diagnosed pre diabetic
christiejf
Posts: 12
Okay so I went to the doctor last week because I was super sick, told I had the flu and a cold at the same time. She sent me away saying to call back if not better and they would order antibiotics since my ear was hurting. I waited a week running a fever on and off and still wasn't better. I called and they ordered an antibiotic for me w/out seeing me. I was grateful for that.
When I went in I also told the doctor how my menstrual cycle was becoming less and less and I would go through times the past few months where I felt funny and would sweat like crazy. My husband thought it was menopause coming early so she took blood that day to send in to check my hormone levels. I did not fast.
When I called in for the antibiotic they told me over the phone (the nurse) that my blood work showed no menopause but that my level was 124 and that qualified me as pre-diabetic and then said to lay off the carbs and exercise.
I don't know if it's just this day and age of craziness but I have a ton of questions and they just sent me on my way with "eat less carbs" and "exercise more". Is this typical of all doctors. I know what carbs are and I can google, but what if I wasn't computer savvy, what I read implied it's serious and is a step away from actual diabetes. What if I didn't fully understand that? Is everyone's doctor like this? Should I schedule another appointment for more info or should I just go the internet way w/info I find on the diabetes sites and fellow pre diabetics.
When I went in I also told the doctor how my menstrual cycle was becoming less and less and I would go through times the past few months where I felt funny and would sweat like crazy. My husband thought it was menopause coming early so she took blood that day to send in to check my hormone levels. I did not fast.
When I called in for the antibiotic they told me over the phone (the nurse) that my blood work showed no menopause but that my level was 124 and that qualified me as pre-diabetic and then said to lay off the carbs and exercise.
I don't know if it's just this day and age of craziness but I have a ton of questions and they just sent me on my way with "eat less carbs" and "exercise more". Is this typical of all doctors. I know what carbs are and I can google, but what if I wasn't computer savvy, what I read implied it's serious and is a step away from actual diabetes. What if I didn't fully understand that? Is everyone's doctor like this? Should I schedule another appointment for more info or should I just go the internet way w/info I find on the diabetes sites and fellow pre diabetics.
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Replies
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I think its totally unacceptable. You should be scheduled for a followup to see how your blood work is progressing. You should be receiving at least literature of links that the doctor feels you should look at and follow. I know my doctor would be better than that.
However, my mother is a diabetic 2 and outside of a monthly blood test that her doctor looks at he did nothing to educate her. Right now because she has ended up at emerg bout 4 times over the last 6 months the hospital has scheduled appointments with a diabetic nurse, dietician and finally a diabetic doctor. I am hoping that helps her.
I am really sorry that you were treated that way. In Canada I think you can contact http://www.diabetes.ca/ for better support. Don't know what other countries have.0 -
Intermittent fasting should help u jump start your metabolism. Alternate day fasting for best results and stay low on carbs when you eat0
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Fasting when you have diabetes is DANGEROUS. Go back to your doctor and as for a referral to a diabetic nurse/doctor. Being pre diabetic doesn't mean you will develop it if you can keep you blood sugar under control. Which you need regular blood test and medical advice to ensure. They also need to do a "fasting" blood test for you so they can get a definitive diagnosis, its usually taken early morning before breakfast not from fasting for a whole day. I hope it works out for you, the good news is that with a little knowledge and support and eating healthily you can prevent diabetes developing. Good luck xIntermittent fasting should help u jump start your metabolism. Alternate day fasting for best results and stay low on carbs when you eat0 -
Fasting when you have diabetes is DANGEROUS. Go back to your doctor and as for a referral to a diabetic nurse/doctor. Being pre diabetic doesn't mean you will develop it if you can keep you blood sugar under control. Which you need regular blood test and medical advice to ensure. They also need to do a "fasting" blood test for you so they can get a definitive diagnosis, its usually taken early morning before breakfast not from fasting for a whole day. I hope it works out for you, the good news is that with a little knowledge and support and eating healthily you can prevent diabetes developing. Good luck xIntermittent fasting should help u jump start your metabolism. Alternate day fasting for best results and stay low on carbs when you eat
Yea so she should fast before she has full blown diabetes type 2 right?0 -
Wow!! I'm diabetic and I know that when one has a cold, flue, infection, diabetic or not, your blood glucose levels rise. Also you didn't fast. Their advice was totally unacceptable given your circumstances.
I'm just a faceless, well kind of, person on a community form, but you should do some research to find out what I'm saying is true.
As a diabetic when I've been eating correctly and exercising regularly, a high glucose reading in the a.m. lets me know that I have some kind of flue/cold coming on. I keep tight control over my diabetes so I stay in the normal range, thus when it is abnormal I take notice.0 -
No that's not how it works, if you don't eat enough your blood glucose levels drop (happens in everyone diabetes or not), however if your body is unable to control its sugar levels fasting can make them drop too low and cause hypoglycaemia which can lead to fainting or even coma. Never fast unless its medically reccomended.0
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Also listen to notthepest, her post it spot on
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That was unacceptable to what they did. You really do need to follow-up. And the previous poster is right, your glucose will be higher when ill. It is like when your body is in pain, your blood pressure will be higher. I would ask for a second opinion and see another doctor when you are not sick.
