A1c
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rheddmobile wrote: »The doctor's office called, and he is having me stop the metformin completely. I think I am going to come clean with him about the LC diet at the appt on the 15th. I had told him I had completely ignored his advice about diet at my last appt. He laughed and said I should probably keep doing what I am doing judging by the results. He also said that almost all his patients ignore his diet advice, so I did not need to feel unusual.
I have been on 1000 mg of metformin once a day in the morning since the last appt and the 5.5 A1C then. He wants to check the A1C in three months this time, and we can get a grip on how well the numbers can stay in control.
I will keep monitoring things and have some sense of how the numbers are trending.
This is pretty much where I resolved to be when I got my diagnosis. I hope it is not too soon to go off the metformin, but I can always go back on if I have to.
My doctor wanted to take me off metformin and I asked to stay on it, because it acts as an appetite suppressant, as well as making it easier to gain lean muscle. Since it has no side effects for me, there was no reason to go off it - but I did have to specifically ask.
Thanks for this--I did not know Metformin did that but since I have no side effects from it either, I don't mind staying on it for a long time (I've been on it for at least 20 years), especially if it helps suppress my appetite and gain lean muscle when I lift weights.
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My introduction to T2D came in September 2017 when a long overdue annual physical identified an a1c of 6.9. My Doctor gave me 3 months to get on track or I'd been in line for new prescriptions on my next visit. To say that my diet and exercise has gone through an overhaul, between then and now (January 2018), would be an understatement. Today I got my 3-month hemoglobin numbers back and am thrilled that they are at 5.4. I had a great team to help me get there; from my diabetes educators to a private nutritionist, my personal trainer to my friends and family. It's taken a lot of discipline in terms of tracking foods and exercise but that's actually made me more disciplined in other areas of life too so that the last 4 months have been very productive !! Anyway thought I would share my first results here as I have something to celebrate, even after the holidays are over.7
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OneOfThoseITguys wrote: »My introduction to T2D came in September 2017 when a long overdue annual physical identified an a1c of 6.9. My Doctor gave me 3 months to get on track or I'd been in line for new prescriptions on my next visit. To say that my diet and exercise has gone through an overhaul, between then and now (January 2018), would be an understatement. Today I got my 3-month hemoglobin numbers back and am thrilled that they are at 5.4. I had a great team to help me get there; from my diabetes educators to a private nutritionist, my personal trainer to my friends and family. It's taken a lot of discipline in terms of tracking foods and exercise but that's actually made me more disciplined in other areas of life too so that the last 4 months have been very productive !! Anyway thought I would share my first results here as I have something to celebrate, even after the holidays are over.
Congratulations!
I went from a fasting blood glucose number of 103 and the suggestion from the doctor that I lose weight before I started having problems to a fasting glucose number of 348 at the next appointment. My diagnosis A1C was 12.8 in September of 2016. I started metformin generic 1000 mg twice a day, and started logging everything I ate. The Diabetes Association recommendations for diet really did not work for me. I was checking glucose all the time to get a feel for what was going on.
In October of 2016, I started LC. There was an almost instant response with the glucose numbers. I am pretty sure that was when I saw my first fasting number in the 100's. I went to keto, and suddenly I was 100(ish) fasting and after meals I would be 120 and then 110. This was where I wanted to be. I stuck with the keto.
In January of 2017, my A1C was 6.9. (appt. was supposed to be in December, but vacations delayed it.)
In March of 2017, my A1C was 6.1.
In June of 2017, my A1C was 5.5. The doctor reduced metformin to 1000 mg once a day. He said I did not have to come back for 6 months.
In January of 2018, my A1C was 5.3. The doctor took me off the metformin. I have an appt in three months to see if I can manage my glucose just with the diet.
I have lost 108 lbs in the process of all this. That is a factor I know. I still credit keto with the success here so far, because that was how I lost the weight. For controlling my glucose numbers, keto was like a miracle.
So that has been the journey I have been on...
