Dr. Sharon Orrange
Primary Care Physician
Dr Orrange received her BA in Biology at the University of California San Diego and a Masters Degree in Health Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health She received her MD from the USC Keck School of…
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FAST FACTS
LOCATION: Santa Monica, CA, USA
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
AFFILIATIONS:
  • Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Division of Geriatric, Hospital and General Internal Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
YEARS IN PRACTICE: 11
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Getting an A+ in your Diabetes Management!
13
Posted in Arteriosclerosi... by Dr. Sharon Orrange on Apr 10, 2009

Receiving a diagnosis of adult-onset Diabetes is a major lifestyle change. I appreciate how frustrating it is to have to think about things you never had to think about before and watch your every move. We all know that Diabetes poses a major risk factor for stroke and heart disease so here are 10 steps to get you an A+ in your Diabetes care.

1. Fasting blood glucose 90-120 mg/dl

2. Post-prandial (2 hours after meals) blood glucose less than 140 mg/dl.

3. Hemoglobin A1c less than 7.0 % and here is how you stack up if you aren't at goal.

Hemoglobin A1c 5.0%= average blood glucose 100 mg/dl

Hemoglobin A1c 6.0%=average blood glucose 135 mg/dl

Hemoglobin A1c 7.0%=average blood glucose 170 mg/dl

Hemoglobin A1c 8.0%= average blood glucose 205 mg/dl

Hemoglobin A1c 9.0%=average blood glucose 240 mg/dl

Hemoglobin A1c 10.0%=average blood glucose 275 mg/dl

Hemoglobin A1c 11.0%=average blood glucose 310 mg/dl

4. Blood pressure less than or equal to 130/80 mmHg

5. LDL cholesterol under 70 mg/dl

6. HDL cholesterol above 50 mg/dl

7. Yearly eye exam by your opthalmologist.

8. Urine microalbumin/creatinine ratio less than 20 mg/gram. Elevated microalbumin levels in the urine are the first sign of kidney damage from Diabetes.

9. Aspirin 81 mg daily to prevent heart disease and stroke.

10. Check feet for sores and ulcers.

It's not easy. Let us know what grade you are getting! 

Dr O.

 


CATEGORIES: News
CONDITIONS AND COMMUNITIES: Arteriosclerosis  •  Diabetes Type 2  •  Dialysis  •  Diets & Weight Maintenance  •  Fatty Liver Disease  •  Gastric Bypass Surgery  •  Heart Attack  •  Obesity
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Displaying comments 13-1 of 13
13
I am a type 2 diabetic and my bs are all over the place. I am on Lantus and Metformin and Humalog, synthroid, paxil, a nerve pill and an 81 mg aspirin a day besides my glucosimine/chondroitin and one a day vitamin. Lately, I have been so tired and all I want to do is sleep. Can this be caused from the medicines I am taking? I also have only one functioning kidney. I lost the use of the left one taking birth control pills. I had a blood clot in the renal artery of my left kidney back in 1991 and have no use of it now. I recently read an article about GLUCOTHIN MD being a natural blood sugar controller. Have you heard anything on this natural medicine and if so how good is it.

by Lilly Young in Indiana
By lillypad105  Apr 25, 2009
12
Mine for the past couple of months have been all over the place. I am due for A1C. In the past month and a half I quit smoking. Will that affect my sugar levels. I think yes because my hormone levels are all over the place too. My last was 6.4. I would suspect my avg to be 7.0% Do you know where to find a large log book?
By trixey  Apr 18, 2009
11
#8? Does one determine that w/bloodwork, or is it a diff test? Other than drinking, how can one care for the kidneys?
What is your thought(s) about resveratrol?
God Bless
chip
By chipchip  Apr 16, 2009
10
Markiz: Yes the mild renal insufficiency with your immunosuppressants is something we see all the time. Luckily if you have been hanging out 1.6-1.9 it is not likely to worsen. Tight blood pressure and blood sugar control and staying hydrated is your key as you are doing.
Dr O.
By DrOrrange  Apr 15, 2009
9
I am a post transplant diabetic caused by the meds I have to take- I am doing great control wise however my creatine fluctuates between 1.6 and 1.9 also mostly due to meds I take-prograf-rappamunne, rivaviron, and pegysis. I drink 3/4 of a galleon water daily- is there anything else I can do or take to lower my creatine level?
By markiz  Apr 15, 2009
8
I have it and started at 464 and have in 1 month through diet and glipicide and metformin gone into the medium to low 100s! Yay me! Still work in progress but...:>))
By ClaudiaD  Apr 14, 2009
7
Yes we are talking about the MEAN blood sugar (so average your sugars throughout the day)

The HbA1c is linearly related to the average blood sugar over the past 1-3 months (but is heavily weighted to the past 2-4 weeks).
Mean Plasma Glucose (mg/dl) = ( HbA1c X 35.6) - 77.3

Dr O.
By DrOrrange  Apr 13, 2009
6
Is there any way to figure my A1c at home mathmatically?? I average my bs readings both fasting and post-prandial. Is that what you are explaining with the percentages there???

Thanks
By gabbygal  Apr 13, 2009
5
I am a post-diabetic (adult onset), which I achieved by adopting a strict low glycemic index diet. My hemoglobin a1c reading several months after starting the diet was 6.0. My endocrinologist at the time took me off meds and told me, "I think you're cured. I'm not sure why, but I want you to give me credit for it." He didn't know about this diet, I had to teach him. It basically avoids all foods that quickly turn to glucose during digestion. For example, whole grain products have a much lower glycemic index than processed grain products such as white flour or white rice, so I never eat processed grains. The diet is more concerned with limiting the rate at which insulin is required in the body than it is with the total quantity required. There are websites that list numerical values of the glycemic index for various foodstuffs. The numerical listing is based on setting an index of 100 for sucrose (table sugar). But some other foods are higher that 100, such as mashed potatoes.
By painfree123  Apr 11, 2009
4
thanks for the great info!
By vivrien  Apr 11, 2009
3
Anthe: well done! You are an A+ diabetic...spread the word
Benice53: aspirin at 81 mg a day carries a small risk of gastrointestinal bleed but does NOT damage the liver at all.
Dr O.
By DrOrrange  Apr 10, 2009
2
Itook 31 mlg of aspirin, but ws afraid it would cause liver problems later. Is this the case , or do I need to get back onthe aspirin regiment? thank you..
By benice53  Apr 10, 2009
1
Had a physical on 1st April.
Results: HDL-89
LDL-108
TRIG-114
Total Cholesterol 220

AIC 6.1
Fasting #' s usually under 100
After lunch under 120
Thyroid Low first diagnoses

How do you think I am doing.
By Anthe  Apr 10, 2009
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