How can I have good glucose levels and still be diabetic?

Question

I tend to be very in the know when it comes to my health. I research any new medication I take and when the doctor told me I was diabetic, I did in depth research on the hows, whys, etc.

I just don't understand how I can have good glucose readings (anywhere between 4.5 and 5.7) and still be diabetic. I asked my doctor the last time I was there and he said, because you take medication. Moron. That didn't answer why.

Answer 1

Blood sugar levels are one of several tests that are frequently done in a check-up, just like cholesteral is, so yes, you did have that done whether you were aware of it or not. First doc probably found your glucose levels to be elevated (borederline diabetes ) and started you on medication to help keep those levels down to slow the progression to type 2 (although I believe they now consider borederline/prediabetes to be diabetes and the cutoff is now 110).  So, the second doctor is right, you are diabetic, maybe not severbecause it was caught early, and you are being medicated, and that's why your readings are good.  

Answer 2

Metformin improves your body's ability to use its insulin and keep blood sugar normal.  So the answer your doctor gave you was right.

Likely the first doctor measured your blood sugar and found your blood sugar, not your blood insulin levels were high.  Blood sugar can be borderline high and Metformin will be prescribed to return it to normal.

If unconvinced, you can ask the current doctor if you can discontinue the Metformin for a month to see what happens to your blood sugar levels.  If they go up, you will know that you are a Type II diabetic.

Answer 3

I think he meant that NOW you are on medication so your readings are good, but what were your readings before starting the medication?

Answer 4

Uh, my A1C is 5% and my blood glucose averages 90 mg/dl or 5 mmol/l- but I'm still a diabetic! My blood sugar would be mad crazy if I didn't take my insulin, watch my diet, test, ect.

Getting good readings doesn't mean you're not a diabetic. It merely means that you have your diabetes under control, using your metformin. The distinctions between 'insulin resistant' are small and silly at best- someone who is 'insulin resistant' but not a diagnosed diabetic can still be running high enough blood sugars to be causing bodily harm, while a type 2 diabetic can have perfect blood sugar and be under control... and the other way around. Get with your diagnosis, get involved with your care, and keep your blood sugar under such good control that you can continue to doubt your diabetes- it means you're doing something right!  

Answer 5

Insulin resistance IS diabetes, type 2. There is NO way to prevent diabetes.  If you were put on medications to lower blood levels, you are diabetic.  Your levels are good because your medications is working.  When the doctor put you on metformin, it was because you had high readings and he knew metformin would probably bring them down.  Like I said, there is no way to prevent diabetes of either kind, and there is no cure or way to reverse it.  There is only good control of it..  If you were to stop taking your meds, eventually your blood sugar would be high again.  High insulin levels means you had insulin resistance, which is type 2 diabetes.  This is the reason he put you on metformin.  In type 2, usually most people at first are insulin resistant, which means the pancreas is making a lot of insulin, but the body is not using it correctly.  Metformin helps the body use the insulin better and helps the liver from releasing as much sugar into the system.  In time, it could be possible for you to control this by diet and exercise.  Some people can, but many can't, so don't be upset if you are one of the ones that has to always take meds.  But after years of working so hard to make so much insulin, the pancreas often gets tired or worn out and does not make enough insulin.  Now you need meds to help the pancreas produce a little more insulin.  You may even have to start taking insulin.  You need to watch your diet, limit the amount of carbs you eat, and get daily exercise like walking for 30 to 45 minutes each day.  Sign up for some diabetes educational classes.  You will be amazed at what you learn.

Answer 6

You are not supposed to be diagnosed with diabetes without a blood test.  When I was diagnosed, I was told that you need to have two separate blood tests in which you test out of normal range for an official diagnosis - but this was over 10 years ago, I don't know if that is still the standard.  It sounds like you did not have a fasting glucose or a glucose tolerance test, so it does sound like your doctor is seeing you are on Metformin, carrying the two, and calling you a type 2 diabetic.  

I personally would demand a blood test before accepting the diagnosis, but on the other hand your treatment for insulin resistance is what a type 2 diabetic might be treated with.  So is it semantics?   It is the doctor's place to use their judgment, but if you are only insulin resistant it is possible you did not have high blood sugars before starting the Metformin.  

I don't recommend stopping the Metformin just to find out, but explain to your doctor that your blood sugars weren't measured before being prescribed Metformin and you were only told you were insulin resistant at the time.