New test results

[plattb1]

My employer hosted a health screening last Thursday & the results were available today. My A1c has gone down from the 9.3 it was in January ... to the 7.1 it was in April ... to a current reading of 6.6.

Since I started insulin in January & eating moderately low-carb in April, it looks like I'm heading in the right direction ... if a little more slowly than I might like.

For those of you who have recently discussed how low carb diets affect the lipid profile, my total cholesterol is up a bit to 192 & HDL (the good cholesterol) is up to 67, but my LDL (the bad cholesterol) is squarely in the normal range at 92. And, trigs are a bit high at 167, but not a bad number for me, either. I don't have the comparison numbers from April with me.

I am hoping that, as I continue on this eating plan, all the lipids will stabilize & my A1c will continue its steady downward plunge.

[Granny Shanny]

I'm betting on you, Barrie . . . that your numbers will continue to improve! Way to go! :D :D :D

[plattb1]

Thanks, Granny! Headed in the right direction, at least ...

[foxl]

good for you, Barrie!

[Bountyman]

Way to go, Barrie! Now, go treat yourself to a celery stalk! :D

[It Ain't Over]

Way to go, Barrie! Now, go treat yourself to a celery stalk! :D

Absolutely. Whenever I feel the need to celebrate I reach for a stalk of celery and grab a can of Diet Coke.

[NewdestinyX]

GREAT WORK, Barrie!!! :D :D
You've been an inspiration! Keep it up..

[genie86333]

Great job!

Enjoy that celery stick & diet Coke...you deserve it! :T

[fgummett]

Good on your Employer (smart idea... an healthy workplace makes sense for everyone) and Good For You Barrie!

To quote Dr Ian Blumer How important is it to monitor and optimize your A1C level? Well, how about this; the UKPDS study showed that - and this is astounding - a one percent drop in A1C (which is about a 2 mmol/L drop in your average blood sugar level) reduces the likelihood of your developing microvascular complications (that is; eye, kidney and nerve) damage by THIRTY SEVEN PERCENT. That's incredible, isn't it?
As for your Total Cholesterol... a point which seems too often overlooked -- even by Doctors -- is that your HDL is part of the Total... you want your HDL to go up... and in your case it has! :)

[plattb1]

Yes, Frank, I'm very pleased that we do health screenings twice a year. With my insurance, one costs only $18 and if I choose to do the second, as well, the charge is still a very reasonable $42. The A1c is a separate charge, but only $15.

And, I keep telling myself that I have those light, fluffy fat cells ... the ones that don't increase my risk of CVD! Of course, Garfield the cartoon cat says he's not fat, he's fluffy ... but, there's a little more validity to my justification, I think.

Thanks for your feedback!

[davef]

Congratulations and continuing to lower your A1c!

[fgummett]

...I keep telling myself that I have those light, fluffy fat cells ... the ones that don't increase my risk of CVD...There is a blood test for the LDL particle size "Apo-B" if I recall... jps might be able to advise further but I understand it is relatively new and definitely underused. A cynical person might suggest that the sales of statins might go down if it were more widely used :cool:

[plattb1]

Appreciate the info, Frank. I'm considering whether to go off statins altogether or change from crestor to zocor (which is considerably less expensive.) I need more info to make that decision & maybe asking for that test is a good idea.

[kgm0612]

Great Job, Barrie!