HBA1C Results
Starrynightgrl45
Posts: 47 Member
Hello,
I recently had blood work done at my doctor and one of the things they needed to check was my HBA1C levels. They are asking me to come in for a fasting blood sugar test as well as they are keen to diagnose me with type 2 diabetes. What confuses me is that they said my level was 52 (7% I think) and from everything I have read, this is actually normal and not high. Am I mistaken? The diagnosis of type 2 diabetes scares me as I am only 26.
I recently had blood work done at my doctor and one of the things they needed to check was my HBA1C levels. They are asking me to come in for a fasting blood sugar test as well as they are keen to diagnose me with type 2 diabetes. What confuses me is that they said my level was 52 (7% I think) and from everything I have read, this is actually normal and not high. Am I mistaken? The diagnosis of type 2 diabetes scares me as I am only 26.
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Technically, you need to have two tests in the diabetes range to be diagnosed. This isn't to say you need 2 A1c's or 2 OGTT's or 2 FPG's. Any combination of 2 abnormal results from any of the 3 is enough. You DO have an abnormal A1c and your doctor is now confirming.
Here are the most recent parameters for diagnosis
Fasting Plasma Glucose
100 - 126 pre-diabetes
above 126 - diabetes
An HbA1c blood test
5.7- less than 6.5 - pre-diabetes
6.5 or above - diabetes.
An Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
2 hour reading between 140-200 - pre-diabetes.
2 hour blood glucose reading above 200 - diabetes0 -
Thank you. I was getting confused because the nurse told me that anything above 50 A1C is diabetic but everything I found online said 53. I can now see why they are concerned.
Dumb question (I guess): If I lose enough weight and stay active, is it reversible?0 -
Reversible as in cured?
No.
It is quite possible and desirable to be in such tight control that a random A1c or a random FPG would not indicate you have diabetes. However, regardless of your level of control, an OGTT would always result in higher than normal blood glucose readings, so diabetes can never be said to be reversed.
It is possible to reverse and or avoid altogether the consequences of high blood glucose levels though (neuropathy vision problems, etc) by achieving and maintaining tight control though0 -
I have been told that you can reverse diabetes with enough weight loss.
As I have lost weight, I have been able to reduce my medications down so that is exciting too.0 -
I have been told that you can reverse diabetes with enough weight loss.
I am so glad doctors like to tell jokes. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: When I was diagnosed, I weighed 149 and lost 25 lbs and I still have diabetes. Whenever I tell new healthcare providers that I have diabetes their response is always "You don't fit the general profile of someone who would have diabetes" I guess the perception is you have to extremely overweight, out of shape and lazy. In my personal expierence, I can't be cured but my disease can be controlled.0 -
I have been told that you can reverse diabetes with enough weight loss.
I am so glad doctors like to tell jokes. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: When I was diagnosed, I weighed 149 and lost 25 lbs and I still have diabetes. Whenever I tell new healthcare providers that I have diabetes their response is always "You don't fit the general profile of someone who would have diabetes" I guess the perception is you have to extremely overweight, out of shape and lazy. In my personal expierence, I can't be cured but my disease can be controlled.
Do you get the feeling that with type 2 Dm diagnosis, the Doctors feel like you have done it to yourself and should be looked down upon because you are a subhuman (you know: lazy, can't control your eating) If they see a older fat person they are sure you are a diabetic and not as good as they are. You could have led a healthy lifestyle and be cool like they are? OK, sorry, I'm ranting. Maybe I just need to see a different Doc.0 -
Ugh, the "cure" myth.
I remember when I was diagnosed I was told if I lost weight I'd be "cured." That implies you can eat whatever again and not worry about your blood sugar--which is bull. I lost over 60 lbs and it's been 12 years since the initial diagnosis. At first my diabetes got better but now I need insulin everyday regardless of how much I eat and work out.
The worst part is the doctor wouldn't believe me when I said I lost weight until he got my med records from 10 years ago. And when I told him the insulin made me gain about 10 lbs in a year when I've been eating well, watching cals, and working out, he told me to "lower calories to 1200 and run an hour everyday and don't eat any carbs at all."
Right.0 -
I have heard the cure thing as well but when I ask these people who claim they are cured (I've even asked once on a thread here in MFP) I never get an answer. I want to know do they drink a glass of orange juice and then test their blood sugar and what are the results? I do have a lot of weight to lose... but diabetes runs in my family so I know that even when I lose weight that doesn't mean I won't have issues again later on in life even if I maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.
I'm mad at myself for gaining so much weight knowing that my dad had diabetes and so did his dad even though I know that even if I had lived healthier in the past I might still have it... but I would have liked to have a few more (or a lot more years) before it came to that.0 -
Saying or believing that by losing weight you will/can reverse diabetes is the same as saying that being fat caused diabetes. The reality is it is the other way around, being overweight is a symptom of diabetes.
