WIBU to buy a blood glucose kit without diabetes diagnosis

[SKT92]

Do I sound ridiculously paranoid/obsessive? DP thinks so

Last time I went to the GP (for unrelated issue) and went for blood tests, results came back and I was found to be prediabetic

I'm young, have a BMI of 17-18, and already followed a low carb diet so I've been worried about my blood sugars since

No one in my family has diabetes, and they all eat plenty of sugar/carbs

I know a normal person would probably go back to the GP and check if they were still prediabetic months later but I don't want to waste their time, when I could just measure at home and if it's still high then go back?

I'm also interested to know what foods (if any) are causing my blood sugar to rise the most


Btw I do not have an eating disorder, the reason why I follow a low carb diet (including before I had the blood test results) was in hopes to help improve my bad skin

[BadlyAgedMemes]

I don't know. I've done it, but I definitely did (do?) have an eating disorder, and was massively food and health obsessed at the time, so it was on par.

[Onceuponacheesecake]

What are your symptoms? They are available to buy so you can help yourself, but buying extra test strips is expensive. Lancets are cheap though

[WorraLiberty]

Going back to check is not wasting their time.

Also, when you go back you can ask for advice/literature on food/drink/diet etc.

I'd do that rather than buy the kit.

[HomeMadeMadness]

What test did the doctor do? A one off blood sugar test (even a fasting test) isn't a great indication. I can't remember the name but there's a test which essentially gives an average of your sugar levels over the last month or two. I had GD and found whatever I did my BS would spike massively in the morning after breakfast but were stable the rest of the day (provided I was very careful in what I ate and kept active) which I was told was fine.

I found cutting out carbs all together didn't help my blood sugar so perhaps your low carb diet is actually part of the problem.

[CaptainCabinets]

Your BMI is very low; you probably shouldn’t be following a low-carb diet. Also, low-carbing will cause you to produce more ketones.

Is there nothing else you can try for your skin instead of following a weight loss diet when you are already very thin?

[CaptainCabinets]

@HomeMadeMadness HbA1C

[Princessmushroom]

Go to Lloyd’s pharmacy, they do free testing

[SKT92]

few symptoms include dry mouth and tiredness. Drinking doesn't always help dry mouth
I'm also more prone to skin infections and very dry skin however I do have eczema so that could just be a coincidence

It was a hbA1c test and my result was 6.1

[mando12345]

That is a little high. What did your doctor say? I did buy a testing kit when I was diagnosed pre diabetic. I tested before and after eating to see what put my blood sugar up too much.
I went back to the GP in three months and it was normal.

[LtJudyHopps]

My dad has been told he’s pre-diabetic and the doctor advised a two month low carb low sugar diet (also to help cholesterol). So he isn’t allowed any root veg, bread, pasta, rice etc. No fruit only blueberries, red milk, sweetener in tea/coffee.

[Bunbunbunny]

Go back get retested, won't waste their time if you are worried about it. 6.1 is on high side but depends on the test taken, what you ate etc.

Best to know, if you are don't panic lots of support out there & it can be managed

[babysharkah]

Do you have health anxiety?

[YeahNah1980]

Maybe you are developing type 1 diabetes not type 2 in which case diet won’t fix it and you’ll require insulin. I think it’s a good idea to get a kit and jot down some readings daily

[dietcokemegafan]

Prediabetes is a controversial thing, many drs feel it's a case of overdiagnosis which can increase health anxiety. Really really pointless to get a blood sugar machine. You need an annual HbA1c, that's all.

[Dextrodependant]

The thing is, if you are developing Type 1, no amount of low carb diets will help. It is a genetic auto immune condition.

My DS is the only person in our family who has it despite it being genetic usually.

Go back and have another test.

[lharris1]

As pp said try getting tested Lloyd’s pharmacy

[TheDarkPassenger]

I get hyperglycaemic and I’m not diabetic! I’ve thought about getting one but tbh, I can tell myself and make my own adjustments so it’s pretty under control

[Oldraver]

Do you have nay other 'symptoms' ? Regular periods ? PCOS can affect blood sugar, bad skin etc and can often lead to Diabetes.

It's worth going back to yur GP and them having a good look at your health

[Home77]

There is some test thing online I saw, Thriva perhaps? would be cheaper to get GP to retest, they can even maybe advise on what to do.

I had HB1Ac tested last week, due to some meds I am on need it and lipids done annually. It does help to keep track of it.