[WileyKeeton]

Hi. I'm new to the forum and seeking answers about tests.

My doctor kept telling me I was at risk, but never really told me the results of my tests.

Today I went to Walgreens for the free screening and had a fasting result of 130, and an A1C of 6.1. Interpreting these is confusing to me.

I get the impression that 130 fasting is not a good result, but the A1C doesn't seem that bad.

Am I in some serious danger here?

 

[diabetes86]

A BG of 130 while fasting is a bit high and an A1C of 6.1 is also a bit high

The A1C measures your average BG for the last 3 months. 6.1 is a BG of about 129.

You are on your way to being diabetic if you do not change some things in your life you will complete the journey to being diabetic.

exercise
loose weight
eat fewer carbohydrates

All can help you to avoid getting diabetes.

 

[WileyKeeton]

Thank you for answering. I do know that I fare best on Atkins type eating. But, it's hard to sustain as a way of life and I get weak willed after awhile. I'm sixty-one and have spent half of the last 20 years on Atkins. I've been off for a year, and it's showing in my tests I guess. Maybe this will be the kick in the pants I need.

 

[RobertIA]

Glad you are recognizing diabetes. You need to watch what you eat by keeping the number of carbohydrates under control. Are you able to exercise? Exercise can help you manage diabetes.

You need to ask for copies of all test results. If the doctor does refuse, then you need to find out what the law is in your state. Some states do not have requirements for this and some doctors are willing to give them out and others refuse. I would still ask and then demand a little louder with each visit.

Keep a positive attitude.

 

[xring]

Thank you for answering. I do know that I fare best on Atkins type eating. But, it's hard to sustain as a way of life and I get weak willed after awhile. I'm sixty-one and have spent half of the last 20 years on Atkins. I've been off for a year, and it's showing in my tests I guess. Maybe this will be the kick in the pants I need.

Well, in my opinion (and that of several doctors & nutritionists) the Atkins diet can contribute to diabetes due to the high fat content. Excess fat in the diet can cause (or worsen) insulin resistance by making it more difficult for insulin to work as it should.

All animal-based foods (meat & dairy) are high in fat. To improve insulin resistance, include more plant-based foods in your diet & less meat & dairy (which predominate in the Atkins diet).

I was diagnosed with diabetes in 12-08 with a blood sugar of 491 & an A1c of 8.9%. After only 3 months on a plant-based diet, my A1c was 6.0 (non-diabetic A1c is 4 - 6%). It has been 6.0 ever since.

 

[xring]

Well, in my opinion (and that of several doctors & nutritionists) the Atkins diet can contribute to diabetes due to the high fat content. Excess fat in the diet can cause (or worsen) insulin resistance by making it more difficult for insulin to work as it should.

All animal-based foods (meat & dairy) are high in fat. To improve insulin resistance, include more plant-based foods in your diet & less meat & dairy (which predominate in the Atkins diet).

I was diagnosed with diabetes in 12-08 with a blood sugar of 491 & an A1c of 8.9%. After only 3 months on a plant-based diet, my A1c was 6.0 (non-diabetic A1c is 4 - 6%). It has been 6.0 ever since.

I forgot to add: I haven't used or needed any medication since 1-8-09. (including statins, BP...nothing).

 

[Wink]

You have every right to your opinion, xring, but I need to respectfully but forcefully disagree with you. If you have a link to studies, etc I could check out, I'd like to see them because that's not what I've learned from my research. If low fat is working for you that's great and we all need to find what works for us but I don't agree that Atkins is a bad choice.

When Atkins was first introduced there was much criticism and dire warnings about the bad things it can do to your health. The problem is we have been fed the "fat is bad" "meat is bad" for so long it was difficult for even the health care community to step back and take a real look... but they did. And they did their studies, tests and whatever else and to my understanding, they've pretty much established that the Atkins way of eating is healthy IF followed properly. You need to adjust your body to a fat burning mode (ketosis) and keep it there. Excess fat in the diet without burning that fat for energy will cause problems. You must be willing to follow the diet very strictly to avoid slipping back into carb burning/fat storing mode. It doesn't work for everyone, but it can if you are dedicated. The Atkins diet does include non-starchy vegetables (more than I want to eat) and a limited amount of other carbs including nuts, seeds, and grains.

At my doctors urging I started Atkins. With the limited carbs I easily keep my BG under 130 at all times, I'm losing weight (a BIG plus for diabetes control), and I'm no longer hungry all the time. As a diabetic, I'm permanently on a low carb diet anyway.

I originally thought staying off medications was a good goal but my doctor has managed to convince me that it's not. For those of us who can control our numbers with diet and exercise, the biggest advantage of Metformin, statins, and other medications is that they protect us from future problems. We know the increased risks we face so to me it makes sense to give our bodies a little help in avoiding complications. Why make my pancreas work overtime to keep the numbers down when Metformin can make it's job a little easier and extend pancreatic function for a longer period?

I was diagnosed early... fasting of 155 and A1C of 5.7 but I'm not taking it lightly... I'll do whatever it takes to maintain my health for the future.

 

[Shanny]

Good post, Vicky . . . thanks very much!

 

[WileyKeeton]

Thanks Wink. I've long since given up defending low carb! It's a hopeless endeavor no matter how many studies come out in support of the benefits. Personally my experience has been that all my blood work gets better on Atkins. The A1C goes down, my triglycerides go down like the Titannic, and losing weight is the frosting. Like I said above though, sometimes I just get weak. Back to it, starting today though.