I have been diagnosed pre-diabetic as well. I was not sick when my labs were drawn. They need to look at your genetic make-up as well as your personal medical history also before diagnosing such an important thing. Just take a breath and follow-up with a second opinion. If you want to chat, I am here.0 -
You need to book a follow up with your doctor. Get proper testing done. If you are prediabetic, get a referral to a dietician. Proper diet and exercise and weight loss can turn this around! Good luck:flowerforyou:0
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I had a similar thing back in May/ June. I'd been feeling really rough for quite a while and had put on a noticeable amount of weight. Blood tests (that included thyroid which was fine) revealed high sugar levels. Nurse advised a change of lifestyle with less junk and more exercise then 6 weeks later retaking the blood tests.
Sticking to a reasonable diet and taking up walking helped and my last blood results were back normal.
Use of 'pre diabetic' is a strange term - like others I thought you either were or you weren't!
Like others have said - go back and ask the questions that are worrying you.
Take care of yourself
Craine0 -
The main key to this is something you said. YOU DID NOT FAST before the blood work. How long after eating was the blood taken? What had you had to eat? 124 blood sugar is above average for a fasting level, and quite within normal range for after eating. You should request a new blood test at a fasting rate to see if your results are the same or not.0
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you can access the website for The American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org-you can ask to speak with a support specialist and ask some questions. If you have health insurance, call your insurer and ask to speak with a nurse case manager who can assist you with finding a primary care physician on your plan and direct you, if needed, to an endocrinologist (diabetes specialist) that is on your plan. The website will help you with questions to ask your provider(s)0
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No that's not how it works, if you don't eat enough your blood glucose levels drop (happens in everyone diabetes or not), however if your body is unable to control its sugar levels fasting can make them drop too low and cause hypoglycaemia which can lead to fainting or even coma. Never fast unless its medically reccomended.
This doesn't make sense to me. Why would a Type II diabetic go too low when fasting?0 -
This is truly dangerous advice, do not fast! You have to be proactive and insist that you get educated about your condition. Do not use the Internet for advice either. If one Dr. does not help you FIND another. You do not want to play around with your health but you need correct information to get and stay healthy. Being prediabetic is something to take seriously but there are things you can do to improve your health. Good luckIntermittent fasting should help u jump start your metabolism. Alternate day fasting for best results and stay low on carbs when you eat0 -
The doctors that I work for (literally over 300 and growing) that involve diabetic care (Podiatry, Endocrinology, Rheumatology (YUP!), Primary care, Bariatrics, Sports Medicine) all make sure the patient is fully informed of what exactly pre-diabetics mean, and they always refer them to a Diabetic Registered Dietician within our network to not only help the patient get the proper education they need, but they also collaborate with the RD to make sure that both clinicians are on the same page - I LOVE WORKING FOR THEM. My patients call in and tell me wonderful things about how they always get the easy-to-understand information. They work so well with them, it makes me proud to know I work in such a proactive environment.
Mind you... the city I live in, their health system SUCKS. When patients goto their physicians, they send them out the door without such as a pamphlet.. its "you need to watch what you eat and reduce your carbs"... thats it.
The painful thing though is this: The difference between my employer, and the healthcare system where I live sticks out like a sore thumb. OUR doctors work with the RD to help the patient. The healthcare system where I live, they never ever refer the patient to a RD.
PCP's lack nutritional education. They get the 'basics' when they go to med school but they never specialize in it. Its, by standard, out of their license to practice.
Endos do have some nutritional training because they often take endocrine-related problematic patients: diabetics being the top of their list.
Podiatrists also have some nutritional training because they deal with predominantly diabetics and can tell how their diet is by the sight of their feet. BIG indicator right there for diabetic patients.
Rheumies (as we affectionately call them) do actually work with diabetics for those who have found food allergies and sensitivities, and sometimes they tie in with the hormonal response and how histamines... they have basic nutritional education.
Bariatrics though - that is a whole category dedicated to all that is weight-related, but most Bariatric physicians will still have you go to an RD that is within their office because they both need to collaborate together. Its a given.
As someone who works in healthcare - now for 17 years, I tell you this: Go back to that office, hold a discussion with the Office Manager/Practice Manager about why your physician sent you out of the office with ZIP for patient-education? Why did you not get a referral to a Registered Dietician?
No patient, and I mean this to everyone...no patient should ever leave the office feeling like they have unanswered questions - ever. MAKE that physician talk with you until you are comfortable with the information given. Ask for a referral to an RD if you feel you need that. Ask whether or not a referral to a specialist might be beneficial - if he/she says no, ask why!
I have fired an Endocrinologist who was working on my case for calling me a 'statistic' and trying Eastern Chinese medicine on a woman who has dealth with an undiagnosable metabolic condition. The guy had to look at his computer screen to see what my name is every time he wanted to say something. If you cant even remember my first name and have to look each time, you can kiss my *kitten*. I see his fellow Endo-collegue and she has found out so much more about me that no one else has ever been able to do. She agreed that she cant diagnose the metabolic condition that I have... its baffling.. but she makes sure I leave with all of the info I need and I have her email address and have been told I could send a question any time I needed.
