COVID infection causing Diabetes in some
12-29-2021, 08:31 PM
#1
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Joined APC: Dec 2017
Position: Retired NJA & AA
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COVID infection causing Diabetes in some
https://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/w...eid=eefd35b761
A relationship has been found between COVID and diabetes. No definite cause of this yet but they have some theories.
If you've had COVID it might not be a bad idea to purchase an A1C test kit at your local drug store. At CVS it's $52.79. There's really no way to know if you have diabetes without a test, at least not until it's severe.
An A1C of 7.0 and above is officially the diabetic threshold. 6.5 is pre-diabetic, 6.0 and below is normal.
https://www.cvs.com/shop/cvs-health-...-prodid-496010
Also, if you have diabetes risk factors like family history, obesity, etc and have had COVID I'd strongly suggest getting the test, either from the drug store or at the Doc's office. CVS Minute Clinic can do it but it's pricey unless you file insurance.
The question I want answered is that could those found to be diabetic after COVID were already diabetic before COVID and just didn't know about it.
I've been diabetic for 17 years now and flew with it for 13 years before finally having to go on meds I can't fly with. It's not a huge deal to get waivers, plan on about 2 months off from work for the initial issuance. They even allow insulin now with Class 1 medicals but it's a lot of hoops to jump thru and takes over 6 months.
A relationship has been found between COVID and diabetes. No definite cause of this yet but they have some theories.
If you've had COVID it might not be a bad idea to purchase an A1C test kit at your local drug store. At CVS it's $52.79. There's really no way to know if you have diabetes without a test, at least not until it's severe.
An A1C of 7.0 and above is officially the diabetic threshold. 6.5 is pre-diabetic, 6.0 and below is normal.
https://www.cvs.com/shop/cvs-health-...-prodid-496010
Also, if you have diabetes risk factors like family history, obesity, etc and have had COVID I'd strongly suggest getting the test, either from the drug store or at the Doc's office. CVS Minute Clinic can do it but it's pricey unless you file insurance.
The question I want answered is that could those found to be diabetic after COVID were already diabetic before COVID and just didn't know about it.
I've been diabetic for 17 years now and flew with it for 13 years before finally having to go on meds I can't fly with. It's not a huge deal to get waivers, plan on about 2 months off from work for the initial issuance. They even allow insulin now with Class 1 medicals but it's a lot of hoops to jump thru and takes over 6 months.
12-30-2021, 08:47 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2015
Posts: 332
Originally Posted by AirBear
https://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/w...eid=eefd35b761
A relationship has been found between COVID and diabetes. No definite cause of this yet but they have some theories.
If you've had COVID it might not be a bad idea to purchase an A1C test kit at your local drug store. At CVS it's $52.79. There's really no way to know if you have diabetes without a test, at least not until it's severe.
An A1C of 7.0 and above is officially the diabetic threshold. 6.5 is pre-diabetic, 6.0 and below is normal.
https://www.cvs.com/shop/cvs-health-...-prodid-496010
Also, if you have diabetes risk factors like family history, obesity, etc and have had COVID I'd strongly suggest getting the test, either from the drug store or at the Doc's office. CVS Minute Clinic can do it but it's pricey unless you file insurance.
The question I want answered is that could those found to be diabetic after COVID were already diabetic before COVID and just didn't know about it.
I've been diabetic for 17 years now and flew with it for 13 years before finally having to go on meds I can't fly with. It's not a huge deal to get waivers, plan on about 2 months off from work for the initial issuance. They even allow insulin now with Class 1 medicals but it's a lot of hoops to jump thru and takes over 6 months.
A relationship has been found between COVID and diabetes. No definite cause of this yet but they have some theories.
If you've had COVID it might not be a bad idea to purchase an A1C test kit at your local drug store. At CVS it's $52.79. There's really no way to know if you have diabetes without a test, at least not until it's severe.
