First 3 month test

Hi Steve,

You've done a fantastic job making such a huge improvement in your HbA1c. Brilliant.

Don't stop there though. Even 7.4% equates to an average blood sugar over 10 mmol/l, which will cause long term problems if maintained for a while.

I'd disagree with Sarah. Normal or near normal blood sugars ARE achievable, without moving to hypoland. A non-diabetics HbA1c will be near 4.5%, so the further we stray from that, the greater the risk of complications. It can be done, and the health benefits are enormous - low insulin doses, low triglycerides, great cholesterol levels, normal weight etc. Best of all, you can achieve all of this with a delicious, healthy and extremely satisfying diet.

Best wishes to your Mum,

fergus

Hi Steve,

Sorry to hear of your news - its at times like this that the will-power really gets stretched to the limit. You have done fantastically to have made that degree of improvement in 3 months. Your next target will be to get it below 7%, which is the level that doctors tend to regard as "safe", but as Sue says 6.5 would put you closer to the range for a non-diabetic so should be your ultimate goal.

Unfortunately HBA1C is easier to reduce when the levels are high as yours were at first, but it becomes more difficult as they get lower. You will probably find it a lot harder to drop a further 1% than you did to drop the first 2.8%, but don't let that stop you trying!

Well done. That is a huge achievement. My first one ever, after starting insulin, was 5.00 and the diabetes nurse was very happy but since then I seem to be unable to get a reading that low. Like you, due to enormous family concerns, I find it so hard not to comfort eat. I'll do well for a few weeks then I NEED that crutch of something naughty to eat (I don't drink or smoke) and I so want to change.

any hba1c below 8 will be ok with the doctors. ive recently started taking benfotiamine which is supposed to lower hba1c levels - ill see at my next test if theres any truth in it.

hi steve, its great that u are getting your diabetes under control.
I had my check-up today and my HbA1c is also 7.4% (8% last time). I do feel that it may be due to the fact i gave up chocolate for lent.....
Having a percentage of between 6 - 7 indicates that you have good control. Between 7 - 8%, control is said to be 'reasonable'.

My nan was diagnosed with with lung cancer 2 years ago, but thankfully beat it with chemotherapy. It was hard not to comfort eat... but try and stay focused. I Wish your mum all the best,

Michelle

Well if your Dr thinks below 8 is good I would change Drs quickly
It's no wonder people have so many complications with medical advice like that

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the best you can is good enough.