Diabetes Talking

Question:

Hi-I am new to group and beginning to suspect I may have diabetes type 2. Mother died at age 46-diabetic and with cardiomyopathy in the dark ages of 1968-I have strong family history of diabetes-For the past four years I have had itching/burning sensations of arms-allergies, thyroid check out normal. I am tired despite lots of vitamins and good nutrition. I seem to do better on a high protein low carb diet although I crave sugar. I am thin and try to run daily except lately I have been feeling weak. The dermatologist says he thinks I may be prediabetic due to skin symptoms-what could be causing this-anyone else have or heard of this as a precursor to full blown diabetes?Is this neuropathy, dermapathy?Can anything be done to stop it? thanks in advance and I appreciate any responses..patti

Response:

For the past four years I have had itching/burning sensations of arms-allergies, thyroid check out normal. I am tired despite lots of vitamins and good nutrition. I seem to do better on a high protein low carb diet although I crave sugar.

Hi– well, it is hard to diagnose through message boards!  It appears that you have some degree of carbohydrate sensitivity and yes, that could be prediabetic.  Do you ever get reactive hypoglycemia?  Anyway, your symptoms remind me somewhat of those of my 21 year old daughter.  I was convinced she had a thyroid problem, even after an endocrinologist called her healthy. It turned out that a Total T3 test revealed mildly low T3 levels.  Since beginning to take T3 medication her hypoglycemia is definitely improved, though she still does better with not too many carbs.  I think she WAS headed towards Type II diabetes or chronic fatigue syndrome or something.  My point is that you not only need the TSH thyroid test, but also T4, Free T4 and Total T3.  The ratios need to be looked at.  A normal T4 and a low normal Total T3 could indicate a problem. (The T3 uptake is influenced by female hormones.)  Numbers just barely in the normal range are suspect when you have hypothyroid symptoms.  BL

Response:

Have you had a fasting blood sugar test or a glucose tolerance test? That’s the only way to diagnose diabetes or a pre-diabetic condition. /Janet — "As our society grows more and more health-conscious, good health, too, becomes a virtue, and its absence a vice."                         — Cheri Register, _Living With Chronic Illness_

Response:

Hi-I am new to group and beginning to suspect I may have diabetes type 2. Mother died at age 46-diabetic and with cardiomyopathy in the dark ages of 1968-I have strong family history of diabetes-For the past four years I have had itching/burning sensations of arms-allergies, thyroid check out normal. I am tired despite lots of vitamins and good nutrition. I seem to do better on a high protein low carb diet although I crave sugar. I am thin and try to run daily except lately I have been feeling weak. The dermatologist says he thinks I may be prediabetic due to skin symptoms-what could be causing this-anyone else have or heard of this as a precursor to full blown diabetes?Is this neuropathy, dermapathy?Can anything be done to stop it? thanks in advance and I appreciate any responses..patti

There’s not a word in your post about the results of blood glucose testing.  Have you never even had a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test? Since that is considered the only definitive test for diabetes mellitus, it should be evident that that’s the place to begin.  If you’ve brought your concerns about DM to the attention of your doctors, and they haven’t drawn a venous blood sample for lab testing, or given you an Rx for a lab test, you are being poorly served.  Meanwhile, the peripheral info you’ve provided doesn’t offer a clue about diabetes.  Only blood testing will tell. [posted & e-mailed] David Cohler, South Pasadena, CA Media Access Consultancy http://members.tripod.com/~dcohler/

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