Hi I am new and need help

[globaluser]

HI all, :hello:

I am new to this forum and also new to diabetes. My husband is suffering from diabetes and the worst thing is that we don't know this till last week:(

his report says his level is 260 and HA1bc is 13.5

I don't know what all this means and I am really worried about him and don't know what to do.

can anyone tell me what is this HA1bc . Doctor says that 13 is very high so he gave him some tablets today. What is the normal level and is it difficult to bring it to normal???

pls excuse me for my English .English is not my Native language :T

[BlueSky]

Welcome to the forum. Sorry you have had to join us. But this is a good place to get some ideas on how to handle diabetes.

The HBA1c test measures the percentage of red blood cells that have glucose molecules attached to them. It reflects how high the blood glucose has been for the last 3 months. An HBA1c of 13.5% corresponds to an average blood glucose of 407mg/dl during the last 3 months, which is very high. Normal HBA1c is about 4.5%.

Sounds like your husband has already been given medicine. But he will also have to cut back on the carbohydrates he is eating (anything conatining sugar or flower, rice, potatoes, sweet fruit etc) and get lots of exercise. The combined effect will be to reduce that blood glucose.

[Harold]

Your English will do. You might go in to your USERCP and put your country in so everyone will know it's not your primary from post to post. I only know of two countries, the US and Japan, that use the mg/dL scale for Glucose levels (bg's). That would be the 260 and written as 260 mg/dl. The rest of the world uses mmol/L and you can multiply mmol/L by 18 to get mg/dL or divide mg/dL by 18 to get mmol/L. Under TOOLS in the top bar is a converter if you wish to go that route. HbA1c (A1c) is a percentage value and the same in all countries. It is the weighted average amount of glucose in the red blood cells.

The levels you gave us are really high, but not hospital high. So do not panic. Your husband will probably be given goals for these levels of less than 140 mg/dL and 7.0%. You will see reading these post here most of us shoot for lower values. For the time being those are resonable for first time goals. Did the doctor give him a meter to check his levels with? Testing is of most importance to see how well his diet and the meds are working. Some meds take several to a few weeks to really start working well. In the mean time moderate size meals 3 times a day or small meals 4 or 5 times a day will help to relieve the glucose load.

[pinkytricia]

globaluser

Sorry, to hear what is going on with your hubby.... You sound like a very caring person..

With your help his A1C will come down. If you prepare his meals, you might think about getting a Diabetic cookbook or something to guide you along...I don't know if he will be going to Diabetic educational training like where they sent me... It helped some but I still need to go out and find information...

Coming to the DF~Diabetic Forum will help you in this area too....
A place to Vent, find recipes, also great information, Friends that understand...etc

Good Luck...!! Happy searching... click away....
T

[kgm0612]

Welcome to the forum. You'll find a ton of information and nice people willing to help you out with any questions you may have.

Karen

[princesslinda]

Welcome to the forum. You and your husband should find lots of helpful information here.

The A1C test shows the average blood sugar levels over a 3 month period.

The most important first step for anyone with diabetes is to get a monitor and test blood sugar 2 hrs after his first bite of a meal. This way, you'll see how certain foods raise and lower his blood sugars and know what to eat more of or less of. I find that if I avoid breads, sugar, pasta, white rice and potatoes, my blood sugars are better. I try to eat a lot of fresh vegetables and lean meats. For something sweet, sugar free jello or pudding is a good substitution for the real thing.

If he is able to exercise, even just a little walking each day can help in better blood sugar control as well.

I encourage both of you to look around the forum, read the posts and ask questions. There's a lot of good information to be found here. Also, be sure he has good follow-up with his doctor, so he can get good control of his diabetes as soon as possible.

Welcome to the forum!

Linda

[ProudNanaof5]

Welcome globaluser to our family. :wavey: You are heading in the right direction by joining DF. There is a lot info here and lots of caring people to help you with any questions you may have. The most important thing for a Diabetic to do is test, test, test... That way it gives you the knowledge to fight this frustrating desease. Good Luck!!

[MJM]

Hi Globaluser,
Welcome to the Forum. All the prior replies answered really what I would have said. Test often and record your readings, eat good food, plenty of vegetables and fruit and perhaps buy some books and read them. Both of you will get the hang of it quickly enough. Good luck with your efforts.

[Cyborg]

It is generally accepted that a diabetic with an a1c under 7 has his/her diabetes under control. Many of us push hard to get below 6. IMO, shooting for anything below 5 is dangerous.

[globaluser]

Thanks to all who replied to my post. Now I am little bit clear about the diabetes and have to work hard to control my hubby's sugar level. I know its very hard but not impossible.

thaks once again to all and hope i will get lots of information in this forum.

[Jill-O]

I think "normal" on the A1C is 5.5 - 6 or so. My initial A1C was 11.7, which is also very high.

One thing that really is helping me, as so many here told me it would, is to have a glucose meter so I can test before I eat and after and figure out what foods and what amounts push my levels up too high.

There is a lot of information here and also lots of good and easy to follow books about diabetes that may be helpful to you and your husband.

[shanda]

I would only add to what everyone has said that I too remember how scared I was when first diagnosed. That initial confusion about what to eat, what not to eat and when to eat it. It can be a bit overwhelming at first.

I would suggest you ask your doctor to refer you and your husband to a dietician who can explain a healthier diet for him. Lots of excercise helps and if he is overweight, even losing 10 pounds can make a difference. Let us know how he's doing eh :)

[ClaireZk]

Global user,
The A1c basically tells you the average blood glucose levels over a few months time. A 13% means that the average reading would be over 300, I think.
In my opinion, the best thing for your husband would be to see diabetes specialists who can help him deal with everything: medication, diet, excercise.
I am sorry about his diagnosis and I hope his health improves. Let us know how he does!

[labob]

My A1c reading when I was diagnosed in December 2005 was 13.4, almost the exact same level as your husband. He was probably feeling pretty awful before diagnosis.

By taking medications (insulin and glyburide at first, now Actos), watching my diet, and keeping up with my exercise, I've been able to stay in the 5.1 - 5.2 range for most of the last year. I've been motivated by the memory of how bad I felt before being diagnosed -- I would bet that your husband will feel the same.

As others have said, your husband needs to check his glucose levels before and after meals until he begins to understand how different foods affect him. But things will get better. I feel better now than I did for years before my diagnosis.

[right2fight]

Hi Global, God bless you for taking care of your hubby, with you on his team, sounds like he'll be doing great in no time at all.

Cheers!
Margaret