Unlike most of the other folks on this thread, I maintain excellent control of my diabetes eating a higher carb diet. I eat 100-150 or more (healthy) carbs per day, sometimes well past 200 if my exercise habits are more intense.
My A1C1 is almost always in the low 6’s and I use a CGMS pump. Some tips I can share would be to spend a couple of weeks religiously tracking your food and exercise, along with using the CGMS feature and testing. Then download your CGMS readings onto your computer and see what is happening with your blgs depending on the kind of food you’re eating, and the exercise you’re getting. Also look at what’s happening while you’re sleeping. This is what I did, and do from time to time for readjustments. Then I’m able to set my basal rates to change through the day for when I’m sleeping, more active (weekends for example) etc. and I also set up separate basal rates to use for big workout days, sick days etc.
I also used the tools and advise in John Walsh’s “Pumping Insulin” (the BIBLE!) to find a more accurate carb to insulin ratio, and recheck this also from time to time.
I find if I’m fine tuning my insulin to my carb/insulin ratio and to my basal requirements, that I get excellent control. It leave me free to not focus on carb intake other than to bolus accurately for carbs. I’ve also changed hyper and hypoglycemic episodes from being the default day to day occurances to the rare occurance.
I found this took a bit of concerted effort to get things fine tuned to start with, but then I can just go with it, and fine tune maybe annually or if there is a significant change to my lifestyle, such as weight loss (lost 35 lbs over the past year).
Like FHS, I’ve found great benefits in regular exercise. Through exercise and weight loss, I’ve reduced my total daily insulin dosage by up to 60% on average.
If a non-diabetic’s A1c is typically under 5% than an A1c higher than that is going to hurt your health. This means we should try to keep our A1c a low as we can while still maintaining a grip on hypoglycemia. It isn’t easy but, the truth is…doctors are diagnosing people prediabetic as soon as their blood sugar goes over 100. Because over 100 damage is done to the body over time.
Hi! I agree with some of the others about low carb. I find Dr. Bernstein’s recommendations the best thing I have ever tried. I went from 6.5 A1c to 4.6% going low carb and sticking to a routine as best I could. I also noticed there were a ton of emotional issues tied into my lack of control (back when my A1c was much higher) and having dealt with them now has REALLY helped. To be honest with you simplifying things also helped me. I got off of the pump and have never seen such great A1c’s. Strange but, true. Anyway, check out my website if you want, I write a lot about the mental aspects and what helped me.
Starting this morning, I began my transition to lower carb eating. Its not that tough and I ate that way prior to the latest addition to the family. Im making it a slow trip down though. With moderate retinopothy in both eyes, I see slow progression as a great thing.
As for variables, Yay! Its nice to see someone who thinks like a computer nerd. =^) Essentially thats the way to troubleshoot anything. Remove the variables. Only, man is it hard for me to do that! I see myself over complicating things constantly, overthinking, etc. Im up late each night waiting for time to pass so I can do the next blood test to see if Im at the right spot before bed. then wait, I ate dinner at “x” time, was a little high at “y” time, for some reason dropped to low, now its bed time, but if i eat will that send me too high? Etc. etc. I find myself getting caught up and over thinking.
Funny – the new endo said “Wow, you have an amazing grasp on the body and diabetes” (no better than anyone here imho). I said “Yeah, but I have highs and an A1c of 7.6. Lot of good knowing all this does.” =^)
I’ve had type 1 for nearly 14 years and so far, knock wood, complication free. My last A1C was 6.9, and I’m ok with that score. I don’t ban any foods, I do it all in moderation. I watch what I eat, weight foods, use the serving size guidlines and such. I test about 8 or so times a day. I’ve been on a pump nearly 12 years. I’ve got 3 kids, 12, 9 and 6 who want an active mom.
I don’t pay close attention to what I’m doing, since I’ve found through the years for me, at least, the more attention I spend on carb counting and such, the worse my management is. I do what I can, know I can’t be perfect, and if one day sucks, I do my best for the day and look to tomorrow.
I think it is all about being good to yourself, taking care of yourself, knowing your limits, strengths and weaknesses. I also don’t eat many carbs at night with dinner, or afterwards. I’ve noticed this helps to make a difference in my blood sugars at night.
Hi Holger
How do you know that A1C of 7.6 is 170 mg/dl BG average?
I am trying to find this info. My A1C is 6.2 and my son"s (who is not diabetic) is 5.5.
This does not seem to much different to me so i am worried for him but my pediatrician says he is fine.
I would like to know what would be his avegare readings (I do not want to test him for now)
Thanks
Alan and FHS : I as the older woman ( Oh my, BIG 70 this July 25 !!) so appreciate your thoughts on " DELETING what you have to delete " thanks TuD buddies
Thanks Gerry
So my average is only 1 mmol/L higher than my kid’s (7.3 mmol/L vs 6.2 mmol/L). My readings (although most of the time OK) are sometime very high. So should I assume that his are too (Frightening)
Hi Sysy. What do you mean over 100 (this is 5.6 mmol/L)? Do you mean 2 hours after meal, fasting or anytime. I was told that in a normal non-diabetic person it goes up to 8 mmol/L right after eating.
My kid has 5.5 A1C which gives 6.2 average BG and yet I was told by his paediatrician and my endo that this is perfectly normal. Furthermore, in the children hospital in Ottawa they accept A1C up to 6.3 as normal.
I am suspecting that he may have some glucose intolerance but all doctors I have seem are dismissing that (he is very slim and no other symptoms of diabetes but I didn’t either 6 months ago). His brother has A1C 3.9
Hi Sysy. What do you mean over 100 (this is 5.6 mmol/L)? you mean 2 hours after meal or fasting or anytime. I was told that in a normal non-diabetic person it goes up to 8 mmol/L right after eating.
My kid has 5.5 A1C which gives 6.2 Average BG and yet I was told by his pediatrician that it is perfectly normal. Furthemore in the children hospital in Ottawa they accept A1C up to 6.3 as normal.
Anyhow, could you please provide references for your statements
i.e “doctors are diagnosing people prediabetic as soon as their blood sugar goes over 100” and "a non-diabetic’s A1c is typically under 5%"
Thanks
A good idea to test your son after meals to get a better idea of what’s going on. A1cs only tell part of the story since they’re an average. He may spike high (hope not) after meals & then come back to normal. Normal BG is the 80’s/around 4.7mmol/L. He’s certainly not going very high with a 5.5 A1c, but better to catch it early in case it starts creeping up. Children tend to have lower BG than adults.
