Blood sugar questions

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gzt

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#270413 8-May-2020 11:52

I'm not diabetic as far as I know. I have no specific knowledge of the types of diabetes and symptoms. Recently I've been getting some weird headaches.

I'd like to rule out transient blood sugar relationship as a cause, so I'd like to do some testing. What is the best way to do this?

This is tempting from a nerd point of view - NFC and Android App: https://www.freestylelibre.com.au/glucose-monitoring-system/sensor

Anyone used this or have any opinions in this area?

Edit: tested for covid previously, consulted doctor in general ; )

tehgerbil

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#2479189 8-May-2020 12:04

Not a doctor - but just be wary you don't become obsessed with your blood sugar count, having constant access with your blood sugar readout presents the opportunity to obsess over the results. Small risk, but I know personally I would become very obsessed and stressing out if it was too low/high.

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sidefx

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#2479191 8-May-2020 12:10

Edit: tested for covid previously, consulted doctor in general ; )

It looks from your edit like you have already consulted a doctor about this? What did they say? Personally I'd go by whatever they said over random people on internet forumz... ;-)

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FineWine

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#2479224 8-May-2020 13:10

Head aches are not a solo sign or symptom of diabetes Type 1 or Type 2.

I would be more worried about your blood pressure. Spend your money on a good Blood Pressure machine from your local chemist. Then take your reading every day at the same time for 3 to 4 days consecutively. The best time to do this is first thing in the morning ½ hour after you have risen and toileted and prior to all activities and eating. Then if so desired, just before you go to bed.

Do not waste your money on this https://www.freestylelibre.com.au/glucose-monitoring-system/sensor

Have you had a change in medication or commenced a new medication lately

Have you been more tired or listless lately

When was the last time you had your eyes tested

Dr google (carefully & intelligently) how do i know if i am a diabetic

Do you have an internal gas home heating system or hot water system or stove - check for leaks

Is your bedroom stuffy - always sleep with a window open or install a ceiling fan

Have you been a couch potato during lockdown - go for walks

Write down ALL your signs & symptoms and all your questions and go see your Doctor

PS: I have a blood pressure spread sheet if you want it

EDIT: spelling

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epr

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#2479238 8-May-2020 13:44

If you are concerned and want what I think is a better overall read get your doctor to get a hba1c test done, it will require a blood test on a small vial of blood but hba1c is essentially a reading that shows average blood sugar levels for the past 3 months. Not a doctor but a type 2 diabetic so I have had many of these over the years. I got a new blood sugar reading meter recently that is bluetooth and has an app so I can see readings over time and trends etc i think it is a really good device but pointless imo in your situation.

FineWine

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#2479254 8-May-2020 14:03

epr: If you are concerned and want what I think is a better overall read get your doctor to get a hba1c test done, it will require a blood test on a small vial of blood but hba1c is essentially a reading that shows average blood sugar levels for the past 3 months.

Or even a Glucose Tolerance Test.

In my list above I forgot to mention, do you have a direct family history of diabetes

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farcus

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#2479266 8-May-2020 14:28

gzt:

I'm not diabetic as far as I know. I have no specific knowledge of the types of diabetes and symptoms. Recently I've been getting some weird headaches.

I'd like to rule out transient blood sugar relationship as a cause, so I'd like to do some testing. What is the best way to do this?

This is tempting from a nerd point of view - NFC and Android App: https://www.freestylelibre.com.au/glucose-monitoring-system/sensor

Anyone used this or have any opinions in this area?

Edit: tested for covid previously, consulted doctor in general ; )

as a type 1 diabetic I'd suggest that is a complete waste of money just to find out if you have high blood sugar.
As others have said - get an HbA1c test from your doctor . . .
Or alternatively, I think most pharmacies will do a finger prick test using a glucose meter.

That link above is for sensors for a constant glucose monitor (CGM).
These are only funded in NZ for type 1 diabetics that have very poor blood sugar control. If purchased unfunded I believe they run about $100 - $150 a fortnight depending on brand used.

If you really want to check at home you could purchase a hand held blood glucose meter
but really - it's not a substitute for a proper check done by a doctor.
Also, bear in mind that the symptoms you describe above (in isolation) are not symptoms of diabetes.

