October 5, 2005
Diagnosis and Symptoms, Type 2
Question from Los Angeles, California, USA:
I’m concerned that I might be developing or already have diabetes. In the risk department, I am 30 pounds overweight and lead a partially sedentary lifestyle. My job and hobbies don’t really get the heart pumping. But, I do try to get exercise when I can, usually 30 minutes on the treadmill as many times during the week as I can. I am showing signs of increased urination, dehydration, hunger and tingling in my legs, which is how I found your site. I was looking on the web for information on the symptoms I am having. My blood pressure is normal. While my cholesterol and triglycerides were high, they are being successfully treated with Tricor and Lipitor. My family doesn’t have a history of diabetes just high cholesterol.
How long does it take for a glucose, insulin or urine abnormality that would indicate diabetes to show up in testing? With the two drugs I am on, my urine and blood are basically tested every six months or so. Also, I recently had to switch doctors and I obtained a copy of my medical records. In looking at the laboratory results, no urine abnormalities were indicated and my glucose was fine. My last test was around seven months ago, so, could diabetes develop in that time? If it is not diabetes, what else could it be? What has symptoms like diabetes but isn’t diabetes?
Answer:
With symptoms of frequent urination, if the symptoms were from diabetes, testing should show an abnormality. If you were tested six or seven months ago and symptoms were not present, it may not have shown up without the most sensitive of tests. The fasting glucose is probably the best single test for screening for diabetes. An oral glucose tolerance test is also very sensitive, but it requires multiple blood draws after the administration of the oral glucose. Urine glucose testing is not a sensitive test for diabetes. If present, it is highly suggestive. If negative, it does not rule out the diagnosis. I would suggest you have a fasting glucose done now. If you have a normal fasting glucose, it raises the question as to what else might be going on. Could you be having a urinary tract infection? Could the tingling in your extremities be from compression neuropathy (where a peripheral nerve is squeezed or trapped), or something else? You will need to speak with your physician about these symptoms at the time of your check-up.
JTL
