Guest guest Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 I've got a blind diabetic friend in Calgry Canada who thinks his a1c is too low at 6.9. He says his doctor wants him to be no lower than 8, but my friend says he doesn't feel good if it's that high. Do Canadian doctors know something American doctors, or for that matter doctors from many other countries, don't know? He is 70 yers old and apparently fairly healthy. He walks 3 times a day, has for years, and this is probably why he remains in pretty good shape. He's been a type 1 for 60 years I think he told me, and convincing him that his a1c is too high may be difficult if not impossible. I'd like to try though. I'd appreciate a concise article or a few very plain facts that I could pass on to him. Btw, he does not use the internet, just email. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 Dave, I had the result of my HBA1C yesterday, my diabetic specialist was pleased with mine, which was 7.2, which was down from last time, when it read 8.2. I asked him the question, what should be the normal reading of the HBA1C test? He said it should be about 7.0. So your friend's reading of 6.9, is within the range of the normal. HTH. Rowe, from England. What to tell my friend > I've got a blind diabetic friend in Calgry Canada who thinks his a1c is too low at 6.9. He says his doctor wants him to be no lower than 8, but my friend says he doesn't feel good if it's that high. Do Canadian doctors know something American doctors, or for that matter doctors from many other countries, don't know? He is 70 yers old and apparently fairly healthy. He walks 3 times a day, has for years, and this is probably why he remains in pretty good shape. He's been a type 1 for 60 years I think he told me, and convincing him that his a1c is too high may be difficult if not impossible. I'd like to try though. I'd appreciate a concise article or a few very plain facts that I could pass on to him. Btw, he does not use the internet, just email. > > Dave > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 Your friend in Canada is doing fairly well, and a lot better than you are. The normal range for an A1C, I am speaking here of an A1C possessed by most people on this planet, is between 4-6, which mike professes, but I prefer the range of 4.2-5.2, which is also in the range of 4-6. The average fasting blood glucose level for a non-diabetic is between 82-83. The closer the diabetic is to the normal range, the fewer diabetic complications he is to have. Using a recent post to calculate your average daily blood glucose level of an A1C of 7.2, you would get a daily bs level of 7.2*2=14.4-6=8.4 read in moles or a USA reading of 151.2. This is your glycation rate of 7.2, and you need to have a thorough understanding of what glycation means. The A1C is the measure of your glycation rate. My last A1C was 5.3, and I would like to have it be even lower. All of my A1C's for the past year and a half have been below 5.5, and most of them were 5.3 or lower. My lowest one was 4.9. Congratulations on getting your A1C down, and I hope you keep it going toward the " normal range " . You might like to make a hard copy of this message to share with your doctor in order to educate him. I think it is appalling the number of physicians who do not know the normal range for an A1C. Maybe you should ask the doctor what is the normal range for an A1C for a person who is not diabetic. This is the range you should strive for, and your doctor needs to encourage other diabetics to do the same. Happy carb counting! What to tell my friend > > >> I've got a blind diabetic friend in Calgry Canada who thinks his a1c is > too low at 6.9. He says his doctor wants him to be no lower than 8, but > my > friend says he doesn't feel good if it's that high. Do Canadian doctors > know something American doctors, or for that matter doctors from many > other > countries, don't know? He is 70 yers old and apparently fairly healthy. > He > walks 3 times a day, has for years, and this is probably why he remains in > pretty good shape. He's been a type 1 for 60 years I think he told me, > and > convincing him that his a1c is too high may be difficult if not > impossible. > I'd like to try though. I'd appreciate a concise article or a few very > plain facts that I could pass on to him. Btw, he does not use the > internet, > just email. >> >> Dave >> >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 Your friend in Canada is doing fairly well, and a lot better than you are. The normal range for an A1C, I am speaking here of an A1C possessed by most people on this planet, is between 4-6, which mike professes, but I prefer the range of 4.2-5.2, which is also in the range of 4-6. The average fasting blood glucose level for a non-diabetic is between 82-83. The closer the diabetic is to the normal range, the fewer diabetic complications he is to have. Using a recent post to calculate your average daily blood glucose level of an A1C of 7.2, you would get a daily bs level of 7.2*2=14.4-6=8.4 read in moles or a USA reading of 151.2. This is your glycation rate of 7.2, and you need to have a thorough understanding of what glycation means. The A1C is the measure of your glycation rate. My last A1C was 5.3, and I would like to have it be even lower. All of my A1C's for the past year and a half have been below 5.5, and most of them were 5.3 or lower. My lowest one was 4.9. Congratulations on getting your A1C down, and I hope you keep it going toward the " normal range " . You might like to make a hard copy of this message to share with your doctor in order to educate him. I think it is appalling the number of physicians who do not know the normal range for an A1C. Maybe you should ask the doctor what is the normal range for an A1C for a person who is not diabetic. This is the range you should strive for, and your doctor needs to encourage other diabetics to do the same. Happy carb counting! What to tell my friend > > >> I've got a blind diabetic friend in Calgry Canada who thinks his a1c is > too low at 6.9. He says his doctor wants him to be no lower than 8, but > my > friend says he doesn't feel good if it's that high. Do Canadian doctors > know something American doctors, or for that matter doctors from many > other > countries, don't know? He is 70 yers old and apparently fairly healthy. > He > walks 3 times a day, has for years, and this is probably why he remains in > pretty good shape. He's been a type 1 for 60 years I think he told me, > and > convincing him that his a1c is too high may be difficult if not > impossible. > I'd like to try though. I'd appreciate a concise article or a few very > plain facts that I could pass on to him. Btw, he does not use the > internet, > just email. >> >> Dave >> >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 Your friend in Canada is doing fairly well, and a lot better than you are. The normal range for an A1C, I am speaking here of an A1C possessed by most people on this planet, is between 4-6, which mike professes, but I prefer the range of 4.2-5.2, which is also in the range of 4-6. The average fasting blood glucose level for a non-diabetic is between 82-83. The closer the diabetic is to the normal range, the fewer diabetic complications he is to have. Using a recent post to calculate your average daily blood glucose level of an A1C of 7.2, you would get a daily bs level of 7.2*2=14.4-6=8.4 read in moles or a USA reading of 151.2. This is your glycation rate of 7.2, and you need to have a thorough understanding of what glycation means. The A1C is the measure of your glycation rate. My last A1C was 5.3, and I would like to have it be even lower. All of my A1C's for the past year and a half have been below 5.5, and most of them were 5.3 or lower. My lowest one was 4.9. Congratulations on getting your A1C down, and I hope you keep it going toward the " normal range " . You might like to make a hard copy of this message to share with your doctor in order to educate him. I think it is appalling the number of physicians who do not know the normal range for an A1C. Maybe you should ask the doctor what is the normal range for an A1C for a person who is not diabetic. This is the range you should strive for, and your doctor needs to encourage other diabetics to do the same. Happy carb counting! What to tell my friend > > >> I've got a blind diabetic friend in Calgry Canada who thinks his a1c is > too low at 6.9. He says his doctor wants him to be no lower than 8, but > my > friend says he doesn't feel good if it's that high. Do Canadian doctors > know something American doctors, or for that matter doctors from many > other > countries, don't know? He is 70 yers old and apparently fairly healthy. > He > walks 3 times a day, has for years, and this is probably why he remains in > pretty good shape. He's been a type 1 for 60 years I think he told me, > and > convincing him that his a1c is too high may be difficult if not > impossible. > I'd like to try though. I'd appreciate a concise article or a few very > plain facts that I could pass on to him. Btw, he does not use the > internet, > just email. >> >> Dave >> >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 It is amazing how subtle doctors are without coming out and telling you the blunt truth. I do not believe such subtlety is in the patient's best interest. You may notice the soccer goal has a certain width and height, and if you kick the ball outside these parameters, you will definitely not score. Even if you keep within the goal's parameters, you may not score, because you have to contend with the goalie. The goalie in my case is heart trouble, having had three heart attacks and two heart bypass surgeries plus a mild stroke. Now you may understand why I keep a keen eye on the " normal " glycation rate or the A1C, the goal. What to tell my friend > > >> I've got a blind diabetic friend in Calgry Canada who thinks his a1c is > too low at 6.9. He says his doctor wants him to be no lower than 8, but > my > friend says he doesn't feel good if it's that high. Do Canadian doctors > know something American doctors, or for that matter doctors from many > other > countries, don't know? He is 70 yers old and apparently fairly healthy. > He > walks 3 times a day, has for years, and this is probably why he remains in > pretty good shape. He's been a type 1 for 60 years I think he told me, > and > convincing him that his a1c is too high may be difficult if not > impossible. > I'd like to try though. I'd appreciate a concise article or a few very > plain facts that I could pass on to him. Btw, he does not use the > internet, > just email. >> >> Dave >> >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 It is amazing how subtle doctors are without coming out and telling you the blunt truth. I do not believe such subtlety is in the patient's best interest. You may notice the soccer goal has a certain width and height, and if you kick the ball outside these parameters, you will definitely not score. Even if you keep within