This post is by Katie – read her bio here!
Glucose testing other people… does anyone else do this?
If I ever hear people talk about a constellation of symptoms they’re experiencing that sound like diabetes symptoms, I worry, or ask if they’ve had a blood glucose test recently, or, if they’re close to me, I ask to test their blood sugar. I’ve done this to several people; my sister Emmy, Kiran, various unlucky friends… It’s not very reasonable and for the most part rooted in paranoia, I think. There are lots of other explanations for these symptoms and I know I have a very focused and limited knowledge.
But I still worry. So on these occasions, I get out my glucometer, change the lancet, test, and let out a BIG exhale when I see the perfect number: “89! You’re not diabetic. Whew. Congrats.” Then I think, “Crap – what would I have said if the glucometer reading was high? I should stop doing this… or just suggest somone sees a doctor?” But on the plus side, this experiement usually improves my blood sugar average in my meter AND it forces me to change my lancet, which I rarely do otherwise.
Yesterday I did this at work. He had been extremely thirsty and at one point looked like he was about to pass out. I brought him to an nurse who tested him. His blood glucose was higher than it should have been, he probably has type 2 diabetes. The nurse isn’t telling him until she does a fasting glucose test to confirm. I feel so awful for him. I think I feel guilty, too. Which doesn’t make much logical sense, of course. Much better he catches it early, and I know I’m not contagious! 
I still feel horrible for this person and am consumed in mentally repeating the whole sequence of events yesterday. And I can’t imagine what it would be like to be an endo who does this everyday – especially endos who have diabetes, themselves.
I have done this a couple of times, with John and with a former coworker who actually wanted me to test her. She was just under 120 but she just finished eating a lot of candy. I thought it was odd she would want to test but she was probably just curious. I hope your coworker doesn’t have diabetes.
YES! I test people (or at least offer to) all the time. Especially when they have lots of diabetes symptoms. You should feel proud (not guilty) that you helped your coworker. Who knows how long he might have just “dealt” with the symptoms before seeing a doctor, possibly causing lots of damage to his body. If you help 1 person discover diabetes – you have saved 1 life. I understand the guilt – you know the trouble this person will have to deal with the rest of their life, but you helped them! And I also am glad to test others b/c it requires a new lancet – which I hardly ever change too. We are all so alike!!!
I did this last night. My son was complaining about how tired he was all the time. We had just had a very high carb meal so I tested him. 119! DANG! LUCKY!
hee hee i do it all the time too. mostly because folks think the pancreas can’t work that magically when i tell them just how wonderfully smart it is…they’re amazed. i found it’s a really interesting way for those who are close to me to begin to understand what i am doing before every meal…it usually leads to some understanding which i am grateful for. one time, my sister-in-law tested as she was having what i saw as a low. sure enough she was 65.
I’ve done it as well, when asked. Swab down the lancet device, change the lancet, etc.
If person is high, number of possibilities: dirty fingertips, still in digesting phases, possible impaired glucose tolerance or insulin resistance that has not yet arrived at the point of clinical diagnosis.
If the result is high you can query the person against contamination, etc. but also strongly recommend an official check-out by doctor or walk-in clinic, since they will be able to do the A1c, OGTT, etc. to confirm or rule out diabetes, IGT, IR, etc.
You all make me feel so much more sane!!
And Katie from SF – that was helpful in understanding why the guilt.
I’m Catholic – I know all about guilt! No, but really, remember that it will benefit him in the long run!
I have done this numerous times as well. I even gave my sister her “own” meter & strips to test herself, my niece & nephew at her discression considering our family history. I’ve tested my hubby (who actually had a few high readings at one time), 2 of my brother in laws & some friends too. I recall testing one of my friends at a wedding! lol I think it’s great if we have the resources to look out for those close to us
I have done this so many times. However I have never offered or suggested some test to see if they are diabetic. People always ask me if they can test themselves, just odd, lol. I have tested those I know are type 2 to prove their control was not quite as “excellent” as they think.
I would maybe talk to the guy in a relaxed way about the “what if”. Just offer your insight as to how much better you felt after you were diagnosed and how much better you felt with the right medication.
I’ve done this too – mostly to family. I really am amazed when they’ve just eaten a ton of carbs and their levels are normal. I mean, I know it’s what to expect, but…it’s amazing to me after thinking of what I have to go through to get there (and it’s typically never going to be great 5 minutes after eating).
This happened at dinner today. A Christmas get-together with about six of us. I tested pre-dinner, and he wanted to have the experience. After hesitating about it, finally agreed. He tested: @ 397. I damn near fell off my chair. I had just tested at 311, and was taking a correction bolus for what was too incredibly high for me. Used an alcohol swap on his finger, and that was the result. Said my meter “must be off,” realized that the many beers might be impacting it somehow, but mentioned it might be a good idea to check with his doc “just in case.” Really, really ackward and I felt terrible…. Was floored by this.