Type 2 Diabetes: Medical Groups Disagree on What Your A1c Goals Should Be

[rvmasalvad]

Type 2 Diabetes: Medical Groups Disagree on What Your A1c Goals Should Be

Kindly read and comment.

on the dispute betweem two medical associations. Go to:

diabetesdaily.com/blog/type...

[Activity2004 Administrator]

Very interesting information, rvmasalvad . Thank you for sharing this with everyone.😀👍

[Manohar2010]

There are two ways to look at this.

For progression cases lets say someone is 5.7 should he wait until 7 to begin treatment? No. The alarm bells should go off at 5.5 and the person should begin lifestyle modifications to control it.

For regression, cases say someone's baseline A1C is 11 and is trying to reduce and has come down to 7 using a combination of medications and lifestyle medications. We all know the reduction in A1C gets harder as the numbers go lower. Should he be put on more medications and intensive treatment to further below to 6.4? This is where a personalized treatment comes in considering comorbid conditions. The diminishing effects may not warrant a more intensive treatment which can have adverse effects. (More weight loss than desired. Weakness etc etc.)

These are my views and would love to hear everyone's opinion.

[rvmasalvad Volunteer Star in reply to Manohar2010]

Honestly if one has 5.7 he should maintain it and do not allow it to increase it.

If one has 11 he should bring to near non diabetic range and should not stop his efforts because he has achieved7.5/8 which appears to be maximum tolerable limit from medical point of view

[patliputra]

Indian and Americans are poles apart as far as life style, diet, climate and soil is concerned. So the parameters can't be the same. In this context I support Indian Diabetes Association, which prefer lower A1c.

[Luckysugar]

Very good debate and discussion on A1C. I strongly agree with Diabetes and other Medical Associations that Type 2 diabetics should maintain their BSL closer/lower to normal levels (5.7%). It's clearly stated that even slightly elevated BS can cause damages to the back of eyes, kidneys and nerves etc. Therefore, it's crucial to achieve lower A1C as possible and definitely lower than 7% - 8 % no matter from which interventions - medical or lifestyle. In the end, each diabetic will have to deal with the consequences and the reality of what we have done with our BSL not those who set the guidelines or prescribe medications.

[Activity2004 Administrator in reply to Luckysugar]

You have made a good point, Luckysugar. Lower A1c should be the goal for everyone if they are told by their doctor, first before they have to change their diet.

[Luckysugar in reply to Activity2004]

I believe each diabetics want to have lower or healthy A1C, however, their goal or target may be different based on many factors and determinants.

We just need to choose what is best, safe and sustainable.

[makeamericagreat in reply to Luckysugar]

Thousands die from diabetes every year or have limbs amputated!!! Why isn't there a movement for diabetics like there is for breast cancer which claims far less or AIDs which seem controlled today!! Obviously drugs nor life styles have nothin g to do with a cure!! Keeps doctors and the drug dealers in the money is all!!! Metformin is not a cure and causes a depletion of magnesium, potassium and zinc in the body!!! Where is the movement for us???? I think the reason is it takes children to get into the news for diabetics before anything is done. The news medias need children to sell anything to the public!!!! Children and women!!!!

[klgksharma]

One theory is that there cannot be an universal standard as, quite possibly subject to individual body constitution, the figure can vary. I had been diagnosed with Type II in 2006 and on glimepiride since then and on analog insulin (Lantus) from 2012. My A1c varies between 5.9 to 7.2. and doing regular check up of eye/creatine which are under limits. most of the occasions A1c is between 6.5 - 7.2 and at times less than 6.5, may be due to the fact that unable to give up love rice for lunch. My point is the guidelines have some valid points.