A1C increasing meaning Pancreatic cancer

Be glad your PCM/PCP even considered it. My then 57 yo husband's A1C from 5.4 to over 12 in one years time. He was diagnosed with diabetes and immediately started metformin. Within 3 months, his A1C wasn't decreasing despite weight loss/diet changes. Jardiance was added. Still losing weight. Eight months after the initial screening blood work showed the hgb A1C above 12, he started having strange back pain radiating to his sides. Thought it was kidney stones, so he went to ER. CT scan found a large mass in his pancreas. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He had chemo, radiation, and a distal pancreactomy. His blood sugar normalized once the tumor was gone. He never had type 2 diabetes, it was type 3c caused by the tumor. The eight month delay cost him his life 20 months after the initial diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. If his PCP would've considered a CT with that first spike in A1C, he might still be here.

@dawnc911 My deepest condolences for your loss. My mother took Metformin for years and she developed Bile duct cancer at the age of 90. She had started to feel sick the year after loosing appetite and stomach discomfort. The physician thought it was because of her age stating that old people eat less. No CT scan nothing done. When fell 3 times at her home and that is when all siblings decided that she was going to be safer. At the nursing home, the physician on site was worried about her health and decided to send her to the hospital to get all necessary tests. That is when they found the cancer. Unbelievable isn’t it? She started with Metformin when she was 78 yrs old. Her blood sugar was controlled and she was feeling well for years. Unfortunately mom passed 6 months after being diagnosed with cancer. Hospice took cate of her. Metformin is pushed by many Primary Care physicians. The Endocrinologists never prescribe Metformin on prediabetic patients, they believe in healthy lifestyle and exercise. Metformin has been linked to Pancreatic cancer & digestive cancers. Sending prayers to you and family for your loss. Stay safe and healthy.

@dawnc911 Whzt I tried to say about mom was that when she fell at home 3 times we decided to send her to a nursing home where she was going to have 24/7 care and the nurses were very good and compassionate with her. I think I was typing too fast and missed words. Thank you.

@naiviv , a couple of times now over many years I've had doctors warn me of horrible conditions I might have on very slim evidence. I suppose it's their job but sometimes they forget the effect that has on patients!

The first time I just stared the guy down, we repeated a standard test, and he said, "oh, never mind". The second time I told the doctor he had scared me silly, and he said "oh, I didn't mean to do that, it might be nothing", and since then no other doctors have mentioned it, and of course I'm still here. About an equal number of times I've had the doctors ignore serious symptoms ... no, that's probably happened more often, actually, but I guess they're right because ten years later I'm still here and the symptoms mostly vanished, too.

In about eight years of my wrestling with blood glucose and diabetes nobody has ever suggested any tests regarding pancreatic cancer. Since my case did start with a super-high A1C I did see an endocrinologist, he never mentioned any such thing. But my case settled down to pre-pre-diabetic numbers, my insurance was cutting what the endocrinologist could even talk to me about, so I switched back down to letting my PCP prescribe my metformin, which is about all I've done - other than learn to count carbs (!) and live within those numbers, and walk a mile or two, two or three times a day.

It's been a year since this thread began, how are you doing? How are your BG and A1C numbers doing? How are your diet and exercise doing? I hope you're doing well on all.

Hello. So far I have been feeling well. In a few more months I will br seeing my PCP. I am not taking Metformin and still following the Mediterranean diet and exercising. I need to keep what I am doing. My blood glucose is in the low 90’s. I don’t know what my A1C is now but it will be checked later. There are people who take Metformin and they are doing well. Each person is different. Stay safe and healthy.

I was just wondering if someone could help Me please?
My a1c was 7.0 in December, then I got it checked again Friday and it jumped up to 7.6. I don't understand why. I am a type 2 diabetic and have been a diabetic for over 28 years. I am so upset. I am trying so hard to control it. I even started dieting again. Thanks in advance and God Bless!

@caringissharing , do you wear a cgm? That is helpful to view trends like when your blood sugar rises. Also, do you take meds? They can be quite helpful in lowering a1c. I’d discuss the options with your doctor. And, a consult with a nutritionist and/or a Certified Diabetes Educator can also be helpful.

@caringissharing If it were me, I’d be asking about pancreatitis. It can have different symptoms but rising a1c in chronic diabetes, especially over 7.5 (PubMed article), can be related to pancreatitis. A gastroenterologist manages pancreatic disorders. Long term diabetes evidently can put strain on the pancreas causing inflammation.