Keep your head held high, and enforce your Patient Rights!!!!0 -
Others did say this and they are right:
A true reading will be a FASTING reading.
Basal Metabolic Panel and Total Cholesterol (includes A1c, fasting blood sugar, fasting insulin levels also), requires a 12 hour fasting.
This fasting read will account for your entire intake for the last three-four months. This is the most accurate blood draw to determine actual numbers.
You should wait about two months before having this.. ...0 -
I don't know where they came up with this "Pre Diabetic" crap. You are either diabetic or you're not. LOL.
I am type 2 diabetic and can answer alot of the questions you may have,
I highly reccommend the book and movie "Forks over Knives".
Add me as a friend if you want and i will try to help you get healthier.0 -
Hi,
By all means get a more caring doctor and find local support groups that teach.
My wife has had diabetes type 2 for years. She is overweight and as far as I can tell that is the primary motivator to develop diabetes. I'm like you - pre-diabetic and yes I'm overweight too.
We think we have a pretty darn good doctor. A few weeks ago my wife went in for a checkup and when the doctor saw she was losing weight he literally jumped up and down he was so pleased with her. He told her if she kept this up she may one day get off the medication she takes to control the disease.
My weight loss has brought my numbers back to almost normal range. Our weight loss is entirely due to My Fitness Pal. MFP teaches how to make better food choices and has become our best friend.
I should stop here, but the wonderful thing about MFP is we feel better, have more energy, think clearer and by cutting back on the foods that aren't good for us save a ton of money at the grocery store. Instead of ordering fast food because we're too tired to cook, I make a gallon of vegetable soup on Sunday and it is sufficient for the main part of lunch or dinner. We save a lot of money each week because we don't order the high calorie, high fat - high everything take outs.
We think MFP is a wonderful tool. We're here for life.0 -
Totally unacceptable on the part of your doctor's office. You need to get in touch with a good endocrinologist NOW--you are at a point where what you do over the next couple of years will determine if you reverse your disease or move on to full blown diabetes. A good endocrinologist will do more tests to determine exactly what's going on and probably refer you to a diabetes nutrition counselor (these are usually RD's with a special focus).
That said, reducing REFINED carbs and exercising more is good, general advice. Also, increasing your consumption of colorful veggies is a good idea.0 -
I don't know where they came up with this "Pre Diabetic" crap. You are either diabetic or you're not. LOL.
I am type 2 diabetic and can answer alot of the questions you may have,
I highly reccommend the book and movie "Forks over Knives".
Add me as a friend if you want and i will try to help you get healthier.
Sorry but youre wrong. I do medical billing for a living and we actually do have criteria to follow for pre-diabetic claims, in addition to the numerous listings of diabetes in conjunction with other medical diseases and disorders...
ICD9 code for Pre-diabetes recognized by the American Medical Association, American Medical Billing Association is 790.29, and the sad part is trying to get a doctor to comply with medical records regulations to follow the validation of that code in order for insurances to consider payment.... and also for Pharmacies to be able to get claims paid for diabetic-related drugs for pre-diabetic patients.0 -
Because diabetes isn't just about having too much sugar all the time. It's about the body not being able to produce enough insulin and is unable to control the amount of sugar in the blood. Meaning it is unable to maintain a normal level and won't be able to stop it dropping too low aswell as going too high.No that's not how it works, if you don't eat enough your blood glucose levels drop (happens in everyone diabetes or not), however if your body is unable to control its sugar levels fasting can make them drop too low and cause hypoglycaemia which can lead to fainting or even coma. Never fast unless its medically reccomended.
This doesn't make sense to me. Why would a Type II diabetic go too low when fasting?0 -
I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic this spring. My advice is find a good endochronologist (ask friends, co-workers, drs. etc. for a recommendation because you want to find a good one). An endo will give you detailed info on what you should be doing/not doing so your pre-diabetes does not advance (or does not advance too quickly) Mine gave me diet info, referred me to MyFitnessPal and started me on Metformin. Also, have your thyroid checked. You will learn a lot about how the thyroid & pancreas work.
Find good doctors who listen to you. Drs. who rush patients, don't listen, don't ask questions are useless. There are a lot of good, caring drs. you just have to find them. One question I always ask my drs. when needing a referrel is "who would you send your wife/husband to or who do you use.0 -
I am skipping all replies because I work in an office and I wanted to know, did you tell the nurse you were not fasting?
I'm the triage/phone nurse at my office. If get lab results to call with a 124 FASTING glucose from someone without a diabetic diagnosis, the first thing would be to tell the patient the results and that we are going to add a HGBA1C. In layman's terms, that is a test that will show us what your average blood sugar has been running over 3 months. IF, and only IF, that is elevated would we start discussing diabetes.
Sorry your doctor's office sounds lacking.0
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