Question:
Is there anything a person can do to make the numbers from a glucose test read high?
Is there anything I can eat, drink, or do that would "spike" my glucose levels on a sugar test? Although I fit the requirements for my HMO's RNY surgery, they are splitting hairs over a slight technicality. If I could get my glucose test to read on the "high side", it will assure me a surgical spot. I know that this sounds desparate, and I am getting to that point. Does anyone have experience with borderline diabetes and these tests????????????? I'm counting on all of you nurses out there! ;-) — karentherese (posted on August 24, 2003)
August 24, 2003
Hi there! What hairs are they splitting? If you meet the requirements, you
meet the requirements. I think trying to fake your test results is really
a bad idea. Of course, I don't know your whole story or even you for that
matter. This surgery isn't something that is bought into lightly and
having to rig a test is wrong not to mention dangerous. If you were found
out, the consequenses could effect everyone with your insurance trying to
have the surgery. They could start a WLS exclusion because they don't want
to deal with fraud. Bottom line, that is what it is.
I understand your frustration, but don't let it lead to desparation. Go
about it the right and honest way, and the outcome will be all the better.
— dimpkd
August 24, 2003
You are a 43.3 BMI. They either cover it or they don't. If they cover it
you certainly do meet the NIH requirements even without any co-morbs. I
would not mess around with trying to increase sugar levels. Then you end
up with some doctor putting you on medication you do not need etc. Too
risky in my opinion. If they haven't actually denied you I would sit until
they do. I'm guessing they know you qualify and are just resisting. Good
Luck!
— zoedogcbr
August 24, 2003
Karen, why not have your INSULIN level checked. High insulin levels can
mean you are insulin resistant, and that is a precursor to diabetes. You
may pump out far more insulin than needed because it isn't getting into the
cells properly, but your blood glucose levels (and HbA1c's) can be normal.
— koogy
August 24, 2003
Sorry but this smacks of insurance fraud. reminds me of the person who was
advising people to put rocks in their pockets so they can qualify. Sounds
like your bmi is high enough. As one person said, with a bmi that high
they either cover or they don't. Good luck.
— Delores S.
August 24, 2003
Well they tell you to never eat before blood draws. Eating can mess up
blood sugars, and all sorts of numbers like cholestrol. But thats a bad
idea as you might be put on unneedded meds.
— bob-haller
August 24, 2003
And when the result comes back high and the dr wants you on insulin or oral
hypoglycemics!!! then what. Do Not even think of trying to alter a lab
result , the end of it all is this is your health you are possibly taking a
risk with. by the way any nurse who would help you "cheat" on a
lab test should lose their license. this is coming from an RN
— **willow**
August 24, 2003
This answer is going to sound like a big flame, but it has me steaming.
I know as a Type 2 diabetic that there is no way to cheat an Hemoglobin
A1-C test. It is a long-range blood glucose test. No single blood sugar
reading would qualify ANYONE for WLS.
Defrauding insurance companies is a bad idea. Period. "Desparate"
is an interesting word for it. I cannot think of a single nurse that would
help you accomplish this task. Also, high blood sugars (in combination with
extremely elevated triglycerides) nearly killed me via Pancreatitis, so I
can tell you that PURPOSELY elevating your blood sugars to get a procedure
that is meant to save lives is ridiculous.
— kultgirl
August 24, 2003
Please don't use this site for questions like this. It compromises the
integrity of this site that Eric Klein and all the associates and
volunteers strive to make 100% top quality. This is insurance fraud you're
speaking of, and this sort of question has no place here.
— [Deactivated Member]
August 24, 2003
Hi Karen- Could you post what that "slight technicality" is that
the HMO is taking issue with? Maybe someone will have a suggestion to help
you if we understood the problem. I understand your desperation, I'm also
pre-op and sometimes terrified of being rejected by my insurance co for
WLS. But please don't do anything to jeopardize your health or someone
else's job. As I've read in many profiles, the journey hasn't been easy
for everyone. Good Luck! Mea :o)
— Mea A.
August 24, 2003
Karen, honesty is really the best policy. I can appreciate your
desperation, but it is wrong to cheat your insurance company just to get
this surgery. I would think that with your BMI, you should qualify without
having to do that anyway. There are no shortcuts here. What you are
proposing to do is just as bad as the people who get turned down for
surgery because they don't weigh enough, then they go out and gain 15-20
pounds or more so that they do qualify. Do this the ethical way, please!
You will sleep better at night knowing that you are not helping to drive up
the insurance rates of honest people! :)
— MomBear2Cubs
August 24, 2003
Wow. I have to say that I am taken aback by some of the unkind things that
have been sent flaming in my direction.
This was the first post I had ever made to this site. I had come looking
for support and information. My faux pax.
