Blood Tests for kidney and thyroid function.

[Sazz]

Hi all, I was diagnosed as type two diabetic about 4 weeks ago. I had a blood test to check my thyroid and kidneys on the 26th November and now I have been asked to do another one on the 18th December. Is this normal? They did say it wasn't urgent but I am still worried. I am on Metformin 500 mg three times a day.

 

[trophywench]

Usually occurs when one or another of those test results isn't within normal ranges so they want to randomly re-check the tests in case it was just a one-off.

Low thyroid function is a common bedfellow of diabetes of all types so if that one's under query then that may need treating as well as the diabetes. It's not a huge prob and usually just needs a daily tablet of Thyroxine to treat it.

Similarly - the 'kidney' test actually measures several different things and funnily enough the test I had at the beginning of Nov - one of those was well out of range although the others were firmly in-range. So I was asked to repeat the test at the beginning of December which I did - and it's still was above where it should be. One of the things that particular one may indicate when all the others are fine is that you are Vit D deficient so need that boosting which is simply rectified by taking a supplement - and I'm currently awaiting a phone appointment from the surgery which I'm hoping will be to tell me that. Again it's not a huge prob if it is that - and in circumstances where blood tests reveal a real problem, I have to say our surgery treat it as urgent and want to see you pdq - same day if possible.

Hence just go and have the repeat blood tests and wait to see if anyone panics when the results arrive - if not whatever they thought it might be isn't there. Glitches can happen in NHS Labs occasionally, same as anywhere else!

 

[Sazz]

Thank you for your answer. I thought it might just be because I'm on metformin and as it gives your kidneys a blooming good work out they wanted to keep an eye on it. But saying that they did want me to do a repeat urine test two weeks after the last one. So maybe it is my kidneys playing silly beggars.

 

[rebrascora]

Thank you for your answer. I thought it might just be because I'm on metformin and as it gives your kidneys a blooming good work out they wanted to keep an eye on it. But saying that they did want me to do a repeat urine test two weeks after the last one. So maybe it is my kidneys playing silly beggars.

Hi Sazz and welcome

Your statement about the Metformin giving your kidneys a good work out has me a little concerned as that is not it's usual mode of action for that drug.... flatulence and diarrhoea are the usual side effects. If you are weeing a lot it may be that your BG is still too high and perhaps not responding to the Metformin. Has it been checked recently? Do you know what your HbA1c reading was at diagnosis? Do you have access to a Blood glucose meter to do a finger prick test.?

The reason I am a little concerned is that weeing a lot can be a sign that your Blood Glucose is too high and it is possible that you might be Type 1 diabetic and not Type 2 in which case the Metformin will not help and your BG could end up dangerously high. There is no specific test for Type 2 diabetes, it is just an assumption based on a high HbA1c reading and usually your age and build. Many GPs do not know that Type 1 can occur in adults as they are taught that it exhibits in children and young adults, but there are many of us who have developed it in later life. It is often accompanied by sudden weight loss and thirst and weeing a lot are the other main symptoms. It will not respond to Metformin which is the standard Type 2 treatment, so if your BG is still high despite Metformin then I would be pushing for Type 1 testing which is a C-peptide test and a GAD antibody test.
Of course I may have totally misconstrued your comment about Metformin giving your Kidneys a work out so important to clarify?

 

[Sazz]

Hiya and thank you for your reply. I spoke to my cousin who is a nurse and also type 2 diabetic and she told me that metformin gives your kidneys a bit of a work out, that where I got it from. Actually I felt loads better since starting metformin. I'm not urinating half at much as I was, i would even say I'm weeing about the same amount as I was before my symptoms even started. At the time of diagnosis my sugar level were 16 and should have been between something and under 9.

 

[trophywench]

'5-ish' is a normal BG for a non-diabetic - but non-D's BG goes up after they eat a carby meal - but not normally above 8-ish.

 

[rebrascora]

Relieved to hear that you are not weeing a lot anymore and that the Metformin is helping to bring your levels down and you are feeling better already.