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Could It Be Diabetes Instead?

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invalidcharacter Newbie
invalidcharacter
Posted

I haven't been diagnosed, since my health insurance doesn't kick in until August, but I was feeling so poorly that I began an elimination diet nonetheless. I'm subsisting mostly on avacados, meat, rice, and vegetables.

Recently, I've noticed that I'm incredibly thirsty (I always chalked it up to chronic dehydration), and am going to the bathroom at least once an hour.

In addition to this, I get very sleepy and befuddled after eating, despite the lack of wheat.

I have some symptoms of diabetes, but I'm also somewhat thin. My BMI is only 22 and at 5'8'', my waist is 26''. I'm 28 years old.

Are the symptoms I've been experiencing typical of beginning an elimination diet?

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psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted
Recently, I've noticed that I'm incredibly thirsty (I always chalked it up to chronic dehydration), and am going to the bathroom at least once an hour.

That combination is a huge red flag for diabetes.

But diabetes would not have to be "instead" -- it could very well be "as well." Type I diabetes and celiac have a positive correlation. I am an example of someone with both.

invalidcharacter Newbie
invalidcharacter
Posted
  • Author
That combination is a huge red flag for diabetes.

But diabetes would not have to be "instead" -- it could very well be "as well." Type I diabetes and celiac have a positive correlation. I am an example of someone with both.

Poor fellow, that sounds terrible.

I'm still hoping that the whole ordeal can be chalked up to my reluctant thyroid and a dash of boredom-induced somatization.

Here's hoping.

invalidcharacter Newbie
invalidcharacter
Posted
  • Author

I forgot to mention this: I also have developed a small, white patch in the back of my throat and my lymph node is tender and enlarged. This may just be the result of my body fighting off a head cold, though.

missy'smom Collaborator
missy'smom
Posted

As Peter said, those are red flag symptoms for diabetes. Far better to get tested and find that it's not that, than to go undiagnosed. Early detection and awareness is KEY and makes a HUGE difference, which is why I strongly urge anyone with symptoms to get tested. Noone wants to face that diagnosis, not even doctors, it's much easier and more comfortable to put it off, but knowledge is power! There is a type of diabetes that is commonly found in thin people. It is a slow progressing autoimmune form. I am thin and so was dismissed by my doctors for decades because I didn't fit the profile, but after finally insisting on testing, I found that I was right all along and it appears that I am catching it at near end stage so my choices are now very limited. Even so, it's not the end of the world, but I might have had more choices if it had been caught earlier. Be aware that a glucose tolerance test will provide more information than just a fasting blood sugar reading and the more info you have, the better it can be assesed and treated. If I had gone by just a fasting number I would most likely have gone undiagnosed and ended up in an ER with full blown type 1. I had frequent urination for years and thought that was just me or normal, or chalked it up to being female or dehydrated. Now that I manage by blood sugar, I go about as often as anyone else. I never could understand how someone could visit my home, stay for hours, even eating or drinking and not use the restroom once! Now I can do the same.

invalidcharacter Newbie
invalidcharacter
Posted
  • Author
As Peter said, those are red flag symptoms for diabetes. Far better to get tested and find that it's not that, than to go undiagnosed. Early detection and awareness is KEY and makes a HUGE difference, which is why I strongly urge anyone with symptoms to get tested. Noone wants to face that diagnosis, not even doctors, it's much easier and more comfortable to put it off, but knowledge is power! There is a type of diabetes that is commonly found in thin people. It is a slow progressing autoimmune form. I am thin and so was dismissed by my doctors for decades because I didn't fit the profile, but after finally insisting on testing, I found that I was right all along and it appears that I am catching it at near end stage so my choices are now very limited. Even so, it's not the end of the world, but I might have had more choices if it had been caught earlier. Be aware that a glucose tolerance test will provide more information than just a fasting blood sugar reading and the more info you have, the better it can be assesed and treated. If I had gone by just a fasting number I would most likely have gone undiagnosed and ended up in an ER with full blown type 1. I had frequent urination for years and thought that was just me or normal, or chalked it up to being female or dehydrated. Now that I manage by blood sugar, I go about as often as anyone else. I never could understand how someone could visit my home, stay for hours, even eating or drinking and not use the restroom once! Now I can do the same.

Thank you for the input. As soon as my insurance kicks in, I'll be able to discuss my concerns with a doctor and request a glucose tolerance test.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
Thank you for the input. As soon as my insurance kicks in, I'll be able to discuss my concerns with a doctor and request a glucose tolerance test.

You might want to see if you can find a clinic in your area. If you call your local Health Dept they can tell you where one is located. Many will charge on a sliding fee scale.

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psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted
Thank you for the input. As soon as my insurance kicks in, I'll be able to discuss my concerns with a doctor and request a glucose tolerance test.

As ravenwoodglass said, diabetes is nothing to fool around with. Please don't wait months to be seen. Diabetes can be controlled, but there can be serious side effects from lack of control, and these are permanent. Some people only become aware that they are diabetic when they lose their eyesight to glaucoma. Please do not wait.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
As ravenwoodglass said, diabetes is nothing to fool around with. Please don't wait months to be seen. Diabetes can be controlled, but there can be serious side effects from lack of control, and these are permanent. Some people only become aware that they are diabetic when they lose their eyesight to glaucoma. Please do not wait.

Peter is right about the risks to vision. One of the most serious is diabetic retinopathy which is permanent and progressive. Here is a link to info on it from the NIH

Open Original Shared Link

RollingAlong Explorer
RollingAlong
Posted

I understand that folks are worried about your vision, but I am actually more concerned that you could end up in the hospital.

Could you afford to have a T1 diabetes dx as a pre-existing condition? Probably not. It is best to avoid getting a dx until you are insured and you could get an ER dx at this rate. You need to get your blood sugar under control until you get health insurance and have your appointment. (You're already on the wait list for the endo, right? It takes months to get in with those guys....)

Bloodsugar101.com has a lot of basic info and get a copy of Bernsteins book - you can read parts of it online.

Also get over to the forum

www.diabetes-book.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl

The forum has been down this weekend (maintenance?) but will be up shortly.

If you want to be sure that we're all a bunch of over-involved worry warts... go buy a glucose meter. You can often get them free after rebate. I think Bernstein is recommending the Accucheck Aviva.

Keep us posted!

glutenfreejenny Apprentice
glutenfreejenny
Posted

Since I've gone gluten free I've noticed I've been really dehydrated. A few times I've rushed to the drugstore to get some Gatorade to help. And I do also have frequent urination. But I am a normal weight. Do you have to be underweight?

missy'smom Collaborator
missy'smom
Posted
Since I've gone gluten free I've noticed I've been really dehydrated. A few times I've rushed to the drugstore to get some Gatorade to help. And I do also have frequent urination. But I am a normal weight. Do you have to be underweight?

The prevailing assumtion is that diabetes occurs most often in those who are overweight. The truth is that there are several kinds of diabetes and it can occur in people of any weight. Also sudden weight loss can be a warning sign of diabetes.

Nancym Enthusiast
Nancym
Posted

Just as an aside, you can be slender and have type 2 diabetes also. It isn't all that rare actually.

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