Type 2 diabetics were on the path of diabetes long before it was diagnosed. In my opinion there is no such thing as PRE-diabetic. It's really just the early stages of diabetes. Insulin Resistance (same thing) is also the early stages of diabetes. A good diet can slow down the progression. Tight control on blood glucose can prevent damage.
You did not eat your way to diabetes.
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14046739.php0 -
Saying or believing that by losing weight you will/can reverse diabetes is the same as saying that being fat caused diabetes. The reality is it is the other way around, being overweight is a symptom of diabetes.
Type 2 diabetics were on the path of diabetes long before it was diagnosed. In my opinion there is no such thing as PRE-diabetic. It's really just the early stages of diabetes. Insulin Resistance (same thing) is also the early stages of diabetes. A good diet can slow down the progression. Tight control on blood glucose can prevent damage.
You did not eat your way to diabetes.
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14046739.php
Thank you for the web site. I appreciate it, and maybe I do need to change doctors.0 -
You're never cured.... but you can control it with diet and exercise. You will always be "diabetic" but you don't always have to take meds. That's the way I understand it anyway. My A1C was 8.1 last August and I got it down to 7.2 in January. Hoping to get it around the 5.0-6.0 range with hard work.0
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Thanks for all the advice! I guess I am just scared that diabetes could be a slow death sentence for me. I watched both my grandparents die slowly from the diagnosis and the disease in general scares the hell out of me. I went to a doctor about 4-5 years ago who tried to tell me that my BG levels weren't good but I refused to listen. This year I have made it my goal to lose some weight and get healthy so my husband and I can try for children (and I want the energy to be able to run after them
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Thank you all again! I really need the support on this one 0 -
It's only a death sentence if you don't follow your MD's recommendations and the diet. I used to not care and then when my mom, who's been diabetic for almost 20 years, was diagnosed with kidney failure and has neuropathy so bad that she cannot feel her feet or barely walk, I decided I needed to step up my game and take control now when I'm 28.0
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I got my results back yesterday in the mail I'm prediabetic and it was 5.9...0
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I have been told that you can reverse diabetes with enough weight loss.
As I have lost weight, I have been able to reduce my medications down so that is exciting too.
I have lost a considerable amount of weight, Got off my diabetes medications as well as other medications...but, you give me a regular Coke and a piece of pie, and I will be shooting numbers over the moon.
Diabetes is caused by a malfunctioning pancreass, Beta cells no longer exists, You cannot replace them, they are gone, By losing weight, you put less stress on the cells that are left, but if you do not keep tight control of you diet and exercise all the time, you will have high numbers, and be right back where you were.
There is no known cause for diabetes. So, if you do not know what causes it...you really cannot say it is cured.
Weight contributes, but is NOT the cause, 20% of type 2 diabetics are thin and active at diagnosis,,,,If there 25 MILLION Americans alone with diabetics, that would mean that 20% of that is NOT overweight, That is a heck of a lot of people to let the world know that weight is NOT the cause.0 -
Thanks for all the advice! I guess I am just scared that diabetes could be a slow death sentence for me. I watched both my grandparents die slowly from the diagnosis and the disease in general scares the hell out of me. I went to a doctor about 4-5 years ago who tried to tell me that my BG levels weren't good but I refused to listen. This year I have made it my goal to lose some weight and get healthy so my husband and I can try for children (and I want the energy to be able to run after them )
Thank you all again! I really need the support on this one
When I was diagnosed I met a man who had had diabetes for over 50 years, He was in his late 90s. He died in a car accident, At the time of death, he was without diabetic complications.
I am friends with several diabetics that have good health, and are active with no complications. They have been diabetics for over thirty years.
I myself have had diabetes for years, and am blessed with good health. As said above, it does not have to be a death sentence. By being on MFP you are showing you want to do something about your health and meal plan. That is the right course, You too can be healthy into your 90s!0 -
Many, many people are diabetic, or prediabetic for between 7 - 9 years before they are diagnosed.
We are lucky, because it was caught while we can prevent irreparable damage.
In 1989, I had a few episodes where my BS whould hit 60 or below, and I'd turn into a non functioning lump - Not good when working on an ambulance. They'd stick my finger, and drag me to the deli for a juice infusion to get me thru the shift.
A few things made me go "hmmm" ..afterall, we are the ones that truly know our bodies, and know when somethings wrong.
An injury after a car accident (where I fell asleep at the wheel -?) took over 4 months to heal, daily headaches on waking (blamed on forgetting to open a window)
A family history with a brother and mother with diabetes.
Yet it took until, December of 2012 to be diagnosed. Finally - a name to all the "little" ailments that had been driving me nuts.
