A1C 5.8 and readings still high - Diabetes Message Board

twokatss · 10-22-2003, 02:20 PM

I have been getting readings of around 8 or 9 to 10. (144 to 180) I went to DR and told him this and he said to just keep doing what I am doing because my A1C was 5.8%. He said he recently went to a seminar and was told that if A1C is good then not to really worry about sugar levels being high. He did not think I should be on any meds yet. I am experiencing a few symptoms like fatigue and thirst but that is about all. He said that if I get any worse with symptoms he would give me meds to help them but I did not really need them for sugar control yet. I am not over weight and exercise by walking and swimming. What do you people think of this situation with the DR.????
Should I persue this further? Do you think I should be on some Meds yet??? I also am one who has "dawn phenonomen" --high readings in morning.

dwpavlik · 10-22-2003, 02:28 PM

HI your A1C level is at the level I am at and I am type 1 on insulin for 39 years. You should have a normal A1C in the mid 4's not high 5's I would at least get a second opinion from an endocrinologist. This might help you feel like you are being cared for more accurately. 5.9 and 5.8 are very good levels for those who are on insulin control. Not with normal pancreatic function. I would at least get that second opinion. Your A1C is NOT normal. It is only good.
Don

Mommyof4 · 10-22-2003, 03:37 PM

This is only my opinion but the A1c is a flawed test. It can show that things have been normal when they really havent been. What this means is that you can have high numbers and cancel them out with really low numbers. This is not control.

I would go and see an Endo who will help you to get it under control. He might even send you to a dietician who will only make things better when it comes to food choices. Good luck

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Mindy

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Ron AKA · 10-23-2003, 09:21 PM

Twokatss,

Your A1C at 5.8% is not bad at all for a diabetic. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommend that your treatment be reviewed if A1C is more than 6.5%. However they also recommend that if your morning fasting BG is more than 6.1 (110) or if the 2 hour after eating number is more than 7.8 (140), then you also need your treatment reviewed for improvement. See this link:

[url="http://www.aace.com/pub/press/releases/index.php?r=20010821"]http://www.aace.com/pub/press/releases/index.php?r=20010821[/url]

Of these measures I consider the A1C the poorest indicator of diabetes control. Doctors like it because they have been convinced that it is an overall measure of the past 2-3 months and they don't have to be bothered by looking at all the detail. I think the d e v i l is in the detail and the A1C does not cut it.

Have a look at this report. It suggests that the reading 2 hours after each meal is most predictive of mortality and not A1C.

[url="http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/B03B5188C5381EB0852569900054CA4F?OpenDoc ument&c=Diabetes&count=10&id=48dde4a73e0 9a969852568880078c249"]http://www.docguide.com/new s/content.nsf/news/B03B5188C5381EB0852569900054CA4F?OpenDoc ument&c=Diabetes&count=10&id=48dde4a73e0 9a969852568880078c249[/url]

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Ron

Type 2, diagnosed Feb 01, Prandin (GlucoNorm), Diet & Exercise

[This message has been edited by Ron AKA (edited 10-23-2003).]