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I heard this on the news last night - recommended levels of A1c 7-8% -
interesting read: http://annals.org/aim/fullarticle/2674121/hemoglobin-1c-targets-glycemic-control-pharmacologic-therapy-nonpregnant-adults-type
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sweeetypie1 wrote: »I heard this on the news last night - recommended levels of A1c 7-8% -
interesting read: http://annals.org/aim/fullarticle/2674121/hemoglobin-1c-targets-glycemic-control-pharmacologic-therapy-nonpregnant-adults-type
That's a very tricky study to read appropriately, because what the news picks up isn't what the study actually says. This study is ONLY about people who manage their diabetes solely using drugs. It has been found in many studies that due to the higher risk of hypoglycemia, which is very dangerous, when diabetics are overmedicated, it's better statistically to let them die slowly from complications of diabetes than to make them die quickly from complications of medication.
That's very different from the situation of diabetics reducing their weight, increasing exercise, and limiting the carbs in their diet to prevent blood glucose spikes. Naturally lowering A1c has very little risk of hypoglycemia and no downside. There have never been any studies on diabetics who have naturally lowered their A1c into the normal range and maintained it there, because what pharmaceutical company would pay for that research?
I agree with Dr Bernstein that the current A1c recommendations are criminally negligent and that diabetics should strive to maintain the same A1c as non-diabetics - under 5 - through lifestyle interventions.
This is achievable. My A1c when I was diagnosed was 11. It's now 4.7. I am taking no meds except metformin, which I asked my doctor to allow me to continue taking since it has no risks and is an appetite suppressant.7 -
rheddmobile wrote: »sweeetypie1 wrote: »I heard this on the news last night - recommended levels of A1c 7-8% -
interesting read: http://annals.org/aim/fullarticle/2674121/hemoglobin-1c-targets-glycemic-control-pharmacologic-therapy-nonpregnant-adults-type
That's a very tricky study to read appropriately, because what the news picks up isn't what the study actually says. This study is ONLY about people who manage their diabetes solely using drugs. It has been found in many studies that due to the higher risk of hypoglycemia, which is very dangerous, when diabetics are overmedicated, it's better statistically to let them die slowly from complications of diabetes than to make them die quickly from complications of medication.
That's very different from the situation of diabetics reducing their weight, increasing exercise, and limiting the carbs in their diet to prevent blood glucose spikes. Naturally lowering A1c has very little risk of hypoglycemia and no downside. There have never been any studies on diabetics who have naturally lowered their A1c into the normal range and maintained it there, because what pharmaceutical company would pay for that research?
I agree with Dr Bernstein that the current A1c recommendations are criminally negligent and that diabetics should strive to maintain the same A1c as non-diabetics - under 5 - through lifestyle interventions.
This is achievable. My A1c when I was diagnosed was 11. It's now 4.7. I am taking no meds except metformin, which I asked my doctor to allow me to continue taking since it has no risks and is an appetite suppressant.
I learn so much from you... thanks you! Please keep the information coming.2 -
rheddmobile wrote: »sweeetypie1 wrote: »I heard this on the news last night - recommended levels of A1c 7-8% -
interesting read: http://annals.org/aim/fullarticle/2674121/hemoglobin-1c-targets-glycemic-control-pharmacologic-therapy-nonpregnant-adults-type
That's a very tricky study to read appropriately, because what the news picks up isn't what the study actually says. This study is ONLY about people who manage their diabetes solely using drugs. It has been found in many studies that due to the higher risk of hypoglycemia, which is very dangerous, when diabetics are overmedicated, it's better statistically to let them die slowly from complications of diabetes than to make them die quickly from complications of medication.
That's very different from the situation of diabetics reducing their weight, increasing exercise, and limiting the carbs in their diet to prevent blood glucose spikes. Naturally lowering A1c has very little risk of hypoglycemia and no downside. There have never been any studies on diabetics who have naturally lowered their A1c into the normal range and maintained it there, because what pharmaceutical company would pay for that research?
I agree with Dr Bernstein that the current A1c recommendations are criminally negligent and that diabetics should strive to maintain the same A1c as non-diabetics - under 5 - through lifestyle interventions.
This is achievable. My A1c when I was diagnosed was 11. It's now 4.7. I am taking no meds except metformin, which I asked my doctor to allow me to continue taking since it has no risks and is an appetite suppressant.
