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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Spriggy on March 20, 2005, at 11:02:50
Yeah, so I'm becoming a broken record, but nonetheless.. HUMOR ME.
They told me on Wednesday that I am a diabetic. Wich I find a bit odd considering they didn't have my test results back yet.
they monitored my blood sugar for 3 days and it would be between 65-270. I kind of fluctuated a lot more those three days than I have been here lately.
I've had chronic yeast infections since Thanksgiving (even thrush in my mouth!), lost weight (17 pounds total now since Christmas), burning feet (yeah I know that sounds weird!), and staying thirsty/peeing a lot.
My dad was diagnosed with type 2 at age 30. I'm close to that age so I suppose this could be an inherited thingy. I always thought he did it to himself because he drank 12 cans of coke a day (literally!).
I on the otherhand, have done all the "right" things. I run 3 miles a day, eat well, drink lots of water, yadda, yadday, yadda and yet here they are telling me I have it too.
I did the insulin test last week and I do the fasting 3 hour glucose (can anyone say PUKE?) test this week.
So they can't treat me just yet because dr. says, " Not sure which type you are."
My question is, how can he even know I AM a diabetic for certain. Can I be diagnosed just by monitoring my blood sugar levels for 3 days?
And if it is diabetes, could that NOT be the entire problem here with me with this anxiety/agitated/depressed state? Especially since my blood sugar can go up or down 100 points in one hour?
I suppose on one hand I would like to think this recent "wig out" event of mine had a physical component... then on the other hand, I sure don't want to have diabetes.
And then I wonder, if I am diabetic, and it's creating all these weird things in me (could it give you that weird head/floaty feeling?), then should I even take this Lamictal????
If diabetes is "THE" problem, is it possible I"m not BP 2 (since the diagnosis came at the same time?)?
Somebody please help this poor little confused blonde girl whose blood sugar right now is 162.
Thanks.
Posted by Spriggy on March 20, 2005, at 11:06:11
In reply to diabetes causing agitated depression???, posted by Spriggy on March 20, 2005, at 11:02:50
For the record ( why am I confessing my sin's here?), I am not at church today because BOTH my kids' have over 100 temps, are coughing there heads off (okay not really- that would be weird), and say they are "achy."
Thank the Lord for tylenol with Codeine- they are both sacked out on the couch watching Blue's Clues.
** disclaimer- if you are depressed, I don't recommend watching Blue's clues. It will only confuse you even more***
Posted by TamaraJ on March 20, 2005, at 11:50:18
In reply to diabetes causing agitated depression???, posted by Spriggy on March 20, 2005, at 11:02:50
Spriggy,
I don't know much about diabetes, but I did have to go through the Glucose Tolerance Test a while ago (there was some concern that I may have been hypoglycemic). The test was not bad at all (the liquid you are given after the fast tastes a bit like gatoraide). But, as you already know, it is important that you monitor your blood sugar over the course of the day over a period of a week or so because the GTT is just a snapshot at one period in time. For instance, you could test in the normal range after completing the GTT and then leave the lab and one hour later have a hypglycemic attack (I had read about a man who apparently tested in the normal range and then proceeded to totally trash the waiting room in an agitated outburst - he was having a hypoglycemic attack). So, keep the results of the monitoring you are doing on your own, if you are not already doing so. You no doubt know that diabetics can experience hypoglycemic attacks when their blood sugar drops. That would likely explain the agitation, anxiety and irritability you experience (at least as I understand it). Anyway, here are a couple of links that provide info, including info on symptoms, for both diabetes and hypoglycemia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Diabetes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoglycemia#Signs_and_symptoms_of_hypoglycemia
I hope you can get your blood sugar under control soon and that everything works out ok for you. My thoughts are with you. Take very good care of yourself.All the best,
Tamara
Posted by Phillipa on March 20, 2005, at 17:54:00
In reply to Re: diabetes causing agitated depression??? » Spriggy, posted by TamaraJ on March 20, 2005, at 11:50:18
Spriggy, you must have a blood sugar monitor where you prick your finger and put a little blood on a strip and then into the monitor for the reading, right? If your sugars are wildly fluctuating as you say you are probably diabetic. I think what the doc wants to know is whether you will require insulin, meds, etc. You really don't want diabetes as it affects all the systems in your body. That's probably why your Father has so many different body system problems. I'll pray that you can control it with diet as that is the least difficult to treat, and can be successfully treated that way. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on March 20, 2005, at 19:30:22
In reply to Re: diabetes causing agitated depression???, posted by Phillipa on March 20, 2005, at 17:54:00
Hi Spriggy, I don't mean to highjack your thread here but I have a question for anyone who can answer it.
