Re: HbA1c, Testing, etc.-Lynn: was- Re: Hi Lynn/Roger

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Lynn,

My comments interspersed in your text:

>>> I had had breakfast and it was 430.

Breakfast was coffee with Carnation creamer, toast and an egg. <<<

<

>

Oh, I'd believe that!

< So, I started eating very low-carb (Bernstein), & was able to maintain

normal

non-diabetic bg's (fasting 70-110mg/dl & HbA1c <6%) for 7+ years on D

& very

little E.

So, that may be possible for you also. >

That is encouraging. Thanks.

< Glycosylated Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a blood test that shows what

your

" average " bg has been for the past 3-months, with emphasis on the most

recent

weeks. It's expressed as a percent and normal non-diabetics have a

range 4%-6%,

tending toward the lower end of that range. Diabetics have HbA1c's

above

6.0%. Your Dr probably didn't do this test when you were diagnosed

because it's

pretty obvious that you're diabetic & the result would have been

" high " . >

I'm sure. She knew right away I am diabetic.

< My

HbA1c at diagnosis was 15.5%!

It would be a good idea if you asked for this test at the next time

you see

your Dr, maybe 3 months after diagnosis to see how you're progressing. >

That's a good idea. I'm going to keep your post for a lot of reminders.

>>> I test twice a day right now. Fasting and after lunch one day and

before bed the next. <<<

< Your testing is a very important part of your " diabetic education "

program.

" Occasional testing " (that's how I'd describe your testing pattern)

tells you

very little.

The most important thing testing can teach is how your food effects

your

bg's. To do that, you need to test before & 1 & 2 hours after you eat.

So, while

you are in the process of learning to control, there are those 9 pre &

post-meal tests plus a fasting first thing in the morning & one at

bedtime, for a

total of 11 tests per day.

I know that seems like a lot, but without the knowledge gained by

doing

those tests, gaining control is kind of a hit-or-miss proposition. >

Ok. Yes, it does sound like a lot.

< After you've learned how many foods effect your bg's, you can reduce

the

testing to much less, & use it when you eat or do something different.

Many Drs think diabetics are resistant to testing & will not prescribe

enough test strips to do the testing described above. >

She knew I hate the finger-pricking part. I think she didn't want to scare me

off. I am adjusting to the finger pricks. Don't love it, but just do it.

< It's up to you

to be your

own advocate & ask for a prescription for sufficient strips. Explain

what

you're trying to do & that you're motivated to gain " tight-control " , &

many Drs

will prescribe the # of strips you request (mine did). Insurance

companies

(most) will provide the amount of strips prescribed, so it's up to the

Dr to

write a prescription for the amount you need. >

Ok. I was surprised that they are prescribed! What on earth would anyone who

didn't need them do with them? I thought I could just pick a box off the shelf.

< Yes, it's " Metformin " , you've got the name correctly. Metformin is the

generic name. There's other names that are " brand-names " , like

Glucophage. Generic

is cheaper! >

I finally got it right. I figured it was generic something. Glucophage. Ok.

< Exercise will help reduce bg's. I don't do enough, but I'm now trying

to

start up again. >

I will too.

>>> It would be great if I can

eventually

control this with WOE and exercise, but I'll be happy if just the oral

meds will

do it, frankly. I am so afraid of the horrible complications that go

with

this disease! Like Vicky, I intend to have none of them so I'm going

to be darn

good about taking care of it. :-)

Lynn >>>

< Lynn, you've got one of the biggest hurdles crossed already as you

seem

motivated to do what's necessary to get control of " our " disease.

Many, after

being diagnosed spend much time in denial & hope the disease will go

away by

ignoring it. Unfortunately, since diabetes is largely a symptomless

disease it's

easy to ignore. >

Yes. I wanted to ignore it. lol

< That is, until one or more of the horrendous complications rears it's

ugly

head: Blindness, kidney failure, limb amputation, cardio-vascular

problems &

many more.

So, it sounds like you are on the right track. Keep up the good work! >

Thanks for the encouraging words, . For the advice too. I appreciate

it. I know nothing. I ordered the books from Amazon so that will help too.

Lynn

*****************************************

, T2, dx'ed 4/98 with Fasting bg 350mg/dl & HbA1c 15.5%

Controlling until last month with LC-D & very little E

Average Fasting bg 105mg/dl, Last HbA1c 6.0%

7+ Year Historical HbA1c 5.6%-6.0%

Now Experimenting with Metformin, Glyburide & " Merlot Therapy " for

HbA1c

nearer 5.0%

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