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Not diagnosed but I must be Pre-D

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RedRobyn

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Hi,
I haven't been diagnosed yet but dry and at times itchy skin, bit moody at times (If honest!), shift worker that cant help having a coffee or bar of choc or crisps or all 3!
Vision went blurry a week ago for a few minutes.
"Flake out" after food sometimes and sometimes when I do the urge is irresistible to nod off.
Always get up in the night to pee. In my late fifties.etc.
Sounds convincing I guess.
I was tested some years back but I wasn't diagnosed or warned or anything.
My stomach has been an issue for years, since I had M.E. some 20 years ago but I manage it now. The latest incarnation of tummy probs is not being able to go near onion etc.
If you want a seat on any plane or train I can clear the whole space with an hours notice and eating an onion.
I have just bought a self test kit and will test over the next few days to see if I shall go back to the doctors. Any advice on the diabetes testing front?
 
Hi @RedRobyn welcome to the forum. TBH the best thing to do is make an appointment now to see your Doctor and have the necessary blood tests , if it is Diabetes the sooner it is diagnosed the better.
If it does turn out you have joined our select club, I would like to reassure you that Diabetes is a condition that with the right info and a bit of effort can be well managed . This will seem strange to you but many of us have become fitter because of our diagnosis.
Feel free to ask as many questions as you need to, we’ll do our best to help
 
Meant to add, I’m lacto intolerant, so I understand about being able to quickly free up some space around me lol.
 
Hi RedRobyn. Your symptoms sound very much like mine are when my blood sugars are running too high. I was diagnosed 5 years ago with impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes) confirmed by. Glucose tolerance test. LGC is right. Get yourself off to the drs and get them to do the necessary tests. You will then get the help and advice you need plus a difinitive diagnosis. You can then pop back here for all the support you need. A meter is a good idea, but you need to know what you are dealing with first. Hope this helps. Katie
 
Good luck. The sooner you find out the better 🙂. Once again good luck.
 
Then again, all might turn out to be normal. But I agree, the sooner you find out, the better. Type 2 Diabetes is commoner in shift workers.
 
mikeyB said:
Then again, all might turn out to be normal. But I agree, the sooner you find out, the better. Type 2 Diabetes is commoner in shift workers.
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Daft question Mike, why is it more common in shift workers, is it because of diet and eating rubbish?
 
I don’t actually know for sure. It may be the diet, eating at odd times, it may be some disturbance of the circadian rhythm. It just is. It’s not a big leap in frequency, but it’s there alright.
 
mikeyB said:
I don’t actually know for sure. It may be the diet, eating at odd times, it may be some disturbance of the circadian rhythm. It just is. It’s not a big leap in frequency, but it’s there alright.
Click to expand...
Thanks mike.worked night shift for years. I know when I went for an ear operation in 2012 ( not working nights) the doctor said I had sub clinical diabetes and when questioned as my blood sugars had always been fine, said “it’s in your notes”. I went to see gp who said, rubbish and no such diagnosis and confirmed bloods had always been normal. I now wonder who was right. And was it a warning ignored.Mmm...
 
Makes you wonder, doesn’t it Carol? Still, you’re sorted now without any lasting damage. But it does add to the stats I suppose. Did you have an odd diet? Breakfast cereal and butties? Cafe brekkies?
 
mikeyB said:
Makes you wonder, doesn’t it Carol? Still, you’re sorted now without any lasting damage. But it does add to the stats I suppose. Did you have an odd diet? Breakfast cereal and butties? Cafe brekkies?
Click to expand...
No, usually had porridge or toast, not both together
 
Thanks everyone.
Well yes I suppose off to the quacks would be a great idea but you don't know my doc!
Very educated, comes from a family of doctors, and on a good day could almost tie his own shoelace.
As I went some years ago about this and was told I was OK I think you can see where I am coming from regarding the self testing.
I am partially tempted (This is where you all go crazy and shout NO!...etc) to do the 8 week blood sugar diet. I feel that I too am a TOFI like Michael Mosely.
I don't think I lack any will power. Whilst my wife was eating chocolate a while ago and I was following some strict regime (NOT a diet) she offered me some and it would have been lovely. However I said "No".
Then my overweight wife told me guilt in a guilt ridden voice "I hate you"
It made me laugh, but deep down I know she really does hate me!
 
The shift work thing is tricky as the tiredness can come in waves and to perk you up you can have a coffee (With sugar) or go to the vending machine and get chocolate, crisps and variations on that theme.😱😱😱😱😱
I have the shift work thing sorted as far as a routine is concerned but being on a diet will prove to be very tricky.
If Michael Mosely or his associates would like to use me as a guinea pig, great!, it will save me preparing all that food in advance and he would get a TV programme and all in the name of medical science.
Before anyone dare asks..no we do NOT sleep on night shift. I sleep on the way home in the middle lane of the M25.
 
I have one simple question to all.
What is the one thing that defines you as diabetic as far as diagnosis goes?
I have seen people mention HBAC1 (????? what is this???) or is it a an average of readings over so many days?
Pardon my utter ignorance.
 
HbA1c is the blood test they do to diagnose diabetes. It shows the amount of sugar the clings to blood cells over the last 3 months. The results are measured in mmols/mol. Up to 42 is normal. 42-48 is pre-diabetic & over 48 is diabetic.
 
Mark Parrott said:
HbA1c is the blood test they do to diagnose diabetes. It shows the amount of sugar the clings to blood cells over the last 3 months. The results are measured in mmols/mol. Up to 42 is normal. 42-48 is pre-diabetic & over 48 is diabetic.
Click to expand...

Thanks Mark so looking at your figures you did all that by diet and exercise? Was it the 8WBS diet?
 
I am getting a little confused.
Upon waking before breakfast etc, what is a normal blood sugar level?
I have seen one that says 5.8 is diabetic, one that says it isn't but on the high on the normal range, and one that doesn't even gie a figure on waking for anything other than type 1!
AAAaaaagh!
Sorry but I am about to rush in on night shift and keep seeing conflicting advice.
 
RedRobyn said:
Thanks Mark so looking at your figures you did all that by diet and exercise? Was it the 8WBS diet?
Click to expand...
No, not that extreme. Just cut carbs. Replaced potatoes, rice, pasta & bread with lower carb alternatives.🙂
 
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