Question about prediabetes

[kpetty]

Hello all,
I have several question about prediabetes. I am fairly new to this. I am not on any meds by the way. First, question is how often do you check your ketone levels? Second, how often do you have your A1C levels checked and what are they? What is the goal that you are striving for? Do you go hypo very often and at what level do you start to feel it? Do you have to take any meds for your prediabetes? By the way, what is your take on a sugar reading 114 at 3:30 in the morning? Good or Bad?

Thanks for any help
kpetty

[UpNorth]

Only time you need to check for ketones is if you're really high, especially if you're high for some time. Though might add that some get ketones very easily and others can run very high without getting ketones... Generally it's only Type 1 diabetics who get ketones since us T1's don't produce any insulin, or only very very little if newly diagnosed or with slow onset T1 (also known as 1.5, type 1.5 can "honeymoon" for very long)

[Ronin]

Hi Kpetty!

I have never checked keytone levels as my BG levels do not call for that kind of testing. As to the HbA1c testing, I'm probably weird in that I test that monthly. The reason being that while the A1c measures around 90 days worth of red blood cells, the life span of these cells makes the number more of a weighted average with emphasis on the past four to six weeks. I use a home test kit from Biosafe that I checked against a lab test a few times before buying them in bulk from Amazon.

I do a daily FBG level. Beyond that I will test post-prandials occasionally if/when I modify my diet or routine. I don't always do post-prandials as the results have become so routine that it seems to be a waste of the strips. The A1c confirms that what I am doing is working and that is sufficient for me.

I do not take any medications at this time. Knowing that my C-Peptide levels are on the very low end of "normal" the only medication that I may eventually have to take is Insulin. However, for the moment control of diet and regular exercise have my condition under control.

Your public profile lists you as Hypoglycemic, so I'm curious as to your interest in Pre-Diabetes. Also, what is a CNA?

[kpetty]

Thanks for replying,
A CNA is a home health aide, I mostly work with the elderly. I am listed as a Hypo because I go hypo very often. I don't know why and haven't gotten any answers to that part. I am prediabetic though. Just learning about all of this. I might have to look into the A1c test online. Thanks again

kpetty

[loris]

114 at 3am seems a bit high for a normal person. But most doctors tell diabetics that they want a fasting blood glucose of 115 or lower. Although many are now starting to lower that number some, I've even heard of doctors suggesting to aim for a fasting BG of under 105.

But even with the 115 limit, 114 is a bit high if 3am isn't your normal wake up time. It would depend on how long it had been since you ate, and what time you normally wake up though.