[smilieface]

I recently took a 2 hour glucose tolerance test because my physician was concerned I was pre-diabetic. My fasting glucose was 4,2 moles, then rose to 5, then to 6 and stayed at 6 moles until the end of the test. Currently my physicians suspects it to be a symptom of Cushing's syndrome and I'm going to be screened for adrenal and pituitary tumors later this week. However, my physician is not an endocrinologist, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask here - does my such a stable glucose level indicate a pre-diabetic condition?

 

[Richard157]

What do you mean by the term "moles"? I have not heard that term before. I cannot answer your question until you explain. Good luck with your testing.

 

[Terrie]

What do you mean by the term "moles"? I have not heard that term before. I cannot answer your question until you explain. Good luck with your testing.

Richard, I think smilieface means:

My fasting glucose was 4,2 moles, then rose to 5, then to 6 and stayed at 6 moles until the end of the test.

My fasting glucose was 4.2 mmol/L, then rose to 5.0mmol/L, then to 6.0mmol/L and stayed at 6mmol/L until the end of the test.

4.2mmol/L*=74mg/dL
5.0mmol/L*=90mg/dL
6.0mmol/L*=108mg/dL

*(mmol/L as you know is Canadian/UK measurement of blood glucose instead of mg/dL-US

 

[Richard157]

Smileace, now I understand your numbers. Thanks Terrie.

These numbers are good. It does not seem that you are prediabetic.

 

[smilieface]

Terrie, Richard157, thank you very much for your input.
Apparently, I don't have Cushing's disease, so I decided to consult an endocrinologist about the glucose test results. The endocrinologist also said that blood glucose should drop after two hours and the fact that it didn't, coupled with a relatively low level of insulin, is very alarming. She told me to refrain from eating sugar and sugar replacements in any form for at least a year, then come back for another glucose tolerance test. I have been following this new diet since yesterday and I wonder - am I supposed to feel a little sluggish from not eating any sugar?

 

[Terrie]

HI:

What I find interesting is that she found your stats alarming but doesn't need to see you until next year. Blood sugars of 4.0-6.0mmol/L are still normal.

Well, cutting out sugars and exercising is not a bad thing. More People should do that. Have you lost any weight? Do you feel thirsty a lot? Do you have to urinate often? You shouldn't feel sluggish from cutting out sugar unless you were eating a lot of it. Normal foods contain enough carbs to give you sufficient energy.

If I were you, I'd purchase a meter and strips(a Relion at Walmart's is cheap and as Good as any), if you don't have one already. Check your sugar first thing in the morning when you get up, and before you eat supper and an hour or 2 after you eat that meal. Try it on different days. That should tell you if your body is functioning properly. Even if a non-Diabetic eats or drinks something sugary, their blood sugar will go past 6.0. I've tested many.

Good to hear that you don't have Cushing's Disease.

 

[smilieface]

What I find interesting is that she found your stats alarming but doesn't need to see you until next year.

Well, she did tell me to get a glucose meter (as did you) and measure my fasting glucose once a month.

Well, cutting out sugars and exercising is not a bad thing.

Have you lost any weight?

I was very obese in the past (~121 kg), but lost some weight later and started actively exercising and following a healthier diet this winter - lost 6 kg over the course of three months and am currently only 93 kg and working on losing more.

Do you feel thirsty a lot? Do you have to urinate often?

Not really thirsty, but I used to be a big eater so now I drink lots of water and mineral water to calm down my huge appetite - thus I do urinate quite often. The fact that most of it is colorless is a good sign, isn't it?

You shouldn't feel sluggish from cutting out sugar unless you were eating a lot of it.

How much is a lot? My dialy sugar intake used to be 90 grams of sweetened oatmeal for breakfast and 1-2 small sweet snacks during the day - a couple of cookies, a protein bar at the gym, nothing really big.