I did not elaborate in the text of my question because I felt that the
forum rules urged the author to be brief. Had I elaborated, I would have
added that I am not submitting this claim to an insurance company. I am
dealing with an in-house HMO medical facility. The technicality of which I
speak is that the outside specialist who diagnosed me with Sleep Apnea
offered me the option of using a C-Pap breathing machine (prescription
already filled out), or of just waiting for the surgery to reduce the
effects. I chose to wait, knowing that I would probably not faithfully use
the machine. I have 100% coverage on these types of things, but I didn't
want my HMO to expend unneccessary funds. The HMO's review board ruled me
inelligible for the surgery because I was not using a C-Pap. See...
splitting hairs. My specialist cannot submit a follow-up explanation or
simply prescribe me the C-Pap because of a time window that has closed. My
PCP must submit, and even though she is supportive of my surgery, she is
not allowed to submit an opion that is out of her specialty area. See...
another technicality.
My last sugar test read 108. If this year's test were to read 111, I would
automatically be qualified.
I apologize if some of you interpreted my question as an indication that I
intended to jeopardize my health by actually causing myself to develop the
serious condition of diabetes. I actually was simply wondering if having a
Coke or Snickers bar before my test might push me to to that coveted 111
"borderline" range.
For those who think that I have put all of you in jeopardy by risking the
insurance eligibility of all potential WLS patients in the whole world, I
assure you that I will not ever tarnish your forum again.
Gee, I was only looking for a bit of guidance. You know, I'm a real,
breathing, feeling person. I'll take my tears and lost enthusiasm
elsewhere. I feel quite deflated.
Please think before any of you aim your poison arrows at another soul. I
deserved better.
— karentherese
August 24, 2003
I did forget to sincerely thank those of you who offered information or
asked me for more info about my question in order to help. Those responses,
(both on this board, and through private email), were helpful. Thank you
again.
— karentherese
August 25, 2003
Karen, you are new here. The moderators have asked us NOT to post
questions like yours that even hint at altering a test. Many times people
have asked how to "gain" weight to get to a required BMI...and
we've been told that this sort of question is not to be posted here. If
you have an HMO, you have insurance that pays for your visits, right? So,
in effect, what you are trying to do is defraud your insurance or HMO
organization. I think you need to call it what it is. We are glad to have
any newbie on here...but you need to follow the rules and regs of the site
to really benefit from being here. Just a comment...you are threatening
your own life by not using your cpap. Waiting for surgery is not the
answer here. Sleep apnea is a life-threatening condition that needs
immediate attention.
— [Deactivated Member]
August 25, 2003
Karen, if they offered you the CPAP and said you would be eligible if you
were using the CPAP, your answer is "I would not use the machine
faithfully." Why not? To save all the hassles, AND to safeguard your
health, why not be compliant with these measures? This surgery is covered
by insurance because it is about health issues. Between your dismissive
attitude toward the CPAP and your question about raising your glucose
level, it doesn't seem like you're on board with that. I'm sorry if you
feel like a victim of this board, no one understands the hoops the
insurance companies make you jump through like we do, but you need to look
at what you've posted and why anyone would have a problem with it instead
of just crying foul.
— susanje
August 25, 2003
The commitment required to be healthy post op is tremendous. If you are not
100% on board to be compliant and do what is necessary to be healthy maybe
you are not ready for surgery. I feel even more strongly after reading the
"explanation" . It is a lot of work staying healthy post op. I
get sick and tired of swallowing vitamins, iron and calcium pills every
single day. There are days I just want to have a big old piece of
cheesecake instead of protein or a 1/2 a piece of fruit or a salad. But I
don't want to get malnitrition so I take my vits and eat right and exercise
(somewhat) faithfully. It is a lot more work being a postie than strapping
on a cpap machine evry night. this surgery will not fix all that is wrong
going on here, it is only a tool to help lose weight , and it is a
responsibility for life to commit to do what ever you have to do to be
healthy.
— **willow**
August 25, 2003
Don't leave!!! Instead...take a deep breath, and start again. The only way
to do that is to admit you posted a very dicey enquiry to the list, and a
very different explanation the second time. Some folks got cross, as was
their right. But: now you also know that we are verrrrry serious about
getting well again, and we want you to be part of that community. It
sounds like you got between some conflicting advice and possibilities and,
unfortunately, it came out all wrong. If I could suggest, go back to the
beginning: your Primary Care Physician. Let your doctor work with you by
charting out where things are at, what needs doing, what's to cross off,
what's a dead end, and the dig in once more. There ARE great people out
there to help you. There ARE marvelous surgeons, dieticians, clinic
coordinators and nurses who have dedicated their professional lives to
making a difference for us lucky folks, and I know you can be one of them.
It will take time: none of us have just trotted along on a straight path,
trust me. Subscribe to the daily e-mail digest and start reading the many
questions and conundrums folks bring to this list: we're all so human! and
we will always help each other if we can. This is list is my safe place
and my WLS home. Good luck! Stay with us!
— Deborah M.
Click Here to Return