I am 43 years and 5 years back when I had my test for blood glucose level fasting was around 140 and pp was little over 200. HbA1C was around 6.7. As that’s the first time I was diagnosed as diabetic my doctor advised life style corrections and within 3-4 months I brought my weight down from 89 to around 80. Then the reading came to pre-diabetic range HbA1C less than 6.5 and fasting and pp was less than 125 and 140. I tried to continue the routine like 4-5 days per week physical activity and avoided direct sugars as much as possible. Now for past 1 year my fasting level is less than 125 but HbA1C has increased to 7.2. I am still thinking of not taking medication and want to be diet controlled diabetic. But my cardiologist suggesting to start with tablets as HbA1C is not in control. Question is the HbA1C less than 8 says fair control, need advice on how to postpone taking medication.
Ans: Hello. For your age, Hba1C should be around 6.5 to prevent any long term damage to the eyes, heart arteries, kidneys and nerves. Sometimes fasting sugars maybe ok but post meal sugars can spike due to the inefficient secretion/ action of insulin to keep it controlled. If you don't want to take medications, you may choose to completely avoid eating foods that spike your sugars. One way to check is to wear a CGM (continuous glucose monitor ) for 2 weeks and closely observe which foods are increasing your sugars and avoid those. This may help in avoiding medications altogether.