Additional tests prediabetic

@walk4life You did not say what your A1C number was for classifying you as a type 2 pre-diabetic. FYI, an A1C test measures the average result of blood sugar levels for the last 90 days. In many cases, pre-diabetes is the result of over eating or excessive carbs or calories. Your diagnosis can be prevented from becoming full blown diabetes and is a wakeup call. Your PCP can treat you or send you to a endocrinogist. Your doctor may also encourage you to attend a weekly 2 hour class sponsored by most major hospitals where insurance may cover it. If controlled properly, you may be able to move out of the pre-diabetic stage. There are always challenges in the way we eat and a good dietitian can also help.

@fcollegeprof I have not had an A1c test. I had a glucose tolerance test that indicated prediabetes.

Everyone is pre-diabetic it seems. Just watch your diet and exercise. My friend has been pre-diabetic for 20 years.

@walk4life A glucose tolerance test shows your predisposition to sugar levels. It could be gestational as well. Not knowing your medical history, your doc may give you an A1C and maybe a CBC test to get a better picture.

You're lucky if you got a GTT. Many doctors will not bother because it takes so much time. I guess it's too much of a hassle. The reason it can be good is because this test (by my understanding) can show poor glucose control well in advance of an HBA1C test. This means you can get it under control that much sooner and avoid the damage diabetes can cause.

I asked for and got a GTT because I had a high CAC score that seemed inexplicable based on my lifestyle. The GTT showed prediabetes, though my HBA1C is not in the prediabetic range. I started wearing a CGM and I've learned a lot about how to keep it under control. It still soars occassionally -- 280+ -- but I can keep it under control most of the time. Takes work though.

Your PCP should know what to do. I'd guess at the least an HBA1C test and then s/he'll go from there.

@bitsygirl I got the GTT through a research study I am participating in. What is a CAC score?

CAC is coronary artery calcium. It is a measure of the amount of atherosclerosis in your coronary arteries. Diabetes can cause or accelerate formation of atherosclerosis (by my non-medical understanding). I received a shockingly high score that didn't seem to be consistent with my general lifestyle. So I started digging into what might have caused/be causing it.

What is the study you are participating in?

The study I am participating in is called PROMIS it is a sub study of the RECOVER study I am in . It included the GTT, a bone density test and blood work. I saw my primary doctor today. She had the lab draw blood for an A1c level. How did you get the CAC test? I have never heard of that.

My PCP suggested it. I believe it is because calcifications were visible on an x-ray of my pelvis (which was done for other reasons). Either that or because the hospital was running a "special" on it. 🙂

The CAC is not uncommon, but I did have to pay for it. It was not covered by insurance. $100? $35? I don't recall. I have a family history of premature heart disease so it was worth the $. If anything, I wish she had suggested it much sooner.
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/cac-test

I got the results online from my A1c test. It was normal. I will probably get a message from my doctor today. My guess is she will treat the GTT as an aberration. I have gained about 20 pounds in the last 2 years and despite watching what i eat and upping my exercise, i can’t seem to lose weight. Other than dropping to 1000 calories a day, i don’t know what to do.