So Sad about my A1C
SueMom22
Posts: 5 Member
This is my first post in the group. I've been following the group and eating LCHF since January. I've lost about 20 pounds and feel great. I was looking forward to seeing that A1C plummet at my annual physical. I just got my results and I am up from 5.8 to 5.9. I know that's not much, but I've been so consistent...My lipid panel was fine with very little change. I"m just sad.
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I think that sounds pretty discouraging. This was a 6 month A1C? What did the finger sticks predict? Does your meter give an average of some sort?
I enter my readings in mySugr (an app on my phone), and it generates a prediction once you have enough entries. The first A1C after I started using it predicted lower than I got from the doctor's blood draw. The second one was pretty much spot on.
Were lipids pretty normal? I think some of that is supposed to stabilize once you quit losing and are in maintenance for a few months.
I must say that 5.9 is not such a bad A1C in the big scheme of things. You want it to be lower of course, but my doctor gave me 7.0 - 7.2 as my goal on meds. I was a little lower than you on my last A1C, but maybe both your readings and mine are within the range of error and they might all be the same reading if the test were more precise.2 -
You don't have your diary open, so it's difficult to suggest possible improvements, however, for some diabetics too much protein can be an issue. Also, some react to artificial sweeteners just like sugar. How often are you testing your BG during the day? Have you noticed any trends in what you eat or activity level and the BG numbers?2
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Sometimes eating larger meals can cause spikes for some diabetics or pre-diabetics (even just with insulin resistance!), but as you stay on this eating plan longer, your body gets smarter and starts processing everything more effectively. Depending on any damage your body had endured over the years, your body may have focused on healing things internally first, before working on anything else. Sending good thoughts!3
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Have you lost weight since you started? Assuming you have weight to lose...???
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The A1c test is only accurate within 0.5. Essentially, you could be down as much as 0.4 with that result. Rather than just look at this one test, I would recommend you take a long view and watch for a trend. If you next one is slightly up, then it probably is going up. If it is 5.8 or 5.9 or even 5.7, it is likely staying stable (which is not necessarily a bad thing since it has clearly increased from what was a healthy level at some point in your past). If it is below 5.7, then you are improving.
Also, I would suggest some tracking on your own using a glucometer. You don't have to be completely obsessive about it like some of us have been known to be. You should however do some checking of FBG and PP BG in relation to various foods eaten. Some people have adverse BG reactions to foods that others don't. For instance, some people will see a spike from dairy - even dairy with little to no carbs. Some even see spikes from certain fiber sources.
Do not get discouraged. You have shown you are willing to take control of your life. Keep that goal, but remember this is a marathon and not a sprint. Improving insulin sensitivity happens more quickly with some than with others.
There are also micronutrients which are important, so make sure you are eating nutrient dense foods and supplementing if necessary. For instance, there are B vitamins that are required for metabolism regardless of whether it is carb, fat or protein.3 -
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Thank you all for the encouragement. I am committed to LCHF because I feel so much better, so, no, I am not giving up. I am pre-diabetic and have been for about 5 years. I'm almost 50, 5'4" and my start weight was 140. I have lost about 20 pounds. I do not test with a glucometer, but I do have one. ( I had gestational diabetes) Cstehansen, my A1Cs are yearly and have been 5.9, 5.7, 5.8, 5.8, 5.9--so I guess no change statistically. Ralflott, I haven't read the link yet but I will!1
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Ralflott-- that link makes sense to me. Looks like I'll be testing my blood post meal.2
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Thank you for the encouragement. I'm committed to eating LCHF if for no other reason, because I don't get those crazy sugar swings and I feel so much better. I have been pre-diabetic for about 5 years with yearly A1Cs of 5.9, 5.7, 5.8, 5.8, 5.9--so I guess statistically unchanged. I am almost 50, 5'4" started at 140 and now around 121. I had gestational diabetes, so I do have a glucose meter and I will start testing after meals. Thanks again!1
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Sue, for some of us doing this WOE it seems to take a bit longer to see some of the great results. I like the "marathon, not a sprint" way of thinking. Hang in there.
And welcome to the group.
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I can understand being discouraged. I was also prediabetic (though based on OGTT; my A1C never quite got into prediabetic range). My A1C did go down over time; hopefully yours will as well but checking post meal is a good idea too. Great job on the weight loss and I'm glad you are feeling better eating this way!1
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Also, I don't know if you eat a lot of pork, but I've recently learned that unprocessed pork can spike blood sugar.0
