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Worried about HbA1c Levels - How to Improve Hemoglobin Levels at 60?

Dr Karthiyayini

Dr Karthiyayini Mahadevan  | Answer  |Ask -

General Physician - Answered on Nov 05, 2024

Dr Karthiyayini Mahadevan has been practising for 30 years.
She specialises in general medicine, child development and senior citizen care.
A graduate from Madurai Medical College, she has DNB training in paediatrics and a postgraduate degree in developmental neurology.
She has trained in Tai chi, eurythmy, Bothmer gymnastics, spacial dynamics and yoga.
She works with children with development difficulties at Sparrc Institute and is the head of wellness for senior citizens at Columbia Pacific Communities.... more
Sushma Question by Sushma on Nov 04, 2024Hindi
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I am about to be 61yrs soon. i have Hb 7.9 and HbA1c 6.2. How to improve my Hb. My sleep cycle is totally disturbed, skin is frequently itchy. I get tired very easily and havinf little high BP for which taking Telma H. Please suggest what to do? which specialist I should visit?

Ans: Low Hb definitely needs attention
First Consult a Medical specialist
DISCLAIMER: The answer provided by rediffGURUS is for informational and general awareness purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment.
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Dr Hemalata

Dr Hemalata Arora  | Answer  |Ask -

General Physician - Answered on Jun 09, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 07, 2023Hindi
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Hello Doctor, I am 59 yrs old, 90 kgs, height 6'1", a pure vegetarian. Mine is basically a sitting job. Last July, while doing a routine check up, I found out that my HbA1c was 6.30 which I brought it down to 5.80 by following a diet plan and walking exercise. I had stopped sugar intake totally for 6 months after which my HbA1c was down to 5.80. Now I have started on sugar intake but very limited quantity and that too once in 5-7 days. Now my HbA1c is 6.10. Is it okay or should I stop sugar intake totally ? I also found that TSH was 5.59. This is the first time that it is so high. Normally it has always been between 4.0 - 4.50 . My doctor has prescribed Thyrox 25 mcg. I'm not very keen to start on Thyrox as once started, it has to be taken for lifetime, which I am not willing to at this moment since I feel that it is not high. I do feel very tired and fatigued the entire day and especially when I wake up in the mornings. I have completed 3 months on Vit B12 (Meganeuron OD Plus). Do you feel that I shoud take Thyrox 25 mcg or not ? Just for information during the past 10 months, my FBS is between 98 to 108 and PPBS is between 110 to 140. I am not taking any medicine for sugar control. My cholesterol is between 140 to 180. Could you please revert back to all my queries ? Thank you
Ans: Hello.
1. For the HBa1c and sugars: what you are doing is quite right and keeping the sugar intake to bare minimum to zero is ideal. You should also reduce refined carbs like maida and potatoes, reduce milk consumption, reduce cereals like rice, wheat, etc. Instead increase veggies, salads, nuts and seeds. This will allow you to stay off medications for a long time.
2. Regarding the thyroid, at this level generally medication is not required but your doctor has likely suggested it as a trial to see if your fatigue is taken care of by it. I would suggest taking it for a few months and seeing.
3. Regarding the fatigue, while you are taking the thyroid medications, it may also be prudent to get a further evaluation to see if there are any sleep related, chronic immune related or mental health related factors that may also be playing a part.
All the best

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Dr Hemalata

Dr Hemalata Arora  | Answer  |Ask -

General Physician - Answered on Jun 08, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 07, 2023Hindi
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Health
Hello Doctor, I am 59 yrs old, 90 kgs, height 6'1", a pure vegetarian. Mine is basically a sitting job. Last July, while doing a routine check up, I found out that my HbA1c was 6.30 which I brought it down to 5.80 by following a diet plan and walking exercise. I had stopped sugar intake totally for 6 months after which my HbA1c was down to 5.80. Now I have started on sugar intake but very limited quantity and that too once in 5-7 days. Now my HbA1c is 6.10. Is it okay or should I stop sugar intake totally ? I also found that TSH was 5.59. This is the first time that it is so high. Normally it has always been between 4.0 - 4.50 . My doctor has prescribed Thyrox 25 mcg. I'm not very keen to start on Thyrox as once started, it has to be taken for lifetime, which I am not willing to at this moment since I feel that it is not high. I do feel very tired and fatigued the entire day and especially when I wake up in the mornings. I have completed 3 months on Vit B12 (Meganeuron OD Plus). Do you feel that I shoud take Thyrox 25 mcg or not ? Just for information during the past 10 months, my FBS is between 98 to 108 and PPBS is between 110 to 140. I am not taking any medicine for sugar control. My cholesterol is between 140 to 180. Could you please revert back to all my queries ? Thank you
Ans: Hello.
1. Regarding sugars and Hba1c: 6.1 is quite fine, however in the long run it’s better to avoid sugar as much as possible.
2. Regarding Thyroid : it would be ok to not take thyroid medicine right away as the TSH is not that high. I suspect the doctor may have advised it as a trial to see if the fatigue improves with the medication. Instead you may want to take a thyroid vitamin and do some yoga and neck exercises to stimulate the thyroid.
3. Regarding the fatigue: it likely needs further evaluation wrt sleep quality, vitamins, mental health factors etc .

..Read more

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