Medical Question: Where better to go for medical advice than a photography forum? I was talking to a friend yesterday, and he said that he canceled his annual physical because he...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Where better to go for medical advice than a photography forum?

I was talking to a friend yesterday, and he said that he canceled his annual physical because he didn't get the blood test. He didn't want to get a blood test because he said he had been eating a lot of sweets lately, and he didn't want to get a false result.

I didn't think it worked that way. If you ate an entire bag of candy and had the test immediately after, I can imagine that skewing the test results, but I suspect the sugar level evens out over time.

My doctor's office now does blood tests, so it's very convenient.

So, is this guy just afraid of needles, or is there some validity to his fears.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

He just seems concerned about the sugar spike.
How long does a spike last?

I'd reduce the candy, get the physical, get the blood test a bit later (a few days?).
The doctor will get the results and comment as required.
I've had blood drawn after an appointment simply because I forgot to get it done a week before.

BebuLamar

jerryc41 wrote:

Where better to go for medical advice than a photo... (show quote)

He just doesn't want to see bad results. My wife the same way, a couple weeks before the blood test she tries to eat in a way that the test will be good.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BebuLamar wrote:

He just doesn't want to see bad results. My wife the same way, a couple weeks before the blood test she tries to eat in a way that the test will be good.

amkras Loc: NY

If the test includes A1C screening for diabetes it reflects glucose levels over a 3 month period. A high intake of sugar and carbohydrates during that time can impact the results.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Thanks, all. I'll pass this along.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

jerryc41 wrote:

Where better to go for medical advice than a photo... (show quote)

He don't want to see his A1C blood sugar average since then last test if its too high over 7.0 he may have to go on Insulin.
I just had my 90 day checkup A1C was 6.4 despite having pigged out on cheese cake twice in the 90 days

ecblackiii Loc: Maryland

jerryc41 wrote:

Where better to go for medical advice than a photo... (show quote)

The "Hemoglobin A1C" is the key test to evaluate for diabetes. It measures what percentage of hemoglobin proteins in your blood are coated with sugar (which happens over time). Since all the blood cells are continually replaced within 90 days, the test measures the average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. So, no matter how much sweets one eats over a few days, the test still reflects the average for about 90 days, not recent overindulgences.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

It's common to be able to come back later for a blood test. One simply tells the Dr. And of course they could just ask the Dr of their opinion. I'm sure the've seen it all. Now your friend has to wait for a whole new appointment.

srt101fan

jerryc41 wrote:

Where better to go for medical advice than a photo... (show quote)

Bad idea to ask the hogs for medical advice unless you're doing it as a joke... (and then it's still a bad idea)

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/getting-tested.html

tomad Loc: North Carolina

The advice my doc gave me was that as long as you don't eat or drink anything (Black coffee and water ok) for 12 hours before the test it makes no difference what you eat before that as your body digests and normalizes everything to your usual level in that time. Also, trying to change your diet temporarily to get a different result defeats the purpose of the test so you might as well save some time, money, and aggravation of changing your diet by just not getting it done.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

jerryc41 wrote:

Where better to go for medical advice than a photo... (show quote)

I guess he might be afraid that he might be one of the 000s (000,000s?) of undiagnosed diabetics in the world. I'm afraid of needles, too. that's why I'm glad my endo got an insulin pump and CGM (continuous glucose monitor) for me that is covered by my state's Medicaid program. I was diagnosed about 30 or 35 years ago and went on insulin about 5 yrs ago. It's something that can be managed, although it can be a hassle taking the stuff through airport security in some countries!!! Now I have other problems. I was diagnosed with skin cancer near my shooting eye. I'm waiting on the dermatologist to get back to the specialty pharmacy to give the info they need so they can send me the chemotherapy pills ($10K/month, unless I misunderstood). It was wither that or two rounds of surgery. I personally prefer a pill to a scalpel.

Toby

ecblackiii wrote:

The "Hemoglobin A1C" is the key test to evaluate for diabetes. It measures what percentage of hemoglobin proteins in your blood are coated with sugar (which happens over time). Since all the blood cells are continually replaced within 90 days, the test measures the average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. So, no matter how much sweets one eats over a few days, the test still reflects the average for about 90 days, not recent overindulgences.

I agree and always get an A1C. Not getting a test because you fear bad results is stupid. It's like not looking at the gas gauge in your car because it might be low on gas.

photoman43

amkras wrote:

If the test includes A1C screening for diabetes it reflects glucose levels over a 3 month period. A high intake of sugar and carbohydrates during that time can impact the results.

How often you need a A1C test may vary from person to person depending on medical and other health related matters. My doctor does mine at least two times a year or more with three months in between.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/a1c-test/about/pac-20384643

In addition to high sugar levels, you may have low sugar levels. And some my have hypoglycemia.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/reactive-hypoglycemia/faq-20057778

Understanding and dealing with all of the issues that may accompany such conditions is one reason why all should see a doctor at least once a year. What tests get ordered will depend on many factors. All need a base line developed from test results and all ought to keep records of such tests to show other doctors if needed.

Healthy eating and exercise are needed to control and normalize blood sugar issues.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

tomad wrote:

The advice my doc gave me was that as long as you don't eat or drink anything (Black coffee and water ok) for 12 hours before the test it makes no difference what you eat before that as your body digests and normalizes everything to your usual level in that time. Also, trying to change your diet temporarily to get a different result defeats the purpose of the test so you might as well save some time, money, and aggravation of changing your diet by just not getting it done.

Thanks. This is why I ask questions on UHH. I'm not going to pass it on to my friend, though. He can make up his own mind.

He reminds me of another friend who could never tell us the mpg of his car. "I did a lot of stop and go driving." "I was carrying people, and I had a full trunk." "I was driving fast on the Interstate." I don't know what he expected for his normal mpg. Coasting down a hill?