[splix]

This is how I try to keep on top of my diabetes. I would also state that I’m in no position of saying what is "right". This is my summation of own experience and that collected from my doctors, my father and brother who also has T1 a lotlonger then I have.


1. I eat both fast and slow carbs depending on the meal. But if I would make say pasta, I would use a wholegrain type prior to a "white refined" one. I just dose accordingly to what I eat. I avoid to “pig out on sweets” but I do not keep it out of my diet. I like to live as I used to prior to my diabetes.

2. One should always be aware of the rollercoaster and step of as soon as one suspects the ride is on. They are not in my opinion always triggered by a “bad diet”. It can happen when I “over do” my exercise and don’t cut doses enough with the food eaten prior. The same goes the other way, If I think I’m going to exercise heavily, cut dose and then after food I have to cancel, I can forget to compensate with a small dose to adjust the absence of training.

3. I never medicate a "non locical" high, I always treat it as a rebound of a hypo. That way I usually avoid the “rollercoaster effect”.

4. I can also feel hypo dropping from say 7mmol/l to 4mmol/l if it happens fast. If I measure a 4.5mmol/l while feeling hypo, I do nothing and measure again after another 15 minutes. That way I don't eat or drink anything sweet that swing me to high up, that I have to cut with a dose afterwards

5. I've not seen any difference when having a weekly strict lowcarb or a weekly medium to high diet. It might help some to keep things in place with a low carb diet, as long as one doesn’t push oneself to hard. I'd like to loose some pounds though so right now I stick to the lower carb ratio.

6. From what I've heard it's normal to require more insulin to the same amount of carbs in the morning. One thing is because your body produces natural cortisone when waking up that makes the body more insulin resistant. It's the same for me, I always need more with breakfast. When I was new to my diabetes and my honeymoon period was on, I only needed a dose to breakfast and nothing for neither lunch nor supper.

7. I always test before eating, how else would I know how much insulin to take?

8. If I for some reason measure a high BG 2-3 hours after a meal, I take a small dose to cut the number a bit. I do however keep from taking extra shots all the time as it can make the body more insulin resistant.

9. I NEVER read any labels. I try to dose by summing up what I'm about to eat and adjust it with the test result taken prior. If it is a cake to coffee I take a little more, if it is a dinner with lowfat meat and vegetables I take less. No magic, just common sense.

As I have used GB from the day I got my T1, I’ve made an A1c calculation on the GB website in the end of every month. My result has dropped from 5.8% to 5.5, 5.4, 5.3 and was last 5.2. Then I got my “real” test from my doctor. It showed 5.7%. I think it’s low enough without getting to low.

[touch26a]

Thanks this is very helpful

[tjmac]

Well done! My last HBA1c was 7.9 which is the lowest its ever been in over 10 years. I was diagnosed when i was 11 and my HBA1c got over 13 at one point in time! It was quite hard when i was a teenager but in the past few years i have reached my maturity and realized that i need to start looking after myself. I have a type 1 diabetic friend who is only 25 and has already gone through a kidney transplant. This just shows that it will catch up on you one if you don't take care of yourself.

[splix]

My numbers since the day I got my T1 diagnose...

IFCC-A1c DCCT-A1c eAG BG Average Start Date End Date

32.4 mmol/mol 5.1 % 5.6 mmol/L 5.8 mmol/L 2011-06-08 2011-09-05
32.5 mmol/mol 5.1 % 5.6 mmol/L 5.8 mmol/L 2011-06-03 2011-08-31
32.4 mmol/mol 5.1 % 5.6 mmol/L 5.8 mmol/L 2011-05-02 2011-07-30
34.0 mmol/mol 5.3 % 5.8 mmol/L 6.1 mmol/L 2011-04-02 2011-06-30
33.2 mmol/mol 5.2 % 5.7 mmol/L 6.0 mmol/L 2011-03-02 2011-05-31
33.0 mmol/mol 5.2 % 5.6 mmol/L 5.9 mmol/L 2011-01-27 2011-04-27
34.2 mmol/mol 5.3 % 5.8 mmol/L 6.1 mmol/L 2010-12-27 2011-03-27
35.3 mmol/mol 5.4 % 6.0 mmol/L 6.4 mmol/L 2010-12-01 2011-02-28
36.8 mmol/mol 5.5 % 6.2 mmol/L 6.6 mmol/L 2010-11-03 2011-01-31
40.0 mmol/mol 5.8 % 6.7 mmol/L 7.2 mmol/L 2010-10-03 2010-12-31 Confirmed T1 6 dec if I remember right....

[Shappy]

It's great that your A1C levels are that low. However, I don't want others to get discouraged that are not able to achieve the same results. It may be impossible for some with T1 to achieve A1C levels that low without risking hypoglycemic episodes. Also it is not necessary to be that low. Several studies including ones done at the Joslin diabetes center have shown that those with A1c levels under 7 have almost no risk of complications. Furthermore there was no discernible difference in complications between individuals who were 6 or less than with those who were at 7. The real danger is for those with consistent a1c levels that are extremely high so no reason to obsess if you are already 7 or less. In fact, high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol are much more significant risk factors for predicting complications for diabetics than A1c levels.

[dano]

Shappy;

Very Well Said! I concur!

[splix]

Shappy I agree with you.

I did not post my numbers to brag or make people here feel bad if they don't get an even 6 or 8. The headline for the thread was HBA1C = 5.2 possible? and I just posted that it is. I've made it without counting carbs or re-arrange my whole life due to diabetes.

I've stated before that with an even low gb it's more likely to have lows and getting hypo without any warnings. There have been some occasions when I've dropped to a 3.2 without feeling it, but for now my figures don't drop under 5 or get over 8. I live my life as I did before diabetes and things seem to work fine.

[dano]

Well done, splix!

[gosborne13]

Claus, you bring some good points to the table but there are some things that concern me when I read this. Im not concerned for you, Claus, but for others reading and trying to keep up. Claus, you obviously have your condition wired tight but for the guy out there that is not as in tune to his condition who boluses a sugar of 105 to get it down to 75 is taking a huge risk. I would say that a goal in the "5's" is good but it's important to remember that all bodies are different. My body is not going to react the same as Claus's so there is no way I would shoot for a 5. I am very happy with a 6.3 that I most recently got. I, also, have been in the game for 29 years. I can't imagine trying to get a good workout in starting out with a sugar of less than 100!...but thats just me. Claus I commend you for your discipline and health - make no mistake! For the others reading, be sensible and realize that keeping it in the 6's is pretty darn good. Be smart and take it slow and controlled.

[gosborne13]

Sorry for the thread resurrection....just realized the last reply was several months ago!!