Re: Aloha to all to Chris

[Guest guest]

Aloha

My complete listing of tests for a good physical are listed further

below. These tests should show if you have any problems that

already exist that you may not even know about. If you are really

concerned about the condition of your pancreas in relation to

diabetes, you should ask for a Hb1Ac. This test shows your

blood glucose activity for the previous three months. A person

with non-diabetic blood glucose levels would score at 6 or less,

usually even lower.

One thing I learned about diabetes since I got it is that it doesn't

just happen overnight. An incident like my DKA causes a

sudden classification of Type 1, insulin dependent, and then

combined with chronic pancreatitis, most often Brittle Diabetes

is the result. But the highest percentage of diabetics are Type 2,

and this can be diagnosed by blood glucose tests very early. It

actually takes years for a person to get to the point that they

reach that point where their glucose levels exceed non-diabetic

levels on a continual basis. Early detection can make dealing

with it a LOT better.

As far as getting a glucometer, you don't need your doctor's

permission or need a prescription to get one. You can walk into

any pharmacy and purchase one. If you are wanting him to

recommend it for insurance purposes, I'd check with your

insurance company first to see if they even reimburse you for

them. My insurance company didn't pay for mine <sigh>. You

would think they would, and I'm sure there are insurance

companies that will. One thing that would help you with the cost

is to get your physician give you a prescription for the test strips

that you would need for whatever glucometer you purchase.

Those are expensive, and most insurance companies WILL

cover those. I have to test so frequently that I use about 100

strips every 10 days, minimum. And 100 strips costs $85-$95!

You can see how expensive that can be if you don't have some

help from your insurance company. Fortunately now all I have to

pay is my $20 co-pay.

If you do get one, I'd personally recommend the Ultra One Touch.

That's what I started out with and I was so pleased that I bought

their updated top-of-the-line model called the UltraSmart One

Touch. It logs and graphs all my glucose levels, calorie, fat,

protein and carb intake, health conditions, exercise, etc. Perfect

for someone like me, but much more sophisticated and

expensive than what you would need.

I'm on my diabetes bandstand, let me jump off and get back to

your physical. Here's what I'd ask for, and this is what my new

gastroenterologist insisted on doing: (in addition to the

ultrasound, MRCP, MRI and CT-scan).

1. Vision and hearing

2. Urinalysis

3. Blood Counts: hemoglobin, leukocytes, hematocriterthrocytes

4. Blood Test: glucose(diabetes), cholesterol and triglycerides

(blood fats, creatinine (kidney function), calcium, phosphorus

and potassium (mineral metabolism), uric acid (gout), alkaline

phosphate, bilirubin, total protein, and SGOT (liver), serology

(syphilis test), and T4 (thyroid)

5. Chest X-ray

6. Twelve lead electrocardiogram (once prior to age 40, yearly

thereafter)

7. Cervical Pap smear.

This was a very thorough examination and I was pleased that all

this work was done. Naturally the scans were done on different

days during a few weeks process. And some of the blood tests

you have to fast for, so those were set up at different times too.

I hope this helps. Best non-invasive test I can think of for the

pancreas is the CT-scan, but they are not always that

revealing......if there's calcification, it SHOULD show. Depends

upon how good the technician is, and how thorough the

radiologist is at reading the scans.

Let us know how it goes.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SE & SW Regional Rep.

PAI, Intl.

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

> My question to the board is: I have a complete physical

scheduled for July 30th. What tests do I want done? From what I

have learned, if the a & l are not elevated, I have lost some

undetermined amount of pancreatic function. What's the best

test for that? Also I want a glucometer to be able to test blood

sugar at home. I mean, how would you word a request?

> Chris