A1c
Replies
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Started on Glimepiride. Amyfrogred - I can't figure out how to reply directly to your post.0
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rheddmobile wrote: »trackercasey76 wrote: »trackercasey76 wrote: »Mine was 11.8, I just had a blood draw last week and I'm waiting on the results...hoping it is much lower!
How long has it been since the 11.8? What has your diet been? What are daily readings looking like?
[Sorry for the rapid-fire questions.]
It was mid February that I was 11.8, that was when I found out I was diabetic. Since then I have been very carb aware, took a diabetic awareness class and have been testing once daily (alternating between morning fasting and 2 hrs post dinner). According to my tracking app my average has been 101 with a high of 144 and a low of 70. I have also dropped about 25 pounds since march and about 40 since Christmas. I really expect my A1c to be much better. The app estimates my A1c to be 5.0 but I doubt it dropped that much.
Could very well have, mine dropped that much in 4 months. Particularly if you went on any meds. Fingers crossed!
I know the ADA says test at 2 hours post prandial, but my peaks hit for most foods at about 45 minutes, and start rapidly coming down after 1 hr. If I only tested at 2 hrs I wouldn't have anything like an accurate idea of my actual spikes, and two hours four times a day is a third of a day... a long time for glucose to be elevated.
There's a mistaken notion - supported by insurance companies who don't want to cover the cost of testing strips - that testing frequently isn't helpful for non-insulin dependent diabetics, which goes back to one badly run study, in which the subjects were not instructed what to do if they tested and their sugar was high. So, the test subjects tested, found their sugar was high, said, "Shucky darn, that looks bad," and did nothing different. And then the study found that testing didn't help them. But there are many possible interventions you can do when your sugar is high, such as immediately exercising, and remembering that you can't tolerate that combination of food in the future. I really recommend testing more often than once a day.
Great job on your number going down so quickly, hard work pays off!
I'm one of those people whose insurance company pays for only 1 strip a day. It's so difficult and frustrating to know when to actually test for any kind of pattern.
Any suggestions would be so appreciated particularly regarding having use of only 1 test strip daily! Thanks
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I don't have insurance, so I buy my own strips. I can't imagine a better use of my money - I like my vision, I like my feet, I like my intellect, and these are some of the first things to be damaged by bad glucose control. I have a Bayer Contour next, which is the highest rated meter as far as accuracy. The meter plus 100 lancets, lancing device, and 100 strips is 40 dollars on Amazon, and 100 strips is 20 dollars. So for 40 dollars a month you can test 6 times daily, and for only 20, 3 times. Less than two dollars per day.Hearts_2015 wrote: »rheddmobile wrote: »trackercasey76 wrote: »trackercasey76 wrote: »Mine was 11.8, I just had a blood draw last week and I'm waiting on the results...hoping it is much lower!
How long has it been since the 11.8? What has your diet been? What are daily readings looking like?
[Sorry for the rapid-fire questions.]
It was mid February that I was 11.8, that was when I found out I was diabetic. Since then I have been very carb aware, took a diabetic awareness class and have been testing once daily (alternating between morning fasting and 2 hrs post dinner). According to my tracking app my average has been 101 with a high of 144 and a low of 70. I have also dropped about 25 pounds since march and about 40 since Christmas. I really expect my A1c to be much better. The app estimates my A1c to be 5.0 but I doubt it dropped that much.
Could very well have, mine dropped that much in 4 months. Particularly if you went on any meds. Fingers crossed!
I know the ADA says test at 2 hours post prandial, but my peaks hit for most foods at about 45 minutes, and start rapidly coming down after 1 hr. If I only tested at 2 hrs I wouldn't have anything like an accurate idea of my actual spikes, and two hours four times a day is a third of a day... a long time for glucose to be elevated.
There's a mistaken notion - supported by insurance companies who don't want to cover the cost of testing strips - that testing frequently isn't helpful for non-insulin dependent diabetics, which goes back to one badly run study, in which the subjects were not instructed what to do if they tested and their sugar was high. So, the test subjects tested, found their sugar was high, said, "Shucky darn, that looks bad," and did nothing different. And then the study found that testing didn't help them. But there are many possible interventions you can do when your sugar is high, such as immediately exercising, and remembering that you can't tolerate that combination of food in the future. I really recommend testing more often than once a day.
Great job on your number going down so quickly, hard work pays off!
