Ready to be really confused? Here we go again... My estrogen level ended up checking out great with the March test. Good news there! I had my appointment with my endocrinologist on April 11th. I told him what was going well and a the few concerns I still had. One major concern I brought up was that I was still not losing the weight I had gained since this whole medical journey started. He decided to run a few tests: prolactin, testosterone, cortisol, a comprehensive metabolic blood panel, a complete blood count and my A1C. Nothing too concerning except for one thing, my A1C. For those of you who don't know, like I didn't, a A1C tests your average level of blood sugar over the past 2-3 months. Individuals with diabetes (mellitus) are given this test routinely. It is also a test used to diagnose diabetes. An A1C level below 5.7 percent is considered normal. An A1C level between 5.7 and 6.4 percent is considered prediabetes. An A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher indicates type 2 diabetes. My level was 6. That's right, I am now prediabetic. I was floored. The medical assistant who was the poor soul who had to relay this information told me my doctor told her I would be mad. And, he was so right, I was livid! I have ONE great grandpa who had type 2 diabetes, so not really a strong family history there. My BMI is well within normal range. I, along with many others, consider myself as a healthy eater. I exercise 5-6 days a week and am extremely active. This was NOT suppose to happen. And on that note, can I just have ONE diagnosis with diabetes in the name please?!?! Especially since they are two COMPLETELY different disorders?!
So, just to recap, I have been diagnosed with lymphocytic hypophysitis. They are still not 100% positive on that but nevertheless, my pituitary was compromised. This caused diabetes INSIPIDUS which means I no longer produce that hormone that regulates the fluids in my body. It also caused me to lose all of my estrogen and progesterone. I now have been recently diagnosed with PREdiabetes MELLITUS which means my blood sugar is high and I have a possible resistance to insulin. Two TOTALLY different disorders. Diabetes refers to the urine. Insipidus means no odor or taste, mellitus means sweet because, yes, back in the day doctors used to taste the urine.
If you research anything about how to not develop type 2 diabetes this is what you will find: stay at a normal weight (check), exercise regularly (check), eat properly (check)....um, anything else? I have started REALLY watching my carbs and keeping track of what I eat. I am meeting with a registered dietician on Tuesday to see if there is ANYTHING else I can do differently.
I had somewhat of a mourning period because it really felt like my body was giving me another slap in the face. The medical assistant kept telling me, after I rattled off all the reasons why this could not happen, there are no guarantees. Which is very true. You can be the healthiest person in the world and still get cancer. It was hard to not feel resentment towards family members who never exercise and drink soda every day. I don't think I am completely passed that but I've come a little ways. I can sit and argue this over and over again, but it doesn't change it. All I can do is move forward, just like every other time. I was told by a friend, think about how much better off you are BECAUSE you have been so healthy conscience and how much worse it could be if you hadn't been. She's right. I really don't think trying to live a healthy lifestyle has all been in vain. My body just likes to keep me on my toes!
