need help measuring blood sugar bf starting met

one-hit_wonder · 05-23-2006, 07:47 PM

Hi all!

I went to my doctor last week to ask about Metformin, since she has never mentioned it to me as a treatment option. She readily prescribed it after lots of bloodwork (after fasting), but she would not do the fasting glucose bloodwork, and she wouldn't say why. She only said, "Oh, I think you're fine" (and that was before she saw any results from the blood tests). I was really frustrated: how am I supposed to know if I'm even insulin resistant, then? She wouldn't answer.

So I just bought a OneTouch Ultra kit for testing my blood sugar myself. My fasting test was 4.5 mmol/L, which seems normal, according to what I've read. Then, I downed a sugary drink (12 oz, or so), and I'll test it again in 30 min, 1.5 hrs, and 2 hours. My question, though, regards what I drank. It was mostly sugar, but I don't know if it was too much or not enough. And what kind of sugar? If you have any idea, I'd love to know.

I feel silly performing this myself, when it should be a DOCTOR doing it, but mine just wouldn't do it. I can't just go to another doctor, either, because they are so hard to find where I live. And I really want to know this before I start the Met prescription. (WHY are so many doctors against patients who are proactive about their health??? I'm starting to think I'll drop my Ph.D. studies and go into naturopathic medicine!!!!)

Any help is appreciated!

deesh76 · 05-24-2006, 02:51 AM

Testing this way isn't acurate for testing for insulin resistance. I have a tester, too (my cat is diabetic!) and previous to being tested by mr Dr. I was using the tester to test my glucose levels. They were always well within normal range.

When I mentioned this to my Dr. when he said he was going to send me for insulin testing, he said that it was not the right way to test. Those monitors are to test for high/low blood sugar. My understanding of insulin resistance, is that your body produces way too much of it, and doesn't use it all. So your sugars on a diabetes tester can be normal because of it.

As I said, the diabetes tester showed I was in a normal range, but when tested for insulin, it was way high. I would ask your Dr. again to go for the proper testing.

However, in response to your question about was it too much sugar, I believe the best way to test is to drink a glass of orange juice.

Hope this helps.

deesh76 · 05-24-2006, 02:52 AM

Oh yeah, and my Dr. put me on Met. So it is safe to go on even though your tester may be showing you are in normal range.