I have had a feeling that I am diabetic. I have some symptoms like a constant yeast infection and craving for sweets and drinking a lot of water (not much peeing).
So I told this to a friend of mine who is a nurse and she said that they would have noticed something when I had my glucose test as part of a regular lab work up? IS THIS TRUE?
My endocrinologist ( I see him for hypothyroidism) ask me if diabetes runs in my family but I don't know because I was adopted.
So when I see him next month should I mention it? I feel like such a hypochondriac. I feel like my hypothyroidism isn't under control even through I take Synthroid and my tests come back alright. However I don't think he is measuring all the right things (like my free T3).
Anyhow. If I was diabetic would it have shown up in a routine FASTING glucose test?
Maxime
Posted by TamaraJ on March 20, 2005, at 19:44:35
In reply to Re: Can they tell just by ONE glucose test, posted by Maxime on March 20, 2005, at 19:30:22
Ok, I'm not an expert by any means, and I don't want to question the advice of a medical professional, but I, too, believe that one glucose tolerance test may not necessarily the definitive diagnostic for blood sugar disorders. It's true that glucose is tested through routine blood and urine tests, and the glucose tolerance test [GTT] (which isn't usually a standard test). Now, having gone through a GTT, it is a snapshot - one point in time - after one 12 hour fast. It's like the situation I cited in my post to Spriggy (a guy goes through the GTT, results indicate blood sugar normal, and he proceeds to go into some kind of rage, etc. - which turned out to have been caused by hypoglycemia [I wish I could find the article again - it stuck with me though]). Call me pessimistic, but if I were really concerned that I had a blood sugar problem, I would invest in a glucose monitor, and test my blood sugar at home over the course of the day for a period of about a week. If, in comparison to the reference ranges, disruptions were evident, then I would go to my doctor with the results.
Re thyroid testing, I agree with you that doctors do not thoroughly test for thyroid problems. I have read in a few places that the standard TSH test is not the most reliable test for determining thyroid problems. Other tests, such as T3, T4, RIA (radioummune assay), T3 Uptake, Reverse T3, FTI (Free Thyroid Index) and antibodies) should be performed.
Tamara
> Hi Spriggy, I don't mean to highjack your thread here but I have a question for anyone who can answer it.
>
> I have had a feeling that I am diabetic. I have some symptoms like a constant yeast infection and craving for sweets and drinking a lot of water (not much peeing).
>
> So I told this to a friend of mine who is a nurse and she said that they would have noticed something when I had my glucose test as part of a regular lab work up? IS THIS TRUE?
>
> My endocrinologist ( I see him for hypothyroidism) ask me if diabetes runs in my family but I don't know because I was adopted.
>
> So when I see him next month should I mention it? I feel like such a hypochondriac. I feel like my hypothyroidism isn't under control even through I take Synthroid and my tests come back alright. However I don't think he is measuring all the right things (like my free T3).
>
> Anyhow. If I was diabetic would it have shown up in a routine FASTING glucose test?
>
> Maxime
Posted by Maxime on March 20, 2005, at 20:09:04
In reply to Re: Can they tell just by ONE glucose test » Maxime, posted by TamaraJ on March 20, 2005, at 19:44:35
Tamara I agree with you 100 percent on both counts. Now if only I could figure out how to bring you to my next appointment then all would be well.
Thanks T.
Maxime
> Ok, I'm not an expert by any means, and I don't want to question the advice of a medical professional, but I, too, believe that one glucose tolerance test may not necessarily the definitive diagnostic for blood sugar disorders. It's true that glucose is tested through routine blood and urine tests, and the glucose tolerance test [GTT] (which isn't usually a standard test). Now, having gone through a GTT, it is a snapshot - one point in time - after one 12 hour fast. It's like the situation I cited in my post to Spriggy (a guy goes through the GTT, results indicate blood sugar normal, and he proceeds to go into some kind of rage, etc. - which turned out to have been caused by hypoglycemia [I wish I could find the article again - it stuck with me though]). Call me pessimistic, but if I were really concerned that I had a blood sugar problem, I would invest in a glucose monitor, and test my blood sugar at home over the course of the day for a period of about a week. If, in comparison to the reference ranges, disruptions were evident, then I would go to my doctor with the results.
