High Glucose, Normal A1C?

bjkoziara · July 2019

I recently had some bloodwork done and because of my BMI and rampant family history of DM, she checked my A1C. It came back at 5.5%, which is within normal range.

However, my glucose (fasting) came back at 115, which is higher than average and considered in the "pre-diabetic" range.

My doctor said it's nothing to worry about since my A1C was normal, but I can't help but be a little worried. Both of my parents and both sets of grandparents have Type 2 and one of my great-grandmothers supposedly had Type 1.

Has anyone else experienced this?

lgfrie · July 2019

Yes, I have normal A1C and slightly elevated fasting glucose (104) the latter of which has been creeping up the last few years. My Dr said "Not a problem right now, but losing weight and exercising regularly would be a good idea." I took that to mean he didn't want to freak me out about diabetes but was thinking that, yeah, it's gonna happen if I don't make lifestyle changes.

kimny72 · July 2019

I have not experienced that, and I'm not a doctor, but my understanding is that the best thing you can do first in order to reverse pre-diabetic status is to lose weight. So if you have already discussed that with your doctor, it's possible that's why they didn't give you any directive specific to your blood glucose level. You're already doing the most important thing to get that number in line.

NorthCascades · July 2019

I got spooked a free years ago when I leaned that a coworker had the same BMI as me a and T2D. So I asked the doctor for some blood tests. When they came back, the way she explained then was to say that I can have iced cream whenever I want. I spend a lot of my free time exercising, my lunch hour on a bike, hiking on weekends, etc. Exercise improves your sensitivity to insulin.

Losing weight helps, too, you've already heard that one in this thread so I won't bore you with more detail.

cwolfman13 · July 2019

bjkoziara wrote: »

I recently had some bloodwork done and because of my BMI and rampant family history of DM, she checked my A1C. It came back at 5.5%, which is within normal range.

However, my glucose (fasting) came back at 115, which is higher than average and considered in the "pre-diabetic" range.

My doctor said it's nothing to worry about since my A1C was normal, but I can't help but be a little worried. Both of my parents and both sets of grandparents have Type 2 and one of my great-grandmothers supposedly had Type 1.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Your fasting glucose is a snapshot of that particular moment...A1C is testing your average levels over the last two to three months...it is far more accurate than a snapshot taken at one particular moment...that is why your doctor isn't worried.

The same thing happens to me from time to time, but my A1C always comes in normal...it's actually pretty common and is one of the reasons doctors will send you for an A1C test after a regular blood glucose test if the glucose test comes in a bit high.

durhammfp · July 2019

I was at a FBG of 103 and an A1C of 5.2 last year. After losing about 15% of my body weight, my FBG went down into the 70s and my A1C went down to 4.9. Half of my close relatives have DM and my father was prediabetic for decades before he died of Alzheimer's* so I am trying to get in front of this as aggressively as I can.

My GP has never been as worried about my own health as I am, and I am by no means a hypochondriac. I just think my GP has so many patients who already have diabetes that he has enough on his hands without worrying too much about me.

*Interesting article on the connection between T2D and Alz.: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-and-alzheimers/art-20046987

bjkoziara · July 2019

Thanks for the responses everyone. I feel much more at ease because it sounds like I'm already going the right way. I just get very concerned about it because of my weight and history.

corinasue1143 · July 2019

Aren’t you the one who hasn’t been able to eat regular lately because of a stomach issue? And you’ve been drinking ensure, or something similar? If I remember right and that’s true, I think you can’t really look at your glucose because the way you have eaten the last week or so isnt representative of how you eat at all.
If I remember wrong, and it wasn’t you, Oops! Excuse me and disregard this post, please.

PAV8888 · July 2019

corinasue1143 wrote: »

Aren’t you the one who hasn’t been able to eat regular lately because of a stomach issue? And you’ve been drinking ensure, or something similar? If I remember right and that’s true, I think you can’t really look at your glucose because the way you have eaten the last week or so isnt representative of how you eat at all.
If I remember wrong, and it wasn’t you, Oops! Excuse me and disregard this post, please.

Yup, and yup, and how did it go in terms of figuring out what's wrong? Are you able to eat more normally now?

bjkoziara · July 2019

@corinasue1143 and @PAV8888 Yes, that was me! I have been drinking a lot of Boost so you're right, I don't usually have that much sugar. I didn't even think about that.

Everything came back mostly normal. My MCH and MCV were low which can indicate anemia, so she has me taking an iron supplement. She also has added a multivitamin to that because she says I was deficient in a couple areas but that a multi would fix it. As far as stomach issues, everything was normal on my metabolic panel and I'm negative for Celiac. She thinks the problems are a mix of post viral gastroparesis and longer term, so I have an appointment with a GI.

Luckily, I have been able to add more food back into my diet successfully. I just had to be patient with myself. Today I ate about 1300 calories and only had one Boost, everything else was solid! Thanks for asking

lorrpb · July 2019

Glucose test measures a single point in time, the moment you gave blood. A1C measures a 90 day average glucose, so that's why it's a better predictor of DM or other issues. The glucose is simpler so they do that first, and if concerned, they do the A1C. Some people just have higher random glucose readings, often in the morning, due to hormones, etc.

Because of your family history, you are right to be aware and concerned ( but not worried per se). Keeping a healthy weight and reasonable exercise will go a long way towards keeping your glucose at a healthy level.

High Glucose, Normal A1C?

Replies

Categories