Is this diabetes?

[marcomaloney]

Can you have Diabetes for decades without knowing?

I have lots of symptoms but the main ones are feeling dehydrated and foggy headed, unable to think clearly and always thirsty. Although I don't drink I wake up in the morning feeling like I have a hangover or like a head cold. I also crave sugar, I can't seem to control this and will eat a family pack of chocolate bars in a day, I have always had a very sweet tooth since being a kid.

I have been back and forth to doctors and they have never found anything wrong except to say that it is IBS which I don't think it is.

I decided to get a blood glucose monitor and have tested my blood after an 8 hour sleep in the morning for a week and it has been around 6.2 mol to 6.7 mol most days.

However I have read that Glucose levels will be higher in the morning, is this correct?

Also when i test 2 hours after food my levels seem to be within a normal range.

I am very confused not sure what this means - thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Caroline]

Diabetes is possible, but it is not the only thing that will give you those symptoms. Go and see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Make a list of all of your symptoms and see what happens.

 

[AlisonM]

The numbers you quoted are well within the normal range so your doctor is likely right. However, there's clearly something up so you should make a list of your symptoms to take with you to the doctor for a proper diagnosis of whatever is wrong. I hope you find an answer soon.

 

[Copepod]

The blood glucose readings you state do not sugest untreated diabetes. It could be something as simple as mouth breathing, which causes a dry mouth, which may feel like dehydration.

Even though previous visits to doctors have not given you a satisfactory diagnosis, another visit is surely required. Why don't you think you have IBS? Have you had any change in diet / treatment to deal with this?

 

[Caroline]

Is yours a group practice? It might be helpfull to see another doctor too or seek a second opinion.

 

[marcomaloney]

Pre-diabetes

Yes this is what I dont understand people have replied that these are normal levels but when i look at the mayo clinic website

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/type-2-diabetes/DS00585/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis

it says this:

Fasting blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken after an overnight fast. A fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is normal. A fasting blood sugar level from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) is considered prediabetes. If it's 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher on two separate tests, you have diabetes.

So that my fasting of 5.9 to 6.7 puts me in the pre diabetes range.

What I am not getting?

Thanks Mark

 

[Caroline]

If it's any consolation I don't understand that one either. If my numbers were consistently between 5.9 and 6.7 I'd be very happy.

All the education I have had, all the books I have read and everyone here is pretty agreed the ideal is between 4 and 7, although this does vary.

 

[marcomaloney]

Pre-diabetes

Hi Thanks for replies - I am not doubting what people say etc but cannot understand this.

Fasting test results

The results of a fasting test with respect to glucose levels in the body are as follows:

Normal: 3.9 to 5.5 mmols/l (70 to 100 mg/dl)
Prediabetes or Impaired Glucose Tolerance: 5.6 to 7.0 mmol/l (101 to 126 mg/dl)
Diagnosis of diabetes: more than 7.0 mmol/l (126 mg/dl)
this is on http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/fasting-blood-sugar-levels.html

Confused? Obviously you guys have this so know what is correct but why are these websites saying differant?

 

[Copepod]

Different countries work to different levels (Mayo Clinic is in USA); differences can also arise when units are converted; plus levels vary with time, so you need to check the date on which information was published.

 

[mcdonagh47]

Yes this is what I dont understand people have replied that these are normal levels but when i look at the mayo clinic website

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/type-2-diabetes/DS00585/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis

it says this:

Fasting blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken after an overnight fast. A fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is normal. A fasting blood sugar level from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) is considered prediabetes. If it's 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher on two separate tests, you have diabetes.

So that my fasting of 5.9 to 6.7 puts me in the pre diabetes range.

What I am not getting?

Thanks Mark

Your fasting numbers (6.7) are dodgy but not yet diabetic.
Ask your Doc for an OGTT to settle the matter - you might be IFG, IGT or T2 diabetes.
Alter your lifestyle and diet and behave as though you are diabetic which should help stave off the full blown thing.
Lose weight if you are overweight, increase physical activity/exercise and moderate carbohydrate intake.

