Hba1c and hormones

Some info that seems to indicate it could have an impact yes:

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/menopause-and-diabetes.html

woollygal said:

thank you

I guess I’m looking for something that says basically you are scuppered which means you need to keep trying to help things but nothing is going to get you into remission and avoiding insulin later on in life so you can relax!

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If that was the case all older female diabetics would be on Insulin, which they are not.

woollygal said:

Actually, one for the mods @Goonergal @Antje77 @Brunneria
Why is there not a section for older women with diabetes isn’t he forum?
There is every other section but not this one and it is a huge problem for us women of a certain age.

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Hi. The mods don’t decide the structure of the forum, that’s set by the Diabetes.co.uk Head Office. Suggestions for improving the forum should be made in the General Chat section or via email to forum@diabetes.co.uk

woollygal said:

Specifically menopause or peri menopause.
How can that affect hba1c?
Could that be why my hba1c didn’t drop as much as you’d think after a strict keto diet?
I’m guessing that’s why my weight is stuck bar a 2-3 pound swing in whatever direction.

but I don’t really know how it can affect hba1c.

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My understanding from reading most of your posts is that you haven’t changed what you are eating for a long period of time yet. (If I’m wrong I apologize)
My knowledge of keto and Low carb is it takes many months of of steady habits of eating. That is even more so as we get older. It is important to keep consistent over a long period of time.
The body needs to heal and this is not a short term solution.

woollygal said:

Actually I have changed my diet. From just after Xmas I went below 50g of carbs then end jan - end March I was under 10g, No cheating no off days, perfect. From mid feb I was intermittent fasting 16/8. My weight dropped a couple of pounds but would just swing back T is not normal.
I don’t think I’ve ever read anything from anyone whose weight didn’t change while doing such strict keto (maybe a couple but the majority see great results] and my hba1c only dropped 5 points.
So there has to be something going on in the background that’s stopping My body from doing things.
This week (after a slight blip due to bing so disappointed) I’ve been slightly higher but still below the 50g, in fact I’d say below 40

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Four months is not a long time when it comes to a body healing.
I hope you find the answers you are looking for.

woollygal said:

True but people on here go form levels higher than me and to non diabetic levels in as short a time. I appreciate it might take longer but if I’m fighting a losing battle it would help to know that. Or at least take some of the pressure off.

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You are not other people. You have to find what works for you.
You have to decide if it is worthwhile for you.
I have not lost all the weight I would like to but I’m measuring my success in other ways. Better sleep, mental clearity, and more energy.

Although the first couple of months after diagnosis are a blur as the Atorvastatin affected my memory, 50 gm of carbs a day corrected my blood glucose levels in a matter of days and my Hba1c in a few weeks.
I suspect that there are a few different conditions which are all called diabetes - and some respond splendidly to low carb and others do not.

Hi @woollygal.

You seem to be a bit frustrated with your progress.
Your Hba1c has improved a lot since eighteen months ago.
And you are due another reading, and I suspect it will be lower again, which is progress, slowly but surely getting lower, and you must feel the benefits of your efforts so far.
I know after diagnosis it is really hard to get the understanding of what is happening to you. Knowledge is key and I found I had to get to know, so I could get my life back.
So, I read and learned about how food effects me and the mere fact that so called healthy foods and the basic nutritional needs, such as bread, cereals , rice, spuds were making me really ill, because of too much insulin being created by insulin.

Insulin is a hormone created to help glucose give you energy and the only other way to get energy is creating ketones because your carb intake is too low, so you go into ketosis. That is natural.
However insulin is not the only hormone that effect the hormonal balance upon eating.
The blood is adapting all the time to how your hormonal imbalance responds to every event that occurs every day. Then you have to take into account age, other conditions, medical history and culture, ethnicity and environment.
What I'm getting to, is like a lot of things in life, it is an individual condition, what works for me, won't work for you. The treatment for you has to be tailored to you. And the only one who can do this is you.
Only by testing, testing and more testing will give you the answer to how to be as healthy as possible. We give advice, and try to help, but like me, low carb at 50g is too much, so is 30g, so is 20g, the highest I can tolerate is about 10g of carbs per meal, but even then, it is not helping trying to keep my blood glucose levels from spiking, if I have a cold, or having a bad day and my stress and anxiety levels are high. Then that 10g of carbs will not stop having the reaction that I don't want.
It took me a good six months to get my balance right for me. Because of tastes and intolerance and particularly my lactose intolerance, the good fats had to be upped because I couldn't get fat from dairy. I had to adjust my protein and my veg, to get that balance.
I do hope this helps.
There could be many reasons why you are .not doing as well as you want to. Maybe you could find out what it is. But you must remain positive, because in the scheme of things, you have done well and from wanting to do well, the motivation is there.
Stay positive.
Stay safe.

Hi @woollygal

I hear your frustration. It is tough to be working so hard and not getting the results others are getting for less work. Unfortunately this is true of many things in life. Like @Lamont D I can't tolerate anywhere near 50 grams of carbs a day- anything over 10 grams and my levels go into the 6s under 10 grams I am in 4s and 5s. My body is just that sensitive. I also put on weight above 10 grams. I do find it difficult. My son is getting married in a month and my dress fits but no room for growth. Was planning to have a low carb egg (approx 4 grams) but then have to make sure no other carbs for the day. I ate about 10 grams yesterday and up a kilo overnight. I am also a woman of a certain age- in my mid 50s and I had early menopause which didn't help with weight.

I don't find it easy but I have made the choice. Even on my bad days I'm never above 20 grams a day. I've been doing this now almost 2 years and so I know I can sustain it. I had to decide what sacrifices I am willing to make. That doesn't mean you have to make the same choices. You have to find the pathway that balances your needs.

I know you were going to ask for some tests to rule out type 1- has the dr agreed?

I wish I could give you a hug- I know you are struggling and I really wish there was an easy answer.

Take care of yourself.