So, I get a complete metabolic panel, blood count, chemistries, thyroid function, etc., every six months or so, due to my known insulin resistance and those lovely thyroid nodules I had to have biopsied after discovery last year (all colloid, fortunately--though we also ultrasound them every six months to document stability) . . .

So this time, all numbers are pretty good (no thyroid antibodies or blood abnormalities) except my fasting glucose--and it really was fasting, a 7:30 AM draw--was 103, and my hemoglobin A1C was 5.7. These were the highest they've ever been--I've tended to run fasting glucoses in the low 90's and an A1c around 5.4 for a long time (a decade or more)--and are just borderline for impaired glucose tolerance according to the new reference ranges, which have just changed over the last few years. (Normal fasting blood glucose used to be 65-109--now listed by most labs as 70-99; normal A1c used to be anything below 6--now listed 5.7-6.5, with reading above 6.5 considered frank diabetes.)

Yes, I am 52 now; yes, there's been diabetes in my family; yes, while I try to eat a good diet, I do tend to treat myself to ice cream regularly. Looks like that' s going to be gone now--I do want to nip this in the bud before it gets worse. (No more muffins for me, Melody.)

I'm going to rededicate myself to a lower-carb diet, and try to build some more muscle. I'd actually lost a few pounds (212 to 207) lately with some effort, but likely have to make more effort in that arena (I know building muscle may increase my weight, but that's OK). Of course, muscle building is tricky for me--I can't do weights like I once did, owing to the rather extensive cervical spine degenerative disease I have: spurring, disc bulges, foraminal narrowing, nerve compression; when I lift weights I'm subject to a lot of compressive neural effects (anyone have some suggestions here?) AND--thinking about increasing my R-lipoic dose from 100mg/day to maybe 150, to try to get some more of the glucose moderation effects.

There go the gluten-free fig Newmans. Sigh.

Sorry to hear Glenn... but join the club... the endless battle!

There are two other things I've found to lower blood sugars.

1) Theanine has lowered mine a bit. This works by blocking cortisol.

2) The other is high dose Biotin. Taking lipoic acid all the time, may use up the internal transporter...which is shared by lipoic, B5, and biotin in the body. Taking 5-10mg of biotin a day, at an alternate time (I take it at night) may have a positive effect on your glucose control. It is reported in the literature as such.

But all in all, you are still in a fairly okay place with your numbers. I don't have that low a fasting anymore, but my A1C is the same as yours. They really don't start "treating" until 6.5 or 7.0 these days.

Also the A1C reflects the size of meals as well. Not just content.
So eating smaller may help.

Here is a handy A1C chart:
http://www.diabeteschart.org/bloodsugarchart.html

There is a trend just with aging... to slightly go up anyway IMO.

Great idea to nip it in the bud for sure. Changing the foods you eat will be great. Adding the supplements that help blood sugar will be the other key.

I have really great numbers, no diabetes for me or in my family, but since I responded so well with healing of my peripheral and autonomic neuropathy/Dysautonomia with the Benfotiamine and alpha Lipoic acid my doctor suggested I get on a no or very low sugar/carb diet. It is just better for everyone. It has made a huge difference even with no glucose problems. Better for the nerves and healing.

Dr. Tennant's Intractable Pain Diet may be extreme, but a possible starting place. I've been on it for a couple years now, and have to admit it really does work for reducing pain (and weight, and it's virtually gluten-free), but many find it too stringent.
http://pain-topics.org/pdf/IntractablePainSurvival.pdf
(Back of book)

Doc

Glenn I have Cspine issues too and also was afraid to lift weights due to the same issues you mentioned. My partner who does lift weights and knows about these things advised me to lie flat on my back on my yoga Matt and lift my weights with my spine flat on the floor and straight. No pressure on neck or spine. Maybe worth a go?



Sorry my message is in between your message. Please look above for my post. Aussie