Diabetes question?!
Question: I am going to the doctor to get tested for diabetes because of problems I have had with sugar in the past few years. I have no idea what to expect. Im going to ask the nurse when I call her today but I wanted to get answers from you all since you know first hand what the procedure is. Is there more than one type of test? Im not worried but would just like an idea of what to expect. Thanks bunches!
Answers: I am going to the doctor to get tested for diabetes because of problems I have had with sugar in the past few years. I have no idea what to expect. Im going to ask the nurse when I call her today but I wanted to get answers from you all since you know first hand what the procedure is. Is there more than one type of test? Im not worried but would just like an idea of what to expect. Thanks bunches!
There are a couple of blood tests. The A1C is the important one. It gives your average blood sugar level for the last 30 days. The glucose level (prick) test just tells you what your sugar level is at that moment.
The doctor will also examine you for other external symptoms like loss of feeling in your feet, check your eyes for signs of pressure build up, etc.
If you have Type II diabetes, they will generally put you on a pill (metformin) that you will have to take one or more times a day. You also have to change your eating habits. There is also a hormone based (Byetta) shot that you give yourself twice a day - it tells your pancreas to make insulin.
Your question is not very clear to me, I don't know what you mean with had problems with sugar in the past. But if you go to the doctor to get tested for diabetes, firstly they just prick your finger for a small drop of blood and put it on a special test strip in a little machine that we call a glucose meter that will show you your sugar level. The doctor will also probably draw blood to see how your sugar levels have been the last few months. I am a type 1 diabetic, type 1 diabetics inject themselfs with insulin. You get 2 types of diabetics. Type 2 diabetics use pills. Good luck
Chances are you will be tested for a1C which is the average sugar level of the past 90 days. 7 & or over is diabetic range--the hugher it is the more severe the diabetes. You may also be tested for ketosis--protein in the urine. Once your Dr determines the type you may have he will prescribe meds and diet change or maybe even insulin therapy. Talk to the dietician--your diet will be very important in managing your diabetes if you have it.
After a 12 hour fast, a range of 3.9 to 6.5 mmol/l (70.2 to 117 mg/dl) is normal. (a level of 6.7 to 7 mmol/l (120.6 to 126 mg/dl) is considered a sign of prediabetes)
Depends which kind of test your going for. When I was diagnosed I went for quite a few.
There is the simple blood test to check your blood glucose and also A1C-3 month average blood glucose.
He might also send you for a glucose tolerance test. That is where they draw your blood and check your blood glucose, have you drink a sugar syrup connoction, looks like a small soda bottle and check your sugar after that. How often depends on the test. Usually every 30 min to hour for 1-3hrs. When I did mine, my sugar went high and thats how I was diagnosed. The syrup is ok, drinkable but it makes you feel horrible. I felt really nauseous. My suggestion is as soon as you leave eat some protein, it will help digest it.
Good Luck I hope it comes out ok...but if it doesnt remember that diabetes is the ONLY disease that you will ever get that you have control over so take care yourself so you dont get all the problems associated with diabetes.