I am blessed: A1C average of 6.16.
Read the article for thoughts from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) . Not particularly kind.
How can you have diabetes if your A1C is 6.16?
I have it too. Got it down to 6.2 last bloodwork. Doctor didn’t want it too much lower
I’ve never gotten higher than 6.1. Last time was 5.5, which is where I’d like to keep it. Generally runs 5.9-6.0
As a jaded, disgusted, cynical t2, anything the “health care” community does regarding diabetes should be looked at through the lens of ‘qui bono’
The longer they can keep one functioning, the longer that person (insurance company) pays into the system.
If there is a cash shortfall, they can suggest a ‘more relaxed’ standard that will punch up the number of catastrophic conditions, pumping more cash into the system.
Just .02, YMPV
KYPD
Here is even more exciting news about miracles in stroke treatment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZwCDT50PJI
I have type 2 and for the last couple of years I’ve kept my A1C in the range 5.5-5.8 with diet, exercise and metformin.
Maybe these new recommendations are valid for people who are insulin dependent. My mother was in this category for the last 25 years of her life and the impact of very low blood sugar is more immediate and dangerous than the impact of moderately high blood sugar.
In the meantime, I’m going continuing working to keep my A1C as close to the non-diabetic norm as possible, and hope that I continue to enjoy the blessings of good health.
Typically, Atkins and severe restrictions on carbs can break insulin resistance.
Unless one stays overweight.
One of the examples cited is tailoring targets to particular patients’ life circumstances.
I agree that if you’re 80-something, you should enjoy life, eat what you want within reason, and not worry much about “long-term” consequences.
But if you’re in your 40s, 50s or 60s, I’d say do your best to stay around and healthy for the people you care about.
Mine was 10.6 when I was diagnosed 5 yrs ago. Six months later I had it down to 5.2 and it hasn’t gone above 5.3 since. One 5 mg glyburide each day and virtually zero carb diet.
I was diabetic for many years and din’t know it. 4 years ago I had a heart attack and was told my A1C was over 12.
I’m on Metformin and Invokana (last 2 years). My current A1C is 6.7 and I feel great.
I dropped my AIC from 6.3 (which my DR said was “pre-diabetic”) to 5.8 in 100 days by changing diet drastically. Doc still wants me to get it under 5.5
What does all this mean on a standard glucose meter?
Straight from my med record Diabetes type 2:
Component Your Value Standard Range
Hemoglobin A1c 5.9 % 4.5 - 6.2 %
Hgb A1c 4.0-6.0 Non-diabetic %
The American Diabetes Association considers a result of Less Than 7% to be the goal of diabetic therapy. When results are consistently Greater Than 8%, the ADA suggests reevaluation of the treatment regimen. The testing method used is certified traceable to the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial reference method.
Estimated Average Glucose 123 mg/dL mg/dL
The ADA considers an eAG result of Less Than 154 mg/dL to be the goal of diabetic therapy. Estimated Average Glucose calculated from hemoglobin A1c by use of the ADA recommended formula.
My doctors were in shock over my last A1c ..... 5.9. Last year during an 8 month period, I lost 50 pounds. I feel close to how I did in my 40s. I plan to lose another 30 pounds over time. My family doctor and heart doctor were very pleased.
I am very carful with carbs...Thanksgiving was a tough time.
My secrets: I eat baked chicken almost every day...even for breakfast. I eat lots of soups and salads that I make for myself. I still eat steak and 1/2 of a small potato once a week, and pork chops on Wednesday. I have always been a meat, potatoes, gravy, biscuit and bread kinda guy. Most of those days are gone, but I still get to treat myself from time to time. ;>)
I keep moving....heck, I bought a new Stihl 661 36” chainsaw a couple weeks ago, and I have been making trees into lumber....at 69 years old...70 in October. I do my best to stay off the computer. When I am done milling the 35 logs I have on the ground, I’ll go play on our Kayak. When not playing on the Kayak, I’ll go for long drives in my Z06 Corvette.....it too can keep me moving. LOL Fishing, camping, shooting on my range, photography, playing in the dirt on my John Deere tractor.....I rearrange entire yards on our property.....it doesn’t seem to matter as long as I stay busy.
Last winter we remodeled most of the interior of the main house...now there is T &G knotty pine all over...we love the wood feeling. This winter we remodeled and partially rebuilt most of our 3 stall garage.
I have more ideas on keeping me busy than I have years left to live....but it became fun.
Damn the diabetes, full steam ahead.
Chickens fear me.
“Normal” A1C is 6 or below. It used to be 7. After overnight fasting, blood sugar should be below 175.
Carbs are clearly the villian. Metformin works and has a long track record.
Treatment depends on the reason for high blood sugar, mostly its genetics, then, a high carb diet, then, a lack of exercise.
Muscle, other than insulin, directly metabolizes blood sugar. A good diet and enough exercise nearly always ends type II diabetes.
Lowering stress lowers insulin resistance.
Good dental care is essential, any gum disease raises insulin resistance, gargle a lot.
Last deployment I caught a bug in Yemen, MRSA in my blood. Beat down my liver and pancreas.
A1C was 13, blood sugar was a 545. I was barely alive. Gave me an IV 3 liters of saline.
I started walking, then running, then added 2 a days.
6 months my A1C was at 7, blood sugar around 150. My pancreas has recovered somewhat, probably the best I can expect.
Doc says with continued exercise I will live a normal life and may not even need metformin.
Eat well and PT every day.
A good article posted just a few days ago right here on FR:
https://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3636132/posts
“Is Keto the Cure for Type II Diabetes”
Diabetes — the most insidious desease known to mankind. It is the springboard for many nasty illnesses like strokes and heart attacks, blindness and amputations.
Related comments here https://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3653130/posts
recently my Aic went up and now on Metformin and trying to cut carbs.....there are 30,000,000 type 2 diabetics in America....