I'm one of those people whose insurance company pays for only 1 strip a day. It's so difficult and frustrating to know when to actually test for any kind of pattern.
Any suggestions would be so appreciated particularly regarding having use of only 1 test strip daily! Thanks
If you have to limit testing, alternate between testing when fasting and testing after meals. There's evidence that post prandial highs are a better indication of who will have complications than A1c is.
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sweeetypie1 wrote: »Started on Glimepiride. Amyfrogred - I can't figure out how to reply directly to your post.
@sweeetypie1 Hi
You just hit the blue Quote button at the bottom of the box to reply to someone in a thread. 0 -
rheddmobile wrote: »
I don't have insurance, so I buy my own strips. I can't imagine a better use of my money - I like my vision, I like my feet, I like my intellect, and these are some of the first things to be damaged by bad glucose control. I have a Bayer Contour next, which is the highest rated meter as far as accuracy. The meter plus 100 lancets, lancing device, and 100 strips is 40 dollars on Amazon, and 100 strips is 20 dollars. So for 40 dollars a month you can test 6 times daily, and for only 20, 3 times. Less than two dollars per day.Hearts_2015 wrote: »rheddmobile wrote: »trackercasey76 wrote: »trackercasey76 wrote: »Mine was 11.8, I just had a blood draw last week and I'm waiting on the results...hoping it is much lower!
How long has it been since the 11.8? What has your diet been? What are daily readings looking like?
[Sorry for the rapid-fire questions.]
It was mid February that I was 11.8, that was when I found out I was diabetic. Since then I have been very carb aware, took a diabetic awareness class and have been testing once daily (alternating between morning fasting and 2 hrs post dinner). According to my tracking app my average has been 101 with a high of 144 and a low of 70. I have also dropped about 25 pounds since march and about 40 since Christmas. I really expect my A1c to be much better. The app estimates my A1c to be 5.0 but I doubt it dropped that much.
Could very well have, mine dropped that much in 4 months. Particularly if you went on any meds. Fingers crossed!
I know the ADA says test at 2 hours post prandial, but my peaks hit for most foods at about 45 minutes, and start rapidly coming down after 1 hr. If I only tested at 2 hrs I wouldn't have anything like an accurate idea of my actual spikes, and two hours four times a day is a third of a day... a long time for glucose to be elevated.
There's a mistaken notion - supported by insurance companies who don't want to cover the cost of testing strips - that testing frequently isn't helpful for non-insulin dependent diabetics, which goes back to one badly run study, in which the subjects were not instructed what to do if they tested and their sugar was high. So, the test subjects tested, found their sugar was high, said, "Shucky darn, that looks bad," and did nothing different. And then the study found that testing didn't help them. But there are many possible interventions you can do when your sugar is high, such as immediately exercising, and remembering that you can't tolerate that combination of food in the future. I really recommend testing more often than once a day.
Great job on your number going down so quickly, hard work pays off!
I'm one of those people whose insurance company pays for only 1 strip a day. It's so difficult and frustrating to know when to actually test for any kind of pattern.
Any suggestions would be so appreciated particularly regarding having use of only 1 test strip daily! Thanks
If you have to limit testing, alternate between testing when fasting and testing after meals. There's evidence that post prandial highs are a better indication of who will have complications than A1c is.
@rheddmobile Thank you for the suggestions. I believe each of my strips is $1
I cringe when I mess one up (or get a dud) and have to toss it because it's one less strip that month. I have a One Touch Ultra which might be why they are so expensive? It's the brand I've used from the beginning and just stuck with it for no particular reason. I appreciate you sharing about the Bayer Contour Next I'm all for accuracy!
I don't have a clue where mine rates other than the strips in comparison are quite expensive. I'll have to look it up out of curiosity now. I do like the sound of your meter, perhaps if I switch up meters via insurance, then buy extra strips via Amazon I will be able to track far more often. I also really appreciate the knowledge you shared on postprandial highs being a better indicator than A1C's that's something I know little about. 1 -
sweeetypie1 wrote: »Started on Glimepiride. Amyfrogred - I can't figure out how to reply directly to your post.sweeetypie1 wrote: »Started on Glimepiride. Amyfrogred - I can't figure out how to reply directly to your post.
