A1c is 7.3 after 1year/Good?

[kel4han]

I was a bit disappointed in my 7.3 a1c last week. My 1yr diagnosis date is St Patricks day. How long did it take you guys to be in the 6's????

[Scarlett]

6's??????? that's the holy grail

[Gangrel]

i was diagnosed at 7, and that was 24 years ago, long before carb counting, MDI, and rapid acting insulins....

Still, I would say I have only had A1c's in the 6's consistently as of a few years ago.

It takes a lot of work.... but 7.3 is **** good too, so I wouldn't stress over it.

Just relax, keep tweaking, and you'll get it eventually!

[tanyatype1]

Hi Kel4han! I read your post and my first feeling was that I felt bad for you because I don't want you to feel bad about yourself! 7.3 is a good number! But, in all honesty, I know how you feel - are any of us ever truly, perfectly happy about our numbers? Even when I'm in the 6's, I want a number in the 5's! The chase never ends! :) I was shocked when my Diabetes Educator told me that some diabetics continually come in with A1C's in the 17 -18 mark! Now THEY should be freakin' out!

[belyro]

25 years and counting.

I've got an appointment with my CDE tonight, though, and she has a meter to check it, so I have my fingers crossed......

[Emm]

Took me two years. I was always disappointed with a1cs in the 7s but at the same time I was a little scared of lows, on protophane (think most here know it as NPH) and not eating that well.

I finally saw 6s - LOW 6s even (happy happy!) when I started Lantus, watched my carb intake more carefully, stopped worrying about going low if I was 5 or so (90 mgdl) - in fact, made that my daily 'resting' BG target (the figure I wanted when I had no food and no fast acting insulin me) and dealt to my dawn phenomenon by having just one unit as soon as I wake up.

And now I really want to see a result in the 5s! Don't know whether I'll manage or not - probably could do it if I gave up chocolate (that'll be the day!!) but I think it probably requires a little more motivation than I can find!

All in all, the one best thing you can do for a good a1c is TEST lots. If you know where you are, you can deal with it.
Good luck!

[LancetChick]

All in all, the one best thing you can do for a good a1c is TEST lots. If you know where you are, you can deal with it.

Of the type 1's I know of who maintain A1c's in the low 5's without severe hypos, the one thing common to all is testing at least 10x a day, and generally more often than that. I'm not sure if that always includes logging those results with insulin doses and food, but that's a good way to make the most of your test results, even if it's only temporary.

[Jenn80Mc]

7.3 is pretty good if you ask me! My latest is 7.9!

[Gordonm]

I have been a type 1 for 32 years now. MyA1cs have been from 5.8 to 6.4 for the last ten years. I have been on the pump for 5 months now and my first pump A1c was a 6.4. I was satisfied but want better. I test at least 10x a day. 7.3 is not bad but I always have tried to be at least 7.0 or lower. Keep at it, not easy to do at all.

[JungleJim]

A good number is as low as you can get it without having a lot of bad lows. I have always been paranoid of long term complications and have kept my A1C in the 5's for about 15 years, but paid the price with many, many severe lows. I finally took my endo's advice and got on the pump, and now keep it in the upper 5's without the lows. My wife is much happier not having to bring me back to life from a bad night time low.

Shoot for 6.5, if you make that, shoot for 6.0. if you don't make it, don't get down on yourself, just keep on trying and eventually you will find what works for you and what you can realistically achieve.

[KritterMom]

Keep up the good work! My A1C's stayed in the 7-8 range for about 10 years. I have had a pump for 6 weeks, and just had an A1C done and it was 6.4. I was shocked. I agree with the others about testing. I test at least 10 times a day, and apparently it does help. You're doing fine! Keep it up.:)

[soso]

I think testing is the cornerstone too...
I have found that in the 3 yrs I have been D, that I now have a lot of tricks I have learned about my system that make it much easier to keep my numbers down, while maximizing my mealtime enjoyments....I didn't know all this stuff at the end of the first year...I really feel all my testing has paid a good dividend...I have stopped feeling deprived and am able to live a reasonably happy food life and still maintain a low A1c..I am sure you will know a lot more tricks in another year and be able to reach that goal of a 6...
ss

[kel4han]

Well, once again I have been enlightened by my forum friends! Thank you, for I know that I would not have achieved a 7.3 without all the knowledge I have taken in here. You guys are very motivating! -H-U-G-S you have made my day!

[Blckflys]

I still have yet to get under 7.....I am getting closer though. I am really obsessed with getting it lower. Of course anywhere in the 7s isn't all that bad. my younger sister has type 1 also, and is consistantly above 10!! I think her best ever was an 8. I really get on her for that and so do the doctors. She seems to be listening lately at least

[sydneya]

My last one two days ago was 7.6. I know how you feel. I was a little disappointed because I thought it would be a vast improvemet on the one in December. It was .1 better. But it was immensely better than my 10 last year. I will keep working on mine and it will improve. And you be proud of yourself and keep working o yours and we'll compare notes about June. WE ARE WINNING!!!:D

[right2fight]

My son had a 6.1 early on, still honeymooning at the time and on NPH. Since then, in 6 years the highest, 9.0. Last one was 7.6. It's all in control, unfortunately.

Margaret

[REDLAN]

well I've had diabetes for 24 years, and have only just recently starting to bother really trying to control it - I always had A1c's around 10 - I used to dose myself by eye, and how I felt (which is not a very accurate glucometer)

my last was 8.1 - and I was really chuffed with that one seeing as I was on the wrong insulin to get the best control. My next a1c result I get in a few days, and I'm expecting somewhere in the low 7's if my meter averages are anything to go by.

personally, I'd still be chuffed with a 7.6 (",)

If I ever manage to get under 7, I'd be so over the moon I'm gonna go out and stuff my face with a bloody great cream cake - I'll bolus for it of course (",)

[johgn]

The key is to keep learning and learning. It takes time.

[Cyborg]

I think 7.3 is awesome for a fairly new diabetic. Congratulations :congrats:

[am1977]

7.3 ain't too shabby :biggrin:... But i always believe that it's best to strive for even better, so keep working on it. I'm sure you can get it even better ;)

good luck ;)

[GrammyByer]

Dear Kel4han,
I would say that your 7 is a good A1C, but I understand why you want it to be better. I am also a bit obsessed with the numbers. I am able to get really good numbers now that I test at least 8 times a day and I now am on a pump. I have been pumping for almost 5 years and my pump has made a drastic improvement in my control. My last A1C 2 weeks ago was a 6. Keep working hard, test often and if you can, get a pump. I use a minimed paradigm 522 - it's fantastic!!!:dancing2: :dancing2: :dancing2:

[Linn]

7.3 is very good in my opinion for a new diabetic :) :)
I have had type 1 for almost 5 years and my best yet was this January and it was 6.9~ always before was in the mid 7 range.. Congrats!!!