Yes I am overweight, but for many years I was told "Eat more" because I'm not really an eater. remembering to eat snacks every few hours, is a real pain, remembering lunch? The old me never ate lunch.
Most of us didnt eat our way into diabetes, our genes and heritage did more to that end.
Finding the right Doctor is a MUST. The first Dr I saw, saw me as an overweight person who ate too much, I then saw his wife, who see's me as a person with Diabetes, who is losing weight, who keeps forgetting to snack/eat, a Dr who cheers every little weight loss and looks like she is happy for me.
A difference of Night and Day.0 -
I have been told that you can reverse diabetes with enough weight loss.
I am so glad doctors like to tell jokes. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: When I was diagnosed, I weighed 149 and lost 25 lbs and I still have diabetes. Whenever I tell new healthcare providers that I have diabetes their response is always "You don't fit the general profile of someone who would have diabetes" I guess the perception is you have to extremely overweight, out of shape and lazy. In my personal expierence, I can't be cured but my disease can be controlled.
I get that too!
I have type2 diabetes, med-free for now.
It can be controlled to an extent. But eventually I will have to medicate. For now, if I maintain my exercise and diet I'm good to go.
My last A1C=5.50 -
Thanks for all the advice! I guess I am just scared that diabetes could be a slow death sentence for me. I watched both my grandparents die slowly from the diagnosis and the disease in general scares the hell out of me. I went to a doctor about 4-5 years ago who tried to tell me that my BG levels weren't good but I refused to listen. This year I have made it my goal to lose some weight and get healthy so my husband and I can try for children (and I want the energy to be able to run after them )
Thank you all again! I really need the support on this one
Be Scared! do the research and get it under control.
heres a page for you:
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/a-z.aspx
Diabetic Neuropathy, it can occur in any system of the body, and you don't always have symtoms..0 -
Be Scared! do the research and get it under control.
heres a page for you:
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/a-z.aspx
Diabetic Neuropathy, it can occur in any system of the body, and you don't always have symtoms..
It is true. You may already have some at time of diagnosis. I had neuropathy in my feet at time of diagnosis, and I had a friend that had it in the stomach and just thought she had heartburn.
You should have a thorough exam to be sure you do not already have it, and don't forget to have a dilated eye exam to be sure you do not have any signs of retinopathy. Another quiet complication that you may already have. In addition, full lab work including urine analysis should be done to make sure your kidneys have not had any damage. Being a diabetic, and allowing blood sugars out of control can cause all types of complications....and, they may already be there by the time you have been diagnosed.
The main killer of diabetics is heart disease, so in addition to your blood glucose, pay attention to your blood pressure, cholesterol and other markers for good health.
Losing weight, and getting your lifestyle under control is the best way to step forward, but be sure that you do not already have something that you need to address.
And, BTW, my mild neuropathy was reversed by my lifestyle changes.0 -
I agree with others, take all precautions and having the right doctor(s) will make a huge difference. I was diagnosed from a routine check-up, because I found my mother in the hospital with kidney and heart failure from diabetes complications. My doctor yesterday after realizing I was down 21 lbs from my visit in December was ecstatic.
I was on meds briefly, but now off them. In a months time I brought down my HbA1C from 7.2 down to 6.8. I'll find out what it is now next week, and hoping to have it closer to normal range.
You can reverse the possibility of complications, but the disease will always exist.0 -
You will never ever be cured of diabetes. You can however controll it for the rest of your life. An example of why you can never be cured. Lets say you get your blood sugars down to 70, it stays there, you finally are off the meds. still eating good. Then you have that piece of bread, or pizza crust.. Wammo, your sugar will shoot right back up there cuz there is no cure.. just managing it (controlling it)0
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Well, you've all officially scared me :frown:
Went in for my fasting BG test today as a follow up to my A1C... here's hoping they have better news for me.
As far as a doctor, I am in New Zealand on a temporary visa that does not allow me to access their health system without paying everything out of pocket, so the less time and money spent at the doctor the better. I am exercising 6 days a week and eating a low GL diet along with losing weight. This is really the best I can do at this time.
God I hope I don't have some of those other things as well... I'm about ready to cry. I appreciate the honesty from everyone but I think I am more scared now than before :sad: :sad: :sad:0 -
Whenever I tell new healthcare providers that I have diabetes their response is always "You don't fit the general profile of someone who would have diabetes" I guess the perception is you have to extremely overweight, out of shape and lazy.
