Trying to understand test results

Avatar for happyscrapper40
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Trying to understand test results
3
Tue, 03-16-2004 - 8:24pm
Hi! Well, I got my latest test results back today, and they are much better than 11/03. Almost back to how good they were in 9/03. In Nov. my Ha1c had hit the alltime high of 7.2. This one was 5.8, due mostly to the Avandamet(Metformin) I started on in December. My HDL 40, LDL 75,(3.7), Cholesterol 148, Liver, Kidneys were doing fine... but my triglycerides were still high (164), dr. wants those below 100 and they don't seem to move anymore- sure beats when they used to be 364! My glucose was 116.

Now for the part I don't understand and I hope Mary Frances or someone can help! They sent blood to Atlanta for a Cpeptide, and it came back High- 5.4. It said the range should be .8 to 3.1. Does this mean my pancreas is working in overdrive? The report also said my insulin was 24, and the range was less than 17. Thanks for any insight you can give me on these tests. I have to call the nurse back tomorrow for an adjustment to my Avandamet, but I won't see the PA for awhile, unless I need to. I am in the middle of my worst allergy season right now, so I imagine I will be in for an antibiotic sometime in the next two weeks- I wouldn't want to miss a year without a sinus infection! LOL I do have my fingers crossed that I won't need to go this year- last year I was off allergy medicine b/c they declassified claritin to over the counter, and it was too expensive for us to buy. I had two terrible sinus infections last year. This year I am on Clarinex, so maybe I can avoid them?? I will hope!

Thanks for any help! MH
Avatar for happyscrapper40
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 03-23-2004 - 7:55pm
Mary Frances or anyone else who can help me!!!

When I called the nurse back, they put me up to 2/1000 of Avandamet twice per day. They also want to repeat the blood tests after two weeks. From my last results, can you see why they are doing this? My Ha1c, cholesterol, etc. were so good, but the insulin and Cpeptide were out of range. Will this double dose of Avandamet help this? Are they trying to break insulin resistance? I could make an appt. to go see the doctor to answer this, but my schedule is so overwhelmingly busy right now, that I am hoping you all can help me understand the rationale for doubling the dose and repeating the testing. I am not made of money by no means, and am not sure I can afford to keep doing all of this blood testing. My spring break will be after my blood test at the end of next week, and I will go to see the dr. the first week of April, but I am sooo curious now! Michele H.
Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
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Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 03-24-2004 - 1:49am

Michele,


In a nutshell, yes, they are trying to breakdown your insulin resistance. Your pancreas is working too hard to secrete the amount of insulin that you can use and they are trying to prevent you from wearing it out. If it were me I would wait longer than two weeks to get the lab work done because it takes up to four weeks to see a real difference. You may see changes before then but change will continue for 4-8 weeks.


I got a new refernce book and much to my unhappiness it doesn't talk about c-peptides or insulin secretion. I am going to have to do some more reading. I can't believe that it isn't covered in this book because it is a well known and respected textbook.


Take care and let us know how you are doing,

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40


Co-Cl Diabetes Board


Avatar for happyscrapper40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 03-24-2004 - 4:53pm
Thanks! I couldn't find anything about C peptide or insulin numbers in the ADA complete guide either, and I just thought I didn't know where to look. I probably will call back and change that appt.- my kids want to go out of town for a few days over spring break, and it is the only thing keeping me here. I skipped the pill on Sunday night b/c I had had such terrible stomach/ intestine pains from Thurs. to Sun. The intestinal blockage/ constipation, which is what it felt like, passed Sunday night followed by intense diarrhea. I am feeling a lot better now! LOL I guess I will live on Salads, b/c they told me to keep increasing my fiber, and I already eat a lot of fruit and veggies. Monday morning dh gave me a pill while I was running out the door, and when I stopped long enough to take it when I got to work, I realized he gave me a 500mg pill instead of the 1000. I don't know if the break helped me start to tolerate this meds. better or not. know when I have the pain, my blood sugars are elevated too.

Thanks for your advice. MH