Why Will Doctors Not Diagnose Diabetes?

I have heard of this, but I was not looking forward to the day I received an email with these circumstances. I answered the email, but felt I had to force the issue. The person felt he had diabetes because of his symptoms, especially his blurry vision, but his doctor would not diagnose him. All he was told was to watch what he ate as his blood sugar was becoming elevated.

I asked if he had copies of his lab reports and he answered no. He said that he had asked the doctor for a copy, but the doctor had just ignored him. I then advised him to put the request in writing with a date of request and the dates of the lab reports if possible. I told him that he might be required to wait 30 days, and if he did not receive them, there would be more work on his part.

He had said that his doctor was about 35 miles away and the next doctor was about 135 miles away from him. I had asked if he had a good relationship with a pharmacist and he said he had and in the same town as his doctor. I suggested that he talk to the pharmacist and see if he could get diabetes testing supplies, a lancet, lances, test strips, and a meter. Andy (not his real name) does not have access to other sources within 135 miles. I suggested checking Amazon and he said that would be a second choice for him.

An hour later, I received an email with a telephone number and a request to call him at the pharmacy. The pharmacist had told him he was out of supplies and would not have any for about a week. He asked what my position was and I said a type 2 diabetes patient. The pharmacist said that he had been shown my blog and wondered if there was anything more. I assured him that I had other problems, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. He asked if I knew about the A1c testing kit that used to be manufactured by Bayer and I said yes. He said he had two remaining that he would gladly sell as the expiration date was coming in 40 days.

I asked if he would use one to show Andy how to use the second one. The pharmacist agreed and asked if I could remain on the line. I agreed and I could hear them talking. Then the pharmacist came back on the phone and said he was shocked and would be recommending that he travel the extra distance to another doctor, as he firmly believed he had diabetes. I could hear Andy tell him to tell me and the pharmacist said the A1c showed 11.8. The pharmacist said he would call the doctor in a town 100 miles distant from there and get him an appointment as soon as possible. Then he would have my friend go to Amazon and look over the meters and supplies available and have him order for quicker delivery.

When the Andy arrived home he sent me another email saying that he would be seeing the new doctor the next day and would pick up testing supplies there as the pharmacist had called another pharmacist to see if he had the supplies and had set back some for him to purchase the next day. Then Andy was asking all types of questions about foods and testing. I had been pulling together blogs of mine and blogs by others for him to read and I sent them to him; telling him that we could communicate after he returned from the doctor. I did ask for his phone number and gave him mine. He said he would have his wife email me when they arrived home, as he would be busy with chores that could not wait. He said his wife is aware of what has happened and will be with him the next day.

This will be continued when I have more information.