Wonderful on your A1c level. I know that keeping my level down (was 6.1 last check and am getting it checked tomorrow) is good and I feel so much better than I did before I even knew I had diabetes.3 -
MY HBalc WAS 68 LAST YEAR NOW DOWN TO 49 ( 6.6) tTRYING ALL SoRT - now Leptin Diet Byron Richards says nothing to eat after dinner and then fasting next day will be lower.0
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I have been off the metformin for three months, and I had a blood draw for an A1C to see where things have been since going off the meds. It was 5.9. I am still losing weight, but the rate has been slower. I am down 112 lbs now.5
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I have been off the metformin for three months, and I had a blood draw for an A1C to see where things have been since going off the meds. It was 5.9. I am still losing weight, but the rate has been slower. I am down 112 lbs now.
That's my goal... get off metformin. It's good to know how you are doing. Keep us posted please. I go for my one year check up next week since being diagnosed.1 -
I have my doctor's appt. today. I am claiming that with my A1C, he is going to leave me off the metformin. I would like to go off the bp med too, but we will see. When I get up, it is usually 110/60 (ish). At the end of the day, it will be 130/80 (ish). Maybe that is a good place for it to be, and he will leave me on it.
I just want to register a weight loss on his sales today. Last time I was down 5 pounds on mine, and his said I was unchanged. My scales say I am down another 8 lbs from the last appt.1 -
The appointment went well. The doctor's scales seem to have been calibrated or something. They recorded me as down 14 lbs since the last appointment. He wants me to stay off the metformin and is happy with the 5.9 A1C. He wants me to stay on the bp med.4
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Got my blood test results: (12/17)
a1c: 6.5 (6.5)
Chol total: 201 (209); ldl is up from 97 to 101; hdl: 85 (95) trig;65 (82)
TSH: 4.85 (dr has increased my thyroid med to 0.088)
Fasting glucose: 89 (132)
Calcium: 9.6 (9.9)
Protein: 6.9 (7.7)
Thoughts?
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Got my blood test results: (12/17)
a1c: 6.5 (6.5)
Chol total: 201 (209); ldl is up from 97 to 101; hdl: 85 (95) trig;65 (82)
TSH: 4.85 (dr has increased my thyroid med to 0.088)
Fasting glucose: 89 (132)
Calcium: 9.6 (9.9)
Protein: 6.9 (7.7)
Thoughts?
A1C is unchanged, and my doctor at least wants it under 7. 6.5 is under 7 anyway. It would be better if it were lower, but you take your meds and follow the diet, and it either comes around or you change the diet/meds.
Fasting glucose is much better, and that is an indication of something. The fasting glucose is an isolated reading though, so you don't know if that is the new normal. I wish my fasting glucose were 89.
I have nothing on the rest.0 -
A1C is unchanged, and my doctor at least wants it under 7. 6.5 is under 7 anyway. It would be better if it were lower, but you take your meds and follow the diet, and it either comes around or you change the diet/meds.
Fasting glucose is much better, and that is an indication of something. The fasting glucose is an isolated reading though, so you don't know if that is the new normal. I wish my fasting glucose were 89.
I have nothing on the rest.[/quote]
I’m sure my fasting glucose is an isolated reading, I haven’t been THAT good. I wish my a1c was better but it’s not worse so I’ll take it. I need to do better I know.1 -
A1c dropped 7.7 to 6.5 Its taking a long time to see a decrease but it is improving. Cholesterol dropped 70 points.7
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My A1c went up to a 7.6, I was TERRIBLE this winter. My own fault. Time to kick it in the butt and get it back down where it belongs.
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I had my A1C check this morning and am officially OFF insulin! Three months ago I was moved from 30 units a day to 10 and now to 0! Losing weight really makes a difference!
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Sweets1954 wrote: »I had my A1C check this morning and am officially OFF insulin! Three months ago I was moved from 30 units a day to 10 and now to 0! Losing weight really makes a difference!
that is truly great news!3 -
Sweets1954 wrote: »I had my A1C check this morning and am officially OFF insulin! Three months ago I was moved from 30 units a day to 10 and now to 0! Losing weight really makes a difference!
YEAH0
