Do I have a false diabetes diagnosis?

Question

My doctor recently diagnosed me as diabetic based on my fasting blood sugar (142) and a A1c of 6 (mean avg glucose=114). However, I was not told to fast before the "fasting" test (nor did they ask me if I had been fasting)! I had a lot of sugary food a few hours before the test and, more importantly, some sugary breakfast drinks about an hour before. I told my doctor this, but he says the A1C test confirms the diagnosis, which I thought required 2 fasting blood sugar tests.

He's a new doctor for me, and I'm not crazy about him for various reasons. Should I get a second opinion/new doctor, and, if so, what should I tell the new doctor? Should I tell him about the previous doctor? I don't want my insurance rates to skyrocket if I don't really have this disorder.

Much thanks.

Answer 1

a1c of 6 isn't ideal but it isn't that bad.
sugary foods before A1C wouln't affect the test.
A1C isn't used for diagnosis, only for management.

Answer 2

False Diabetes Diagnosis

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

2

Answer 5

3

Answer 6

Based on what you've said, your doctor jumped the gun. You will find quite a few doctors who aren't quite up on the various (multitudinous) aspects of diabetes mellitus, and your doctor's failure to dot the i's and cross the t's is not uncommon.

You must fast for long enough before the test that the effects of whatever you last ate have dissipated. This is usually 2 hours or so, but depending on what you ate and how much, might twice as much.

But going to doctor's for tests at this stage is expensive. I suggest you hit WalMart of Sam's Club and get their cheepest blood glucose meter. It's not the smallest not coolest, but it's about the cheapest I know of. Some of the drugstore chains are doing more or less the same thing, and may have similarly cheap meters. Avoid the brand name ones, and the coo ones -- they're likley to be mucho more money. And then just test yourself a few hours after meals for a while.

But remember that blood glucose values from all these meters (and indeed from any meter) are not exact to the count. A reading of 140 might be an actual value of say + / - 15% or different.

This is not very significant in the actual world of coping with diabetes for it is trends, not exact to the count values that determine treatment issues. In lab studies maybe, but then they do something rather more elaborate.

If you find more than one or two readings above 125 (the official values is 126) fasting, you should defintely take them to a doctor (perhaps this one?) and point them out. they'll want to do a test with their own equipment to be sure (maybe you had sugar on your skin when you took a bllod sample?), but this should avoid the kind of trouble you're encountering.

It's important to make sure that any doctor you use after a diagnosis of diabetes is willing to take the trouble to get you up to speed. It's a messy complex thing, and few people take to it without some irritation or depression or fury. You should expect that it's not going to be an easy business if only because of that. Yo're going to have to learn a good deal about how your body works, how diabetes changes it, and what you should do to compensate. Things change quickly as you eat, exercise, take medication, and time all of it.

The sort of thing no one wants to learn how to cope with with little prospect of excape.

Answer 7

The HgAIC can be done without fasting and generally isn't run with what was supposed to been a fasting serum glucose (Fasting Blood Sugar - FBS). And you don't fast for 2 hours, more like at least 8.

Since you don't like this guy anyway, it won't be any heartbreak for you to see someone else instead. As far what to tell the next doctor, just state that you are concerned that you may have developed type 2 diabetes and want to be screened. You don't have to mention the other doctor unless it comes up. Also ask if he advises a GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test).

Answer 8

I'm a 45 year old woman and was recently diagnosed as being a borderline diabetic. My doctor prescribed some medication, but before filling it I decided to do some research on the internet which led me to the methods. After reading this ebook and applying the methods, my scepticism turned to 100% belief. I noticed that my energy levels increased significantly and I felt more rested in the morning, my symptoms started going away.

I am very happy to tell you that I have been feeling better than I have felt in years and my doctor informed me that he will be taking me off my prescriptions if I keep this up.

I recommend you use the Type 2 Diabetes Destroyer to naturally reverse your diabetes.

Answer 9

An A1C of 6 doesn't necessarily indicate diabetes... over 7 does.

142 w/o fasting is a little high, but still nothing to worry about. I don't think you are diabetic based on this info, but if you want to avoid becoming diabetic, you could start treating yourself as if you were and avoid it down the road. It's not hard at all. Exercise, keep your weight down, eat a healthy diet with lots of fresh vegetables, whole grains, low fat meats like chicken and fish, and take a half teaspoon of cinnamon each day. Read more here:
http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/Type_II_Diabetes.html

Answer 10

I am a type 1 diabetic, I take shots several times a day. I think any time you get a life changing diagnosis you should get a second opinion, but I suggest you call The Joslin center they are strictly there for diabetes, or call an Endocrinologist but do it soon so you can get definate answers and hopefully only have to take pills or control it with your diet. GOOD-LUCK

Answer 11

Your doctor is correct that fasting makes no difference on the A1C test. It gives you your average glucose level for the last 90 days. An A1C level of 6 is not considered a diabetic level.

You literally place your life in the hands of the doctor. You said you're not crazy about him anyway. Get a new doctor.