tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008270418168603471.post4008262264226850835..comments2023-03-05T08:20:44.385-08:00Comments on Edibles... (the diabetic edition): Plans, goals, dreams.Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03334274953547920291noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008270418168603471.post-64952155327838987422012-01-11T09:57:58.215-08:002012-01-11T09:57:58.215-08:00Jonah,
You are right, they are just numbers that ...Jonah, <br />You are right, they are just numbers that don't take into account many things going on. But, you know, I just want to quantify my improvement plan in some way... I've never had an A1C under 6, so it's a goal that will show improvement, hopefully to a level I've never achieved before. I know that lots of things will get in the way (the 2 different sicknesses this Fall/Winter), but I can work on this for a while. <br />With my current obstacles, I'm not getting there this week, but I hope I can get all the discipline together to make a lower A1C a norm. Trying to make my "normal" better.Nathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03334274953547920291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008270418168603471.post-77675191635836913742012-01-05T22:19:12.195-08:002012-01-05T22:19:12.195-08:00I used to set goals around blood sugar control lik...I used to set goals around blood sugar control like getting an A1c below 6.5, or an A1c below 6 or a meter average below anything. I stopped because my blood sugar control is impacted by so many things I don't control. Setting a meter average goal was a problem for me at one point because then I really didn't want to test my blood sugar when I suspected it might be high.<br /><br />My blood sugar average for August was roughly 118. My blood sugar average for November was 138. Was I doing anything really different? Nope. <br /><br />It seems to me that if I set a goal of having an average blood sugar below 120, or being in range 80% of the time, and I get sick and it's not realistic, well- it doesn't help to feel bad about it. And if I have a really lucky streak like I did this summer- that's great, and it's to my credit that I was on top of it enough to take advantage of my stability- but it's not really any more of an achievement. I am as proud of keeping my A1c down to 7.0% for my June A1c as I am of my 6.1% in October. Actually, I'm more proud of the 7.0 because I had to persevere with discouraging numbers.<br /><br />It makes more sense to me to hold myself accountable for the related things I can control. Like periodically measuring carbs and proteins at each meal, and making adjustments to my insulin doses, or going to bed on time, or waiting to eat after injecting if appropriate, and making the correct call about whether or not it's appropriate, or injecting for highs promptly at whatever threshhold or treating lows promptly. <br /><br />Knowing your A1c does not tell you your average blood sugar. The wikipedia article on HbA1c is actually worth a read. Frankly, I think for those of us who use CGMs, the A1c is only worthwhile as a motivational/communication tool.Jonahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07961973384914389626noreply@blogger.com