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.
Here, here, George. I agree wholeheartedly. These numbers are data - not self-judgement markers... They give us context regarding where we've been and inform our decisions to get us where we want to be... :) - Nicole
I completely agree with you George. My last A1C was 12.5 and my triglycerides were up along with my cholesterol. Talk about a wake up call. I was so scared when my Dr. told me what my numbers were. Ever since, I have taken my meds on time everyday, seen a nutritionist to discuss better eating choices, and exercise atleast 1/2 hr everyday. The difference it has done in stabilizing my BG is amazing!
My Diabetes nurse/counselor reads the riot act if my A1C goes over 7.0 My last one was 5.9 and she thought that was too low... 6.1 to 6.8 is our goal range. It's been there most of the time for the past couple of years.
How can she say 5.9 is too low when 4.6 to 4.8 is normal for a non diabetic?? Bill
How can she say 5.9 is too low when 4.6 to 4.8 is normal for a non diabetic?? Bill
Bill - She can say it's too low - because we are NOT non-diabetics. A 5.9% can come, for a person with diabetes taking synthetic insulin or other medication, with dangerous low bloodsugars. That's the unfortunate truth. For the record - for a non-diabetic, lab-standard A1C in normal range is 4.0 to 6.0%, not 4.6 to 4.8% as you state. And most docs and CDES recommend A1C at or lower than 6.5% or 7.0%... This is, in the grand scheme a good deal higher than a 5.9%.
"Normal" A1C depends on the test used and the laboratory. The lab my doctor uses puts the "normal" range as 4.5 - 6.0.
I do not understand why any doc would say that anything under 6.0 is too low. I'm a type 2 diabetic who is fortunate to be able to control, at least to this point without meds. I use diet and exercise to control. My A1C's have been running 5.6 to 5.8 until the last three months. Unfortunately the last two have been 6.1 and 6.5, and if the next one is that same level or higher, I'll probably have to go on medications. I hope not, as I am hoping that tightening up on my diet will help.
Twikan - As I said in my comment, I think that some Doctors/CDEs would find a 5.9% too low because of the danger of low bloodsugars - I would imagine that their having both the A1C number AND the bloodsugar results of the person made them think to say that it was too low. A 5.9% that comes with lows in the 20s or 30s probably means it's being attained with lows and then rebounding highs... Not a great choice if you can attain a 6.2 or 6.3 or even 6.5% with minimal low bloodsugars.
Perhaps for you that level isn't too high - maybe it's perfect given your circumstance. I know for me, being on insulin for 25 years and prone to not recognizing my low bloodsugars, an A1C of 5.6% is too low - I'd end up with a lot of lows and put myself in a dangerous situation by getting to that level. My doc is happy with me if I'm anywhere between 5.9% and 6.8% - as long as he's not seeing lots of lows in my bloodsugar log.
Everyone is different - but I'd bet a lot of docs get nervous about lots of lows with patients on meds that can change their bloodsugar situation so quickly and put them into perilous situations.
I'm glad you're able to control as you do - I wish you luck going forward and I hope that you're able to stay off the meds...