QuestionI have been taking high-dose niacin for four years, as one aspect of my effort to prevent a second MI. Over the same period, my fasting plasma glucose has gone from 82mg/dl to 95mg/dl and has always been higher with niacin. I understand that this can be a side effect of niacin. If that's what is happening with me, could the niacin induce a diabetes-like condition, or actually cause diabetes? Also, do you think that I am at a point where it would be wise to ask my PCP about an oral glucose tolerance test? Thank you for your generous help.
Answer95 is normal as far as blood glucose... I tend to do a poor man's glucose tolerance test and check the blood sugar two hours after a reasonably big meal... if that is normal, nothing to worry about... But, I don't consider 82 and 95 abnormal, and basically, since the sugar varies continuously and the machines are not perfect, those are basically the same numbers.
