Updated blood tests.

As many long-termers here on asdlc are aware, my low-carb journey has
been somewhat complicated by a series of health concerns. As a
result, I get blood tests done every 6 months to keep a watch on my
situation.

My cholesterol was 5.1 (normal is under 5.5) which is about average
for me. Even better, the ratio was 3.4 (looking for no lower than
2.5) which is very good news.

My A1C was 7.8 which is higher than I'd like, but to be honest I
expected it. I've been not well (nothing serious, just a series of
minor colds and other viral situations) pretty much constantly for the
past 6 months. I'm currently going to the gym twice a week and the
pool twice a week and I'm hoping that as I improve my general fitness
(and I *am* noticing improvements) that this will get lower again.
For now, we are watching but not altering my meds unless it doesn't go
down again in the next few months.

My kidney function (always a concern given my history) is still stable
at mid-point normal. So much for LC being hard on the kidneys!

We went over my history again, both personal and family. Since I *am*
a snorer (always have been) and since my mother died in her sleep of a
heart attack at a dreadfully early age (59) he feels there is strong
likelihood of sleep apnoea. So, I'll be off to have a sleep study
done (booked in for late March, the earliest date they had available)
and then look at cpap or other devices to help if they are warranted.

Aramanth

Aramanth,

So sorry to hear you've been sick for so long. That will definitely push up
the blood sugar, no matter what else you do. But it's great to hear that
your kidneys are still in good shape. Interrupted sleep can also cause
major blood sugar problems, so getting a handle on that could be very
helpful too.

I hope things improve for you in the next six months!

-- Jenny - Low Carbing for 4 years. At goal for weight. Type 2 diabetes,
hba1c 5.2.
Cut the carbs to respond to my email address!

Low carb facts and figures, my weight-loss photos, tips, recipes,
strategies for dealing with diabetes and more at
http://www.geocities.com/jenny_the_bean/

Looking for help controlling your blood sugar?
Visit http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/...0Diagnosed.htm



"Aramanth Dawe" wrote in message
...
As many long-termers here on asdlc are aware, my low-carb journey has
been somewhat complicated by a series of health concerns. As a
result, I get blood tests done every 6 months to keep a watch on my
situation.

My cholesterol was 5.1 (normal is under 5.5) which is about average
for me. Even better, the ratio was 3.4 (looking for no lower than
2.5) which is very good news.

My A1C was 7.8 which is higher than I'd like, but to be honest I
expected it. I've been not well (nothing serious, just a series of
minor colds and other viral situations) pretty much constantly for the
past 6 months. I'm currently going to the gym twice a week and the
pool twice a week and I'm hoping that as I improve my general fitness
(and I *am* noticing improvements) that this will get lower again.
For now, we are watching but not altering my meds unless it doesn't go
down again in the next few months.

My kidney function (always a concern given my history) is still stable
at mid-point normal. So much for LC being hard on the kidneys!

We went over my history again, both personal and family. Since I *am*
a snorer (always have been) and since my mother died in her sleep of a
heart attack at a dreadfully early age (59) he feels there is strong
likelihood of sleep apnoea. So, I'll be off to have a sleep study
done (booked in for late March, the earliest date they had available)
and then look at cpap or other devices to help if they are warranted.

Aramanth

On Tue, 3 Feb 2004 09:32:28 -0500, "Jenny"
wrote:

Aramanth,

So sorry to hear you've been sick for so long. That will definitely push up
the blood sugar, no matter what else you do.

Thanks, Jenny. I appreciate the support.

Yeah, I realise that being sick does a real number on sugars and so
does my doc which is why we're not *stressing* about the 7.8 at this
time. Usually my numbers are in the low 6s, and as you know I'm
careful about my eating and exercise patterns to keep it there.
It's so frustrating that being sick pushes up blood sugars, which in
turn does a number on your immune system so you're *more* likely to
get the next minor bug that comes your way, which screws with your
system again and on it goes. Having Primary School Age kids (Athena
has just turned 9, Ishtar is about to turn 8) means they are at the
age where there are a LOT of minor illnesses being passed around and
brought home. My Consultant assures me things get much better when
they hit High School but that's a way off yet (almost 4 years away) so
I have to just deal with the situation as it is.

But it's great to hear that your kidneys are still in good shape.

I know that this is one thing many newcomers stress about. I'm so
happy to be able to keep on reporting that the improvements I saw in
the first year have continued. Since I'm heading towards my 6th
anniversary (29th May) of a Low-Carb lifestyle I think I can
confidently say they are not going to suddenly 'explode' as some
nay-sayers would have us believe.

Interrupted sleep can also cause major blood sugar problems,
so getting a handle on that could be very helpful too.

