Diabetics: Your A1C Test Results

[MIGrandma]

At my last doctor's appointment my A1C test results were 7.2. 6 months prior to that it was 7.8 so did go in the right direction.

At 7.2 the main doctor in the office I go to (not the one I see though) wanted me to start on insulin. I said no, thank you, and that I would work harder to get it down more by my next visit.

I just did a home test and got the results this morning, 7.1. Sigh. I thought I was doing so much better in controlling it so was really hoping for under 7 this time. I go back to the doctor in less than a month. I guess it's nothing but lean meat and vegetables until then.

What do your A1C tests results look like?

 

[kerstfan1]

are u on medication already if not i would see if u got go that route first

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

Sorry to hear about your test results. I can only imagine how frustrating this must be for you.

My DH was recently diagnosed with late-onset autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) after 1.5 years of high blood sugar readings. His last A1C before diagnosis was 10.5 (after having an A1C of 7.0 two months before). He was put on insulin, and to be perfectly honest, finds it much easier now than when he was trying to deal with the diabetes with just drugs and diet. He can now eat pretty much whatever he wants (within reason - he's always been a pretty healthy eater), and just adapts his insulin dosage to his meals.

He has managed to get VERY good control of his levels in just a couple of months. He hasn't had a reading over 200 in more than a month, and most of his readings are around 80 pre-meal and 140 two hours after eating. We are looking forward to seeing his new A1C result in the next few weeks and expect he will get very good results.

With the new developments in insulin pens, he doesn't even feel his injections (he takes four a day). The blood testing is more of a pain, but now that he's developed good control he only tests a couple of times a day (for the first few weeks he was testing nine times a day).

I just wanted to give you a different perspective - although being insulin-dependent isn't fun, it does have some definite advantages, with helping to avoid the long-term damage from high blood sugars being one undeniable benefit!

 

[plutotek]

OP, I'm right there with you; hovering in the same range. Haven't gone the insulin route, but 3-4 pills daily. I know that mine is due, in part, to moving from a more active job to one that's more sedentary, so I have to get more exercise. Time to find a stationary bike.

 

[Meriweather]

my last one was 6.2 up from my usual 5.7.
I am working on getting it down. I take oral medication. I know I have not been good with my diet lately though, so I trying harder.

Good luck.

 

[MIGrandma]

Yes, I take medication (since 2003). Metformin and Glyburide.

I just really do not want to go the insulin route.

 

[mickeyplanner08]

Yes, I take medication (since 2003). Metformin and Glyburide.

I just really do not want to go the insulin route.

Like a PP, I've been on insulin, and I love it. I'm a crazy type 2 that has never tried meds because I started insulin prior to getting pregnant. The pen is so quick and easy, and I can adjust it based on what I eat. My A1C's hang between 5.7-5.9.

I promise that once you get past that first day, you will wonder why you ever waited so long. The first poke is almost panic inducing, but once it is done, it's done. It REALLY does hurt less than the finger pokes. There aren't very many nerve endings on your stomach.

I bugged my sister's FIL for 3 years to try insulin, and he finally did. He is feeling so much better. He has more energy. He says to me, "I wish I had listened to you and started insulin sooner."

If that's what they recommend, I say go for it!

 

[minkydog]

My A1c is 5.6. I take in injectable drug, Byetta, which helps control after-meal blood sugars. It has relatively no effect on fasting blood sugar. But it has the side benefit of reducing appetite which in turn assists weight loss. I crave carbs most of the time, but especially in the evenings. I take the Byetta in the morning and again before supper and it reduces those cravings to just about zero. Of course, i still need to watch my intake, try to keep the carbs to good ones, lean meats, no sugary drinks, etc. I find that it's much easier for me to be compliant when I'm taking medication.

 

[minkydog]

My DH was recently diagnosed with late-onset autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) after 1.5 years of high blood sugar readings. His last A1C before diagnosis was 10.5 (after having an A1C of 7.0 two months before). He was put on insulin, and to be perfectly honest, finds it much easier now than when he was trying to deal with the diabetes with just drugs and diet. He can now eat pretty much whatever he wants (within reason - he's always been a pretty healthy eater), and just adapts his insulin dosage to his meals.

