blood glucose for a couple of weeks. Then you'll know for sure in a more defined way. I didn't know you could do it, or believe me I would have, and would have known what was going on a long time ago. You can even get them online free, or at Walgreens for under $20, and that includes the first 10 meter strips for testing.

right before I was Diagnosed around the fall of 2003 I started an exercise program new gym the whole works about four months in I started losing weight like crazy A friend ask me how was doing it at the I said it was either a very good exercise program or diabetes in my heart of heart I new it was the exercise. My point is once your bg goes over 300 hundred the weight starts coming off. I have considered letting my bg stay at around 350 for about two months then start a vigorous diet and workout regimen, in theory I could have my bg back down to a prediebetes level.