That's interesting. I hadn't thought of that, but I've been having
REALLY bad sleep while I've been sick - lucky to get 6 hours a night
and never in chunks of longer than 2 or so hours. Even if apnoea *is*
discounted this broken sleep could have been contributing to the blood
sugar problems.

Apnoea is a very likely diagnosis - I'm obese, 40 (as of last
November), a life-long snorer and restless sleeper, my mother was
*also* obese, a snorer and passed away suddenly in her 50s in her
sleep. So it's worth doing the study even though I have to wait
almost 2 months for a date. While I can't say I'm thrilled at the
possibility of spending every night of the rest of my life doing a
'Darth Vader' in headpiece and ventilator if it helps with the other
problems (maybe even help me reduce my current handful of meds every
day) it would be worth it.

Aramanth

Aramanth,

There were several studies published in the past couple years showing that
interrupted sleep increased insulin resistance severely.

I noticed them because I haven't had more than a dozen full nights of sleep
since my son was born 18 years ago because of damage to my urinary tract
that makes it necessary to get up a couple times every night. I am pretty
sure that has a lot to do with my health problems.

So, best case, if you address the sleep apnea, you might be able to improve
the blood sugar and the weight loss and eventually get off them. I certainly
hope so. You deserve it!

BTW, my kidneys are in perfect working order 5 years after my diabetes
diagnosis and after 4+ years of low carbing, too.

-- Jenny - Low Carbing for 4 years. At goal for weight. Type 2 diabetes,
hba1c 5.2.
Cut the carbs to respond to my email address!

Low carb facts and figures, my weight-loss photos, tips, recipes,
strategies for dealing with diabetes and more at
http://www.geocities.com/jenny_the_bean/

Looking for help controlling your blood sugar?
Visit http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/...0Diagnosed.htm



"Aramanth Dawe" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 3 Feb 2004 09:32:28 -0500, "Jenny"
wrote:

Aramanth,

So sorry to hear you've been sick for so long. That will definitely push
up
the blood sugar, no matter what else you do.

Thanks, Jenny. I appreciate the support.

Yeah, I realise that being sick does a real number on sugars and so
does my doc which is why we're not *stressing* about the 7.8 at this
time. Usually my numbers are in the low 6s, and as you know I'm
careful about my eating and exercise patterns to keep it there.
It's so frustrating that being sick pushes up blood sugars, which in
turn does a number on your immune system so you're *more* likely to
get the next minor bug that comes your way, which screws with your
system again and on it goes. Having Primary School Age kids (Athena
has just turned 9, Ishtar is about to turn 8) means they are at the
age where there are a LOT of minor illnesses being passed around and
brought home. My Consultant assures me things get much better when
they hit High School but that's a way off yet (almost 4 years away) so
I have to just deal with the situation as it is.

But it's great to hear that your kidneys are still in good shape.

I know that this is one thing many newcomers stress about. I'm so
happy to be able to keep on reporting that the improvements I saw in
the first year have continued. Since I'm heading towards my 6th
anniversary (29th May) of a Low-Carb lifestyle I think I can
confidently say they are not going to suddenly 'explode' as some
nay-sayers would have us believe.

Interrupted sleep can also cause major blood sugar problems,
so getting a handle on that could be very helpful too.

That's interesting. I hadn't thought of that, but I've been having
REALLY bad sleep while I've been sick - lucky to get 6 hours a night
and never in chunks of longer than 2 or so hours. Even if apnoea *is*
discounted this broken sleep could have been contributing to the blood
sugar problems.

Apnoea is a very likely diagnosis - I'm obese, 40 (as of last
November), a life-long snorer and restless sleeper, my mother was
*also* obese, a snorer and passed away suddenly in her 50s in her
sleep. So it's worth doing the study even though I have to wait
almost 2 months for a date. While I can't say I'm thrilled at the
possibility of spending every night of the rest of my life doing a
'Darth Vader' in headpiece and ventilator if it helps with the other
problems (maybe even help me reduce my current handful of meds every
day) it would be worth it.

Aramanth

Aramanth Dawe wrote:

My kidney function (always a concern given my history) is still stable
at mid-point normal. So much for LC being hard on the kidneys!

And no duct tape required, either!

Seriously, I'm glad to hear that your kidneys are in such good shape,
Amaranth. You've been so generous about sharing your experience with
worried newbies and I'm sure you get tired of recounting your story, but
I know it's done a lot of people good.

I do hope you can get past all the illness stuff. As Jenny noted, both
illness and sleep problems can play havoc with BG levels and IR. I
personally think any kind of unremitting stress can mess up you insulin
sensitivity, and suspect that's one of the reasons Ornish had the
success he did with his patients on a high carb diet - he also included
a serious stress management component in his program. Whatever, if you
can improve your sleeping pattern it may help a lot. Hoping you can ward
off all the upcoming bugs!

HG