We have found that, for whatever reason, most people don’t particularly enjoy those activities associated with the acquisition of Blood for determining the “Numbers” associated with Diabetes. “Finger Pricks” are no one’s favorite activity, and the Blood Drawing to determine A1C appears to be comparable to Blood Letting for some!
While this is true, we have also found that most people are rational individuals, and once they fully understand what the Numbers are all about it is easier for them to accept the processes. It goes back to, of course, the fact that Knowledge is our greatest ally when fighting Diabetes. As a result, when people understand what the Numbers indicate it both helps them track their “condition” a little better, and better understand what the numbers mean. As a result, we have compiled the information in the following chart to allow you to determine your status, to some degree, at a glance!
WHAT THE NUMBERS MEAN
| CONDITION | A1C | BLOOD LEVELS |
| Normal | 5.2 – 5.6 | 108 – 122 |
| Pre-Diabetic | 5.7 – 6.4 | 126 – 151 |
| Diabetic | 6.5 – 7.0 | 154 – 172 |
| Harmful | 7.1 – 8.0 | 176 – 207 |
| Dangerous | 8.5 – 15.0 | 225 – 457 |
A colleague of ours who works at the BARROW NEUROLOGICLA INSTITUTE shared that they test their patients’ Blood Levels daily, and if they are above 120 they administer Insulin to ensure that their recuperation is not hindered or complicated because of a Diabetes issue.
As you can see, understanding the Numbers reflected in this chart will help you understand what kind of a “Sugar Day” you are having. The hope is that if your numbers are a tad high you will alter you daily activity in such areas as Diet and Exercise.
The A1C Numbers do not reflect a daily Sugar Level, but rather an average for a three month period of time. Understanding how A1C works will show that the 90 day interval is not an arbitrary one, but has its basis in Scientific Fact.
Daily Blood Levels can be affected/influence by a host (figuratively, not literally!) of factors, including, but not limited to time of day, hormonal changes, or physical activity levels. A1C, on the other hand, is very definitive as it measures one specific item: The amount of Hemoglobin in the Blood that has Glucose attached to it. As you will remember from your High School Biology days, Hemoglobin is the protein found in Red Blood Cells that carries oxygen to the body. As with most of our Body Cells, Hemoglobin Cells are constantly regenerated as they “die off.” Their Life Span? That’s right – - three months! As a result, the A1C test gives us insight into what your average Sugar Level was over the last three months. That’s why we strongly suggest a quarterly check-up to help us better keep track of your Diabetes situation.
While A1C is a proven method, it is not a stagnant one. At one point in time, A1C results could vary depending on which lab had analyzed them. Today this isn’t the case, thanks to the efforts of the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program. For the most part, we no longer have to be concerned about variance in our testing.
If A1C Numbers are “out of line,” that tells us that there may be other concerns on the horizon, as this could be indicative of a higher risk in such areas as:
- Cardiovascular Diseases: Stroke/Heart Attack
- Eye Damage, Possibly leading to Blindness
- Kidney Disease
- Numbness, Tingling, Lack of Sensation in feet due to Nerve Damage
- Slower Wound Healing and/or Infection
A1C Numbers are not just a crap shoot, however, as there are steps that can be taken to help control them. This includes Life Style changes such as losing some weight, closer attention to Diet, and instituting an Exercise Regimen.
When it comes to Diet, one of the main things that needs to be monitored is Carbohydrate Intake. A few years ago, one of our patients took it upon themselves to devise a “Carb Chart” to help them monitor the number of Carbs they were eating each day. That Chart is at the end of the Blog. Please feel free to print it out and use it as you draft your Menus for each day.
We trust that the information imparted to you herein will help you better understand why THE NUMBERS COUNT, and what how you can help make them even better!
If you, or someone you know, needs help in managing their Diabetes, please call AVEON HEALTH at 480-300-4663 to make an appointment with a member of our staff and allow them to escort you down the path to an improved quality of life for you and your loved ones!
