New to this board with a question...

[Luvy123]

Hi. I have a question and I'm hoping I can get an answer here. I come from a family with a long history of type 1 diabetes. I am checked every year and my 8 hour fasting glucose levels are always in the normal range. This last time they were 98.

Now my question is this: is it possible to be diabetic and still have a normal fasting glucose? I have several symptoms of diabetes, one of which is a diagnosis of peripherol nerophathy. The neurologist suggested that this could be a first sign and to watch it. Also, I currently have two infected toe nails and a finger nail. This doesn't seem normal to me.

Should I ask my doctor for a oral glucose tolerance test. Would this test be more accurate than the 8 hour test?
Thanks...I appreciate your thoughts on this.
Luvy

[Cora1003]

There are quite a few things you can do to make sure. The glucose tolerance test is not a bad idea as well as having a hemoglobin A1c test done. It gives you an average of your blood sugars for the last several months. The other think you could do is use a family members glucose meter. I'm assuming you have access to one. Check your blood sugar before meals and about 2 hours after.

Good luck to you.

Cora

[mrbojangle]

I have had type 2 diabetes for about 5 yrs. along with peripheral neuropathy, am able to keep it under control with diet and excersise. You are doing all the right things to keep checking as you have been. The last post gave you some wonderful advice to follow. The best of luck to you.

[Mommyof4]

Truthfully, I would probably go in a different direction than diabetes. Your risk for type 1 diabetes is really only higher if you have a first generation relative with the condition like a parent or sibling. Neuropathy can have many causes ranging from circulatory issues to neurological issues. My first order of business would be to ask for a nerve function study. This will test your nerves individually to give you a clearer picture of what is going on.

You can always go in for an A1c that was recommended but I would shy away from an individual finger stick. Finger sticks are like snapshots. They only give you a picture of what is going on at that very moment. That being said, a finger stick will give you nothing useful as a high blood sugar could mean anything from diabetes to callibration issues with the monitor.

Some nail funguses are not treatable by over the counter medications. You might want to ask for testing to find out if you can take an oral agent to help with the nail issues.

As far as a fasting blood sugar, that is when it should be as close to normal as it is going to get if you have diabetes. Some diabetics can control their condition with diet and exercise so that their fasting blood sugars are always normal.

Good luck