Incremental improvements in HbA1C

[sterling]

This question may be difficult to articulate.

Correspondents here often site how they have achieved progressive improvements every three months. Presumably, such improvements are achieved through incremental improvements in their diabetes management.

However, what happens when the newly diagnosed diabetic adopts strict regimes of drug control, carbohydrate control and exercise control but doesn't seek to progressively improve such controls? Does the HbA1c score improve every three months?

 

[Anonymous]

Hello sterling,

I think what you're asking is whether your hba1c can improve on a static drugs/diet regime? The answer is yes, possibly.

Your results may improve on the same drugs/diet if you are losing insulin resistance and/or weight
Your results may deteriorate if your pancreas is being worked hard by the type of drugs you are on and is running out of steam (though this is likely to be a much slower process).

All of it is a bit of a moving target - for example it seems clear that as levels improve, sensitivity to carbs increases. So a static diet might have a detrimental affect on your hba1c as your levels flatten out - if that makes sense. I think this thought needs more work.

Swim

 

[borofergie]

Well mine went straight from 10.2% at diagnosis, to 5.6% at 3 months.

I've subsequently reduced it to 4.9%, but I'd attribute that to weight-loss and to a gradual refinement of my control technique. I didn't even know what a carbohydrate was when I was diagnosed (I remember thinking that Weetabix was the only thing I could eat in an airport lounge).

So you can reduce it in one big go, but you'll also benefit from fine tuning afterwards.

 

[sterling]

Hello sterling,

I think what you're asking is whether your hba1c can improve on a static drugs/diet regime? The answer is yes, possibly.

Swim

Thank you, Swim, for your quick response. That was exactly what I had in mind.

I have a test pending and I do hope to see an improvement.

 

[sterling]

Well mine went straight from 10.2% at diagnosis, to 5.6% at 3 months.

So you can reduce it in one big go, but you'll also benefit from fine tuning afterwards.

Thank you Borofergie.
Despite adopting a harsh regime, my HbA1C improvements have been quite minimal, moving from 7.5% to 6.3% in eight months.
I have lost a lot of weight and the condition of my hands has varstly improved. But the improvement is not really reflected in the figures.

 

[borofergie]

Thank you Borofergie.
Despite adopting a harsh regime, my HbA1C improvements have been quite minimal, moving from 7.5% to 6.3% in eight months.
I have lost a lot of weight and the condition of my hands has varstly improved. But the improvement is not really reflected in the figures.

:shock:
What you talking about sterling?

7.5% to 6.3% is a phenomenal improvement. It's they type of improvement that might end up saving your toes and stopping your eyeballs from bleeding, and ultimately stop your heart from ticking.

Trust the progress you see in your weight and your neuropathy more than your HbA1c. If you keep up the good work, I wouldn't mind betting you'll be in the 5% club soon.

 

[Dougie22]

For what its worth, my diet and exercise regime (and lapses) have been much the same since adopted after diagnosis 18 months ago and I haven't lost a lot of weight (yet). I would say that, when on plan, I'm eating a reduced carbs healthy diet with mostly low GI carbs, a lot of protein and moderate fat content. I screen myself by posting everything I eat through a food database (Myfitness.com).

So my efforts have been relatively steady state but my HbA1c has progressively reduced during that time. Remember though that we're all different.

I am now trying to make a determined effort to lose weight and hope that this will help me stabilise at a low level.