Diabetes?
06-02-2008, 10:55 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2007
Posts: 27
Diabetes?
So I went to the doctors and these were my results. I have no idea what some of these are. Advice would be great. My Doctor is horrible at responding back to me and I can't seem to call him because he is always away.
HEMOGLOBIN A1C: 7.5
CREATININE: 0.8
GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE: 89-NB
CHOLESTEROL: 180
TRIGLYCERIDE: 124
HDL: 43
LDL CALCULATED: 112
CHOLESTEROL/HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN: 4.2
GLUCOSE, FASTING: 162
2nd Time
GLUCOSE, FASTING: 117
letter from the doctor...
Dear Peter,
follow up testing indicates that you have mild diabetes mellitus. Please attend our health education classes on diabetes mellitus to begin diet and exercise therapy.
^ just been busy with A&P classes and now they don't offer the "health education classes on diabetes melitus" anymore.
So my question is this...
Does this mean that I will not be able to obtain a 1st class medical?
Yeah, I am on the large side weighing apx 260lbs 6'3. Back in High School I weighed 320lbs and over the years I have lost all that with regular excersie.
This is concerning me more than ever. Is there a range that the AME has for sugar level count?
-PeterK
HEMOGLOBIN A1C: 7.5
CREATININE: 0.8
GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE: 89-NB
CHOLESTEROL: 180
TRIGLYCERIDE: 124
HDL: 43
LDL CALCULATED: 112
CHOLESTEROL/HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN: 4.2
GLUCOSE, FASTING: 162
2nd Time
GLUCOSE, FASTING: 117
letter from the doctor...
Dear Peter,
follow up testing indicates that you have mild diabetes mellitus. Please attend our health education classes on diabetes mellitus to begin diet and exercise therapy.
^ just been busy with A&P classes and now they don't offer the "health education classes on diabetes melitus" anymore.
So my question is this...
Does this mean that I will not be able to obtain a 1st class medical?
Yeah, I am on the large side weighing apx 260lbs 6'3. Back in High School I weighed 320lbs and over the years I have lost all that with regular excersie.
This is concerning me more than ever. Is there a range that the AME has for sugar level count?
-PeterK
06-03-2008, 12:10 PM
#2
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,289
You have a huge potential problem, but there is also hope.
Insulin-dependent diabetes will be disqualifying for everything but a special-issuance third class. You also want to avoid have a second, or a first-class medical with a special issuance.
I'm not up on the blood numbers (google it to see where you stand relative to normal), but it sounds like you are not insulin dependent. My dad (in his 60's) had the same problem recently and he was able to control his blood sugar and get within normal ranges through exercise, weight loss, and strict diet.
His weight is now very low (he was always a little heavy), which requires some discipline, but to me it appears that the toughest part of his regime is diet: almost zero carbs. I guess once you get used to it, it's OK.
If you want to be a professional pilot, you MUST get this under control asap. You need to find out what is considered low, normal, and high weight for your height and focus on getting into the low range.
I'm sure there is tons of good info online, and you should contact an aviation medical consultant who can advise you on exactly where you stand relative to FAA certification. There are several such services, and I can recommend one if needed. This problem is too critical to rely on well-intentioned amateur advice from the forums.
Good Luck.
Insulin-dependent diabetes will be disqualifying for everything but a special-issuance third class. You also want to avoid have a second, or a first-class medical with a special issuance.
I'm not up on the blood numbers (google it to see where you stand relative to normal), but it sounds like you are not insulin dependent. My dad (in his 60's) had the same problem recently and he was able to control his blood sugar and get within normal ranges through exercise, weight loss, and strict diet.
His weight is now very low (he was always a little heavy), which requires some discipline, but to me it appears that the toughest part of his regime is diet: almost zero carbs. I guess once you get used to it, it's OK.
If you want to be a professional pilot, you MUST get this under control asap. You need to find out what is considered low, normal, and high weight for your height and focus on getting into the low range.
I'm sure there is tons of good info online, and you should contact an aviation medical consultant who can advise you on exactly where you stand relative to FAA certification. There are several such services, and I can recommend one if needed. This problem is too critical to rely on well-intentioned amateur advice from the forums.
Good Luck.
Last edited by rickair7777; 06-04-2008 at 08:49 AM.
06-03-2008, 04:13 PM
#3
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2007
Posts: 27
I just went through HOURS of reading on this... It's weird some people say having 117 isn't bad. Some say its a bit high. And there is NO SET STANDARD... the ranges are everywhere from different sources. Anyways, your right... almost zero carbs seems like the way to go. This is going to be hard since I'm asian and its nothing but RICE in my diet. lol oh well... time to make sacrifices. They said having MILD diabetes can be curable with diet and weight loss. I spoke to a different doctor that once I loose the weight if things are down to normal again than the results were only because I am mainly fat. Thanks for the help Rick777 really appreciate it.
