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

Exdp’s father had type 2 diabetes, unfortunately it was late being diagnosed, as aside from being overweight he had no other symptoms that was ‘obvious’. He lost feeling in both his feet and was in a wheelchair within months of being diagnosed.

Please see this as your GP being PROACTIVE in your healthcare, and not a dig.

OP you seem to think there are no health issues related to being overweight / obese?

Type 2 diabetes is an obesity related outcome. It’s hard to be obese and not develop it eventually

kona I am a size 12 with a BMI of 19 and average height. DD is tall and a size 12 with a BMI of 20. Just checked and she would have to put on 14kg to have a BMI of 24.

It isn't really helpful to equate dress size with healthy weight.

Sorry slightly off topic rant but sick of persuading teenagers that anything above an 8 is "fat".

Op agree with pp on GP just doing the job.

If it makes you feel any better I triggered the osteoporosis check cos I broke my leg aged 50. The nurse who came to tell me is a playground Mum friend who is only 49. Her DC are older than mine.

Wound healing can be a significant issue in diabetics

THIS is why your doctor mentioned diabetes.

Just to be 100% clear.

I'm sure if she'd wanted to mention your weight she would have

Happy now OP?

I get recurrent UTIs and have a bmi of 27, doctor said I needed checking for diabetes as recurrent infections can be a sign of it.

Dd gets recurrent UTIs and has a bmi of 18, they also checked her for diabetes.

So I think it's the unusual possible infection not your weight which is the alarm bell for the doctor.

Op, I think the thing to focus on here is your extreme level of sensitivity about your weight.

The doctor was doing their job.but you have turned something normal and helpful into something malicious.

Your doctor did not need to refer to your weight, she can see you. You know your are over weight, possibly obese, and you were there presenting with a possibility of diabetes, so she addressed it in relation to why you were there. She was not sitting thinking, fuck, she's fat, think I will waste some nhs resources and have her tested as a way to have a go at her.

If you think about it. It's ludicrous, so focus on your sensitivity levels and if you're unhappy with your size, then start to try to deal with it.

Agree with PP's I'm a healthy weight at the minute but it fluctuates due to the medication I take. My GP is lovely but flat out tells me when I start veering towards the top end of heathy.

Sounds like she's being thorough. My gran got tested because of a wound that wouldn't heal and she's a healthy weight.

can only assume this is a sly dig at my weight as i am a size 16-18. From this the GP has mentioned nothing about your weight, and it's your assumption based on how you see yourself.

If the GP is concerned an infection increases the chance of diabetes, it's a positive you've been offered a test to hopefully rule it out. My understanding is that being overweight increases your chances of various diseases, so if you really do have a weight issue, now would be a good time to help yourself and lose weight as it'll be harder as you get older. The GP can advise on this and I'm sure there's lots on here who'd give you genuine support.

I’m constantly amazed by people taking offence at GPs trying to go their job. They cannot win.

You need to get a grip OP and stop being touchy.

Jesus wept - so many delicate people around offended at every tiny thing but who would be the first to sue if the doctor had said nothing and then you ended up collapsing

Hi all,
Thanks to those who flagged this thread to us, we've had a look in the background and while we can never say exactly who someone 100% (usual caveat) is we are inclined to think that this is on the level.

What is HS?

@ineedtostopbeingsolazy
Hidradenitis supprativa. Incurable condition that causes very painful abscesses

I really don't understand why someone would flag this?

Why, on earth, would anyone report the thread?! How bizarre.

Thanks to those who flagged this thread

So more than one person.

I want to know what was so offensive

But she never mentioned your weight?

I also get allergic reactions to some plasters and it's generally not an infection more like an ulceration on the original wound that takes quite a while to heal. I can see why the doctor asked but they should be pretty clued up about plaster allergies

I've read the OP three times now, and nowhere does the OP state that the doctor ever mentioned her weight. The doctor mentioned needing to be checked for diabetes due to the infection. There was no mention of weight!

It's a very strange conclusion to come to OP. I presume you are paranoid about your weight which is why you're reading something which wasn't there. Do something about your weight. Start exercising for a start. Start off with a 20 minute brisk walk once a day.

Tough love time - Doctors should absolutely talk to patients about their weight. If you are visibly overweight or obese, you are significantly more likely to suffer from a range of diseases including diabetes. Prevention is a much better solution for both the patient and the NHS. Obesity related diseases are one of the biggest threats to the NHS as we know it, the cost implications are staggering. If you are overweight it should be mandatory for both the person to seek professional help and for doctors to provide advice and support.

Am I reading the same thread as everyone else? The doctor never even mentioned her weight. Just diabetes due to the infection?

If your wound is failing to heal that is a symptom of diabetes. She probably saw you and out two and two together. It’s worth getting checked.

Notan - it's a bit patronising to suggest start with a walk. A lot of overweight people exercise, and exercise a fair bit. Overweight doesn't = unfit or doesn't exercise
I've had a doctor not believe I exercise at all and told me to try a gentle walk which was infuriating

You are (very) overweight. overweight is a risk factor for diabetes.
you have an unfection that is quite unusual and often a sign for diabetes.
untreated diabetes is very dangerous
your gp wants to get you tested. sounds like a responsible gp to me (she didn’t make a dig - actually she should have told you that an unhealthy weight means you are likely to suffer from it sooner or later)