A couple of years ago, I had a virulent blood disease that caused my windpipe to close up. The hospital gave me massive doses of steroids to bring down the swelling. They told me at the time that I would get temporary diabetes and would have to have insulin shots in the hospital. They said when the steroids were finished, that my diabetes would quickly end. They did say that for a small minority, the diabetes might continue indefinately.
Some months later, I had some routine blood work and my doctor told me that my A1C was 7.0 and that I was pre-diabetic. Following his instructions, I gave up most sweets and lost 22 pounds. Today, I got my latest A1C and it is 5.1. Great
But, when I take my fasting blood sugar in the morning, I routinely get a number between 120 and 140. Is this a problem and what should I do about it. Thanks. Ed
My suggestion would be to see an endocrinologist. Your doctor, like many, is not very knowledgeable about diabetes. An A1C of 7.0 is not pre-diabetic, it is diabetic - the cutoff for diagnosis is 6.5. If you have diabetes, you have it. An A1C of 5.1 is very successful management, but if you have diabetes, it doesn’t mean you no longer have it, just that it is well controlled. You are right that fasting levels between 120 and 140 are too high, symptomatic of diabetes and need to be treated. An A1C is an average blood sugar for a period of about three months. The process of impaired glucose tolerance is complex, and some people, for example, first have impaired fastings while their post prandials are still in range. So the average can come out low. (Post prandials are tested two hours after a meal and can give you a good idea of how different foods affect your blood sugar.)
I would make an appointment with an endocrinologist. Especially considering that your onset of diabetes was atypical you need someone who is expert at diagnosis and treatment of this condition. You need to determine which Type you are (by antibody and c-peptide testing) and by that determination you will know which direction to go with treatment.