He has managed to get VERY good control of his levels in just a couple of months. He hasn't had a reading over 200 in more than a month, and most of his readings are around 80 pre-meal and 140 two hours after eating. We are looking forward to seeing his new A1C result in the next few weeks and expect he will get very good results.

With the new developments in insulin pens, he doesn't even feel his injections (he takes four a day). The blood testing is more of a pain, but now that he's developed good control he only tests a couple of times a day (for the first few weeks he was testing nine times a day).

I just wanted to give you a different perspective - although being insulin-dependent isn't fun, it does have some definite advantages, with helping to avoid the long-term damage from high blood sugars being one undeniable benefit!

My sister says the same thing. She developed type 1 diabetes when she was 37 , so of course, she is insulin-dependent now. She told me she feels sorry for me because I can't eat whatever I want without having serious blood sugar consequences. When you're type 2 like i am, one serving of rice, pasta, or potatoes can boost your blood sugar for hours. DSis can eat whatever she wants, just covers the carb intake with extra insulin and within the hour she's all set.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

it's nothing but lean meat and vegetables until then

Are you exercising? Bumping up exercise can help lower it.

 

[zurgswife]

Yes, I take medication (since 2003). Metformin and Glyburide.

I just really do not want to go the insulin route.

First of all a 7.1 is a blood sugar average of 157... I'd say that is pretty good on the pills. If you don't want to take insulin don't. your A1C shows that your control is decent; just work harder on your diet and exercise.

I live with 2 Type 1's and we'd be thrilled with 7.1 because actually going much lower would be too dangerous because of the constant possibility of undetected lows. So, my opinion is slightly jade by that fact.

Keeping working at it.

 

[asta]

I am somewhat new to Type 2 diabetes. My A1C has gone from 7.2 in February to 6.2 in August. My doctor did not put me on any drugs. I asked because it sounds like drugs would help but he hasn't gone that route so far. I have done it all by diet and exercise. I lost 30 pounds over that time frame. I have not really done without food, I'm just making better food choices. Key choices are eating more protein, watching carbs, almost no fast food and eliminating chips as a snack. I really think than I am eating more food now than before. I also added an exercise routine. I need a knee replacement and had become practically sendentary. I worked with a personal trainer for just three sessions and she developed a weights and cardio program around my bad joint. I do this 5 times a week.

Sorry for the long post but I get excited about finally getting into better shape.

 

[pumba]

I am not on any drugs either but my A1c which was not bad the last quarter testing went back up to 6.9...Of course my MD was upset with me and I told her I was not behaving or exercising....So back on being better with my eating habits and also exercising......they go hand in hand for some control...
Good luck and stick with your program..

 

[dngnb8]

At my last doctor's appointment my A1C test results were 7.2. 6 months prior to that it was 7.8 so did go in the right direction.

At 7.2 the main doctor in the office I go to (not the one I see though) wanted me to start on insulin. I said no, thank you, and that I would work harder to get it down more by my next visit.

I just did a home test and got the results this morning, 7.1. Sigh. I thought I was doing so much better in controlling it so was really hoping for under 7 this time. I go back to the doctor in less than a month. I guess it's nothing but lean meat and vegetables until then.

What do your A1C tests results look like?

Dont be stubborn. My wife has

Retinopathy
Neuropathy
Nephropathy

and

Had has a pancreatic and kidney transplant... All because, she thought she could do better. Dont be stubborn. Someone out there loves you



She turned 51 this monday

 

[Savanah'sMom]

My A1c is 5.6. I take in injectable drug, Byetta, which helps control after-meal blood sugars. It has relatively no effect on fasting blood sugar. But it has the side benefit of reducing appetite which in turn assists weight loss. I crave carbs most of the time, but especially in the evenings. I take the Byetta in the morning and again before supper and it reduces those cravings to just about zero. Of course, i still need to watch my intake, try to keep the carbs to good ones, lean meats, no sugary drinks, etc. I find that it's much easier for me to be compliant when I'm taking medication.

I was on Byetta after having my son in 2008. I LOVE IT!!!! It made me sick for a while, but after I got past that, I dropped 40 lbs. Once you get to a size you are comfortable with, try switching to Victoza. I'm on that now, I take it 1x a day, and it really helps in conjunction with my other meds.

