Diabetes Type 1 Support Group

I have only had diabetes 16 years. My last HBA1C was about 7 I think. I have only minor changes in my eyes.

What have you tried? Do you for example count carbs or know how to alter your insulin? Have you been on any kind of structured education course? Are you a member of any diabetes charities who could provide help and information? Is there anyone like a nurse, that you feel you could talk to about this? Can you pinpoint why it is that you can't get your blood sugars any lower? For example, when do they go high, is there any pattern? How is your diet? Are you exercising? Are you on a pump or a pen? Sorry about all the questions but I feel I need to know more before I can advise you.

I also worry about complications. But nowadays they have such good technology especially for eyes, they will pick up any changes. As long as you go to all your appointments and mention any change to your doctor, it should be picked up before it is a problem.

I have had diabetes for almost 25 years. My Hba1c is usually around the 6. Last test it was 6.2. I have had no complications at this stage from being a diabetic for so long. I was always worried as my aunt became blind because of diabetes. Touch wood, my eyes have not changed at all.

As long as you get everything checked regularly (ie eyes, blood/urine testing, hba1c) and see a really good Endo then I think that is the key to lessening any complications that may arise. I have not always been the best at being a diabetic and sometimes I am really really bad but as long as it is a one off every so often it doesn't affect my diabetes too much. As every medico tells you moderation, moderation, moderation!

Remember that stressing out over your blood sugars/daily life can affect your test readings. Practically everything in daily life can affect it so just try your best and if you can't get under 7 well that is not bad. My local doc told me that if your hba1c is under 9 then that is great. Don't fixate on the hba1c and complications that may never happen. Good luck and I hope this helps alleviate your worries.

Hi. I have had Type I for 40 years now, no complications. My Hba1c is typically in the 7-8 range. I understand that the Hba1c is a mean/average value for a certain time. Taking an artificial example: If your typical measure pr. day for a week (7 days) is: 6 - 6 - 6 - 6 - 3 - 19 - 6 you get an average value of 7,4. However, when you look at the week your typical level is 6. One upswing in the measures confuses the picture. Of course we try to awoid highs, but they can be hard to regulate.
As Jules3391 said, stress can give highs, so relax. Think about your frequent measuring, see if you can detect a pattern, get checked regularly, and enjoy the healthy sugarfree life.
Others on the list: Please correct me if my "numberthinking" is wrong.

Oh my. Let's see. I've been diabetic for 27 years, diagnosed at 5 years old. My a1c's have ranged from literally of the chart when I was diagnosed (I went into a coma that's how they found out!) To as low as 5.8 when I was attempting to get pregnant.

I'd say from 5 to 12 they hung around the 9's, 13 to 22 they hung around 12 (did I mention I was a diabulimic?), from 22 to 27 around 6, and now they hang closer to 7.

I haven't had any complications due to my diabetes yet. There are a lot of things that come into play for complications. Lifestyle, are you a drinker, smoker, KFC every day consumer who doesn't exercise and is in a high stress job? Those will help decrease your chances of avoiding complications as well.

Genetics play a very big role as well. Sure I got stuck with diabetes but man do my genes say I should have a great heart, liver, lungs, eyes and kidneys! The first 20 years of bad a1c's give testament to this.

And attitude along with for me God has an even bigger role on keeping me happy and healthy!

So yes your ability to control your sugar levels will indeed help you to try and avoid complications but even the most diligent diabetic can be plagued with issues. All you can do is your best and leave the rest including worries up to your higher power.

Good luck on finding what gets you to a 7 (I know I had to look hard for patterns, work on everything (especially timing and carb ratios), talk with doctors and what not all when I was in baby making mode to get beneath 6!) and best wishes - you'll do just fine!

Hi, I'm pretty new to diabetes. One of the side effects of my husbands transplant is high blood sugar. He's on 12 units nightly. We were instructed to use a coverage insulin during the day if the readings were a certian level, but they never reached those levels after the first month. He's having a A1C test next week. I'm not exactly sure what is normal, or what is normal for someone with diabetes. It can get confusing.
Thanks
Annie

my lasta1c was 6.3, i wear a constant glucose monitoring sensor that sends radio waves of the results(bg results) to my insulin pump every 5 minutes. before the sensor my a1c levels were around 7. if your insurance will cover the sensor, i highly recommend it. i have had diabetes for 38 years and the only complication so far(knock on wood) is diabetic retinopothy.

good to hear of some people doing well without complications after many years, hope i'll be one of them one day.

does your A1c average correlate directly with mmol/L?
haven't had my first A1c yet but i am managing to keep my level below 6mmol/L most of the time.

i have heard that genetics and good A1c aren't all we need to stay healthy. apparently something to do with our c-peptide count can protect out small blood vessels? like genetics something we can't do much about unless they start putting it into our insulin.

all best,
howard.

I have been diabetic for 28 years, and my hba1c levels have gone from 13 when I was about 15, to 6.9 a couple of years ago. I now tend to be about 8 - 8.5. I do wonder sometimes how this works as my blood test levels are usually about 9 - 10. I am lucky that I dont have any side effects from my levels.