I had an A1C of 8.7 several months ago. My doc at the time offered me the choice of either increasing oral meds or going on insulin. At the time I decided to just increase oral meds.
I clamped down hard on my diet for a few weeks. Usually skipping meals to wait for blood sugar to go down. I then got a blood draw/labs for other reasons. And they accidentally ordered an A1C test only like 5 weeks or so after first one(its supposed to be like 3 months). My A1C was 7.7.
After losing control of blood sugar again, I decided that I would go on insulin. I called and informed doc of my decision. She then prescribed me an additional oral med. Besides a brief 5 day period of very low bs at night(which I believe was due to drug interaction with the Covid med Paxlovid.), my blood sugar is not controlled to the degree I would like.
Her reasoning seems to be that 7.7 is not that bad and we should try other meds first. I personally think the only reason it dropped so significantly was because of my extreme measures to control bs. I’m not sure such measures are sustainable over the long term. An apple for breakfast(or skipping it entirely) and then a controlled small late supper with no other foods at other times seems unsustainable long term to me.
She actually told me to try to eat all 3 meals and to not snack at night because these are conditions that the regimens are based on. This is kind of a contradiction to the way I got my blood sugar under control in the first place.
If they did not do that accidental A1C test early, we would still be talking in relation to an 8.7 A1C.
I have been getting weird sensations and pains in certain parts of body and suspect I may be getting some diabetic nerve damage. Although it could be related to Covid infection as well. When I was in the 8.7 range I was getting cramps as well. I really want to get this under control before I get permanent damage.
I feel a bit put off that she offered me insulin and then pulled the option off the table after I clamped down for a few weeks and they screwed up on ordering a test.
Anyway, I guess I will try to get it under control with meds I’ve got for now.
My brother has diabetes, type MODY 3.
He told me most people have a basic normal range, usually 4-7, but that the normal range for some diabetics can be as high as 7-10 without that being worrisome.
Also, depending on why your bloodsugar is high, insulin might not work.
Is your body not producing enough insulin, or are your cells not uptaking it like they should? (Like with type 2 and insulin resistance)
I have no idea. If there is a test for this, no one has ever informed of it or the results.
I really don’t believe this is correct at all. I’ve read online before that an A1C of 7 translates to an average of like 160. This might be an acceptable average but I’ve read and also heard other members remark that damage from blood sugar starts around 140. It might be acceptable to have these slightly higher blood sugars shortly after meals and such but I dont believe sustained bs between 160 and like 200 like I often have are acceptable at all. An A1C of 9 translates to an average blood sugar of 212 according to what I just looked up. This is not at all acceptable.
" “Post-meal blood sugars of 140 mg/dl [milligrams per deciliter] and higher, and fasting blood sugars over 100 mg/dl [can] cause permanent organ damage and cause diabetes to progress,”"
I’m sure there are tests for this but I am not aware of having them and have not been informed of such results. Based on what I just read on diabetes 2, it appears that it is usually the result of both not enough produced insulin and also insulin resistance. So probably both.
“In type 2 diabetes, there are primarily two interrelated problems at work. Your pancreas does not produce enough insulin — a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into your cells — and cells respond poorly to insulin and take in less sugar.”
It’s probably best if you eat normally so they can get a good idea of what your sugars are normally. If they are high, then they are high. You can track it for a week, then send them the numbers. I just don’t think you should go extreme, so they can get an idea of what you are eating as a normal person on a diabetic diet. 7.7 a1c is not bad for a diabetic. Mine is 12.3 if that’s any comfort. You are doing good. Do you see an endocrinologist? Or just gp? I suggest you try to transfer to endocrinology. They will be better with care.
No, I do not.
Thanks for your input @anon55031185 . I’m sorry to hear about your A1C. Yes, 7.7 is not horrible, but like I said, I believe that drop was due unsustainable short term tactics. I see no reason to accept damage when we can be controlling it to prevent said damage.
Msybe they recinded the offer of insulin necause your a1c dropped significantly. Did you tell them you werent eating much? Definitely try to eat a normal amount because fluctuations like that can be dangerous too.
