Ok I need some real good help. I hope someone knows the answer. What is a good/reasonable/best fasting glucose

Question

for a diabetic and what do you think is the most reliable site. Every has a different opinion. The ADA reccommends a fasting sugar of 70-120. That's an AIC of 6.2 or so. My husbands is getting close to 170 and the Medical Assistant(the Dr won't call me back) says 170 is fine. (That's is AIC of 6.7) When he was down to 120 blood glucose, the endocrinologist said it was high (but that wasn't fasting either)
The Veterans Administrion recommends an AIC of close to 7 or 147 blood glucose.
So who is right. Who do I listen to?
Everyone seems to have a different opinion. I read once that for every day he goes over 140 blood glucose that he is at that much MORE risk for complicatons. He has been diabetic since 1991. He eats tons of veggies. Lucky for him that he likes them. He is tired and out of breath every time he tires to exericse (and they aren't srue why) and if he's on his feet, they sweel up like balloons. I've tried to get more meds but they won't give it to us. So now what?

Answer 1

Ok...yes different sites or people may give you a variety of answers for what is right and what is wrong, so I am not going to say they are incorrect...look at different books and websites that specialize in this... I have been a diabetic for 16 yrs, read so many books, been in many classes and am still learning more. The normal A1c is anywhere from 4.5% to 6.5%, and sugar is 70 to 120. When you eat the sugar will be a bit higher than when you don't eat. (The 1st answer was correct about the A1c level) The info provided is the norm...when your a diabetic it is recommended to have it at a certain level, my phyician gave me the recommendation of having the sugar at 80 to 140, above that is high and was tld to increase my insulin by one. So it is different for everyone. For running out of breath, he must continue to exercise, eventhough he runs out breath, he must start out slowly, the moment he starts to sweat and braeth harder then he may stop. But to continue at that pace until he no longer breaths hard. For his swelling, have his feet soaking in warm water everynight, there are products that he may put in the water to help with the relaxation. When he is standing or walking he needs to take time to sit until he feels well enough to start walking again, He also needs to know when his body is getting tired... I would suggest of keeping the A1c lower than 6.7%, 7% is still ok (you'll be on the border line of good and not so good)but that is my opinion. I would highly suggest for you and ur husband to get more facts about the sugar levels.

Answer 2

First off, The whole point of checking a fasting glucose is to see how you are doing with the current regimen. Absolutely needed!

OK, now the long part. Definitley get your doc to set down some definite numbers. If he won't get a different doc who is still on your plan. Mine happens to be 60-120. That being said, I have changed mine because I feel low below 70, so I now shoot for 70-120. Also, the most important measure of control is the HbA1c. The reccommended level for diabetics is <7. That number comes from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) which is the largest study ever done to determine relationship between sugar control and complications. In the trial, people with an HbA1c <7 had far fewer complications than those above 7. People who's HbA1c was even lower did not have significant difference in the rate of complications. This is why the goal for diabetics is <7.

The short of breath and feet swelling could be his heart (either failure or angina) It could also be medications side effect, or Kidney problems. or simply getting older and more out of shape. Bottom Line for this problem. See your doc. He may order a stress test to check your heart arteries indirectly, or he may be able to say what it is and fix it.

Answer 3

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Answer 6

Hi, I know that they say now that 90-130 is okay, but my doctor says 80- 120 is what he wants me to be. You are correct in saying that the 140 glucose and over is much more risky for complications over a long period of time. Now if you got 140 after eating, I would not worry for that, but after the 2 hour peak is over, it should go back down to the normal range if he is eating right, and taking his meds right. 170 is definitely high, 120 is good. Veggies are good, but stay away from the white starchy foods a much as possible. Call the 800 number for Lilly. They sometimes give free medicines if you can't afford them. Good luck and let me know if I can be of any help. I have a diabetes site at [e-mail]

Answer 7

Hemoglobin A1C or glycosylated hemoglobin concentration is a measurement of an AVERAGE glucose over the last 120 days. The membranes of the red blood cells incorporate glucose and the amount they accumulate reflects an average. Since red blood cells only live 120 days, they are removed from the circulation after that time.

A measurement of 170 at any given time is certainly not harmful. At the next routine appointment, go with your husband and get the doctor to set some numbers that would be critical for you to call his office about. Ask him/her to answer your questions. Write down the answers if you must. Remember that every different lab has slightly different normal ranges, depending on their testing methods and demographics, don't sweat a slightly different number.

His feet swelling may be related to heart disease, also, you might want them to check on this facet of his health as well.

Best wishes.

Answer 8

Why dont u try changing a diabetologist who is really been a specialist of this disease for like 10 yrs.

120 bloog glucose is not really very high at all. I really suggest you to change ur doctor NOW.

I am type 2 diabetic here in the Philippines; if my doctor saw 120 as blood sugar she will be very happy about it. Well I cant ask u to go here in Manila since I dont know if you r willing to do so. But, if you want to try my doctor for ur husband I will tell you where you guys can find her. Sometimes reading these kind of news for treating diabetes in the United States makes me scared to be treated in there. Try looking for a filipino doctor there in ur country.

Answer 9

I don't know exactly about the glucose level. I would recommend looking up reputable sites like Center for Disease Control or Johns-Hopkins Institute websites. I would also contact the first person who responded. That's a good place to start.

I am very concerned with what you said about the length of his diabetes. The shortness of breath and swelling of the ankles lead me to believe that you need to seek the advice of a nephrologist (kidney doctor) soon. Kidney disfunction is VERY common in people with diabetes. Those are two tell-tale signs of kidney problems.

Answer 10

OK, so tough answers to tough questions. I happen to disagree with some of the other answers given. You really do need your doctor to give you solid blood sugar numbers, because when his sugar is high he is damaging the cells of his body. My husband is 37, diabetic and has neuropathy, and his sugars have never been at a sustained high level, but the damage is done. He has no feeling in his hands, up through his wrists, and his feet, up above his knees. He is already disabled and only been diabetic 10 yrs or so. Keep asking questions.