the goal's parameters, you may not score, because you have to contend with the goalie. The goalie in my case is heart trouble, having had three heart attacks and two heart bypass surgeries plus a mild stroke. Now you may understand why I keep a keen eye on the " normal " glycation rate or the A1C, the goal. What to tell my friend > > >> I've got a blind diabetic friend in Calgry Canada who thinks his a1c is > too low at 6.9. He says his doctor wants him to be no lower than 8, but > my > friend says he doesn't feel good if it's that high. Do Canadian doctors > know something American doctors, or for that matter doctors from many > other > countries, don't know? He is 70 yers old and apparently fairly healthy. > He > walks 3 times a day, has for years, and this is probably why he remains in > pretty good shape. He's been a type 1 for 60 years I think he told me, > and > convincing him that his a1c is too high may be difficult if not > impossible. > I'd like to try though. I'd appreciate a concise article or a few very > plain facts that I could pass on to him. Btw, he does not use the > internet, > just email. >> >> Dave >> >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 It is amazing how subtle doctors are without coming out and telling you the blunt truth. I do not believe such subtlety is in the patient's best interest. You may notice the soccer goal has a certain width and height, and if you kick the ball outside these parameters, you will definitely not score. Even if you keep within the goal's parameters, you may not score, because you have to contend with the goalie. The goalie in my case is heart trouble, having had three heart attacks and two heart bypass surgeries plus a mild stroke. Now you may understand why I keep a keen eye on the " normal " glycation rate or the A1C, the goal. What to tell my friend > > >> I've got a blind diabetic friend in Calgry Canada who thinks his a1c is > too low at 6.9. He says his doctor wants him to be no lower than 8, but > my > friend says he doesn't feel good if it's that high. Do Canadian doctors > know something American doctors, or for that matter doctors from many > other > countries, don't know? He is 70 yers old and apparently fairly healthy. > He > walks 3 times a day, has for years, and this is probably why he remains in > pretty good shape. He's been a type 1 for 60 years I think he told me, > and > convincing him that his a1c is too high may be difficult if not > impossible. > I'd like to try though. I'd appreciate a concise article or a few very > plain facts that I could pass on to him. Btw, he does not use the > internet, > just email. >> >> Dave >> >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 My last a1c was 5.8 and my friend in Canada replied he could never be that low. He's content with 6.9. I'll take chunks of your reply and put in an email to him. I thik part or all of the trouble has to do with the problems associateed with low blood sugars, and doctors think somehow that by trying to keep their patients at some higher than normal level, the low blood sugar problems won't exist. Thanks. Dave What to tell my friend > > >> I've got a blind diabetic friend in Calgry Canada who thinks his a1c is > too low at 6.9. He says his doctor wants him to be no lower than 8, but > my > friend says he doesn't feel good if it's that high. Do Canadian doctors > know something American doctors, or for that matter doctors from many > other > countries, don't know? He is 70 yers old and apparently fairly healthy. > He > walks 3 times a day, has for years, and this is probably why he remains in > pretty good shape. He's been a type 1 for 60 years I think he told me, > and > convincing him that his a1c is too high may be difficult if not > impossible. > I'd like to try though. I'd appreciate a concise article or a few very > plain facts that I could pass on to him. Btw, he does not use the > internet, > just email. >> >> Dave >> >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 My last a1c was 5.8 and my friend in Canada replied he could never be that low. He's content with 6.9. I'll take chunks of your reply and put in an email to him. I thik part or all of the trouble has to do with the problems associateed with low blood sugars, and doctors think somehow that by trying to keep their patients at some higher than normal level, the low blood sugar problems won't exist. Thanks. Dave What to tell my friend > > >> I've got a blind diabetic friend in Calgry Canada who thinks his a1c is > too low at 6.9. He says his doctor wants him to be no lower than 8, but > my > friend says he doesn't feel good if it's that high. Do Canadian doctors > know something American doctors, or for that matter doctors from many > other > countries, don't know? He is 70 yers old and apparently fairly healthy. > He > walks 3 times a day, has for years, and this is probably why he remains in > pretty good shape. He's been a type 1 for 60 years I think he told me, > and > convincing him that his a1c is too high may be difficult if not > impossible. > I'd like to try though. I'd appreciate a concise article or a few very > plain facts that I could pass on to him. Btw, he does not use the > internet, > just email. >> >> Dave >> >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 With today's technology and medications there is no need for a person to be classified as a " brittle diabetic " . What to tell my friend > > > > > >> I've got a blind diabetic friend in Calgry Canada who thinks his a1c > is > > too low at 