Thanks, just hit the "quote under the reply. I'm new to the meds also so I'm just curious. Let us know if it helps you. It took me a good 2 weeks of adjusting my dose to get a good result.0 -
I just got a call from my Endo. My latest test results have my A1c down to 6.8. Progress! Also I just had one of my hyper-parathyroid glands removed (took out a 1/2 in. tumor)5
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I just got a call from my Endo. My latest test results have my A1c down to 6.8. Progress! Also I just had one of my hyper-parathyroid glands removed (took out a 1/2 in. tumor)
So happy for you! With some of your crazy numbers it's excellent that you're under 7. Maybe things will be more predictable for you going forward.4 -
amyfrogred wrote: »sweeetypie1 wrote: »Started on Glimepiride. Amyfrogred - I can't figure out how to reply directly to your post.sweeetypie1 wrote: »Started on Glimepiride. Amyfrogred - I can't figure out how to reply directly to your post.
Thanks, just hit the "quote under the reply. I'm new to the meds also so I'm just curious. Let us know if it helps you. It took me a good 2 weeks of adjusting my dose to get a good result.
It works! Thanks for info about two weeks.0 -
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I just had my 4th of 5 diabetes education classes. I'm considered "controlled by diet", so no meds, but I too had higher than normal (130) fasting blood sugar readings. My teacher suggested I try having a bedtime snack, and it it amazing--it works! It's a small snack, and I'm careful because I don't want to bring back acid reflux (they tell you not to eat 2 hours before laying down), but you might try a small snack (I have 2T of hummus & a little sauerkraut, typically). Even when my bedtime test numbers are good (102), they're even better in the morning (94). Good luck!
And for everyone reading this--if you haven't taken diabetes education classes, do it! I am the most recently diagnosed student in my class. Others had been diagnosed 2 to 20+ years ago and had never taken the classes. They are worth your investment in yourself and imo will really help you to learn to manage the many facets of diabetes.
Yes a bed time snack helps keep the liver from dumping excess sugar while you sleep. It made a huge difference in my fasting numbers as well. I usually have Aunt Millies brand 35 calorie whole grain bread with some peanut butter.
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So further good news, I just found out (because I couldn't remember) that in May my A1c was 9.4!!! Down to 6.8 in about 4 months!!!.2
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Hearts_2015 wrote: »
@rheddmobile Thank you for the suggestions. I believe each of my strips is $1 I cringe when I mess one up (or get a dud) and have to toss it because it's one less strip that month. I have a One Touch Ultra which might be why they are so expensive? It's the brand I've used from the beginning and just stuck with it for no particular reason. I appreciate you sharing about the Bayer Contour Next I'm all for accuracy!
I don't have a clue where mine rates other than the strips in comparison are quite expensive. I'll have to look it up out of curiosity now. I do like the sound of your meter, perhaps if I switch up meters via insurance, then buy extra strips via Amazon I will be able to track far more often. I also really appreciate the knowledge you shared on postprandial highs being a better indicator than A1C's that's something I know little about.
I use the Relion Prime. 100 strips are $17.88. I think that tracking the glucose numbers is key to seeing what works and what doesn't. The One Touch strips with insurance were more expensive than the Relion without for me.0 -
If you ask your doc to up the number of times you should test daily on you Rx, your insurance may cover extra strips. I have a ppo with drug coverage and they cover my strips & lancets x 4 tests/day 100%.2
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Thank you @teralina2If you ask your doc to up the number of times you should test daily on you Rx, your insurance may cover extra strips. I have a ppo with drug coverage and they cover my strips & lancets x 4 tests/day 100%.
Unfortunately they are very strict about it despite my doctors requests to the ins co. The policy changed 5 years or so back, I used to be allowed 4 a day which helped so much in trying to understand what foods altered my levels. Now to get more than 1 test strip a day I would need to be on insulin which currently I'm not..0 -
I too am using the reli on prime (walmart) strips are very cheap and this allows me to test more often. You could still use your RX strip/meter for fasting test, and other to test around your meals etc.2
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kaye4health wrote: »I too am using the reli on prime (walmart) strips are very cheap and this allows me to test more often. You could still use your RX strip/meter for fasting test, and other to test around your meals etc.
Exactly! Great idea
Thanks so much @kaye4health I going to go ahead and do that, deciding on a meter for good accuracy. 0 -
Woohoo! A1c came back at 4.7 - no meds but metformin - so even better than last time!7
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rheddmobile wrote: »Woohoo! A1c came back at 4.7 - no meds but metformin - so even better than last time!
