A1C's 5.9 Shots or pump - Diabetes Message Board

dwpavlik · 09-30-2003, 10:07 PM

Hello All
I have been able to get myself to the A1C level of 5.9 while taking shots, and after I got on the pump I have been able to stay on or near that figure. I read that normal people are at 4.5 Something. Just how low area we able to get with tight control? I fight for the low numbers because I have turned around my Nephropathy, and stabilized my retinopathy. The only thing I haven't been able to change is my pain issues. Should I still fight to get lower or is this too difficult to get to, in the 4's.
Don

SamQKitty · 09-30-2003, 10:38 PM

Hi Don,
I'm actually envious of your wonderful numbers! Good for you.

As far as getting them lower, I've not heard of a person with diabetes who has managed to get their A1c down to 4, but that doesn't mean it can't be done.

Usually, there's a trad-off in getting too low in that you end up with too many lows. However, maybe it's possible to do it on the pump...I just don't know.

Hopefully some other pumpers will weigh in on this subject.

My heartiest congratulations on an amazing accomplishment!

Ruth

CobaltBlue · 10-01-2003, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SamQKitty:
As far as getting them lower, I've not heard of a person with diabetes who has managed to get their A1c down to 4, but that doesn't mean it can't be done.

Not down to 4 either, but that seems a bit low, I was diagnosed with type II in Nov 2000, with two fasting draws of 328 and 348 mg/dL. I was put on 2 mg Amaryl.

When I changed my diet (was very high fat), lost 75 lbs, and started running every morning, I was able to eliminate all my medications and my HbA1c has been 4.6-4.8 for the last year.

Granted this kind of reversal can't be done by everyone, but some out here (including me) are lucky in a way. Heck, I can even eat desserts each night and my post-prandial is almost always <120 mg/dL, regardless of whether its a 30, 60, of 120 min measurement.

Mommyof4 · 10-01-2003, 07:05 AM

I pumped for 3 years and was always told that my A1c needed to be between 5 and 6. A 4 correlates to a blood sugar of 65 and that is too low to run on a regular basis. Sounds to me that you are doing fine but may run into trouble with hypo's if you try to get it any lower. The physical symptoms that have either turned around or gotten better should tell you that you are doing something right

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Mindy

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dwpavlik · 10-01-2003, 08:31 AM

Hello All
I understand that they say that a 4.5 is supposed to be equivalent to running 65 blood sugars. So I was wondering how normal people get it that low. And looking at ubernier’s
post and it is mentioned that they eat normal and have readings higher as well. How is this possible?

My goal is actually trying to keep my numbers near and at 85 all of the time. How can a type II and normal people keep A1C's in the 4's. I do run into lows. I was told by my Endo to not allow the lows to go below 60. That will be a safer number.. But I also have gained so much with tight control. I am also loosing weight. So maybe after I get rid of a few more pounds I might see some additional improvement. Thanks for the help. I feel like I am on a quest by myself sometimes. At the doctors office I am told 6.6 is ok. But the lab papers say it should be below 6.0. Maybe I am a little confused to what normal is.
Thanks a lot for all the input
Don