 

[Lizzzie]

The normal range is just that: the numbers most people fit into. A bit like most normal people are between e g 5 ft and 6.6 ft. There will be individuals who fit at either end of that range without having to be Ill.

On the other hand, some people with higher numbers are abnormal - either borderline or 'pre' diabetics and show symptoms.

I'm not sure where the boundary of normality sits and the fact that different doctors use different numbers suggests there might be no 'right' or 'wrong': no clear number above which you are 'a diabetic' and below which you are not.

It is a grey area, a judgement call.

So doctors are unlikely to make decisions based on the numbers alone: they will look at a wider clinical picture. Are you actually producing sugary urine that is too dilute when measured, for example, or are you just a person who feels thirsty a lot? They can possibly tell this by looking at a urine sample.

All the same, whenever you are worried always go back again. And if they say 'that level us normal' when the book says 'that level us not normal,' ask them to explain.

If you are still unhappy, maybe try a second opinion.

 

[Mark T]

Welcome to the forums Mark 🙂

One of the problems is that none of us are Medical Doctors (probably some are Doctors of a different sort) and you have to be careful what you say sometimes.

In theory the blood test that the Doctor would do is calibrated whereas your meter could be 10% (or even 20% I think). So really you need to sit on your GP until they agree to doing the test properly 🙂

The numbers can also be affected by illness, stress, etc. Yes, because various hormones in your body are circulating in the morning - your BG will potentially be higher them. Also it depends on what and when you ate before bed. Something that more slowly converts to glucose might well still be trickling through (shouldn't be, but...).

In the meantime, I think the advice stated by mcdonagh47 is spot on.

 

[mcdonagh47]

The normal range is just that: the numbers most people fit into. A bit like most normal people are between e g 5 ft and 6.6 ft. There will be individuals who fit at either end of that range without having to be Ill.

On the other hand, some people with higher numbers are abnormal - either borderline or 'pre' diabetics and show symptoms.

I'm not sure where the boundary of normality sits and the fact that different doctors use different numbers suggests there might be no 'right' or 'wrong': no clear number above which you are 'a diabetic' and below which you are not.

It is a grey area, a judgement call.

No the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes is not a grey area or a judgement call.
The diagnostic criterion are designed to be "all or nothing".
- Two fasting bgs over 7.
- any random bg over 11.1
- a score of 11.1 or over at the two hour mark of an OGTT
- And recently the WHO have added an HbA1c of 6.5+ as a suitable diagnostic criteria for T2.
And all these diagnostic critierion for T2 Diabetes are surrogate measures of the point on the Starling Curve of the Pancreas (a graph that charts beta cell mass against insulin resistance) where beta cell mass can no longer cope with insulin resistance.

 

[johninacar]

hi

get a second app doesent seem like u got d try not to worry if your doctor said you are not a diabetic then your not you seem to be stressed at the minuite and beleve me stress can efect all your body so back to gp and get peice of mind😉

 

[Deleted member 33972]

Can you have Diabetes for decades without knowing?

I have lots of symptoms but the main ones are feeling dehydrated and foggy headed, unable to think clearly and always thirsty. Although I don't drink I wake up in the morning feeling like I have a hangover or like a head cold. I also crave sugar, I can't seem to control this and will eat a family pack of chocolate bars in a day, I have always had a very sweet tooth since being a kid.

I have been back and forth to doctors and they have never found anything wrong except to say that it is IBS which I don't think it is.

I decided to get a blood glucose monitor and have tested my blood after an 8 hour sleep in the morning for a week and it has been around 6.2 mol to 6.7 mol most days.

However I have read that Glucose levels will be higher in the morning, is this correct?

Also when i test 2 hours after food my levels seem to be within a normal range.

I am very confused not sure what this means - thanks in advance for any help.

Long time ago this post. Try getting tested for sleep apnea !