I really like this....from Blood Sugar 101...While people who have diabetes are often heavy, one out of five people diagnosed with diabetes are thin or normal weight. And though heavy people with diabetes are, indeed, likely to be insulin resistant, the majority of people who are overweight will never develop diabetes. In fact, they will not develop diabetes though they are likely to be just as insulin resistant as those who do--or even more so.0 -
I was serious over weight and had a fbs of 75, a 2 hr OGTT value of 60 and a HbA1c of 6.0. Drove doctors crazy. They drove me crazy. So go forward 6 years, fbs still under 100 (97) but HbA1c was 8.5. New doctors said type 2 diabetic, take meds, lose wt and change life style. In particular try to reduce stress levels and change eating habits. This time I had found a primary doctor who really understood the type of problems one confronts when trying to change lifestyle and lose weight as well as when confronted with more than one physical problem at the same time (weight, diabetes, kidney stones, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diviticulosis) and significant food allergies that made diet changes a challenge. Now 100 plus pounds lighter, while off a whole lot of meds, I am still a diabetic (though diet controlled) and while my Hb1Ac levels run between 4.8 and 5.5, my fbs are usually 100 to 105 and no one wants to run a OGTT after the last one 6 yrs ago. Things are better and I try to stay away from stuff that I should not eat and from things that stress me out and at the moment life is pretty good. One can only try. 0
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I was serious over weight and had a fbs of 75, a 2 hr OGTT value of 60 and a HbA1c of 6.0. Drove doctors crazy. They drove me crazy. So go forward 6 years, fbs still under 100 (97) but HbA1c was 8.5. New doctors said type 2 diabetic, take meds, lose wt and change life style. In particular try to reduce stress levels and change eating habits. This time I had found a primary doctor who really understood the type of problems one confronts when trying to change lifestyle and lose weight as well as when confronted with more than one physical problem at the same time (weight, diabetes, kidney stones, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diviticulosis) and significant food allergies that made diet changes a challenge. Now 100 plus pounds lighter, while off a whole lot of meds, I am still a diabetic (though diet controlled) and while my Hb1Ac levels run between 4.8 and 5.5, my fbs are usually 100 to 105 and no one wants to run a OGTT after the last one 6 yrs ago. Things are better and I try to stay away from stuff that I should not eat and from things that stress me out and at the moment life is pretty good. One can only try.
I just wanted to say "good for you"! I can relate -- I have major food allergies too which make it a real challenge to feed myself. And when I was diagnosed with type 2 my liver and kidney labs were not good but fortunately my doctor gave me some time and I managed to change my diet and lose weight and get my labs back normal in time to avoid medication.
I also had high cholesterol (high triglycerides and low HDL) and slightly high blood pressure, but I've turned all that around too.
My diabetes recovery was also complicated by other health problems. I am recovering from colitis/IBS and still undiagnosed gastrointestinal problems.
I'm determined to continue to keep my type 2 diabetes well conquered and under control with just diet and exercise. Hearing other people's stories really inspires me! 0 -
Well, you've all officially scared me :frown:
Went in for my fasting BG test today as a follow up to my A1C... here's hoping they have better news for me.
As far as a doctor, I am in New Zealand on a temporary visa that does not allow me to access their health system without paying everything out of pocket, so the less time and money spent at the doctor the better. I am exercising 6 days a week and eating a low GL diet along with losing weight. This is really the best I can do at this time.
God I hope I don't have some of those other things as well... I'm about ready to cry. I appreciate the honesty from everyone but I think I am more scared now than before :sad: :sad: :sad:
Sometimes, it takes being a little scared in order to make the changes you need to get the best health you can. I would try and see if there are avenues for you to see a doctor. As around...I would talk with doctors offices and hospitals for suggestions. I am sure you are not the only person in the area that has ever had that problem, and there may be agencies that you can contact.
And, yes, we are being honest because diabetes is SERIOUS. This is NOT about just losing weight and you will be fine. This is a disease that can and does cause complications. It does kill. In 2004 alone, 3.4 million people died from high blood glucose. 50% of diabetics will die of either heart attack or stroke. 2% of diabetics become blind, and 10% develop vision impairment. Up to 20% of diabetics have kidney problems, 10% serious enough to be on dialysis. 50% of diabetics have neuropathy. (All of these stats come from the World Health Organization, BTW)
The good news is that you are doing some of the things you need to do to have the best health you can. BUT, I will be honest here, unless you go out on the limb and invest in your own health and be sure you do not have retinopathy (which can often be reversed if caught in time), kidney problems, or heart issues....you may not be doing everything you can. Diet and exercise are good...but, sometimes you need other treatments....especially if you have retinopathy beginning.
I am glad that you are getting the blood work done, but if at all possible, find a way to check out your eyes, feet, heart, and kidneys. You DESERVE to have the best health, and you DESERVE to live a long and complication free life. And, you CAN!! Remember that. You are IMPORTANT! And, you need to fight the system and find a way to get the medical attention you DESERVE!0
