Numbers Question?

[R2112]

I finally was able to sit and talk to my Dr. He was a little surprised with my numbers so I thought I'd get a second opinion from some of the guys here. I wouldn't consider myself overweight and I workout daily. I'm 6' and 204 lbs.

A1C is 5.6
Fasting is 117
0.5hr 174
1hr 214
2hr 152

What do you think. I was told once I get my meter to do the test myself at home and we'll compare the numbers again. If I'm over 140 again he's suggesting Metformin. My goal is to ty and stay off meds for as long as I can but know I might have to start soon?

[Emm]

They're a little high... that's a good A1c considering the spike, I guess your body manages to keep it low most of the time when you're not eating.

Have you only just been diagnosed? If so you may have some time to work with diet & exercise before you need to start pills. If you've already been doing this then I suggest you start the pills - it's no biggie. In the end the important thing is getting those numbers down. Metformin can be a real help with that! And if you find you can get the numbers down ok you might be able to reduce / give up your metformin and carry on that good work with diet & exercise.

Til then, make your main aim keeping your BGs good - doesn't matter if that involves pills or eating low carb or changing your exercise - you just need to see good numbers.

[xMenace]

Can you tell us what your diet is like? That likely needs adjusting to stay off meds.

[R2112]

They're a little high... that's a good A1c considering the spike, I guess your body manages to keep it low most of the time when you're not eating.

Have you only just been diagnosed?

Yes, I was told on the 22nd of February... still a little bummed but I'm getting over it!

Can you tell us what your diet is like? That likely needs adjusting to stay off meds.

My diet... I've adjusted it since but just recently. I'm trying a lower carb diet and last week I've been doing it by the numbers. A problem I'm having is I need to add some calories. First part of the week I was 153 carbs / 1815 calories. I would like to do some where around 2000 - 2200 calories but not sure where the carbs should be. Like I said I workout daily so I feel I need at least 2000 calories to keep me going. I don't have a meter yet (Just ordered it this week) so I've been trying to be aware of my body signs like being tried or headaches.

Before my diet adjustments, I didn't think it was too bad except I do like bread, two pc of toast in the morning and maybe a sandwich for lunch (it was that whole wheat lower calorie stuff). But like I posted in other threads, I'm just not sure what I should be eating?

The question would be... Since the A1C is pretty good (I think) and it's a 3 month average view, wouldn't you think the daily sugars would be better or does the average not have an effect on the dailies

Also, after reading here about Metformin and how some have issues with it, is there another med that is just as good and maybe easier to manage at first?

I still need to run to the book store and get that book everyone suggest Type 2 Diabetes, The First Year.

[Kim_in_TN]

I'd love to have an A1c as good as yours! Just shows you can't just go by the 3 month average.

[R2112]

I'd love to have an A1c as good as yours! Just shows you can't just go by the 3 month average.


I was quite relieved with my A1c but wasn't sure why my daily levels were a bit high?

Dave

[matingara]

I was quite relieved with my A1c but wasn't sure why my daily levels were a bit high?

Dave

those daily numbers would have been very dependent on what you ate that day! the A1C suggests that mostly you are in control.

when you get your meter do a High carb, low fat day. and then do a low carb, high fat day and test all the time both days.

compare the results and see what you get!

-- Joel.

[davef]

Dave,

I take you don't have a meter yet, if you want to manage your diabetes with or without meds then a meter is a vital tool for you. Personally I aim for a fasting number of 110 or less and to stay below 140 two hours after first bite. You have a great A1c, I would suggest that with a meter you will be able to get your numbers well in control and that should be your goal.

Like you, I used to eat a lot of bread, I stay clear of white bread now and have found a wholemeal bread that works for me. Without being glib, what you should be eating is what you find works best for you and you find that out by testing. Personally when I started out I switched to a low-carb menu (I avoid calling it a diet) but ate a fair deal of fruit, I now know that only some fruit works for me.

You seem to be doing well, keep up the good work!

[princesslinda]

Dave, it may be that you can manage your numbers without metformin for awhile with just diet and exercise. If you elect to do this (or even if you elect to start metformin), frequent testing is critical to good control. Post meal testing is esp. important IMO, as it helps you see which food are your "triggers" to high blood sugars and helps you make smarter food choices.

Metformin is generally the first med a T2 is tried on, as it helps your body better utilize the insulin you are producing. In folks with insulin resistance, we produce quite a bit of insulin, our cells don't absorb it properly, we feel hungry, eat more, make more insulin that our body STILL isn't utilizing...its a vicious cycle and may be the reason many T2s are overweight.

Whatever decision you make, just make sure to keep watch on your blood sugars, if not, you could have high levels and not realize it until your next A1C...if you test regularly, you'll know right when changes occur and can take action immediately.

[R2112]

those daily numbers would have been very dependent on what you ate that day! the A1C suggests that mostly you are in control.

when you get your meter do a High carb, low fat day. and then do a low carb, high fat day and test all the time both days.

compare the results and see what you get!

-- Joel.

This is exactly what was suggested by my doctor... or get one of those syrup drinks from the doctors office the test. I think a day of eating pizza and drinking a coke would be more exciting?

Dave,
I take you don't have a meter yet, if you want to manage your diabetes with or without meds then a meter is a vital tool for you. Personally I aim for a fasting number of 110 or less and to stay below 140 two hours after first bite. You have a great A1c, I would suggest that with a meter you will be able to get your numbers well in control and that should be your goal.

That's what I'm hoping for, to stay off the meds for as long as I can! Thanks for the info. No meter yet, hope it's being shipped this week.


Metformin is generally the first med a T2 is tried on, as it helps your body better utilize the insulin you are producing. In folks with insulin resistance, we produce quite a bit of insulin, our cells don't absorb it properly, we feel hungry, eat more, make more insulin that our body STILL isn't utilizing...its a vicious cycle and may be the reason many T2s are overweight.

Is it pretty common to have the Metformin curse for the first few months or is it not.... In other words, after reading a few post on Metormin, is it the norm or the exception to have the constant stomach problems for the first few months? Or does that really depend on the amount first prescribed?

Thanks,
Dave

[princesslinda]

For me, I never had the "bad" metformin experience, and I know several people on it who have tolerated it well from the beginning, even on higher doses. I was started on 500 mg twice daily and it was never raised, as my
A1C responded appropriately (prob. due to low carb/exercise as well). I did, however, notice a correlation between "greasy" foods and a little gastric "upset" but these were few and far between.

I had several physiological symptoms of insulin resistance, so I really didn't feel I had a choice but to take it...and fortunately, I had no problems.