Glucose tolerance test, preferably a 4 hr one.
This would show lows, at the 3-4 hr mark. Shorter tests do not.
Doctors often use a 2hr, which will not typically reveal hypoglycemia. The 2 hr only shows highs for diabetics.

HbA1C shows if your diet is high in carbs and you are having spikes after eating. It is an average of long term sugar utilization.

Fasting glucose is done to screen for pre-diabetes and diabetes.
In people with impaired glucose utilization, it may show lows at first and as years pass then it creeps up slowly to over 100.
This process is also called insulin resistance.

If you have had periods of remission of symptoms, then definitely something is causing that, and diet is the most common cause. So if you clean up your diet, you may see improvements. They will be slow but will sustain, if that is your issue.

In my opinion, the BEST way to check diabetes, is to buy a meter.

Many studies have been done on the doctors waiting for a fasting blood test to reach 100 before a dr will diagnose diabetes.

The fact is, only a meter will catch it fast enough before symptoms develope.

My dr did the fasting blood test and my result was a 90 and he and another dr both said I did not have it, however, I did my own research and knew that my symptoms pointed to diabetes, including my neuropathy, which they said was from hypo thyroid. (which could be, who knows)

Anyway, I bought a meter from walmart, and yes, my fasting number in the mornings was 90 to 98 when I did a test of 1 cup of white rice and checked my blood 1 hr afterwards it was 180!!! That is a high number, while not high enough for medication, anything over 140 can begin to affect organs in your body and cause nueropathy. And who knows how long I have been having spiking numbers. But at this point, I consider myself prediabetic.

I now have a meter and check frequently and keep my numbers under 140 and I feel better.

All that to say, if you really wanna know your TRUE reactions to the food you eat, a meter is your best friend, and you can get one at walmart for $15 and strips are cheap if you get RELI brand.

Read EVERYTHING in this forum and other places. Try many things. It was reading about benfotiamine here that led me to take it and its been a miracle for me.

good luck

p.s. a meter is cheaper to buy than taking all their blood tests. And if you find your number is high, then you can go to a doctor. But it is much cheaper to buy a meter and find out yourself. IMO

I went out and bought a meter (brand is FreeStyle). This may seem like a silly question, but when should I take the test? When you your "fasting" number, does that just mean before you eat anything in the morning? I know next to nothing on the subject... Should I test myself before and after I eat to see if there is a big jump?

I do not have blood sugar problems at all, but my doctor talked to me about eating very low sugar and carbs for the nerves. The right supplements too of course. For my dysautonomia.

I have a meter and it has REALLY helped me learn what foods raise the glucose level. The level doesn't get too high and goes down quickly, but the nerves like to be kept at a level glucose number so the meter is great. Great tool, just like a bp machine.

It is good to test when you wake up. I don't do that much now, but good to know what your usual level is.

Good to test one hour and two hours after eating. Especially if carbs are eaten.

I like one hour because that shows how high it gets and not just how it is two hours later.

After you test for a while, you probably won't have to as often unless you do have blood sugar problems.

Thanks for your reply, Sally. I was actually tested for dysautonomia, and am still awaiting the results.

I'm going to try to make sense of the device tomorrow and see if I can figure out how it works, after that I'll post the numbers here.

This is a really scary thing to go through (as I'm sure you all know quite well), so I really appreciate everyone posting in the thread and helping out. You're very nice people!

My personal research has shown me some things that are not necessarily main stream dr thinking, so of course do your own research and/or follow a dr advice.

I believe when your number hits 140 and above, then damage can begin to your body/organs. So for me, my goal is to stay below 140.

I tested like crazy when I first got my meter, but as I learn what I can and can not eat I don't test as often, but the first 2 months, ALL the time.

I keep a daily record of all my numbers, what I eat, meds, and supplements. I tested every morning before eating anything, which is your fasting number. When you buy a meter, the number can be within 10 pts up or down, especially cheaper ones, but I simply go by what the meter says.

The most important number is 1 HR pm, which is post meal or 1 hour after eating. You start the hour at the minute you BEGIN to eat a meal or snack. 1 Hr PM will tell you what your PEAK is, which is most important. Then again you check at 2 hr PM. At the 1hr mark it should be its highest, at the 2hr pm it should be coming back down to normal. If it is not coming back down, could be insulin resistant.

Fasting number should always be below 99 to a doctor but for me, I want it below 95.

HOWEVER. There is some research that shows if you are doing a very low carb diet, where you are in ketosis, your numbers will be 10 pts higher and you can deduct that. I am doing very low carb so if my fasting number is 100 I deduct 10 from that.

Also, the glucose tolerence test the dr does is a sugar drink, but you can test yourself by eating 1 cup of cooked white rice and then test 1 hr pm. Mine was scary, but at least I learned from it.

This is my personal opinion.

good luck

p.s. if you do find you have high numbers, flaxseed in your diet is amazing at helping to stablize your sugar. Not to mention all the other benefits. And yes, it is scary, but knowledge is power, so learn all you can so that you can be in control of the situation instead of it controlling you.

I have never heard of the brand you bought, hopefully it does not require coding and it is a simple meter. It was confusing learning how to do it, if you need help just ask.

Stacy, I stay lower than 120 for my nerves. Like you, I learned what the foods are that make numbers go higher. Cutting those foods does the trick for me. Keeps number even.

Meters are so good for everyone.

Yes, the PEAK is why I test at one hour.

My fasting is usually 75-80, I test once in a while, but it is always good.

I drink apple cider vinegar to help with kidney stones, but it is great for keeping glucose level also. I eat cinnamon for the same reason.

Exercise keeps the glucose level down, so important to do that. I do all I can even though my levels are always good. Most people don't realize how high it can get after eating some foods.