What Are The Symptoms Of Diabetes?

Posted on Tue, 25 Aug 2015

Question: I got a series of sugar readings my doc didn't like ans she told me it reached 138 and I was a diabetic. She offered blood glucose strips etc. for readings to start and an additional blood test. Now she is saying I'm pre diabetic at 123 so don't worry about it. Just information for you-my younger sister lost a leg and had recommendations to take some toes from her other foot before she died. Don't know if it was from diabetes but sure sounds like it might be. I just don't want to take any chances. I am
60, she was 55 when she died.
I'm taking this really seriously but I feel like I'm just out swinging in the wind here, risking my organs, and long term health. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do except not drink alcohol or use sugar or eat starches. That's my full doctors advice
right now.
Is that it - how will I know which organs I'm damaging? My eyes already are giving me fits? And finally I was driving the other day got so disoriented and weirdly sleepy that the police picked me up and transported me to the emergency room. It happened again 5 days later when I was driving. This is dangerous.

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Praveen Jeyapathy (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Needs confirmation for diabetes

Detailed Answer:
Hello Mam,
Good day. Thanks for writing to HCM. Noted the contents of your query.

Its quite normal to feel the way you do especially when you have lost a loved one to diabetes. And from what I understand you also have other medical problems.

Diabetes is known to accentuate the problems one can have secondary to hypertension and other non diabetic kidney problems and hence your anxiety is warranted.

Your value shows a fasting glucose in the pre diabetic range. I would strongly suggest you do a Hba1c test which can give you an average glucose value of the preceding 3 months and also do a glucose tolerance test (75 gm GTT). The GTT test is the most sensitive to diagnose diabetes. If your 2 hour value is over 200 mg/dl you need to be on medications.

Screening for diabetes with the GTT and Hba1c is very sensitive in picking patients than fasting or random samples. Once the results are in we can formulate the right plan for you.

Please don't worry. There is definitely a solution to the problem you are facing at the moment. I will be happy to answer any other queries that you may have.
Take care. Warm regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Praveen Jeyapathy (4 hours later)

My doc did a Hgb A1c with my score being 5.2 out of 5.6. Which is concerning if this is a diabetes test. She did the Glucose leve 122 with 99 being the high number on the test. I just don't want to be sent home told nothing is wrong and eat myself into diabetes.

Answered by Dr. Praveen Jeyapathy (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
A1c is normal. Random or fasting values say less.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Noted the values. Your Hba1c is in the normal range. The fasting or 2 hr post meal sample or random sample will not say much about your state of glucose tolerance.

Doing a 2hour 75 gm glucose tolerance test is very accurate. Would you please discuss it with your doctor and do it? If it is less than 140 do not worry. If it is between 140 and 199 you have pre diabetes. So you need to focus on loosing 10 percent of your weight, doing aerobic exercise five times a week and cutting out refined sugars and high energy food. On the other hand if it is more than 200 you will need to start Tab Metformin 500 mg 1 at night.

Wam regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Praveen Jeyapathy (35 hours later)

So knowing what you know about my situation, would you consider me a prediebetic? I'm only asking because because it will take me a while to get on her calendar to re-discuss? Thank you so much.

Answered by Dr. Praveen Jeyapathy (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes.

Detailed Answer:
Hello there. Yes. The fasting value at 123 is pre diabetes. But as mentioned a GTT should be planned when you get a chance to. That will confirm the situation and say if you are diabetic or only pre diabetic. Take care. warm regards.

Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad