Last year I had my first A1C done as I have a new Dr. Results were 5.8. Last month I had another one done, it came back 6.4, Dr. told me to definately start taking Metformin 500 once a day. Have searched the net and do see many different opinions of when you should be on meds.
All my other blood work came back great, cholesterol, CBC, Thyroid etc. I am about 8 lbs. overweight, but do not eat junk food, drink alcohol or sweets except a small piece of pie or cake on holidays. I did ask about trying to lower my carb intake and step up my exercise, but she was not hearing any of it, just said..."take the meds."!
A friend of mine had an A1C which came back as 6.8 and her Dr. told her to try exercise and weight loss, as she is about 20 lbs. over her limit, plus told her anything below 7 is treated by him with diet changes. I know all Drs. are different, but although I have the prescription, am leary of taking it, mostly as I have a GI problem of Diarrhea and I understand this med. can cause it to flare up. I like my Dr. and hate to go against her wishes, but am still debating whether to take them or not.
She gave me no info. as to anything else to do, but I did sign up for a CDE class at our local hospital that will start in 2 weeks. Have bought a meter and find my numbers all over the place, but never saw anything over 155 after a meal. My morning numbers seem to be the highest, 111-130, and have actually seen my PP numbers lower then my morning ones at times.
Needless to say I am confused as to what to do.
Any input is much appreciated. TYIA.....JJ
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When you come to the end of your rope..tie a knot and hang on!
I am not a dr. obviously so this is just my opinion and experience, but your A1C doesn't sound that bad to me. Mine was 11.9.. yep super high!
I have been told they desire it to be below 7.0 and your number falls in that range.
I believe a "normal" reading is 79-109, so you may be slightly high, but I don't know that you are actually classified as diabetic.
The dr. is probably just being cautious, but having you take 1000 total mgs of metformin sounds extreme to me.
I take the same dosage before bed, and my fasting blood sugar was 345, just 3 weeks ago. As of last week it was 166, so it's coming down.
I would have a serious discussion with the dr about this, or seek another opinon. I wouldn't jump into the meds unless you really need them. That is my opinion however.
Thank you Terri... I had a talk with her over the phone, she was much more pleasant, think she was in a bad mood the day I saw her. She told me although my A1C is not dangerous, she wanted me to try the low dose of meds. to get my sugar more in control before it gets out of control and starts doing organ damage later on. For now she just wants me to take 500mgs. a day.
For now I told her I would try the meds., as I do see her point, but if the next test comes back ok, would like to try the diet and exercise only, she said ok. I started them sunday, so far a lil lightheaded at first and quite gassy, but nothing I can't handle. My numbers seem to fly around a lot, at times they look pretty good, other times they are not so great, so perhaps she is thinking down the line of possible problems. I've been with her for a little ove 2 years and she has never pushed me about anything, and does try hard to work with me. When my cholesterol was a bit out of wack I told her I would do my best to get it into the normal range, as NO way will I go on statins, did once years ago and suffered like crazy. Last test my numbers were extremely good, just the stinking sugar was up.
Oh well, I guess I can at least meet her half way which might eliminate me from having to take even a larger dose further on down the line. Guess we will just have to wait and see how it all goes.
Thank you again for your response, and I wish you well. JJ
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When you come to the end of your rope..tie a knot and hang on!
I did ask about trying to lower my carb intake and step up my exercise, but she was not hearing any of it, just said..."take the meds."!
She may have had many patients who fail at (or lie about) diet and exercise modification that she may not think much of it. Also, some doctors are more inclined than others to reach for the drugs as a first resort instead of a second or last resort.
But it is well known that increasing exercise and losing body fat (try tracking your waistline, rather than just your weight) tends to significantly help insulin sensitivity. Lowering intake of fast digesting carbohydrates (mainly added sugars (including sweet drinks) and refined grains) should also help.
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