This Blog was written, in part, with information gleaned from the following sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes/ac1-test
| FRUIT | Amt | Carbs (gm) | VEGGIE | Amt | Carbs(gm) |
| Apple small, 2” | 1 | 14 | Acorn Squash | 1C | 29.9 |
| Apricot dried | 1 | 2.2 | Asparagus Spear | 1 | 6.9 |
| Apricot Fresh | 1 | 3.9 | Baby Carrots | 1 Raw | 0.8 |
| Banana | 1 | 26.9 | Beets (cooked) | 1C | 5 |
| Blackberries | 1C | 14.7 | Bok Choy | 1C | 3.1 |
| Blueberries | 1C | 21.5 | Broccoli raw | 1C | 5.8 |
| Canteloupe | 8-Jan | 4.8 | Broccoli boiled | 1C | 11.2 |
| Cherries | 1 | 1.3 | Brussel Sprouts | 1C | 11.1 |
| Fig | 1 | 7.7 | Butternut Squash | 1C | 21.5 |
| Grapes (red or Green) | 10 | 1 | Cabbage raw | 1C | 3.9 |
| Honeydew | 1/8 | 11.4 | Cabbage cooked | 1C | 3.9 |
| Kiwi | 1 | 10.1 | Carrots cooked | 1C | 12.8 |
| Mango | 1C | 25.7 | Cauliflower cooked | 1C | 5.1 |
| Nectarine 2 1/2″ | 1 | 13.7 | Cauliflower raw | 1C | 5.7 |
| Orange small | 1 | 11.3 | Celery 4″ | 10 | 1 |
| Peach 2/1/2″ | 1 | 12.9 | Corn Canned | 1C | 30.5 |
| Pear small | 1 | 22.9 | Corn on cob | 1 | 14 |
| Pineapple | 2 oz | 7.3 | Cucumber | 1C | 3.7 |
| Plum | 1 | 7.5 | Edamame cooked | 1C | 29.9 |
| Prunes | 1 | 6 | Edamame raw | 10 pods | 2.2 |
| Raisins | 1C | 114 | Eggplant Parm | 4″ sq | 32.9 |
| Raspberries | 1C | 14.6 | Garbanzos | 1C | 34.2 |
| Strasberries(sliced) | 1 C | 12.8 | Green Beans | 1C | 9,9 |
| Tangerine(cutie) | 1 | 10 | Green Leaf Lettuce | 1C | 1 |
| Watermelon | 1C | 11.6 | Iceberg Lettuce | 1C | 1.7 |
| Jicama | 1C | 10.6 | |||
| NUTS | Amt | Carbs(gm) | Kale cooked | 1C | 7.3 |
| Almond | 1C | 28.2 | Kale raw | 1C | 6.7 |
| Brazil | 2 | 1 | Mushrooms raw | 1C | 3 |
| Cashews | 1 oz | 8.6 | Mushrooms stuffed | 1oz | 20 |
| Macadamia | 1oz | 1.2 | Peas | 1C | 22.9 |
| Peanuts | 1C | 38.3 | Pepper – Red | 1 | 7.3 |
| Pecans | 1 C | 38.3 | Pepper -Yellow | 1 | 10.3 |
| Pistachios | 4 | 1 | Pork & Beans | 1.2C | 23 |
| Walnuts | 1/2 cup | 8 | Potato Sweet, Sm. | 1 | 13.7 |
| Radishes raw | 1 | 0 | |||
| SEEDS | Amt | Carbs (gm) | Red Leaf Leffuce | 1C | 0.6 |
| Pumpkin | 1C | 15.8 | Romaine Lettuce | 1C | 1.2 |
| Sunflower | 1C | 30.8 | Rutabaga | 1C | 10.6 |
| Spaghetti Squash | 1C | 10.1 | |||
| DAIRY | Amt | Carbs (gm) | Spinach cooked | 1C | 6.8 |
| Yogurt Plain | 1C | 11.5 | Spinach raw | 1C | 1.1 |
| Yogurt w/fruit | 1C | 46.8 | Sugar Snap Peas | 1C | 11.4 |
| Yogurt Greek | 1C | 7 | Summer Squash | 1C | 7.7 |
| Greek Vanilla | 1C | 16 | Tomato | 2″ | 3.5 |
| Cottage Cheese | 1C | 5.7 | Turnips | 1C | 8 |
| Cream Cheese | 1 Tbs | 1 | Zucchini | 1C | 7 |
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| BREAD & SNACKS | Amt | Carbs (gm) | CHEESE | Amt | Carbs (gm) |
