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Blood sugar level
Hi B. & Daniel,
I am meeting an endocrinologist on March 19th.
I just wanted to check with you about the markers related to blood sugar.
I am aware of hb1ac, fasting sugar and insulin fasting. Are there any other markers I should ask him for to check for.
I am actually going to see him about my thyroid, but wanted to rule out the above as well.
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12 Replies
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Hi @Naveed Aslam – please watch this video on testing considerations from the Blood Sugar Regulation course in case you haven’t seen it.
And here’s the video on testing thyroid function.
Fasting insulin isn’t something they will typically order from the get-go, so you’ll need to insist. Same with thyroid. They usually only measure TSH, and at best TSH and free T4.
I want you to watch these videos so you can understand what the necessary markers mean so you can advocate for yourself. Hope that helps.
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@Bernadette Abraham Thank you B. I sent him your thyroid markers list.
TSHTotal T4Total 3Free T4Free T3 Reverse T3 (rT3) T3uFree T4 indexTPO and Anti-TG antibod
This was the reply from the secretary
Dr Lulsegged has advised all of the Bloods are covered apart from T3u and free t4 index which are not over and above mandatory from the others.
I will watch the blood sugar video shortly.
Thanks B. -
@Naveed Aslam,
Just like fasting insulin, reverse T3 also isn’t a lab value traditionally measured. fT3 (free T3) is often only measured in patients who use thyroid medication to see if the medication is working.
On the day of the blood draw, you might want to keep this in mind if you like to check the values measured!
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@Daniel Schepers hello. I don’t take any thyroid medications.
So, fasting insulin and fT3 are irrelevant?
My appointment is at midday. I will have probably eaten before my appointment or should I fast. I don’t tend to eat until around 1.00pm anyway.
I’m not sure if he’ll carry out a blood withdrawal on the same day.
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Sorry, I was meant to say fasting insulin and reverse T3 are irrelevant or that hospitals don’t tend to measure it. This consultant apparently will as he’s a traditional endocrinologist with functional medicine mindset.
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@Naveed Aslam they’re actually very relevant, but unfortunately they aren’t typically ordered in conventional medicine.
If the doctor you’ll be seeing has functional medicine training, he should understand the utility of these markers and shouldn’t give you a hard time ordering them.
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@Bernadette Abraham thanks B.
Regarding the blood sugar markers. This is the response.
Dear Naveed No problem at all I can confirm Dr Lulsegged does them all apart from the Homa-ir I have never known him to do this one in the 5 years I have been working for him but thats not to say he cant. Kind Regards
Charlotte Lawler -
@Naveed Aslam blood sugar should be done fasting, and for reassessment purposes, it’s also a good idea to test thyroid in a fasting state first thing in the morning as well. Also stop any B vitamin supplements at least 2 days prior to testing thyroid.
Please watch THIS VIDEO on best practices for successful labs from the Understanding Basic Blood Chemistry course for more helpful advice.
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@Bernadette Abraham I will stop the B Complex and self inject B12.
Sure thing, I will fast and go first thing in the morning to have the blood test.
Thank you for the video link.
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Hi B.
Last Friday, I underwent a blood withdrawal for full thyroid panel and blood sugar regulation as well. The Glucose Tolerance Test wasn’t pleasant. I had to drink 250ml of extremely sweet drink. Awaiting results.
The endocrinologist has ordered a Genova adrenal stress Test (CAR) and metabolomix plus test.
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@Naveed Aslam I agree it’s not a pleasant test, and unfortunately, it’s routinely recommended during pregnancy to check for gestational diabetes. If drinking sugary water isn’t bad enough, it’s usually in the form of dextrose from GMO corn syrup with artificial color and preservative, adding insult to injury! Some nurses will allow pregnant women to drink their own concoction made of water and cane sugar as long as they get in 50g of glucose. But they need to ask.
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@Bernadette Abraham yes, the nurse mentioned women routinely have this test carried out during pregnancy.
I read the ingredients list and it contained a number artificial preservatives and additives. Stomach felt awful during the two hours. took the slippery elm, marshmallow root and DGL powder concoction immediately afterwards.
That’s good to know that you can drink your own glucose drink if allowed. I’ll bear that in mind.
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