"But I Feel Fine..." Why Regular Checkups Can Save Your Life

Disclaimer: The patient story shared in this article is based on a real experience, but identifying details have been changed or omitted to protect privacy. This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your healthcare provider.

"I feel fine."

I've heard those words more times than I can count.

People skip their yearly checkups for many reasons. Some don't have health insurance. Others don't have a primary care provider. Some say they can't afford it or simply don't have the time. Many believe that because they feel well, there isn't anything wrong.

I understand those concerns. Life gets busy, and medical care can be expensive.

But sometimes our bodies whisper long before they scream.

I remember caring for a man who was only 35 years old. He came to the emergency room because he couldn't stop drinking and couldn't stop urinating.

When we asked about his medical history, he told us he didn't have any medical problems. He wasn't taking any medications. He had no idea anything serious was happening.

Earlier that day, he had been working outside in the heat. He became thirsty, so he drank a Coke.

Then another.

Then another.

By the time he came to the emergency room, he estimated he had consumed ten or twelve Cokes because he simply could not quench his thirst.

He wasn't trying to satisfy a craving.

His body was desperately trying to replace the fluids it was losing.

When his blood work came back, his blood glucose was approximately 1,400 mg/dL.

Yes...

Fourteen hundred.

Most people reading this are probably wondering the same thing I did:

"How could someone have a blood sugar that high and still be awake?"

The answer is that diabetes often develops gradually.

Our bodies are remarkably good at adapting. As blood sugar slowly rises over weeks or months, many people don't notice dramatic symptoms right away. Their bodies compensate, adjusting little by little until what should feel abnormal begins to feel normal.

By the time symptoms become impossible to ignore, blood sugar may already be dangerously high.

This young man was severely dehydrated and admitted to the intensive care unit. He required intravenous fluids, an insulin drip, hourly blood sugar checks, and frequent laboratory testing. In the emergency department alone, he received four liters of IV fluids while his medical team worked to stabilize him.

Later, I learned he was discharged on insulin and had an appointment scheduled with an endocrinologist. I don't know whether he kept that appointment, but I hope he did.

What I do remember is that when he first learned he had diabetes, he didn't really know what that meant.

Before he left the emergency department, I spent a few moments explaining that diabetes isn't just about taking medication. We talked briefly about reducing carbohydrate intake and the importance of following up with his healthcare provider. I also knew a dietitian had been consulted to help him begin learning how to live with this new diagnosis.

I've often wondered how different his story might have been if diabetes had been discovered months earlier during a routine physical and simple blood work.

Maybe he would have avoided the ICU.

Maybe he would have started making changes before his blood sugar reached a life-threatening level.

Maybe one appointment could have changed everything.

That's why I encourage you not to wait until you feel sick.

Schedule your yearly checkup.

Have the recommended lab work done.

Know your blood pressure.

Know your cholesterol.

Know your blood sugar.

Knowing gives you the opportunity to make changes before a small problem becomes a medical emergency.

Taking care of your health isn't about living in fear.

It's about being a good steward of the body God has entrusted to you.

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."— Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

One doctor's visit.

One set of lab tests.

One conversation.

Sometimes one faithful step today can prevent a crisis tomorrow.

💛 You're Not Alone.

I'd love to hear about your diabetes journey.

Whether you've just been diagnosed or have been living with diabetes for years, you don't have to walk the journey alone. If you have questions or would simply like someone to listen and encourage you, let's talk.

Schedule your free conversation today. There's no obligation—just support, encouragement, and someone who cares.