@rheddmobile, fantastic!3 -
So first doctor's visit after finding out I have diabetes. With home monitoring so far the numbers are very good according to the doctor. Will get a blood test in December to see what A1c level is. It was easy to give up the sugary treats, but I'm finding there are so many carbs in everything else - I keep going over the 60g limit a day. I thought whole wheat was good and yogurt also - but still carbs - learning how to eat right.1
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sweeetypie1 wrote: »So first doctor's visit after finding out I have diabetes. With home monitoring so far the numbers are very good according to the doctor. Will get a blood test in December to see what A1c level is. It was easy to give up the sugary treats, but I'm finding there are so many carbs in everything else - I keep going over the 60g limit a day. I thought whole wheat was good and yogurt also - but still carbs - learning how to eat right.
60g a day? When I started they suggested 60g a MEAL. Is there a particular reason your nutritionist is being so restrictive?1 -
rheddmobile wrote: »sweeetypie1 wrote: »So first doctor's visit after finding out I have diabetes. With home monitoring so far the numbers are very good according to the doctor. Will get a blood test in December to see what A1c level is. It was easy to give up the sugary treats, but I'm finding there are so many carbs in everything else - I keep going over the 60g limit a day. I thought whole wheat was good and yogurt also - but still carbs - learning how to eat right.
60g a day? When I started they suggested 60g a MEAL. Is there a particular reason your nutritionist is being so restrictive?
Yea mine recommends 60 per meal and 30 per snack. 60 per day seems pretty restrictive.
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rheddmobile wrote: »sweeetypie1 wrote: »So first doctor's visit after finding out I have diabetes. With home monitoring so far the numbers are very good according to the doctor. Will get a blood test in December to see what A1c level is. It was easy to give up the sugary treats, but I'm finding there are so many carbs in everything else - I keep going over the 60g limit a day. I thought whole wheat was good and yogurt also - but still carbs - learning how to eat right.
60g a day? When I started they suggested 60g a MEAL. Is there a particular reason your nutritionist is being so restrictive?
I need to lose weight - maybe that's why?0 -
sweeetypie1 wrote: »rheddmobile wrote: »sweeetypie1 wrote: »So first doctor's visit after finding out I have diabetes. With home monitoring so far the numbers are very good according to the doctor. Will get a blood test in December to see what A1c level is. It was easy to give up the sugary treats, but I'm finding there are so many carbs in everything else - I keep going over the 60g limit a day. I thought whole wheat was good and yogurt also - but still carbs - learning how to eat right.
60g a day? When I started they suggested 60g a MEAL. Is there a particular reason your nutritionist is being so restrictive?
I need to lose weight - maybe that's why?
If you have a dx for diabetes, have you already had an A1c test?
Anyhow, for many of us T2Ds who are carb sensitive/intolerant, a low net carb ceiling is absolutely essential in the quest for normal, non-diabetic blood glucose levels.
For example, mine seems to be in the 20-40g range, though non-dietary factors like exercise, sleep, and stress (cortisol) play important roles as well.2 -
sweeetypie1 wrote: »rheddmobile wrote: »sweeetypie1 wrote: »So first doctor's visit after finding out I have diabetes. With home monitoring so far the numbers are very good according to the doctor. Will get a blood test in December to see what A1c level is. It was easy to give up the sugary treats, but I'm finding there are so many carbs in everything else - I keep going over the 60g limit a day. I thought whole wheat was good and yogurt also - but still carbs - learning how to eat right.
60g a day? When I started they suggested 60g a MEAL. Is there a particular reason your nutritionist is being so restrictive?
I need to lose weight - maybe that's why?
If you have a dx for diabetes, have you already had an A1c test?
Anyhow, for many of us T2Ds who are carb sensitive/intolerant, a low net carb ceiling is absolutely essential in the quest for normal, non-diabetic blood glucose levels.
For example, mine seems to be in the 20-40g range, though non-dietary factors like exercise, sleep, and stress (cortisol) play important roles as well.
My A1c was 9.4% - that's when I found out I have T2D - runs in my family so we were watching it every year.0 -
You can lose weight independently of carb restriction - the only thing that matters to weight loss is calories in versus calories out. 60g seems like a weird number, it's too high for most low carb diets and too low for the standard American Diabetic Association diet.
You mentioned testing at home, do you have a glucose meter? Have you been testing after meals or only once or twice a day? Testing is really the only way to find out how many carbs you can tolerate as an individual.
