Medical Question (Page 2): If we could choose or know how something would kill us, not doing any testing might be ok. But diabetes won't go away on its own and can lead to many nasty...

JBRIII

If we could choose or know how something would kill us, not doing any testing might be ok. But diabetes won't go away on its own and can lead to many nasty effects other than death, blindness, strokes, amputations, ....
I know someone who had really high cholesterol and was afraid of the meds from listening to others who had problems with them, it figured a heart attack would kill him and that was ok, but the mini-stroke he had sure wasn't.

fantom Loc: Colorado

jerryc41 wrote:

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

The blood test done for physicals measuring blood sugar is NOT based on the result of the day of the test. It determines what the blood levels have been over a period of six months or so. You would be doing your friend a service if you would inform of this. His doctor can confirm the purpose of the test.

srt101fan

fantom wrote:

The blood test done for physicals measuring blood sugar is NOT based on the result of the day of the test. It determines what the blood levels have been over a period of six months or so. You would be doing your friend a service if you would inform of this. His doctor can confirm the purpose of the test.

There are two common tests for diabetes: The one you mention is the A1C test, and you are correct, it gives you an indication of blood sugar levels over several months. The other one, the "Fasting Blood Sugar Test", measures the sugar level at the time the test is done. For that test you have to fast for 8 to 10 hours before the test.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

srt101fan wrote:

There are two common tests for diabetes: The one you mention is the A1C test, and you are correct, it gives you an indication of blood sugar levels over several months. The other one, the "Fasting Blood Sugar Test", measures the sugar level at the time the test is done. For that test you have to fast for 8 to 10 hours before the test.

He didn't go into details, but I think this is just a standard, annual blood test - if there is such a thing. I'm not his medical advisor. I was just wondering if having pie on Monday means you shouldn't have a blood test on Tuesday. For myself, I'd like to see the results, whatever they are.

Dannj

If my blood test shows something outside the range my doctor does a re-test in about a month so spikes can be explained.

It’s interesting how many people go to the doctor and try to fool him/her with how they answers to questions about eating habits, alcohol, exercise etc..

fantom Loc: Colorado

jerryc41 wrote:

He didn't go into details, but I think this is just a standard, annual blood test - if there is such a thing. I'm not his medical advisor. I was just wondering if having pie on Monday means you shouldn't have a blood test on Tuesday. For myself, I'd like to see the results, whatever they are.

As I mentioned before, if it is an annual test you do not need to be concerned about what you eat in the days preceding the test.

Frank 2012 Loc: Olathe, Kansas

A1C test is best.

rwww80a Loc: Hampton, NH

If he eats that much candy and sweets, the blood test won't be needed. The weight scale will show th results he doesn't want to know.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

fantom wrote:

As I mentioned before, if it is an annual test you do not need to be concerned about what you eat in the days preceding the test.

I'm not concerned about what I eat because I think I eat rather sensible. I guess my friend isn't as careful, so he delays having a blood test.

Tote1940 Loc: Dallas

The most important part of Annual Physical are Medical history and a good physical exam I was taught lab only confirms or rules out what you already know
Also if not fasting instead of glucose physician can order HbA1C which gives average glucose over 3 months

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

jerryc41 wrote:

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

Probably some of both. I too hate needles. There are two very different types of "sugar" tests commonly done. The A1C measures blood sugar levels over time. Gives the doctor a good idea how you have been eating over say a three month period. The other older traditional test measures blood sugar as it is now so it will pick up a sugar spike from eating sugar an hour or two before. Just like triglycerides. The old test gives results in mg/dl. The newer test may be calibrated to that standard too or it has it's own scale. I'm not sure. - An old out of date biologist. He probably should delay the test for a few weeks until he can behave and not eat a bunch of junk food and candy.

BebuLamar

rwww80a wrote:

If he eats that much candy and sweets, the blood test won't be needed. The weight scale will show th results he doesn't want to know.

If I eat a lot of sweets my A1C and my blood glucose will be high but I do not gain weight. I am still losing weight.

ggttc Loc: TN

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.

ggttc Loc: TN

Yes. That is correct the above is the way it works

JBuckley

I think the [fear of needles] is 95% of the reason that human beings have vowed not to get vaccines or give blood at a bloodbank.

Their excuses can fill a 10 pages affidavit, but it comes down to, “I’m a big baby!”
They will take their kids or pets for vaccines, [not themselves.]
A double (chicken) standard?
Seems so!