aibu or was my doctor having a sly dig at my weight

[Foamybanana93]

so basically had an allergic reaction to a fabric plaster, it started weeping so went to the GP yesterday to check if i needed antibiotics, didn't even examine the area just looked at it and said i'll just give you 5 days antibiotics, she then asked if id ever been checked for diabetes and i said no i hadn't, she mumbled on something like because i have an infection i need to be checked for diabetes, can only assume this is a sly dig at my weight as i am a size 16-18, never had any issues before with my GP but this was someone completely new, aibu to feel a bit pissed off with this or am i over reacting

I'm assuming your GP meant type 1 diabetes? Im which case your weight has nothing to do with it in the slightest

It isn't a sly dig.
The reaction you're having with your plaster could be an indicator and the fact that you're overweight could cause diabetes.

It wasn't a sly dig, it was a sensible question.

No sly dig. Diabetes makes you more prone to infection. You have an infection where most people don’t (even those who get skin reactions from plasters). You are overweight. Therefore, with 2 indicators, it is sensible to get checked for diabetes. She is providing good health care.

You are overweight (if not obese). Your GP was absolutely right to speak about your weight.

In my experience doctors don't generally have a sly dig at your weight, they're quite happy to have an outright go at you about it. So I don't think she was, no.

I’m 7.5 stone and a size 6. I had an on-going infection in my leg that wouldn’t heal properly. I got tested for diabetes to rule it out as to why it wasn’t healing. You’re being ridiculous.

Oh FFS
She’s not having a “sly dig” and I doubt she “mumbled on”.

You’re overweight. That makes certain health issues more likely.

Often the first sign of diabetes is an unexpected infection. Usually, people don't get infections from a plaster. So it's pretty logical to check that out!

It's not a sly dig, it was a pertinent suggestion. The fact it was mumbled may have been in actual fact because she didn't want to hurt your feelings.
And if you are visibly overweight, it seems to be the norm that it is mentioned outright at the GP.

Your weight threatens your health.
Your doctor was absolutely correct to raise it.

You are overweight (if not obese). Your GP was absolutely right to speak about your weight

The OP went to the doctor about an allergic reaction to a plaster. I assume she is an adult who is aware of being overweight and doesn't need it pointing out when she goes in on a totally unrelated matter.

In my experience doctors don't generally have a sly dig at your weight, they're quite happy to have an outright go at you about it. So I don't think she was, no.

But other posters are correct - it is an indicator for diabetes and she was right to mention it.

You’re over-reacting. Diabetes is something they test for pretty commonly. Having diabetes does increase risk of infection so if it’s a wound which wouldn’t commonly get infected it sounds sensible to check that there’s not an underlying problem.

Yes being overweight does increase the risk of type 2 diabetes so your weight may have factored into her mental calculation, but i’ve never been overweight and i’ve been checked for diabetes a number of times. It’s not a big deal to be checked for it, but untreated diabetes can be a big problem, so much better to know if you do have it.

Well given that weight is a health related issue not a fashion statement then you are silly to think a health professional is having a dig. She was considering the infection and other possible fa tor’s that might indicate diabetes and acting accordingly. You should be grateful for someone looking out for your health.

I'm sure as well that she didn't "mumble on"

Perfectly reasonable intervention. Stop being so bloody defensive.

she didn't even mention what type either type 1 or 2 i needed to be tested for just to book a blood test and that was it ? i have 0 symptoms of diabetes i've had a good read online about both types so can only assume shes saying because i don't have a bmi of 25 or under i must have diabetes

You’re overweight and quite probably obese. That puts you at higher risk of diabetes, T2 diabetes is pretty much an epidemic, and diabetes can effect how your body recovers from injury. It’s not a sly dig to suggest someone obese might be diabetic.

Many people are in total denial about being overweight. The OP may or may not be one of those people. She may be very aware that she is overweight. Her doctor was simply stating a fact and hopefully the OP will take the message on board for her own health and wellbeing.

As others have said, it wasn't a dig. My GP told me I needed to be on high dose folic acid when pregnant, didn't say it's because of my weight but that's why. It wasn't a sly dig, just a fact. People who are overweight or obese have different health needs.

You could be diabetic or prediabetic and not have symptoms

If the GP didn’t test for diabetes and that was the cause of the healing issue then you would have bigger problems than a “sly dig”.
Diabetes that isn’t under control can cause serious issues including amputation.
Your GP is doing their job.

For reasons already suggested above it's a completely reasonable question. You'd also probably be pretty naffed off if it turned out you did have diabetes (which often presents with odd infections) but no one had thought about it because they didn't want to risk offending you.

she didn't examine the area, she just looked at it

Erm, that IS examining the area. At this stage the GP has no need to do anything else, only if the abs don't clear the infection would she need to for example take a swab and get a culture made. But that would be a waste of time , resources and money if she thinks the abs will clear it. You must have been wearing that plaster for a while for an infection to occur!

Well she probably did mean type 2 diabetes, which unfortunately if you are a size 16-18 you do have an increased risk of developing (although depends on your bmi) and if you do develop it you are more at risk of infections in open wounds etc. It sounds like she did this maybe in a ‘subtle’ or indirect way, which yes, you could perceive as a dig about your weight. If she had openly discussed your weight and suggested you have a diabetes test would you have had it done? T2 is entirely preventable but has some really nasty effects so personally I would have the test (in fact, I do have the test, I had gestational diabetes 3 times so I have to have it tested every year) and then see what, if any, course of action is required. It’s literally a simple blood sample, gives you a ‘score’ of your average blood sugars over a time period of a few months, and that number relates to how well your body is managing glucose. It can also identify prediabetes (insulin resistance) which can mean you could take steps to prevent diabetes ever occurring.

But yes, the doctor maybe could have made this clearer. I’d imagine though that raising people’s weight is a difficult conversation. I’d bet many GP’s wouldn’t even mention it.

If you have an infection that hasn't cleared up then you do have a symptom of diabetes.
Surely you'd rather be checked and know? It can only be a good thing can't it?