Just What I Need (Not)

[Kaylz]

Things finally starting to feel less stressful (apart from the useless OH) but I tend to brick it every Christmas and New Year, you know because of my eating disorder, terrified of highs etc, well I just received a letter today to book in for bloods before my consultant appointment on the 21st I'm going to be even more on edge with that looming over me, I'll phone the health centre on Monday and see if I can get an appointment for at least the 14th but in the meantime does anyone know if I have to fast for it? the last one my cholesterol was a bit raised and the consultant asked if I'd eaten prior to it being done (which I had) so he put it down to that, I'll attempt asking the health centre when I'm on the phone as the letter says all required tests will be visible to them on the computer but any input is greatly appreciated, especially as the receptionist was looking at my repeat and still wasn't sure which item had been missed from my prescription even though I told her the exact item, thanks xx

 

[Bruce Stephens]

but in the meantime does anyone know if I have to fast for it?

You'll have to ask, is have thought. It all depends what the tests include.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear you’ve got this added stress @Kaylz.

Different places seem to have different opinions about fasting/ non-fasting, but I think it does help them to know as food/alcohol consumed before the sample is drawn can affect cholesterol and trigs.

So I think you should do what’s best for you, food-wise and just let them know what you did if they ask.

Hope you can avoid stressing too much about this. It’s just information, it’s not a measure of the effort you’ve been putting in, and it should just be used to give you the support you need to manage D as well as you can going forward.

 

[Kaylz]

thanks @everydayupsanddowns if I need to fast then that's fine, I'll even treat myself to a lie in! But with us there's no guarantee although we intend to fast that we can carry that task out, and I'd have to do without my morning coffee! 😱

I'll see if they can tell me when I make an appointment, if not I'll try getting in touch with the DSN xx

 

[AndBreathe]

@Kaylz - To be honest, I have all my tests first thing, and fast for them all, then I have a decent comparison between all the tests. I'm a bit of a data geek, so for me if some have been fasted, some not, and some in the afternoon, rather than morning, there are too many variables to make a comparison (for me - others feel less bothered).

Just take it steady and enjoy the holiday period as much as you can. If your A1c is up a point or two, that's life. This is a long game, and as a T1 a very long game indeed, so don't let life pass you by by being driven too hard by someone else's value judgements.

As someone who lived with an ED in the past, I know it can be difficult to ease up.

To be clear, I'm not suggesting anyone go on a 2-week food and drink bender and disregard looking after their health. I'm not. I'm saying we only pass this way once, and it should be pleasant experience.

 

[Kaylz]

@AndBreathe thanks, I so wish I could relax and just allow myself to eat a few things I wouldn't normally over the festive period but I just cant bring myself to do it, fasting wouldn't bother me as I say but as a Type 1 there is no guarantee I could fast even until 8am if I can get an opening time appointment xx

 

[trophywench]

Kaylz - if you eat every mince pie, a whole shopful of Xmas puddings, a factory full of Xmas cake and a few dozen jars of mincemeat - that is most unlikely to affect your A1c a fortnight later. By the end of March, then it might.

Since none of us is likely to eat the list I typed above - and absolutely not YOU! - the odd mince pie, portion of pud, or slice of cake will absolutely NOT have any effect on your A1c. You'd have to eat that every day for that to occur.

 

[AJLang]

Hi Kaylz I’m sorry that you’re feeling like this. I have some limited understanding about your situation with Christmas food because of my situation with the gastroparesis. Apart from one or two snacks I probably won’t be able to eat until the evening but I’m going to flipping well enjoy the day (or Christmas fortnight as it is in my house).
There was an article on BBC news website about Christmas and eating disorders. I don’t know if the advice in the article helps but here’s the link https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-50836434
With regard to fasting for a blood test I haven’t done that in many years. But, if you want to fast but have a hypo I understand that treating it the hypo with sugar dissolved in water will not affect the results apart from current BG, if that’s even tested for. I was advised to do this, if necessary, when fasting for a general anaesthetic.
With regard to the HBA1C I spent years worrying about the results but then realised that I needed them to give a true picture of what was happening with me and completely changed my view of acting as I normally would before a HBA1C test. Plus with HBA1C tests early in the year they will understand that Type 1 diabetics should enjoy themselves at Christmas (abs so should all diabetics). I

 

[Kaylz]

@AJLang thanks I'll take a look at the link later 🙂

I'm going to ask the receptionist if she can have a look and advise whether I need to fast or not but they are pretty clueless even with things there in front of them so it may require a call to the dsn's

It's not just the hba1c I'm worried about, I suppose because of my eye issues so early in diagnosis of Type 1 I just fret more about everything also its only 9 months since I had my last review by the time this one in January roles around, I'm just such an anxious person that I start to stress so far in advance of appointments
xx

 

[SueEK]

@AJLang thanks I'll take a look at the link later 🙂

I'm going to ask the receptionist if she can have a look and advise whether I need to fast or not but they are pretty clueless even with things there in front of them so it may require a call to the dsn's

It's not just the hba1c I'm worried about, I suppose because of my eye issues so early in diagnosis of Type 1 I just fret more about everything also its only 9 months since I had my last review by the time this one in January roles around, I'm just such an anxious person that I start to stress so far in advance of appointments
xx

Hi luv, wish I could say something to help your fears but they are personal to you and ED is so specific to each person. I truly hope that you are able to have a few treats over Christmas even if they are very small ones. You are obviously very careful what and how you eat but you, as we all, have changed our diets drastically and a few small treats will probably make absolutely no difference in the whole scheme of things.
Regarding the blood test I have never been told one way or the other about fasting and they’ve never asked if I ate or not - best for you to ask your DN so you know exactly what to do and then hopefully you won’t worry about it so much.
Hope you do manage to have a nice time over Christmas, you deserve to xx

 

[SB2015]

Hi Kaylz, sorry that you are worrying about this
The information gathered from our blood tests is for our own use, and the HCPs are there to support us in making an effective use of this.

Having said that, I also have an early consultant appointment (7Jan) so HbA1c being done on 27 Dec. Not an ideal time but it will give me some idea of how I have managed the festive season.

Try not to worry and they will understand that at this time we will all have had some deviations from our normal routine.

Take care

 

[Grannylorraine]

I had my HbA1c test done a day after I came back from my 2 week holiday in Spain, where I had pretty much eaten what I wanted, it had only gone up by one. Try an relax and let yourself have the odd treat Christmas Day and Boxing Day, doesn't have to be loads.