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Next blood test. What would YOU do?

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At risk of diabetes
Mostly thinking out loud here but interested to know what you lovely lot would do…

So my first bloods were done on 20/12/24
The results came back on 24/12/24 with a HbA1c of 51 and was advised to go low carb to make changes.

Next bloods are scheduled for 06/02/25
I’m doing ok sticking to low carb etc, BG returning to normal within 2hrs of anything ‘naughty’ and I’m losing a few pounds here and there, but I’m just wondering if it might be worth trying to push the appointment back if it’s possible to give myself a bit more time to get my level down and avoid hearing ‘yes it’s actually Type 2 Diabetes’ from my GP.
I don’t know obviously but I just don’t feel like 5 and a bit weeks is going to show any massive change when HbA1c is measured over 3 months or so…

Or am I best just getting it done to see if it’s actually moving in the right direction and hopefully being given more time to reduce it further?

Any and all advice appreciated 🙂
 
Have they given you a diagnosis of diabetes after your first test?

If not and they've said we'll see what it is next time then myself i would absolutely push it back to give myself the best chance of avoiding that diagnosis.
 
Personally I would get it done, then I would know where I’m up to. If this test is to confirm a diagnosis or see if the other result was. One off I would feel like i need to know for certain. Even if they do diagnose you, you can carry on the good work, reduce your numbers and hopefully decrease your numbers to non diabetic levels. If you are diabetic if you stop the low carb your numbers will go back up. So for me I would prefer to know. Sorry if a bit rambling I have sinusitis and my brain is not in gear. Good luck
 
guybrush said:
Have they given you a diagnosis of diabetes after your first test?

If not and they've said we'll see what it is next time then myself i would absolutely push it back to give myself the best chance of avoiding that diagnosis.
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Thankfully no despite being in diabetic range, GP said he wants to give me the chance to get the numbers lower.
 
Francine said:
Personally I would get it done, then I would know where I’m up to. If this test is to confirm a diagnosis or see if the other result was. One off I would feel like i need to know for certain. Even if they do diagnose you, you can carry on the good work, reduce your numbers and hopefully decrease your numbers to non diabetic levels. If you are diabetic if you stop the low carb your numbers will go back up. So for me I would prefer to know. Sorry if a bit rambling I have sinusitis and my brain is not in gear. Good luck
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Yeah this is why I’m torn.
It’s like, I want to know but I don’t at the same time. I’d rather fix it first and then see if it changes - if that makes sense?
There’s history (Grandparents on Mums side and my Dad) but I’ve never had an issue with my levels until fairly recently (36, 33, 40 and now 51)
I’ll hold my hands up and acknowledge my diet has been garbage since losing both my parents but I do eat generally well as a rule.

Hope the sinusitis clears up soon, terrible with mine at the moment too
 
If you are monitoring your BG levels with finger prick testing as I believe you are and can see improvement, then I can understand you wanting to avoid a confirmed diagnosis and therefore pushing it back has benefits in giving you more time to drop below the threshold without any obvious drawbacks. If you were not self monitoring, then there might be some slight risk in waiting longer.
 
rebrascora said:
If you are monitoring your BG levels with finger prick testing as I believe you are and can see improvement, then I can understand you wanting to avoid a confirmed diagnosis and therefore pushing it back has benefits in giving you more time to drop below the threshold without any obvious drawbacks. If you were not self monitoring, then there might be some slight risk in waiting longer.
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That’s pretty much the case.
Might give them a call and if I’m not 27th in the queue, see if it’s doable 🙂
 
Why are you worried about the diagnosis? It doesn't change much other than ensure that you'll be monitored twice a year which is no bad thing with your family history.

I'd have the blood test now so I could see what effect the last few weeks has had and then make a try for remission over the next year or so.
 
Dishevelled said:
Why are you worried about the diagnosis? It doesn't change much other than ensure that you'll be monitored twice a year which is no bad thing with your family history.

I'd have the blood test now so I could see what effect the last few weeks has had and then make a try for remission over the next year or so.
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No disrespect but what a strange statement!
It changes a lot!

There’s a fairly substantial lifestyle change needed after a diagnosis, not to mention the emotional, psychological and in some respects - financial impact it can have on someone’s life/family as well as new medication, monitoring levels, dietary changes, getting time for check ups as and when needed and then still running the risk of potentially life changing complications if it’s badly managed, on top of striving for remission for the next year or so…

…when I’ve only just turned 42, haven’t given up on life and could just avoid a diagnosis altogether by getting ahead of it?

Ok…
 
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I think what @Dishevelled means is that you will need to be vigilant about your levels regardless of whether you push them back below the diagnostic threshold now or not. You will still be at risk of developing diabetes unless you maintain sensible and sustainable dietary changes.
The advantage as I see it of dodging a full diagnosis is that you will not have to declare diabetes for insurance purposes, like life insurance/mortgage and travel insurance if you don't have an official diagnosis and that may have some considerable financial benefit, particularly if you are younger as you are, depending upon how long you can maintain your HbA1c below the diagnostic level.

By the way, my condolences for the loss of your parents. It is never easy to go through that but harder when you lose them in relatively close succession and can totally relate to comfort eating following such circumstances.
 
@Quill , apologies if I've upset you, it wasn't my intention. I suppose that I see it as needing a lifestyle change irrespective of an official diagnosis.

I'm quite a bit older than you and I certainly haven't given up on life.

I wish you all the best for your next test whenever it may be.
 
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