Should i be tested???

[jean_d]

Hi everyone,

i'm a 17 yr old female, 5"4", & about 235 lbs. i've been on a diet for about 10 months now & i'm losing weight but was wondering if i should get tested for diabetes b/c of my weight & i also have some of the symptoms of diabetes?

also, should i be tested for celiac sprue b/c the symptoms are similar to having diabetes?

Thanx to anyone w/any input!!!

Jean

[JBenjamin82]

Hello,

Do you have a history of diabetes and Celiac Sprue in your family?  If so, I would highly recommend seeing a specialist and getting tested.  What specifically are your symptoms?  Personally, if you are concerned about it, I would definitely talk to your PCP about it.  If he has reason to think your symptoms are caused by the above mentioned diseases, he'll order the tests.  I mean, I would ask him to run the tests anyway to rule out the possibilities.  Good luck!

Jennifer Benjamin

[JBenjamin82]

P.S.
I would ask about testing for your thyroid glands as well.

[jean_d]

i know i'm at risk for having diabetes b/c of my weight for one & my other symptoms are i'm always thirsty, irritable, when i get a cut om my arm, leg, etc.. it takes about a month or longer to heal, sometimes have blurred vision & tingling in my fingers, occasional abd.pain,& frequent headaches.

no one in my family has diabetes.

thanx for your response!!!

Jean

[Pixie1969]

Hi Jean-d,

Just wanted to put my 2 cents in..  Do you have any other weird things going on, like excess body hair or thinning hair on the top of your head, acne, skin tags, irregular periods?  If you do, you might want to check out the self-test at this website:  http://www.pcosupport.org/ .  PCOS is an endocrine disorder that is primarily based on insulin resistance which can lead to diabetes if left untreated, and is the most common cause of infertility in women.  Fifty percent of women with PCOS are overweight and have many of the symptoms I've listed above.  I hope none of that criteria fits you, but if it does, that website has a great wealth of information.  I know all this because I have it :( .  I sincerely hope you don't..but if any of it rings any bells with you please check that website.  I would definitely check with a doctor too just in general to see what he or she thinks might be up with you;  but if you ask your doctor about PCOS be prepared for him or her to not know anything about it - it's difficult to find a doctor who does, trust me, I know!  

Sorry to throw all this at you, but you're a young girl and this is very commonly the time that symptoms start appearing so I am hoping I can help a bit.

Either way, definitely do see a doctor to at least put your mind at ease.  Hope you get some answers soon!