| BBQ Sauce | 1 Tbs | 12.7 | Cheddar | 3 oz | 1 |
| Cheese Puffs | 13 | 13 | Swiss | ||
| Chips – Potato | 15 | 15 | |||
| Chips Taco | 7 | 19 | MISC | Amt | Carbs (gm) |
| Eng Muffin | 1 | 25 | Beef Jerky 7oz pc | 1 | 2.2 |
| Everything Bagel | 1 | 59 | Hummus | 2 Tbs | 4 |
| Kaiser Roll | 1 | 30 | Pasta w/sauce | 1C | 33.8 |
| Pop Corn | 1C | 6.3 | Pizza – Pepperoni | 1 Slice | 35 |
| Pretzels Soft | 1 | 43 | Potato Baked | sm | 29.5 |
| Pretzels Twisted | 1 | 4.8 | Potato FF | 1 | 32.6 |
| Pub Mix | 1 oz | 19 | Potato boiled | sm | 25 |
| Saltines | 5 | 10 | Potato Mashed | 1C | 35.5 |
| Tortilla Corn | 1 | 8 | Potato Salad | 1C | 28 |
| Tortilla Flour | 1 | 32 | Rice Brn | 1/2 C | 23 |
| Tortilla Wheat | 1 | 22 | Slim Jim 1oz | 1 | 3 |
| Wheat slice | 1 | 14.4 | Quinoa | 1 tbs | 2.5 |
| CANDY | Amt | Carbs (gm) | MISC – Phase II | Amt | Carbs (gm) |
| 3 Musketeers | 1 Bar | 42 | Dinner Rolls | 1 | 14 |
| Bit O Honey | 1 Sect. | 6 | Eggs | 1 | 1.5 |
| Butterfinger | 1 Bar | 43 | Eggs | 1 | 1.5 |
| Junior Mints | 1 | 2 | Frstd Cinnmn Bun | 1 | 23 |
| Mounds | 1 Pkg. | 29 | Frstd Shrdded Wht | 1 Cup | 41 |
| Pay Day | 1 Bar | 27 | Honey Nut Cheerios | 1 cup | 22 |
| Peanut M & M | 15 | 9 | Pan Cakes | 1 6″ | 31 |
| Peppermint Paties | 1 Bar | 31 | Pepsi | 8 oz. | 26 |
| Pepprmnt Pat Sgr Fr | 1 Bar | 8 | Pie | 1 Piece | 50 |
| Reeses | 2 Pk. | 24 | Raisin Bran | 1 cup | 46 |
| Snickers | 1 Bar | 33 | Refried Beans | 1 Cup | 26 |
| Star Mints | 1 | 5 | Rye Bread | 1 Slice | 10 |
| Suzy Q | 1 Cake | 35 | Tomato Soup | 1 can | 50 |
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| MISC. – PHASE III | Cargs (gm) | MISC. – PHASE IV | Carbs (gm) | ||
| Cake – Carrot | 1/2 Slice | 20 | Cous Cous | 1 Cup | 37 |
| Cake – Cup – Choc. | 1 | 24 | Crnd Beef Hash | 1 Cup | 22 |
| Cake – Ger. Choc. | 1/2 Slice | 20 | Egg Nog | 1 Cup | 20 |
| Cake – Rice | 1 | 4 | Fried Mushrooms | 1 | 17 |
| Cashew Clusters | 8 | 16 | Fried Onion Rings | 1 Med. | 2 |
| Chimichanga | 1 | 43 | Hamb. Roll | 1 | 20 |
| McD Dble Chssebrgr | 1 | 29 | Hash Browns | 1 Cup | 46 |
| McD Fish Fillet | 1 | 39 | Hot Dog Roll | 1 | 20 |
| McD McSausage/Egg | 1 | 29 | Nacho Chips – Corn | 10 | 18 |
| McD Small Fries | 1 Pkg | 44 | Quinoa | 1 Cup | 20 |
| Milk | 1 Cup | 12 | Smoked Almonds | 28 | 5 |
| Northern Beans | 1/4 C-Dry | 28 | Sub Roll | 6″ | 46 |
| Oyster Crackers | 24 | 10 | Taco Bell Taco Sup. | 1 | 20 |
| Veggie Straws | 30 | 12 | Taco Bell Tostada | 1 | 20 |
| MISC. – PHASE V | Amt | Carbs (gm) | MISC. – PHASE VI | Amt | Carbs (gm) |
| Bit-O-Honey | 1 Piece | 5 | Tomato Juice | 1C | 10 |
| Einstien Pump Bagel | 1 | 53 | |||
| Ice Cream | 1/2 Cup | 16 | MISC. – PHASE VII | Amt | Carbs (gm) |
| Lemon Pudding | 1/2 Cup | 24 | Brownie | 2″ Sqre. | 12 |
