Matthias Gelinski

12.5? 10.0? 7.8? 8.2?

That is what my last four hemoglobin A1c tests have been. I just got the results for my latest blood work this week.

When my nurse gave me the results I was not surprised. My carb intake has been a lot more then usual and my blood sugars have been high often. Since I switched to the Weight Watchers Core Plan like so many of you suggested, my BG has been very good this week. I am hopeful that I can get that A1c down next time. But are those numbers bad?

Back when I got the news of that 12.5 I knew I was out of control and that I needed to act soon or I was going to face some major complications. That really was the beginning for me to adopt this idea of being a "Born Again Diabetic." I did not punish myself but rather used this information to motivate myself.

A month later my doctor had me do more blood work to see if this new attitude and regimen was making any sort of a difference. That was when my A1C was 10.0. Since a hemoglobin A1c reflects a 3 month period, I must have made some significant changes to see a difference so soon. It felt good to see I was heading in the right direction.

Several months later when my A1c was 7.8 I was so happy. Not quite where the ADA wants me to be but much better than that 12.5 I had 6 months prior.

The thing about it is I always knew. That first one was a surprise because I hadn't taken one in so long but honestly I pretty much knew what it would look like. If you check your BG several times a day, you have a good idea of where you A1c is.

So can any of these be bad? I used to think so but now I see that these are a marker. A starting off point. A stop along the D-path that will all walk. Our A1c results help us to plan our routines. Do we stick with what we are doing or make some changes? It is a good gauge for us to plan our future as much as we can.

So don't beat yourself up. We do enough of that. Our perspective can give numbers like this power that they don't deserve. You should keep the power for yourself to change your world.

Use the number to your advantage.