HABA1c too low?

[HelenM]

In other threads people have remarked that it is not good to have too low an HABAC1
My diabetalogue also frowns at mine as the last one was 5.1. If the average of 86 on my monitor is correct the next one will be lower. But why, if your hypos are not debilitating is it bad for you? Aren't all the major complications caused by being too high?
I do go below 65 fairly often... normally as a result of exercising (running, gardening even housework sometimes) BUT I recognise it and can correct it quickly. If its around 60 and some time since the last insulin I've found that I don't actually need carbs... just a sit down and a cup of tea will rectify it. (how English !)

[SugaryOne]

I just read an article in Diabetes Forecast tonight about how it's really not good to be having frequent lows. I think a better target for a1c should be around 6.0.

[Cyborg]

Personally, I'm shooting for the lowest a1c I can acheive while minimizing the number of lows...

[gettingby]

Personally, I'm shooting for the lowest a1c I can acheive while minimizing the number of lows...
I'm in total agreement with you here. Yeah, my A1C is a little too high right now but I'm not having too many lows so it's all good at the moment.

[am1977]

I, personally, would feel a little more comfortable with an A1c around 6.0 too, but if you aren't having a lot of lows- I think it's ok.

Take care :ciao:

[seacomp]

If its around 60 and some time since the last insulin I've found that I don't actually need carbs... just a sit down and a cup of tea will rectify it. (how English !)
Not to worry, but this sounds like your insulin basal is a little too low. Sitting down with a cup of tea (no sugar/milk) should not raise your BG!

I get very low A1C readings, but I don't get many lows. I have another medical condition besides diabetes which requires significant medication, my PCP and I agree that this distorts my A1C reading. My endo however is clueless.

[spike]

In other threads people have remarked that it is not good to have too low an HABAC1
My diabetalogue also frowns at mine as the last one was 5.1. If the average of 86 on my monitor is correct the next one will be lower. But why, if your hypos are not debilitating is it bad for you? Aren't all the major complications caused by being too high?
I do go below 65 fairly often... normally as a result of exercising (running, gardening even housework sometimes) BUT I recognise it and can correct it quickly. If its around 60 and some time since the last insulin I've found that I don't actually need carbs... just a sit down and a cup of tea will rectify it. (how English !)

I understand your confusion. My wife used to get chastised for having an A1c in the 4's while on insulin. We both thought he was off the mark, as she seldom got hypo. I could never have such a low A1c myself--I run around 6. If you aren't having severe hypos, the lower A1c the better. don't let your doctor win this argument. By the way, congrats on the great numbers!

[rzrbks]

My new CDE, the 1st I've ever had who was ACTUALLY a Diabetic, is on the pump and her target A1c is 6.5----------so, if that's what she Knows is a good # who am I to disabuse her Real World knowledge?

[Ritehsedad]

I'm a T2, my A1c is 4.6, which the lab said was in the normal range (I agree). They then equated that to a mean blood glucose of 67 which they said was low. OK, folks you can't have it both ways! Am I normal or not (don't answer that). I laughed. My lowest recorded BG was maybe an 81. I'm not concerned.

[seacomp]

I'm a T2, my A1c is 4.6, which the lab said was in the normal range (I agree). They then equated that to a mean blood glucose of 67 which they said was low. OK, folks you can't have it both ways! Am I normal or not (don't answer that). I laughed. My lowest recorded BG was maybe an 81. I'm not concerned.
I just used the "Handy Converter", that shows 4.6 A1C to be a right on 86.6! (and shows a 67 BG equaling a 4.0 A1C). I think the converter here is right, and that someone at the lab was having low day. You know mental confusion, impaired eyesight, lack of coordination ...

[spike]

My new CDE, the 1st I've ever had who was ACTUALLY a Diabetic, is on the pump and her target A1c is 6.5----------so, if that's what she Knows is a good # who am I to disabuse her Real World knowledge?

6.5, while 'good' isn't a "great" number. I'd strive for the high fives. I've hit 5.9 once. I'm usually 6.1. I'd prefer to be lower.

[rzrbks]

6.5, while 'good' isn't a "great" number. I'd strive for the high fives. I've hit 5.9 once. I'm usually 6.1. I'd prefer to be lower.


CDE's reasons were that below 6 caused her to have too many lows and lows lead to gaining weight-----I took it to mean that was her best A1c target # and that each of her clients had #s that were appropriate for them.

My worst A1c has been 5.7 and I don't have real problems with lows---------each of us is SO Very different though.

[spike]

.


CDE's reasons were that below 6 caused her to have too many lows and lows lead to gaining weight-----I took it to mean that was her best A1c target # and that each of her clients had #s that were appropriate for them.

My worst A1c has been 5.7 and I don't have real problems with lows---------each of us is SO Very different though.

Worst is 5.7? Excellent! You beat my best.

[UpNorth]

My most recent A1c is 5.4 :smile: don't have many lows either... or well, i have maybe one low every day. but don't go hypo more than maybe 5 times per week... and for me a low is below 4 but higher than 3.3...