 

[Savanah'sMom]

Dont be stubborn. My wife has

Retinopathy
Neuropathy
Nephropathy

and

Had has a pancreatic and kidney transplant... All because, she thought she could do better. Dont be stubborn. Someone out there loves you



She turned 51 this monday

This it what scares me to death. I'm a 32 year old diabetic, September marked my decade of being a diabetic. My numbers are good and I'm at a great weight but at the end of last year I found out I have nerve damage to both hands. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that I work on a computer all day long. I'm constantly asking my MD if it's ok that I'm on the amount of meds that I'm on. I take Victoza and 3 different oral meds 2xs a day. I'm so scared that I'm messing up my kidneys or my liver, but he keeps telling me that I'm fine.

I would have no problem going back on insulin.

 

[simba20]

Dont be stubborn. My wife has

Retinopathy
Neuropathy
Nephropathy

and

Had has a pancreatic and kidney transplant... All because, she thought she could do better. Dont be stubborn. Someone out there loves you



She turned 51 this monday

My brother passed away at the age of 36 with all of that and more. At the end, he went into the hospital to have some toes amputated. They told my mother they had to remove his foot, and likely would have to do the other foot as well. He developed a staph infection after the surgery and died. He also had kidney failure and brittle bones, the last 4 years of his life, he walked with a boot on his left foot due to tiny fractures.

My brother believed that as long as he took his meds, he could eat whatever he wanted. He later went on insulin...he lived at home and my mother injected it...he still believed he could eat whatever he wanted. The side effects of diabetes aren't pretty and can be avoided.

Because of my family history, my ObGYN (the primary doctor I had at the time) gave me a GTT last year and I failed. I found an endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes. He said most doctors would refer to my numbers at a pre diabetic level, but he doesn't go far "Pre-diabetes" either you have it or you don't. So I am monitored closely. I was offered the option to take meds, but decided to go for diet and exercise. I stepped up my game recently and started wording out with a trainer. In six weeks, I've gone from not being able to run, to cutting down my walking/jogging mile time to 12:00. My last A1C check was 6.1, however now that I've really started working out and really eating better, I have had awesome fasting sugars in the am (I test only fasting or after new meals). I have an appointment next week, and can't wait to see if/how I've improved.

 

[dngnb8]

My wifes onset was at 12. Ironically, her moms onset was a year before she turned 12. After watching her daughter go through heck and back, mom is still in denial.

To all you diabetics out there. Listen, I understand, really I do. Shots, sticks, counting carbs, and the knowledge of what this disease can do. I know you want to live a life without inconvenience, interruption, everyone asking you questions, etc. Really, I get it.

But this thing will debilitate you slowly over time. And frankly, not just you, it will debilitate your children, your parents, your spouse. You take them with you on the ride. They worry, stress, feel everything you feel on some level. I knew when I met my wife, what I was in for. I was a Paramedic for 6 years. I had an advantage of seeing what it does. Most of your support doesnt have that advantage.

Some of you may think, "well, its my life", and frankly, youre wrong. Your life is intertwined with many other lives. Its like a spiderweb. 1 strand connects and supports many others.

Focus, take care of yourself. Exercise, eat right, pay attention. Im not saying you have to be perfect, just dont be stubborn.

The lack of care today, is the health issues you will have tomorrow.

Okay.... im off the soap box.... I now return you to your regular programming....

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I'm a Type I diabetic. I was considered Juvenile since I was 20 at the time (not adult-onset). Been on insulin since Day 1. Over the years my A1C obviously has gone up and down. Most recently it's hovered between 6.8-7.2. My endo is perfectly fine with that.

Don't kill yourself trying to get the best numbers possible. I will say, however, that going on insulin is not a terrible thing, nor does it mean you've "lost." Someday I'd love to get my A1C back to the 5.8-6.2 range, but with young kids and a hectic schedule, I'm fine with what I have...especially since all of the accompanying blood work shows no signs of any complications.

 

[Disney Doll]

Lots of misinformation about diabetes out there...and some in here on this thread.

I would urge anyone who is diabetic to get themselves aligned with a good endocrinologist....I don't care how many times your GP tells you he/she can "handle" your diabetes....they can't. There is SO much new stuff out there about diabetes, how to treat it, new medicines etc.

It generally shouldn't take 3 diabetes pills and a shot of Victoza to control one's sugars. Insulin is not the end of the world...for many folks, it makes their lives much, much easier,their control much better, their possibility of complications further down the road much less.