Blood Sugar and A1C levels: Tips and Insight for Staying in Range

Hello @dlh and welcome to Mayo Connect.

I can see you are concerned about your fasting blood sugar numbers. Have you just recently been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes?

I looked up some information on Mayo Clinic's website and here is the link,

It says, "A fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is normal. A fasting blood sugar level from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) is considered prediabetes."

Many members of Connect have mentioned higher numbers in the morning. Here is a discussion about that,
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-do-i-lower-my-morning-fasting-glucose-levels/

Are you currently taking any meds or just following a diet/exercise program? Have you mentioned your concern about your fasting numbers to your doctor?

Congratulate yourself! You are doing well. Continued careful eating to minimize sugar and carbs and exercise brings your numbers into the normal range.
Avoid stress as it can make the numbers rise. Dorisena

I try to maintain between 100 and 120 fasting. Today it was110 and yesterday it was 102. Managing is one thing, micromanaging is another. 30 day average is 104! I've been testing for many a moon/sunrise so this should give some idea where a normal type 2 would be. Good luck!

I wish I were more like you. I can't seem to get the hang of it.

Mummy, you are getting the hang of it, really! The thing to think about is that you can like good blood sugar numbers better than you like cake or cookies, because it may prevent hearing loss, obesity, loss of vision, and dementia, and perhaps Alzheimer's or something similar. I really don't care for chocolate cake anymore because it used to make my tummy hurt. And I am not an obese person anymore. I am outliving my neighbors and although I miss some of them. I know I am doing my best for good health at my age. I watched my late husband die of his many health problems so that gave me the inspiration to try as hard as I can to beat down the effects of diabetes. I hope I am supporting and encouraging your efforts. Dorisena

thanks for your kind words. I have good intentions, and then when I get in the grocery store, I don't know what to buy. I've looked at menus, but most have things in them that I've never used or sometimes never heard of. Plus, I don't know much about cooking anymore.
Okay, sorry, I'm whining. I really do have to find a good plan that helps me loose weight and keeps my sugar down, and fills me up.
Thanks, Marie

I am a type 2 diabetic. I am on medication and was diagnosed about 7 years ago. I have had decent numbers but I would like to stay under 100. I do walk 5 to 6 times a week for about 35 to 50 minutes at a time. My doctor, an internal medicine physician, reads my blood work twice a year with one main physical involved.

A simple plan is to eat plain meat and fish, no processed meats like hot dogs, any fresh veggies you will eat, raw or cooked, and several fruits a day. A slice or two of whole grained bread fills in the gaps, and perhaps some yogurt or dairy that you like, without sugar. That's it. No fancy menus or lots of cooking, although I do eat nuts for a snack and don't get the munchies. Start reading labels and don't eat a serving of more than 15 grams of carbs in one food. Buy fresh foods, not processed food in boxes. You will get the hang of it. Dorisena

serving size is key for me. It's not so much that I eat bad stuff. It's just that I eat too much. Even of the good stuff. Does that make sense? I just eat too darn much. When I cut back, I end up wandering around looking for something to satisfy me. I must admit that talking to you does give me inspiration. I live alone, and not close to anyone. I started going to church, hoping to meet more seniors like me. Hopefully we can do that again soon. Marie

@dlh

I'm glad to hear that your doctor follows blood work twice per year. Is he/she happy with the blood sugar levels and the A1C levels?

If you continue to have concerns about your blood sugar levels you could always request a consultation with an endocrinologist. Perhaps an endocrinologist can put your mind at ease regarding your concerns.