Health update

[chrishansenhome]

Forgot to mention that I went to the quack yesterday for a checkup. I had blood drawn (hi, momshapedbox!) and the results were back. My HbA1C was 6.6 (119 in American measurements), where the normal range is 5-7 and with insulin-dependent diabetics they will be happy up to 8. My cholesterol was 3.3, which translates to 127 in American measurements. Liver, kidneys, and thyroid all OK. BP was a bit high in the systolic, but OK in the diastolic. I got all my prescriptions filled, and we chatted about the Foot Clinic at Kings, as my doctor is part of a consortium in Southwark looking at the provision of medical care to diabetics.

So I'm good for another 4-6 months. Next time I will see if I can revive my application for gastric bypass surgery.

And, I guess, yay me! (for now)...

Comments

[ex-serenejo.livejournal.com]

We do HbA1C in the 5-7 range here. Glad your numbers are doing well!

[chrishansenhome.livejournal.com]

For people who are not on insulin, those are the recommended readings here. For those who are insulin dependent, they look for readings in the range 5-8 because they're wary of people trying to control too closely and ending up with lots of hypos.

So I spent years trying to keep my readings between 5-7 and then go on insulin and suddenly end up with them wanting 5-8. Go figure!

[ex-serenejo.livejournal.com]

Oh, I just meant the "in American measurements" part. Here in California, we use the same measure you do.

actually ...

[henare.livejournal.com]

we use the % measurement of HbA1C as well. oddly, the blood glucose meters still measure the other way. why do they make these things so hard?

Re: actually ...

[chrishansenhome.livejournal.com]

Odd, that. Most everyone I know in the US uses the other measurement. My meter is convertible--the setup will take both measurements. However, I used an online converter for both cholesterol and blood sugar.

[momshapedbox.livejournal.com]

We do the actual glucose measurements 90-110 and the A1c is a percentage value 5-8% which is a 3 mos average of glucose entering the cells. Dr usually likes both readings. The Hgb A1c is a better indication of how well you are doing in your glucose and insulin management...but we also need an instant reading AM,PM of 2 hrs after a meal. Thanks for thinking of me as that needle went in!! Hope it was smooth! I drew 50 patients yesterday in 4.5 hrs...today only 30.

Ulcer all healed?

[chrishansenhome.livejournal.com]

Interesting the difference between British and American diabetic management. The instant reading usually is taken by the patient with their meter. I believe they may actually do an "instant" reading in the bloodwork but they never tell me what it is. I shall ask next time.

The nurse phlebotomist at the GP's office who takes blood is painfully thin and a Goth. She's relatively good—I rarely have a bruise left after the procedure and she always finds my vein: she says that mine are good so that's a blessing. She can't take blood from a PICC line, though, which is a pity.

The ulcer on my right foot is healed. The blister on my left big toe caused three weeks ago by the orthopedic shoes is healing slowly. It was pretty ugly when it first happened and now it is barely leaking fluid and getting smaller. I go on July 7th to have my shoes adjusted. This may require a new pair.

Thanks for asking.

Yay

[mouseworks.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear that.

Re: Yay

[chrishansenhome.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

A1C

[am0.livejournal.com]

On my last visit, my diabetes doctor, happy that my A1C finally fell below 8, warned me not to try too hard for tight contrlol. The infections and other problems I've had make my sugar levels unstable, I've gone low several times in the past two months, and I seem to be getting better.

Re: A1C

[chrishansenhome.livejournal.com]

Well, I have related before, I think, that the last time I went my levels were below 7, and the doctor said that they are looking for something between 5 and 8, rather than 5 and 7. The reason she gave is that if the level is too low, there is a danger of going hypo too often.

I accept that, of course. I think 6.6 is fine and she was quite happy.