No diagnosis yet - any advice?

[Tarturo]

Hi everyone I'm new here. I'm looking for some friendly advice since I don't know anyone with diabetes and really struggling to get answers from my GP.

In the last month, I've started having symptoms that sound like hyperglycemia, feeling very sleepy after meals, as well as feeling confused (kinda like being high), being unable to focus on work, blurry vision, needing to pee more, being more thirsty, some nausea too sometimes. This has been getting worse and worse to the point it's been every day for the last 2 weeks. It's not only after meals but starts at like 11 am and lasts all day, getting worse after meals (especially with carbs).

GP made me to the HbA1c test and it was 30 mM/M (4.9%) so totally normal. But from what I understand it covers the last 3 months, so might not be very indicative if this has just started?

I've started measuring my BG at home for the last week and did get some hyper values, 10.1 mmol/L 2 hours after a pizza once, and 8.5 after takeaway meals with some carbs too. The weird thing is I'm getting all these symptoms also when I have normal BG and am having 0 carbs.

I know I need a doctor to give me a diagnosis but my GP is being super unhelpful and taking ages (need to wait for another week till my next call), but I'd like some advice. Should I try and go see an endocrinologist privately?

Also regarding getting hyperglycemia symptoms even before meals or with normal BG. I've got a history of depression and have had stints of psychosomatic symptoms before (headaches that went away with therapy). Has anyone got any experience with stress and mental health making symptoms like that appear even when BG is normal?

For context, I'm 25 and in good shape, I usually run 3 times a week (less now cause I can't run when I'm super dizzy like this). My sister has PCOS and insulin resistance, and my great aunt has Type 2 diabetes. (Attached is my log of BG readings for the last week)

 

[Sally71]

Those look like perfectly normal numbers to me, even people without diabetes can spike up to 10 briefly after food. So I’m not convinced that your problem is anything to do with blood sugars, clearly something isn’t right though so you need to keep nagging your doctor to find out what is the problem. Good luck 🙂

 

[DaveB]

Hi. I agree those numbers look fine but keep using the meter to x-check. There are other conditions and rare forms of diabetes that you may have so keep trying to see the GP if you can.

 

[Inka]

@Tarturo That doesn’t sound like diabetes to me (not a medic, just a person with diabetes). Youhad the correct test - an HbA1C - and that’s come out as very normal not even borderline.

People without diabetes can go up to the 10s and going up to the 8s is common. Nothing suggests you have diabetes. Look for other causes eg anaemia, low Vit D, thyroid, etc etc. With respect, it sounds like you’ve decided you have diabetes in the absence of any evidence. That’s unwise as you might miss other causes of your symptoms.

You mention psychosomatic symptoms previously. Testing your blood sugar all the time like this isn’t going to help. If you’re still concerned, ask for other blood tests to rule out different conditions. Your HbA1C shows you do not have diabetes.

 

[Inka]

Also regarding getting hyperglycemia symptoms even before meals or with normal BG. I've got a history of depression and have had stints of psychosomatic symptoms before (headaches that went away with therapy). Has anyone got any experience with stress and mental health making symptoms like that appear even when BG is normal?

Do speak to your GP if you feel your depression might be returning or if you feel your symptoms might be connected with anxiety. That would be more sensible than wasting your money on a private endocrinologist IMO.

 

[Tarturo]

Thanks everyone, I didn't get any guidelines from my doctor on what the thresholds were for too high or too low BG so I think I got confused with numbers I found online!

 

[KARNAK]

Hello @Tarturo welcome to the forum.

I agree with the others I wish my results where like yours, no point seeing an Endocrinologist the`ll say
the same, I have a HbA1c of 29, last test, but still need to have insulin to survive. Something else is
causing your problem Diabetes can`t be blamed on everything e.g. my neighbour called me this evening
saying she thinks she has Diabetes, weeing needing sugary foods etc. I tested her Blood Glucose Levels
5.6 Ketones 0.1 no way is she Diabetic but it put her mind at rest. Encouraged her to seek GP`s help which
has done and I say the same to you push the Dr for help, we are here to help you with advice please let us
know how you get on your info may help others.

 

[Xen]

A lot of these symptoms could be depression "feeling very sleepy, as well as feeling confused (kinda like being high), being unable to focus on work, blurry vision, some nausea too sometimes." - all symptoms I've had with my anxiety/depression. Ask your doctor for a general health check, and book an eye test. Your HbA1c test result has ruled out diabetes.