| Nutter Butter Wafer | 1 Patty | 4 | Chkn Noodle Soup | 1 Cup | 10 |
| OG Bread Sticks | 1 | 37 | Coconut Donut | 1 | 46 |
| OG Pasta Fagule | 1 Bowl | 21 | Crckr:Corn/Sea Salt | 10 | 6 |
| OG Salad | 1 Bowl | 12 | Crckr:White Cheddr | 1 | 1 |
| OG=OLIVE GARDEN | Pound Cake | 1 Pc. | 14 | ||
| Potato Chips | 25 | 15 | Small Sweet Pprs. | 1 | 2 |
| Pringles | 1 | 1 | Spnch Stffd Mshrm | 1 | 6 |
| Rice Cakes | 1 | 4 | Sun Flower Seeds | 1 Cup | 28 |
| SfeWay Whoopi Pies | 1 | 57 | Wise Chees Puffs | 23 | 17 |
| SfeWay Elcairs | 1 | 34 | Wise Onion Rings | 15 | 10 |
| SfeWay Cream Puffs | 1 | 16 | Wise Potato Chips | 20 | 15 |
| MISC. – PHASE VIII | Amt | Carbs (gm) | MISC. – PHASE IX | Amt | Carbs (gm) |
| Arby Classic Rst Bf | 1 | 37 | Angel Food Cake | 1/8 Cake | 25 |
| Arby French Dip | 1 Sndwch | 59 | Baby Carrots | 6 | 5 |
| Arby Mozz Sticks | 2 | 19 | Dates | 1 | 7 |
| Arby Sm Crly Fries | 1 Pkg | 21 | French Toast | 1 Slice | 15 |
| Black Beans | 1 Cup | 46 | Frzn Strawberries | 1 C | 60 |
| Choc. Chip Cookie | 1 | 9 | Honey Smck Cereal | 1 C | 24 |
| Denny’s Super Bird | 1 | 42 | Jell-O | I Cup | 10 |
| Dinner Roll | 1 Sm. | 11 | Mac & Cheese | 1 Cup | 45 |
| Jason’s Baked Chips | 1 Srvng. | 20 | Mini Tortillas | 1 | 6 |
| Jason’s Deli Club | 1 | 67 | Mstrd Prtzels | 1/3 C | 18 |
| KFC Bisquit | 1 | 22 | Oatmeal Muffin | 1 Sm. | 10 |
| KFC Cold Slaw | 1 Cup | 14 | Snow Peas | 6 | 1.5 |
| KFC Mshd Spuds | 1 Cup | 19 | Sweet & Sour Pork | 1 Cup | 25 |
| MISC. – PHASE X | Cargs (gm) | MISC. – PHASE XI | Carbs (gm) | ||
| 2% Milk | 1 Cup | 12 | Bean & Bacon Soup | 1 Can | 22 |
| Applbees Spnch Dip | 1 Cup | 74 | Brownie | 2″ Sqre | 14 |
| Apple Fritters | 1 Avg. | 49 | Choc. Milk 1% | 1 Cup | 32 |
| Apple Sauce | 1 Cup | 34 | Cocktail Peanuts | 38 | 6 |
| Boston Cream Pie | 1/8 Pie | 30 | Ice Cream Sndwch | 1 | 26 |
| Brkfst Cookies | 1 | 5 | Mini Cornbread | 1 | 15 |
| Donut Holes | 1 | 7 | Mini Poppy Seed | 1 | 12 |
| Egg Roll | 1 | 23 | Mini Wheats | 1 Cup | 45 |
| Ent. Cheese Danish | 1/9 Cake | 27 | Oatmeal Raisn Ckie | 1 | 16 |
| Entemann Crmb Cke | 1/9 Cake | 32 | PB Pretzels | 6 Pieces | 10 |
| Frosted Flakes | 1 Cup | 26 | Pita Bread | 1 Slice | 22 |
| Granola Bar | 1 Bar | 18 | Rice Krispies | 1 Cup | 22 |
| Prog. Clam Chowder | 1 Can | 40 | Sno Balls | 1 | 28 |
| Toffee Fay | 1 Piece | 5 | Triskets | 1 | 2 |
| MISC. PHASE XII | Cargs (gm) | MISC. – PHASE XIII | Carbs (gm) | ||
| Chex Mix | 1 Cup | 21 | |||
| Sugar Cookies | 1 | 16 | |||
| FOR TURKEY DAY | |||||
| Corn Chowder | 1 Cup | 16 | |||
| Dressing | 1 Cup | 15 | |||
| Pie: Apple | 1/8 Pie | 56 | |||
| Pie: Mince | 1/8 Pie | 40 | |||
| Pie: Pumpkin | 1/8 Pie | 20 | |||
| Yams w/ Marsh. | 1 Cup | 48 |