*edit
oh yeah... could you recommend me a aviation medical consultant please?
thnx again.
*edit
oh yeah... could you recommend me a aviation medical consultant please?
thnx again.
06-03-2008, 06:02 PM
#5
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,289
Originally Posted by PeterK
*edit
oh yeah... could you recommend me a aviation medical consultant please?
thnx again.
06-03-2008, 07:03 PM
#6
New Hire
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Posts: 1
Peter,
A normal fasting blood sugar result is lower than 100 milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). If your fasting blood sugar level is 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL, you have impaired fasting glucose — commonly known as prediabetes. A fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or higher is consistent with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes when accompanied by classic signs and symptoms of diabetes — increased thirst or hunger, frequent urination, weight loss or blurred vision.
Your levels are indicative of pre-diabetes which can be controlled with small but significant dietary changes and exercise. For my patients, I find that only a 10% weight loss will significantly impact blood glucose levels. At your current weight, your body mass index or BMI is 32 which puts you at an increased risk for diabetes and heart disease. Normal BMI is 18-25 which for your height would be 150-200 pounds. A good initial goal for you to get your blood sugars under control would be 220-230 pounds with an emphasis on healthy body composition, not just the numbers on the scale.
It is not necessary for you to go carb free- in fact, I would advise against it. For any lifestyle change to be successful it must be 2 things- sustainable and healthy for your body. Unless you are willing to live without rice for the rest of your life, Atkins will not be sustainable. And your body needs carbohydrates for energy. Glucose is the only fuel your brain will use and I really want my pilot to be well fueled!!! There are good carbs and bad carbs and knowing what those are and how to distribute them through the day is really the key to health!
I have had considerable success treating patients with diabetes and pre-diabetes. It may not be appropriate for me to post the specifics here but if you are interested in following up with me, you can contact me through my website.
Hope this is helpful.
Dr. Hamrick
A normal fasting blood sugar result is lower than 100 milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). If your fasting blood sugar level is 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL, you have impaired fasting glucose — commonly known as prediabetes. A fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or higher is consistent with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes when accompanied by classic signs and symptoms of diabetes — increased thirst or hunger, frequent urination, weight loss or blurred vision.
Your levels are indicative of pre-diabetes which can be controlled with small but significant dietary changes and exercise. For my patients, I find that only a 10% weight loss will significantly impact blood glucose levels. At your current weight, your body mass index or BMI is 32 which puts you at an increased risk for diabetes and heart disease. Normal BMI is 18-25 which for your height would be 150-200 pounds. A good initial goal for you to get your blood sugars under control would be 220-230 pounds with an emphasis on healthy body composition, not just the numbers on the scale.
It is not necessary for you to go carb free- in fact, I would advise against it. For any lifestyle change to be successful it must be 2 things- sustainable and healthy for your body. Unless you are willing to live without rice for the rest of your life, Atkins will not be sustainable. And your body needs carbohydrates for energy. Glucose is the only fuel your brain will use and I really want my pilot to be well fueled!!! There are good carbs and bad carbs and knowing what those are and how to distribute them through the day is really the key to health!
I have had considerable success treating patients with diabetes and pre-diabetes. It may not be appropriate for me to post the specifics here but if you are interested in following up with me, you can contact me through my website.
Hope this is helpful.
Dr. Hamrick
Originally Posted by PeterK
So I went to the doctors and these were my results. I have no idea what some of these are. Advice would be great. My Doctor is horrible at responding back to me and I can't seem to call him because he is always away.
HEMOGLOBIN A1C: 7.5
CREATININE: 0.8
GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE: 89-NB
CHOLESTEROL: 180
TRIGLYCERIDE: 124
HDL: 43
LDL CALCULATED: 112
CHOLESTEROL/HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN: 4.2
GLUCOSE, FASTING: 162
2nd Time
GLUCOSE, FASTING: 117
HEMOGLOBIN A1C: 7.5
CREATININE: 0.8
GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE: 89-NB
CHOLESTEROL: 180
TRIGLYCERIDE: 124
HDL: 43
LDL CALCULATED: 112
CHOLESTEROL/HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN: 4.2
GLUCOSE, FASTING: 162
2nd Time
GLUCOSE, FASTING: 117
Last edited by HSLD; 06-03-2008 at 07:50 PM.
