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I had a blood panel done and my fasting glucose came back at 104 mg/dL. My doctor didn't say a word about it but I'm wondering if I have prediabetes and what I should do about it.
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Hi, Anon,
There's a Google excerpt of a book called "Prediabetes: What you need to know to keep diabetes away," by Gretchen Becker. There are several pages of it online, and probably enough for you to know whether it would help you take control of this condition:
http://books.google.com/books?id=D7C0hsKtzVMC&pg=PR22&lpg=PR22&dq=how+keep+prediabetes+from+becoming&source=bl&ots=jpLp7ZNj67&sig=SyA-NS4_M1WN3rA6E6BSCHYNT-c&hl=en&ei=E_kfSsjTCoXcMKP_wLAJ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5#PPP1,M1
I have to say that like Alison, I consider it incredibly surprising that your doctor wouldn't have talked to you about prediabetes, especially since with diet and lifestyle changes you can reverse the trend and avoid getting diabetes.
Here's the American Diabetes Association's page on pre-diabetes. There are several more links on their page:
http://www.diabetes.org/pre-diabetes.jsp
And here's another page that has many links to lifestyle changes you can make:
http://diabetes.about.com/od/metabolicsyndrome/p/prediabetes.htm
What else can we help you find out? Are you considering a repeat visit to your doctor's office to talk about this?
May 29, 2009 - 8:11amThis Comment
Hi,
Why was it recommended that you have a fasting glucose test performed? Do you have any signs or symptoms that were concerning, are you pregnant, have a family history of diabetes, or is this part of a regular check-up?
I'm not understanding how your doctor did not say anything? I assume the lab is at a different location than your doctor's office, where your blood was drawn, and then your doctor received the lab results? Did you then go into your doctor's office, where s/he said, "your fasting glucose result is 104 mg/dL", and then walked away? There was no explanation of the number, or any written information provided? Was there a recommendation for a second lab test?
I know it is so difficult to advocate for yourself at the doctor's office, when it seems like they have one hand on the doorknob to leave, so am just trying to understand your situation more.
According to the Mayo Clinic, "A level of 100 to 125 mg/dL indicates impaired fasting glucose — commonly known as prediabetes. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may repeat the fasting blood sugar test several days to a week later."
Many variables can alter the test results, and you would need another test to confirm a diagnosis, as results can vary from lab-to-lab, even from day-to-day.
Additionally, since you are close to the borderline between "normal range" and "impaired", I would assume this would indicate the need for you to have a repeat test; your next one can come back even lower.
Do you have any additional risk factors for diabetes? Would you like to learn more about prediabetes (which, fortunately, is a good sign that you can make some lifestyle changes that can possibly help prevent a diabetes diagnosis!)
May 28, 2009 - 1:00pmThis Comment