An A1C of 7.0 and above is officially the diabetic threshold. 6.5 is pre-diabetic, 6.0 and below is normal.
https://www.cvs.com/shop/cvs-health-...-prodid-496010
Also, if you have diabetes risk factors like family history, obesity, etc and have had COVID I'd strongly suggest getting the test, either from the drug store or at the Doc's office. CVS Minute Clinic can do it but it's pricey unless you file insurance.
The question I want answered is that could those found to be diabetic after COVID were already diabetic before COVID and just didn't know about it.
I've been diabetic for 17 years now and flew with it for 13 years before finally having to go on meds I can't fly with. It's not a huge deal to get waivers, plan on about 2 months off from work for the initial issuance. They even allow insulin now with Class 1 medicals but it's a lot of hoops to jump thru and takes over 6 months.
A1c above 5.6 is pre-diabetic; 6.4 is "official"
12-30-2021, 05:38 PM
#4
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Originally Posted by WhisperJet
Everything has a diabetes link these days.
A1c above 5.6 is pre-diabetic; 6.4 is "official"
A1c above 5.6 is pre-diabetic; 6.4 is "official"
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...e-Diabetes.pdf
I went to see an Ophthalmologist on an unrelated issue when my A1C was really high at 8.7. He flat told me it wasn't a matter of if I'd get Diabetic Retinopathy but when.
I could not get my A1C below 7.0 until I quit flying and went on additional meds. And it wasn't until this past August that I finally got down below the threshold at 6.4. I'm now down to 6.2, but it's taking 5 medications and walking 6.5 miles per day to do it.
01-03-2022, 04:37 AM
#5
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Joined APC: Sep 2013
Posts: 840
Dr. Jason Fung has some very good information on intermittent fasting as a means to reverse Type II diabetes and/or reduce the number of medications taken. He has a channel on youtube and many videos that can help if one has the desire to give it a try. If my memory serves me right, the FAA will allow an HbA1C of up to 8.9 with a 3 medication-approved combination. Not all medications are allowed to be taken in combination and a new chart was issued recently and available on the FAA website. Type II diabetes is going to be a big issue in this country, not just for pilots.
01-03-2022, 08:22 PM
#6
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Originally Posted by CaptYoda
Dr. Jason Fung has some very good information on intermittent fasting as a means to reverse Type II diabetes and/or reduce the number of medications taken. He has a channel on youtube and many videos that can help if one has the desire to give it a try. If my memory serves me right, the FAA will allow an HbA1C of up to 8.9 with a 3 medication-approved combination. Not all medications are allowed to be taken in combination and a new chart was issued recently and available on the FAA website. Type II diabetes is going to be a big issue in this country, not just for pilots.
Correct on the 8.9AIC and the 3 meds, but you can get a waiver for 4 meds. I know because I did. Insulin is allowed now but can be a difficult approval process. If anyone reading this may need to do that PM me and I'll let you know about a FaceBook group named "PAMSA" for insulin dependent pilots.
Here's the latest list of Diabetic Med Combinations you can be on:
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...ptablecomb.pdf
01-04-2022, 01:27 PM
#7
New Hire
Joined APC: Oct 2020
Posts: 5
DFW AME
I think the risk factor for severe Covid is insulin resistance. Look up metabolic syndrome. Alot of over 50 yo pilots have this. You must attack it with diet and exercise. Reduce your BMI to 26.
Also Most people treated for Covid receive steroids. These increase your blood sugar.
I am a senior AME with an office at KGKY ( Arlington TX). See my website at www.SambellPilotPhysical.com my cell 214 693 607five
Also Most people treated for Covid receive steroids. These increase your blood sugar.
I am a senior AME with an office at KGKY ( Arlington TX). See my website at www.SambellPilotPhysical.com my cell 214 693 607five
01-05-2022, 08:23 AM
#8
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Joined APC: Dec 2017
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Originally Posted by asambell
Also Most people treated for Covid receive steroids. These increase your blood sugar.
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