Why do doctors only check fasting glucose?

[concerned]

I've had high blood sugar readings for a while now. I have been self monitoring myself for a year and my sugar levels have been in the range of 12-13 an hour after high carb meals, sometimes even two hours after meals but fastig glucose was always normal so doctors kept telling me i was normal because fasting levels were always 5.4, 5.5.

Lately they've been 6.6 and post meal levels are still high, around 9, 10, 11, 12 and got another blood test booked at my gps next week. its another fasting test but i'm thinking of eating some carbs before the test so its over 7 and then maybe i could get some help with this.

Why do doctors only check fasting glucose?

 

[Andy HB]

When do you test post-meal? Is it after 1hr, 2hrs or later?

If your fasting levels are looking ok then your pancreas is still putting out a decent quantity of insulin. It's just that you may not be responding to carbs in a normal way for whatever reason.

I wouldn't play 'games' with the testing for the GP though. Simply make them aware of when you get the high readings and what it was you ate.

But, in the meantime, you should start taking steps to moderate your carb intake. You have the tools to work out what meals to avoid so start using them. You never know, you might avoid full-blown diabetic symptoms if you act now.

By the way, as you can see, I haven't anwered your question re: fasting test .... that's basically because I don't know the answer. Sorry. 😱

Good luck with everything,

Andy 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Regardless of your fasting results (which is one if the diagnostic tests for diabetes), those post-meal levels if happening regularly do suggest that your metabolism is struggling a bit with the default high-carb diet.

I would suggest you use your test strips to evaluate what types of carbs (and at what quantity) you can eat with little BG upheaval. You may find that with some minor diet modifications your body does not proceed toward diabetes (if that is indeed where you are heading!)

 

[Mark T]

When you say fasting glucose - I assume you mean first thing in the morning?

Have you tried also testing prior to meal? And then after at 2 hours?

You GP is probably looking for Type 2 Diabetes and that is generally associated with both high fasting and post-meal levels. If it is just your post-meals that are high then that us defined as Impaired Glucose Intolerance.

What is your age and weight like? (If you don't mind me asking)

If you are young and/or underweight then it's definitely worth asking your GP to have a deeper think about this!

GP's generally go for the fasting because it's one of the standard tests for diagnosing diabetes (although the WHO now recommends the HbA1c instead).

 

[concerned]

Thanks. I normally check 1 & 2 hours after. I buy those sd codefree strips which are fairly cheap so i can check a few times a day.

 

[Northerner]

It might be worth asking you GP to do an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, as this will check both your fasting levels and the pattern of your blood sugar levels as they rise and fall during the test. An OGTT can also be used as a diagnostic tool. Do you have other symptoms of diabetes, such as tiredness, needing to drink/pee a lot?

 

[concerned]

When you say fasting glucose - I assume you mean first thing in the morning?

Have you tried also testing prior to meal? And then after at 2 hours?

You GP is probably looking for Type 2 Diabetes and that is generally associated with both high fasting and post-meal levels. If it is just your post-meals that are high then that us defined as Impaired Glucose Intolerance.

What is your age and weight like? (If you don't mind me asking)

If you are young and/or underweight then it's definitely worth asking your GP to have a deeper think about this!

GP's generally go for the fasting because it's one of the standard tests for diagnosing diabetes (although the WHO now recommends the HbA1c instead).

I'm 32 and weigh around 10 and a half stone. I'm pretty skinny tbh.

 

[concerned]

It might be worth asking you GP to do an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, as this will check both your fasting levels and the pattern of your blood sugar levels as they rise and fall during the test. An OGTT can also be used as a diagnostic tool. Do you have other symptoms of diabetes, such as tiredness, needing to drink/pee a lot?

yes i feel tired sometimes after meals and pee quite a lot.

 

[Mark T]

I'm 32 and weigh around 10 and a half stone. I'm pretty skinny tbh.

Any family members also diagnosed with diabetes? If you have you might want to remind that to your GP especially if it spans multiple generations.

I'm with Northerner about the OGTT test - although I believe it's quite expensive to do as it's a Hospital clinic test so you might get some resistance. Possibly you might have to ask to be referred to a hospital clinic to get that done.

It might also be worth treating yourself as if you have been diagnosed and changing your diet and lifestyle - it definitely won't do any harm!

The advice here is a good starting place: http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.co.uk/2006/10/d-day.html