I don't have diabetes. I don't expect to have diabetes. Yet, for the past 3 or 4 years, each time I've had a blood test with my annual physical, the office calls and says my A1c is high, so "cut back on your carbs, blah blah..."
Yet again, after my checkup last week, I got the similar follow-up. A1c is 5.9%. Honestly, I have not cared a whole bunch. I don't think I overdo the carbs. Oh, I eat 'em, you betcha, but nothing crazy, I don't think. Plus, the levels have remained the same. High, but not increasing, so forgeddaboutit. Cholesterol's fine, but higher than I would expect too, so I started to wonder about things that can affect fasting blood tests.
Before my checkup last week, I'd gone for a lovely morning run of a little over 5 miles. I did a bit of googling. Well, what d'ya know? Exercise before a blood test can mess with your numbers, so in addition to fasting for 12 hours, you should just lay around. Who knew?
I came to this google revelation just as Magnum arrived home. I read to him:
"A workout before a fasting blood test can alter the results of cholesterol and glucose tests. In some cases of cholesterol testing, if you exercise before having blood drawn your LDL cholesterol levels may actually increase..."
"I never knew this! Why doesn't the doctor's office tell us?" I proclaimed all Wilford Brimley.
"Maybe because most people don't exercise?", Magnum offered.
Oh, c'mon. Well, either way. Now I know. And you do too.
Speaking of playing outside, we hit the mountain bike trails again this weekend. Rode the lovely Falcon Trail at the Air Force Academy. 13 miles of wonderful scenery, dirt, roots, rocks, and trees. This was our third attempt at this trail, and I felt I've improved over the last two. It's listed as a good trail for "advanced beginners". Okay, I'll take the oxymoron.
And speaking of higher learning, in news of college academia, I came across this photo from a football game over the weekend at Meego's esteemed university.
Okay, it's supposed to say "GO RAMS", but... okay...
6 comments:
Haha that last photo is classic. Your post is almost as smutty as mine. :D
I would doubt you were diabetic! Next time I go in for a physical I am sleeping lots and relaxing before hand! sandie
Joey, we are owning the smut of blogland today. Our circle of it anyway.
Chatty, I've not been worried about crossing the line into diabetes. Denial comes in handy sometimes. You will be well prepared for your next blood test!
Well I have learned something new. Don't exercise.
No seriously this is info they should tell us. So I go to the gym in the morning, come home get cleaned up and do blood work and that could make it all catty wompass? Damn thanks for this information!!
I loved Go Rams.
And that Wilford Brimley comment did not go unnoticed. I thought I was the only old fart here who would know him. :-)
I have to Google Wilford Brimley, and I'm a semi-old fart who should know (per Margaret's comment).
I can relate to your medical situation. I had eye surgery a few years ago - too long to explain - but during a follow-up procedure, I was not told certain options I had that would determine if my eye was left farsighted or became nearsighted. Thankfully, during my pre-op questions, I began asking a lot of questions and lo and behold, I "discover" that I had options, and went with the one that the doctor had "not" voluntarily given me. I would have been p*ssed had I found out later.
Ok, I'm done. As you can see, I haven't gotten over it. :) So glad I asked lots of questions. And glad you Googled!
Peggy, right? I typically do some sort of exercise first thing in the morning, then go about my day. Seems they coulda mentioned it.
Every time I say "diabetes", I say it Wilford Brimley style, even if saying it only in my head. Doesn't everybody?
Anita, I think we often assume medical professionals give us all the information we need, but this is a good reminder to be more proactive - like the time I filled all my prescriptions and found one was an opioid I had no intention of taking. "Why did I buy this??" Good for you for asking timely questions!
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