>
> Re thyroid testing, I agree with you that doctors do not thoroughly test for thyroid problems. I have read in a few places that the standard TSH test is not the most reliable test for determining thyroid problems. Other tests, such as T3, T4, RIA (radioummune assay), T3 Uptake, Reverse T3, FTI (Free Thyroid Index) and antibodies) should be performed.
>
> Tamara
>
> > Hi Spriggy, I don't mean to highjack your thread here but I have a question for anyone who can answer it.
> >
> > I have had a feeling that I am diabetic. I have some symptoms like a constant yeast infection and craving for sweets and drinking a lot of water (not much peeing).
> >
> > So I told this to a friend of mine who is a nurse and she said that they would have noticed something when I had my glucose test as part of a regular lab work up? IS THIS TRUE?
> >
> > My endocrinologist ( I see him for hypothyroidism) ask me if diabetes runs in my family but I don't know because I was adopted.
> >
> > So when I see him next month should I mention it? I feel like such a hypochondriac. I feel like my hypothyroidism isn't under control even through I take Synthroid and my tests come back alright. However I don't think he is measuring all the right things (like my free T3).
> >
> > Anyhow. If I was diabetic would it have shown up in a routine FASTING glucose test?
> >
> > Maxime
>
>
Posted by Phillipa on March 20, 2005, at 20:23:54
In reply to Re: Can they tell just by ONE glucose test » TamaraJ, posted by Maxime on March 20, 2005, at 20:09:04
Maxime, No one FBS can't tell. You would need what I once had which was a 6hr glucose tolerance test. I think the 3 hour one is too short. I agree with Tamara about the thyroid. They always do a complete thyroid panel on me. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Spriggy on March 20, 2005, at 22:02:12
In reply to Re: Can they tell just by ONE glucose test » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on March 20, 2005, at 20:23:54
See... They did just regular blood draw from me in December and said my thyroid was fine and also my blood sugar was fine... they did not do any fasting or such.. which my new dr. tells me is not an accurate account if I am diabetic or not.
He also says that one blood draw can not really be accurate about the thyroid either and wants me to see an endocronologist and have it checked more thoroughly.
Sometimes I think doctor's are even more clueless than we are (not all of them!).
Posted by Phillipa on March 20, 2005, at 22:07:16
In reply to Re: Can they tell just by ONE glucose test, posted by Spriggy on March 20, 2005, at 22:02:12
Spriggy, Ask him to do a complete thyroid panel. He can do that. Then if there is a problem with abnormal values he can refer you to an endrocrinologist. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by gromit on March 24, 2005, at 1:29:29
In reply to Re: Can they tell just by ONE glucose test, posted by Maxime on March 20, 2005, at 19:30:22
> Anyhow. If I was diabetic would it have shown up in a routine FASTING glucose test?
My wife wasn't diagnosed from fasting tests, not until her doctor had her eat a piece of bread first. Her sugar was still fine but her insulin was thru the roof. I guess her diagnosis is insulin resistant, but I'm not sure where the line is. She has been able to control it with a combination of medication and diet for 3 years or so now. That doctor was a smart guy, he wasn't convinced by the first 2 tests that came back fine. Now my wife is feeling better and we have a 2 year old after 10 years of trying.
Rick
Posted by xray artist on August 3, 2006, at 15:19:11
In reply to Re: Can they tell just by ONE glucose test, posted by gromit on March 24, 2005, at 1:29:29
Sometimes a fasting blood sugar is so high out of range, they can be reasonably sure of the diagnosis. There is a blood test called glyco-hemoglobin or hemoglobin A1C (both names are valid) that can calculate your average Blood Glucose over the previous 3 months. Several glucometer readings during the day over a period of a week so are a good idea as it shows how different factors (food, exercise, stress, etc.) affect blood glucose. I recommend checking a fasting first thing in the morning, before each meal, 1 hour after each meal and after any exercise. - Ken
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