Re: blood testing for diabetes

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue,

Sounds like a full blood work up might be in order, including

ferritin, TSH and liver enzymes; FBS (fasting blood sugar) and HbA1C

are the two glucose tests usually done first. Maybe a full physical

exam (including urinalysis) and look at her diet as well? Has she

also had any emotional upset in the last few months? I have an older

px who, whilst normally fairly healthy, has been experiencing

extreme tiredness since the death of her father.

Just a couple of thoughts,

Kerry

Hello everyone

I have a long term female client, aged 72 (owner of

children's day nursery and still working) who is

experiencing an increase in tiredness over the last few

months - . Whilst I wouldn't want to tell someone that

maybe a full time, full on job, working with very young

children is perhaps starting to take it's toll - she is

now gently exploring the possibility herself that this may

be the case. However, because the tiredness has become an

issue for her relatively suddenly (she's now feeling like

she needs an afternoon nap, whereas she didn't a few

months ago) - I also think it's important to look at other

possibilities. She does have an under active thyroid dx

several years ago, so I've suggested that she have her

levels checked (for some reason she hasn't had her usual

annual recall from her surgery for this). There's no

weight loss and no change in appetite, however, she has

noticed an increase in frequency of urination and she does

have mild, intermittent vaginal pruritis - so I've

suggested that a blood glucose test might be a good idea

as well. I'm also wondering about anaemia, she lives alone

and her diet is a little restricted and sparse - I think

she just doesn't bother about food very much. She sees a

cardiologist yearly on a private basis - he tried to put

her on statins a while ago, but they made her tired so she

stopped taking them last year (as her HDL cholesterol

levels were good he didn't press the issue) and on

stopping she saw improvement in her energy levels at that

time. He also suspected that she has very mild angina -

she doesn't experience any pain. She has taken Amlodipine

for high blood pressure for 3 years - which could also

explain the tiredness.

So, I've suggested she has a few blood tests, but she's

not a great fan of her own GP and has decided to go to pay

privately for the tests. The private hospital have asked

which test for blood sugar she wants to have, and I have

to admit, I'm not sure what would be the best to request

in this instance (I've never been in the position of

requesting this type of test before). I've read about

fasting glucose, glucose tolerance and HbA1c test - can

any of you advise which would be the most suitable to

request in this situation, please?

Thank you

Best wishes

Sue Salmon, Huddersfield

-- Kerry Hackett, MNIMH, AHG, OHA

Medical Herbalist

www.kerryhackett.ca

[Guest guest]

HiUntil recently Lloyds Pharmacy does a blood sugar test free of charge - you could go fasting or say after a sugar load. Fasting is probably best to start. Adding HbA1C at this stage probably only adds to cost - http://www.lloydspharmacy.com/en/info/DiabetesServiceRegardsDr GascoigneMedical doctor, acupuncturist, herbalistClinics in Bath & Tetbury, UKTel: +44 (0) 79 88 05 92 01Also, Bandon, Co. Cork, IrelandTel: +353 (0) 87 9266234Website: www.drgascoigne.comOn 20 Aug 2012, at 21:29, Kerry Hackett wrote:

Hi Sue,

Sounds like a full blood work up might be in order, including

ferritin, TSH and liver enzymes; FBS (fasting blood sugar) and HbA1C

are the two glucose tests usually done first. Maybe a full physical

exam (including urinalysis) and look at her diet as well? Has she

also had any emotional upset in the last few months? I have an older

px who, whilst normally fairly healthy, has been experiencing

extreme tiredness since the death of her father.

Just a couple of thoughts,

Kerry

Hello everyone

I have a long term female client, aged 72 (owner of

children's day nursery and still working) who is

experiencing an increase in tiredness over the last few

months - . Whilst I wouldn't want to tell someone that

maybe a full time, full on job, working with very young

children is perhaps starting to take it's toll - she is

now gently exploring the possibility herself that this may

be the case. However, because the tiredness has become an

issue for her relatively suddenly (she's now feeling like

she needs an afternoon nap, whereas she didn't a few

months ago) - I also think it's important to look at other

possibilities. She does have an under active thyroid dx

several years ago, so I've suggested that she have her

levels checked (for some reason she hasn't had her usual

annual recall from her surgery for this). There's no

weight loss and no change in appetite, however, she has

noticed an increase in frequency of urination and she does

have mild, intermittent vaginal pruritis - so I've

suggested that a blood glucose test might be a good idea

as well. I'm also wondering about anaemia, she lives alone

and her diet is a little restricted and sparse - I think

she just doesn't bother about food very much. She sees a

cardiologist yearly on a private basis - he tried to put

her on statins a while ago, but they made her tired so she

stopped taking them last year (as her HDL cholesterol

levels were good he didn't press the issue) and on

stopping she saw improvement in her energy levels at that

time. He also suspected that she has very mild angina -

she doesn't experience any pain. She has taken Amlodipine

for high blood pressure for 3 years - which could also

explain the tiredness.

So, I've suggested she has a few blood tests, but she's

not a great fan of her own GP and has decided to go to pay

privately for the tests. The private hospital have asked

which test for blood sugar she wants to have, and I have

to admit, I'm not sure what would be the best to request

in this instance (I've never been in the position of

requesting this type of test before). I've read about

fasting glucose, glucose tolerance and HbA1c test - can

any of you advise which would be the most suitable to

request in this situation, please?

Thank you

Best wishes

Sue Salmon, Huddersfield

-- Kerry Hackett, MNIMH, AHG, OHA

Medical Herbalist

www.kerryhackett.ca