6.9. He says his doctor wants him to be no lower than 8, > but > > my > > friend says he doesn't feel good if it's that high. Do Canadian > doctors > > know something American doctors, or for that matter doctors from many > > other > > countries, don't know? He is 70 yers old and apparently fairly > healthy. > > He > > walks 3 times a day, has for years, and this is probably why he remains > in > > pretty good shape. He's been a type 1 for 60 years I think he told me, > > and > > convincing him that his a1c is too high may be difficult if not > > impossible. > > I'd like to try though. I'd appreciate a concise article or a few very > > plain facts that I could pass on to him. Btw, he does not use the > > internet, > > just email. > >> > >> Dave > >> > >> > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 With today's technology and medications there is no need for a person to be classified as a " brittle diabetic " . What to tell my friend > > > > > >> I've got a blind diabetic friend in Calgry Canada who thinks his a1c > is > > too low at 6.9. He says his doctor wants him to be no lower than 8, > but > > my > > friend says he doesn't feel good if it's that high. Do Canadian > doctors > > know something American doctors, or for that matter doctors from many > > other > > countries, don't know? He is 70 yers old and apparently fairly > healthy. > > He > > walks 3 times a day, has for years, and this is probably why he remains > in > > pretty good shape. He's been a type 1 for 60 years I think he told me, > > and > > convincing him that his a1c is too high may be difficult if not > > impossible. > > I'd like to try though. I'd appreciate a concise article or a few very > > plain facts that I could pass on to him. Btw, he does not use the > > internet, > > just email. > >> > >> Dave > >> > >> > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Dave. Your friend's blood sugar is not too low. Even at 6.9, it is an average BG of about 126. maybe his doc is afraid of his going in to a low too easily. If he has been diabetic that long and is still going strong, then there is something wrong with his doctor's thinking. What to tell my friend I've got a blind diabetic friend in Calgry Canada who thinks his a1c is too low at 6.9. He says his doctor wants him to be no lower than 8, but my friend says he doesn't feel good if it's that high. Do Canadian doctors know something American doctors, or for that matter doctors from many other countries, don't know? He is 70 yers old and apparently fairly healthy. He walks 3 times a day, has for years, and this is probably why he remains in pretty good shape. He's been a type 1 for 60 years I think he told me, and convincing him that his a1c is too high may be difficult if not impossible. I'd like to try though. I'd appreciate a concise article or a few very plain facts that I could pass on to him. Btw, he does not use the internet, just email. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Dave. Your friend's blood sugar is not too low. Even at 6.9, it is an average BG of about 126. maybe his doc is afraid of his going in to a low too easily. If he has been diabetic that long and is still going strong, then there is something wrong with his doctor's thinking. What to tell my friend I've got a blind diabetic friend in Calgry Canada who thinks his a1c is too low at 6.9. He says his doctor wants him to be no lower than 8, but my friend says he doesn't feel good if it's that high. Do Canadian doctors know something American doctors, or for that matter doctors from many other countries, don't know? He is 70 yers old and apparently fairly healthy. He walks 3 times a day, has for years, and this is probably why he remains in pretty good shape. He's been a type 1 for 60 years I think he told me, and convincing him that his a1c is too high may be difficult if not impossible. I'd like to try though. I'd appreciate a concise article or a few very plain facts that I could pass on to him. Btw, he does not use the internet, just email. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Well, Dave, The low blood sugar problems may not exist, but other worse ones will! Re: What to tell my friend My last a1c was 5.8 and my friend in Canada replied he could never be that low. He's content with 6.9. I'll take chunks of your reply and put in an email to him. I thik part or all of the trouble has to do with the problems associateed with low blood sugars, and doctors think somehow that by trying to keep their patients at some higher than normal level, the low blood sugar problems won't exist. Thanks. Dave What to tell my friend > > >> I've got a blind diabetic friend in Calgry Canada who thinks his a1c is > too low at 6.9. He says his doctor wants him to be no lower than 8, but > my > friend says he doesn't feel good if it's that high. Do Canadian doctors > know something American doctors, or for that matter doctors from many > other > countries, don't know? He is 70 yers old and apparently fairly healthy. > He > walks 3 times a day, has for years, and this is probably why he remains in > pretty good shape. He's been a type 1 for 60 years I think he told me, > and > convincing him that his a1c is too high may be difficult if not > impossible. > I'd like to try though. I'd appreciate a concise article or a few very > plain facts that I could pass on to him. Btw, he does not use the > internet, > just email. >> >> Dave >> >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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