[plainsmen]

So over the last year I've been working out trying to get in shape. To kick it off last February I went to the doctor to tell him what I was planning. He did blood work and found out my cholesterol was sky high. He put me on some medication for it (Simvistatin) and it's all good now.

What he did find though was that I was what he called, "boarderline" diabetic. Apparently my Hemoglobin A1C Panel shows my level of Hemoglobin A1C to be almost a winnah for the diabetes sweepstakes.

Over the last year I've worked out... lost about 25-30 lbs and have kept the cholesterol down pretty good, but the sugars aren't doing so great even though I don't indulge in the schweets.

Here's my Hemoglobin A1C Panel:

Apr. 07 = 6
Jun. 07 = 5.7
Jan. 08 = 6.2 and a resting uhmm glucose lvl of 98

So I'm reading on this chart thingy that comes along with my bloodwork results and it says:

Non-diabetic = <6
Diabetic Goal = <7
Action Level = >8

He was about to put me on diabetic meds and asked my opinion. I told him I dinna wanna take anything I didn't have to... I asked him if losing more weight would help? He said maybe so... I told him I'm going to go with that then, recheck me in April. I'll lose more weight.

So... that's where I'm at. I talked with another doctor friend whose around my age (mid 30's) I know personally and she said, "Meh... that's so borderline, 10 lbs of weight might just knock that out. I'd maybe think about seeing a different doctor." Apparently the old man doctor I go to is pretty "old school".

Any diabetics out there can give me a little advice as to if I should see someone else? Or just work my *** off and dump 20 lbs in the next 3 months and see where that leads me or what?

A little info I'm 33, pretty active (lifting weights, cardio) 4-6 days a week, I'm 220 lbs, 5'10, and pretty muscular. Half Native American. Don't really drink socially but I do have maybe a 6 pack of beer (guinness) a month.

My mother and 8 of her brothers and sisters are diabetic. Grandmother was diabetic and went through kidney dialysis.

[xMenace]

Welcome to the forum.

As you probably know, native americans are very prone to diabetes due to following modern diets. At least that's how the story goes. All you said is correct IMO, but I think you should also set out to discover what that best diet for you looks like. I, a caucasion of European decent, have absolutely no idea where to find those answers.

The new standard for A1C's for diabetics is < 6.5. If you were to creep above that, just about every doctor would put you on meds. I have no issue with you staying off for now, especially with your action plan. Awesome job by the way

You should keep getting those 3 month A1C's and you should test your own sugars. You don't need to go hog wild. One or two fasting tests and one or two 2 hour post prandial tests a week should be fine. You are watching for long term trends. You are not micro-managing like us insulin dependants have to.

[kgm0612]

HI & Welcome to the forum. Congratulations on the weight loss thus far.

My advice to you would be to try to cut back on your carbohydrates in order to lose the weight you'd like to lose and continue with your exercise regimen. You should also be testing so that you'll know which foods cause your blood sugars to rise.

Good Luck!

Karen

[princesslinda]

Originally Posted by kgm0612

HI & Welcome to the forum. Congratulations on the weight loss thus far.

My advice to you would be to try to cut back on your carbohydrates in order to lose the weight you'd like to lose and continue with your exercise regimen. You should also be testing so that you'll know which foods cause your blood sugars to rise.

Good Luck!

Karen

Welcome! I agree with Karen. Sounds like you're on the right track. Just keep watch on your blood sugars and you'll know early if things start to trend upwards despite all of your efforts.