HbA1c and blood sugars.

[Love101cats]

I have stage 4 kidney failure and diabetes as well as thyroid and heart failure. I'm very new to kidney failure and diabetes. Ive been asked to do daily blood sugar checks which I am doing but can't make sense of the numbers. So HbA1c is 52 but my daily readings are between 5.4 and 7.6 taken randomly before and after food as requested. My GFR is 25 but all other results are OK. So does that make sense? I thought my blood sugars would be really high. My b.p. is 94/56 which is higher than normal and my weight 16.13. Lot of numbers I know but I have telephone appointment next week with a Nephrology Specialist and would like to be prepared.

[Sammi_n_Munk]

Hi there Love101cats. Well, as a diabetic with kidney, blood pressure, and heart failure issues myself, I would say that your blood sugar levels sound immaculate to me! Lol! Your blood pressure actually seems somewhat low, but I’m not a doctor or a member of the medical community at all.

When last checked in March, my GFR was at 31. Must tell you though, you lost me on your weight. Since it’s only a double digit reading, I’m going to assume this is not in pounds (unless you are actually a cat! (“Love101cats” - Lol!)

But all kidding aside, whatever it is you’re doing with regard to your diet, I say, “Keep up the awesome work!” Unless a member of your medical team advises you otherwise for some other reason, your numbers sound pretty good. I know that drinking plenty of water daily is said to improve GFR levels, but once again, ask your physician how much water you should be consuming every day, as this can differ with everyone.

Regarding your appointment next week with your nephrologist, share with her / him what steps you are taking to try to maintain your blood levels within a normal range, bring a copy of your lab results, and ask questions. Sometimes, if we do our best to follow a kidney-friendly diet and exercise regimen, we can be quite successful at slowing down the progression of CKD, which might then add years to our lifespan, rather than if we didn’t.

Write down the questions you want to ask them, (even the hard ones) if you’re worried you might forget, as I always do! Lol! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers dear. I wish you all the best. Keep us posted on how you’re visit comes along. Bye for now! 🙏😊👍✌️

[Love100cats in reply to Sammi_n_Munk]

Thank you so much for your cheerful reply. Its put a smile on my face. As my appointment is telephone only I have to make good use of the time. Im still clinically vulnerable so each letter states 'do not come to the hospital. I wonder what would happen if I just turned up.? I will post after next Wednesday how it went.

[Sammi_n_Munk in reply to Love100cats]

Yes, please do. I look forward to hearing how it goes. And I know what you mean. Our doctors don’t want us going in either. They still prefer telephone appointments first. I guess it’s mainly because those of us with weakened systems are more vulnerable to the effects of the virus. Once again, best of luck! 🙏😊👍✌️

[Hidden in reply to Sammi_n_Munk]

I could be wrong but I believe her numbers were in the British system. Her weigh was in stone and a stone weight is about 14 pounds. How the other numbers translate I've no idea. Apologies if I'm incorrect.

[Sammi_n_Munk in reply to Hidden]

Oh Mr_Kidney! There is never any need to apologize. I always love to read your posts! And I do believe you’re right. I think I have heard of stone before. It is a British unit of measuring weight. One stone is equivalent to 14 pounds, as you say. Thank you very much for your response. 😊👍

[Love101cats]

I'm 79 and don't know my bmi. I have problems with weight due to underactive thyroid and fluid retention due to heart failure and kidney failure. Im getting instructions from all sides and they sometimes conflict. A nutritionist specialist on diabetes checked my food diaries and couldn't fault them and acknowledges that my blood sugar readings between 5 and 7 any time of day are good. So we have to look at the Pancreas and its connection with the kidneys. Something is going wrong but I'm not sure how wrong. My HbA1c was at 48 for a while and that made it borderline but suddenly leapt up to,52. How much does the stress of caring for my husband with heart failure, dementia, cancer and diabetes play on me? So its not simple. Im adjusting my diet for kidney failure and hoping it will be good for diabetes. I will be back as I do need your support. You have been so helpful today.

[Love100cats]

I was diagnosed with heart failure 2 years ago. I was on Furusamide for 18 months then it stopped being effective so I was switched to Bumetanide which works well but the use of diuretics does affect kidneys which is where I am now. My ejection fraction was 43% at the only echo ive had. Now I feel the kidney function is more of an issue than the heart sadly. Because of lockdown I'm not able to access the tests which would identify the problems. Its a waiting game!

[Love100cats]

If I went private it would be possible but I live in a rural area and getting anywhere is a problem as hospitals tell me not to go as I'm clinically vulnerable. So its waiting for me.