06-03-2008, 07:05 PM
#7
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Posts: 17
Skip the next doc and spend the best money you will have earned..make an appt with a registered dietitian. Find one with a emphisis in DM. Ask your Doc for a refferal and or call a local hospital for a recommendation. You will find that with regular exersise and "smarter" choices you will more than likely see your blood sugars decline and level out. Was this your first test? Have you ever had a baseline fasting blood glucose done before? Were you true to the fast? All these and several other things can influence the answers you will get from your health care professional. Ask to have this fasting test again in a month. By the way most Doctors only have ONE class in NUTRITION. One other thing to check out-most hospitals have DM classes.
As far as your labs go- on the result sheet there should be a range listed next to each result. If not go on line and google blood test ranges. Good luck!
As far as your labs go- on the result sheet there should be a range listed next to each result. If not go on line and google blood test ranges. Good luck!
06-04-2008, 04:27 AM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: 744 CA
Posts: 4,772
Cut anything with corn syurp out of your diet.... exercise about three - four days per week and watch easy carbs.......not carb free mind you.... and you can get it undercontrol. That was probably a blood test with those types of results and your AME will use a urine test... much less accurate but you still need to be testing in the 100 level i think to have no problems. good luck.
06-04-2008, 12:17 PM
#10
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2007
Posts: 27
Originally Posted by Food Doctor
Peter,
A normal fasting blood sugar result is lower than 100 milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). If your fasting blood sugar level is 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL, you have impaired fasting glucose — commonly known as prediabetes. A fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or higher is consistent with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes when accompanied by classic signs and symptoms of diabetes — increased thirst or hunger, frequent urination, weight loss or blurred vision.
Your levels are indicative of pre-diabetes which can be controlled with small but significant dietary changes and exercise. For my patients, I find that only a 10% weight loss will significantly impact blood glucose levels. At your current weight, your body mass index or BMI is 32 which puts you at an increased risk for diabetes and heart disease. Normal BMI is 18-25 which for your height would be 150-200 pounds. A good initial goal for you to get your blood sugars under control would be 220-230 pounds with an emphasis on healthy body composition, not just the numbers on the scale.
It is not necessary for you to go carb free- in fact, I would advise against it. For any lifestyle change to be successful it must be 2 things- sustainable and healthy for your body. Unless you are willing to live without rice for the rest of your life, Atkins will not be sustainable. And your body needs carbohydrates for energy. Glucose is the only fuel your brain will use and I really want my pilot to be well fueled!!! There are good carbs and bad carbs and knowing what those are and how to distribute them through the day is really the key to health!
I have had considerable success treating patients with diabetes and pre-diabetes. It may not be appropriate for me to post the specifics here but if you are interested in following up with me, you can contact me through my website.
Hope this is helpful.
Dr. Hamrick
A normal fasting blood sugar result is lower than 100 milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). If your fasting blood sugar level is 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL, you have impaired fasting glucose — commonly known as prediabetes. A fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or higher is consistent with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes when accompanied by classic signs and symptoms of diabetes — increased thirst or hunger, frequent urination, weight loss or blurred vision.
Your levels are indicative of pre-diabetes which can be controlled with small but significant dietary changes and exercise. For my patients, I find that only a 10% weight loss will significantly impact blood glucose levels. At your current weight, your body mass index or BMI is 32 which puts you at an increased risk for diabetes and heart disease. Normal BMI is 18-25 which for your height would be 150-200 pounds. A good initial goal for you to get your blood sugars under control would be 220-230 pounds with an emphasis on healthy body composition, not just the numbers on the scale.
It is not necessary for you to go carb free- in fact, I would advise against it. For any lifestyle change to be successful it must be 2 things- sustainable and healthy for your body. Unless you are willing to live without rice for the rest of your life, Atkins will not be sustainable. And your body needs carbohydrates for energy. Glucose is the only fuel your brain will use and I really want my pilot to be well fueled!!! There are good carbs and bad carbs and knowing what those are and how to distribute them through the day is really the key to health!
I have had considerable success treating patients with diabetes and pre-diabetes. It may not be appropriate for me to post the specifics here but if you are interested in following up with me, you can contact me through my website.
Hope this is helpful.
Dr. Hamrick
Thanks you so much for being so informative. I really appreciate all the information. I'm already making changes to my diet through the glycimic index. My doctor finally contacted me and told me to watch the carbs and follow the index and I will be fine. He told me to loose the weight and we'll see if you level off and your good or not.
I've never applied for a medical yet but when I do... do I mark that I am diabetic?
Originally Posted by buffalopilot
HGBA1c 7.5 you more than likely are a diabetic. That is a number that gives an average blood sugar 24hrs a day for the last 3 months. You need a 2hr OGTT to rule out diabetes or rule in I should say.
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