David's Guide to Getting Our A1C Under 6.0

don't forget gastric bypass- if successful, this 'cures' diabetes- not that i usually recommend it, but just sayin'....

OK, OK, I am going to bed. It is time. 42 carbohydrates means mostly protein, doesn't it? Please expand on the diet. Talk more about stress. I feel prickles all over me. My friend thinks it is from the stress of pressures at work (criticism when I am trying to conform to the narrower requirements).

There can be problems with just measuring A1C and treating to this. There may be a wide variation between average BG and A1C. My average BG was 4.8 mmol/l, which would predict an A1C of about the same, yet it actually came in at 6.0. Before anyone asks, this was based on 7 point testing over a long period.

Hello David,

You are just on a very low carb diet with no meds?

Thanks,

Carl

I  SPEAK FROM 61 YEARS OF TYPE 1 AND HAVE HAD A1C'S AS LOW AS 5 AND NO MORE THAN 6.5 FOR SEVERAL YEARS. MY BEST FRIEND HAS TYPE 2, ,IS 74, I  WILL BE 81  ON 9-4,2009, BUT I AM FIT AND HE IS  UNFIT, ACHES, IS AT LEAST 35 TO 45 LB. OVER WEIGHT, HIPS  HURT AND CANNOT WALK OVER 100 FEET WITHOUT A CANE.  .HIS A1C IS 5.9  AND IS UNDER 6.5 MOST OFTEN.   THE CATCH IS HE TAKES 75 UNITS OF INSULIN, PLUS MAX OF AMYRAL, PLUS OTHER DRUGS FOR HEART DISEASE, PRILOSAC, AND MORE.  MY POINT IS THAT THE WHOLE BODY AND PERSON NEEDS TO BE FIT AND ABLE WITH THE MINIMUM OF DRUGS. I TAKE A TOTAL OF 34 UNITS OF INSULIN DAILY.  I TRY TO KEEP MY BMI AS NEAR 25 AS POSSIBLE AND MINIMUM OF ACE INHIBITERS FOR PROTECTION.    I WALK DAILY, WORKOUT AT THE GYM WITH A PURPOSE AND TRY TTO MANAGE WITH EXERCISE RATHER THAN MORE INSULLIN .  WHY DO DOCTORS SAY, JUST TAKE MORE AND MORE INSULIN WHEN THE PATIENTS BECOME LESS A AND LESS ABLE TO FUNCTION. TO GET AN A1C OF 6.   PLEASE EDIT IF YOU CARE TO USE ANY PARTS.  ELLIOT BROWN.  I JUST RETURNED FROM THE JOSLIN CLINIC TO PARTICIPATE IN THE "MEDALIST STUDY" FUNDED BY THE JDRF.  HOPEFULLY THEY WILL FIND THAT WE  WHO HAVE SURVIVED OVER 50 YEARS ON INSULIN CARRY A PROTECTIVE GINE THAT CAN LEAD TO THE CURE OF TYPE  1 , OR POSSIBLEY, TYPE 2.

Pray what exactly would a breakfast,lunch and dinner include to keep the carbs to 45 and maintaining A1C below 5 without meds?

Mr Mendosa is a perfect example to follow.

My dr. diagnosed me with pre-diabetes in October of 2008. Since that time, I have been getting my A1c tested every 3 months. Initially, it was 6.2% (should have been under 5.9% according to the lab). I was able to get it down to 6.0% through diet, where it's been for the past 6 months. I am due for another blood draw next month, where I am curious to see where it's at right now. I've made even greater dietary changes (not particularly low-carb, per se, but I've cut out all junk foods, snacks, cookies, crackers, etc., and I watch portion sizes).

I am now 16 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child, and wondering what my risk will be for gestational diabetes. Anyone know? I am more than willing to try the low-carb option, but I soooo hope it doesn't mean I have to cut out the things I love, like strawberries, oatmeal, etc. I am also vegetarian, which means a lot of foods I eat ARE carb-based--just GOOD carbs, not bad carbs.

Oh, and by the way, my fasting glucose is normal (about 70-75). I am normal weight pre-pregnancy (153 lbs), and am tall 5'10". My goal is to only gain about 30 lbs this pregnancy. But I still worry how this extra weight could affect my diabetes risk.

Thanks!

I tried the low carb route for 6 months only to end up with a very painful kidney stone. Nephrologist says it was from an unbalanced diet and too much protein. I found that I got very hungry with little carbs and ended up increasing my protein intake. I was able to get my A1C down to 6.0 but it is now back up to 6.5 after changing my diet to a 40-30-30 distribution.

I applaud anyone who is satisfied with just eating a simple salad for lunch and able to maintain a low carb diet. I would have the shakes 2 hrs later from hunger and low blood sugar. I continue my quest for getting my numbers down without taking meds.  

Hello David,

I appreciate your newsletter and information. Very helpful and appreciate all your hard work. I was diagnosed August 2008 and since that time have taken a very pro-active approach. I am trying to low carb but find that when I do I continue to loose weight. I lost 40 pounds in 5 months, now at 103, 5'2" and pretty skinny. I am very active, take 2 metformin a day and recent A1C was 6.0. I had been at 5.5 when I first lost the weight.

I really don't want to loose any more weight but want to low-carb to get my A1C lower.

Any suggestions? Thanks!