BlueShift

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#2479370 8-May-2020 15:58

farcus:

gzt:

I'm not diabetic as far as I know. I have no specific knowledge of the types of diabetes and symptoms. Recently I've been getting some weird headaches.

I'd like to rule out transient blood sugar relationship as a cause, so I'd like to do some testing. What is the best way to do this?

This is tempting from a nerd point of view - NFC and Android App: https://www.freestylelibre.com.au/glucose-monitoring-system/sensor

Anyone used this or have any opinions in this area?

Edit: tested for covid previously, consulted doctor in general ; )

as a type 1 diabetic I'd suggest that is a complete waste of money just to find out if you have high blood sugar.
As others have said - get an HbA1c test from your doctor . . .
Or alternatively, I think most pharmacies will do a finger prick test using a glucose meter.

That link above is for sensors for a constant glucose monitor (CGM).
These are only funded in NZ for type 1 diabetics that have very poor blood sugar control. If purchased unfunded I believe they run about $100 - $150 a fortnight depending on brand used.

If you really want to check at home you could purchase a hand held blood glucose meter
but really - it's not a substitute for a proper check done by a doctor.
Also, bear in mind that the symptoms you describe above (in isolation) are not symptoms of diabetes.

I concur - I've used one of those sensors with the phone app, and it is brilliant for giving a constant reading of glucose levels over the day/week. But its almost certainly overkill for what you're intending on using it for. It lasts for a fortnight, but if its not applied well, it will fall off sooner and be wasted. They are small, but not tiny and are annoying to wear if you don't have a life and death interest in the results. (disclosure - we used it on our diabetic dog, and it was really helpful in coming to the decision to have him put down. Also a Type-1 diabetic human friend of mine had one for a while but gave up because of the discomfort and fiddlyness).

As above, a finger prick test at a chemist, or a blood test from the doctor is more suitable. Or if you know a diabetic, ask them if they have a glucose tester and do a finger prick or two with that.

LostBoyNZ

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#2479398 8-May-2020 16:17

I'd agree too that the Freestyle Libre is overkill for this (I use it myself being a type 1 diabetic) but also it's not always super accurate. I've had times myself when it's been out to nearly mmol/L (and 4 to 6 is a healthy normal range, so being out by 4 is pretty huge) compared to my finger prick test. But even finger prick tests have a range of accuracy (much more accurate than the libre though). So even with the libre meter, you'd still need to finger prick test to know if your results are accurate or not.

The best is the HbA1c test from the doctor, as it will show your average sugar level for the last few months.

Hopefully that helps :)

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afe66

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#2479400 8-May-2020 16:18

Why do you think the headaches are caused by sugars? (Other than it being a trendy cause)

Commons things happen commonly. Which is why you go and talk to a GP who has experience of lots of people complaining of headaches and is more skilled at separating the benign from significant..

Under current state of affairs.

- stress

- disrupted sleep

- being tired.

etc etc

For fuller responses; please include

- age sex

- medications

- known diagnosis/previous medical history

- psychiatric or mentals diagnosis such as depression etc

- physical findings on examination

- BP

- any recent blood tests.

You get the point....

Loismustdye

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#2479457 8-May-2020 18:03

About 3 years ago I started developing chronic headaches, from early morning through till bed. After bloods through the GP, a CT to rule out a brain tumour, neurologist visit it was never really solved. Was diagnosed as chronic headaches and put on a couple meds. However after 18 months plus of this the GP tried as a long shot putting me on A short course of some Strong muscle relaxants and a longer stint With a low dose antipsychotic They resolved. That was good for approx 5 months and so I’ve gone back on the Antipsychotic again as they recently flared up.

My 2 cents, go see your Dr and get some testing etc done. Headaches are a sign of some pretty nasty illnesses, and some minor ones as well. There is a bunch of reasons why you will be getting them, I certainly would not be trying to DIY this and would be pushing my Dr for further investigations.

DjShadow

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#2479469 8-May-2020 18:59

Something a bit left-field, if you are suffering headaches then try a Chiropractor to have a look at your back. Mine disappeared after a few sessions.

But as above, ask your GP to look at your Blood Pressure and ask for a Hba1C Blood Test