[Ms.PacMan]

I was just diagnosed two weeks ago, and today I was given a A1c test. I tested out at 7.7.


Being newly diagnosed, I haven't been treating my diabetes long, and i hope after a few months that that number will be alot lower.


But for right now, how bad is that number? Have I already started having organ damage or eye damage or whatever? (I go for an eye exam next week, but I'm just wondering what you all think based on what you know about A1c's.)

[davef]

That's not too bad and remember that this is a measure of your levels have been in the past 60-90 days. Look at it as a starting point and plan for the future.

My A1c was 11.6 at diagnosis, so you have a head start on me

I would not worry about complications at this point, just focus on getting and maintaining control

[morrisma]

Pretty good actually. Most are much higher at diagnosis.
Mike

[princesslinda]

I was 9.6 at diagnosis, so you could certainly be much higher. Don't worry, just do all you can do to keep your numbers as close to normal as possible, and your next A1C should be much lower.

[GeishaGirl]

8.3 here and have been struggling for control ever since. Worry about getting control -- having control will keep damage away, and can even let your body heal damage if it exists. But with a not-so-high number, I honestly wouldn't worry about complications yet.

[ShottleBop]

An A1c of 7.7 corresponds to an average BG of 175, using the most recent conversion formula (I am using the converter at Blood Sugar 101). Research shows that glucotoxicity sets in at about 140, so you don't want to maintain your BG that high for a very long period.

That said, control of your BGs can undo a lot of what damage, if any, has already occurred. No use spending a lot of time worrying about what happened before you were diagnosed. Concentrate on controlling your BGs now.

[Noni1974]

I was 7.2 when I found out in July. My doctor told me it's wasn't horribly bad but it wasn't normal. My doctor wants an A1C of below 6. I'll see in a couple of weeks what it's dropped to.

[Veektor]

11.3 when I was diagnosed so don't fret it yet. Its when you don't bring it down that you should begin to worry. My last AIC was 7.1 so even though it is not stellar, it is far from my starting point and that is how you want to measure your treatment. Lowest was 6.8 but its a constant challenge and I'm sure you're up for it.

[art]

7.7
Sounds like you caught your diabetes early on.
Good for you.
I was 15.5 when I found out.

You may also be one of the lucky ones that can get control with just diet and exercise.

With that number there's probably no damage at all.

But, get checked and then you'll know for sure and you can relax.

Welcome to our happy family

Art

[maya0606]

When i was diagnosed mine was 14.5

[mraymond]

My A1C was 12.4 when diagnosed at end of June. It was 7.5 on Sept 4. I denied the symptoms for a long time before diagnosis, so I have blurred vision, cataracts, bleeding retina, and peripheral neuropathy in my feet. But I was experiencing those symptoms for quite a while and my levels were pretty high at diagnosis. At 7.5, some of my problems are getting better, so hopefully I don't have a lot of permanent damage. Hopefully you won't either, but I guess each one of us is different and perhaps the damage occurs when things are out of control for a long period of time.

mary

[Scrabblechick]

I was at 7.4 and got it down to 5.6 in about four months. For a newly diagnosed diabetic, 7.7 isn't too bad.

Keep making those positive changes and you'll see that A1C come on down!

[superemt]

When I was diagnosed in Nov 99, my A1C was 12.8, last test was 6.0, down from 6.3.

[Kanga]

My A1c at dx was 12.1

[bookwormy]

I was diagnosed in April 2008 with 13.3. Last check in October it was 5.4.
This forum is great to learn from and everyone is so friendly and helpful.
Barb