Low carb is certainly a solution that works for many diabetics, but it's not the only solution - we have people here on moderate and higher carb diets who also have well controlled diabetes. If 60g is too restrictive for you, definitely contact your doctor, ask for his reasoning, and ask if you can have an appointment with a nutritionist. It may be the doctor has a good reason for wanting you to be this restricted, or maybe you just happened to end up with one doctor who really really likes low carb. Or maybe he meant to say 60g / day and there's been some confusion.1 -
sweeetypie1 wrote: »So first doctor's visit after finding out I have diabetes. With home monitoring so far the numbers are very good according to the doctor. Will get a blood test in December to see what A1c level is. It was easy to give up the sugary treats, but I'm finding there are so many carbs in everything else - I keep going over the 60g limit a day. I thought whole wheat was good and yogurt also - but still carbs - learning how to eat right.sweeetypie1 wrote: »So first doctor's visit after finding out I have diabetes. With home monitoring so far the numbers are very good according to the doctor. Will get a blood test in December to see what A1c level is. It was easy to give up the sugary treats, but I'm finding there are so many carbs in everything else - I keep going over the 60g limit a day. I thought whole wheat was good and yogurt also - but still carbs - learning how to eat right.
I'm surprised at the number also. My doctor recommended 35g of carbs for 3 meals a day, I manage to stay under 100g for the day with 4 to 5 small l meals a day. I found out if I don't get food every 3 to 4 hours I tend to over eat if I'm too hungry. You will eventually get used to the right potions that work for you and it will be less stressful every time you have a meal trying to decide what is good for you.2 -
amyfrogred wrote: »sweeetypie1 wrote: »So first doctor's visit after finding out I have diabetes. With home monitoring so far the numbers are very good according to the doctor. Will get a blood test in December to see what A1c level is. It was easy to give up the sugary treats, but I'm finding there are so many carbs in everything else - I keep going over the 60g limit a day. I thought whole wheat was good and yogurt also - but still carbs - learning how to eat right.sweeetypie1 wrote: »So first doctor's visit after finding out I have diabetes. With home monitoring so far the numbers are very good according to the doctor. Will get a blood test in December to see what A1c level is. It was easy to give up the sugary treats, but I'm finding there are so many carbs in everything else - I keep going over the 60g limit a day. I thought whole wheat was good and yogurt also - but still carbs - learning how to eat right.
I'm surprised at the number also. My doctor recommended 35g of carbs for 3 meals a day, I manage to stay under 100g for the day with 4 to 5 small l meals a day. I found out if I don't get food every 3 to 4 hours I tend to over eat if I'm too hungry. You will eventually get used to the right potions that work for you and it will be less stressful every time you have a meal trying to decide what is good for you.
Talked with a diabetic counselor and she said 45-60 per meal. I'm guessing the doctor misunderstood my question.1 -
sweeetypie1 wrote: »amyfrogred wrote: »sweeetypie1 wrote: »So first doctor's visit after finding out I have diabetes. With home monitoring so far the numbers are very good according to the doctor. Will get a blood test in December to see what A1c level is. It was easy to give up the sugary treats, but I'm finding there are so many carbs in everything else - I keep going over the 60g limit a day. I thought whole wheat was good and yogurt also - but still carbs - learning how to eat right.sweeetypie1 wrote: »So first doctor's visit after finding out I have diabetes. With home monitoring so far the numbers are very good according to the doctor. Will get a blood test in December to see what A1c level is. It was easy to give up the sugary treats, but I'm finding there are so many carbs in everything else - I keep going over the 60g limit a day. I thought whole wheat was good and yogurt also - but still carbs - learning how to eat right.
I'm surprised at the number also. My doctor recommended 35g of carbs for 3 meals a day, I manage to stay under 100g for the day with 4 to 5 small l meals a day. I found out if I don't get food every 3 to 4 hours I tend to over eat if I'm too hungry. You will eventually get used to the right potions that work for you and it will be less stressful every time you have a meal trying to decide what is good for you.
Talked with a diabetic counselor and she said 45-60 per meal. I'm guessing the doctor misunderstood my question.
Oh good, I wondered if that was the situation! That ought to make things easier for you as you learn a new lifestyle.
When I was on glimeperide I needed to eat a fair number of slow acting carbs in the morning, or I would get lows before lunch. Test often until you figure out how you handle it!0
