Diabetes is a common disease where it is important for you to “know your numbers.”  Most of us are familiar with the disease called Diabetes Mellitus. We may know of a loved one dealing with the disease or may be dealing with it, ourselves.  

Diabetes affects our ability to control our blood sugar and can affect every organ system, especially our heart, kidneys, and nerves.  If you suffer from diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes, it is essential for us to “know your numbers,” by which I mean to know the numbers physicians use to help track this disease.  

Here are the values every diabetic should know.

Hemoglobin A1C: This is the most commonly tracked number for a diabetic patient.  This number represents the number of red blood cells bound to sugar in the blood. It can help determine how your blood glucose has averaged over a 2-3 month time. The American Diabetes Association recommends this number be less than 7%. Average non-diabetic patients have an A1C less than 5.7%.

Blood Glucose: Blood glucose or blood sugar is the measure of sugar in the blood stream at any given moment. It is measured with a glucometer and will vary widely throughout the day. Your doctor will ask for a blood sugar reading to be taken before eating. This is called a fasting blood glucose and normal results range between 80-120.

Cholesterol and Blood Pressure: Diabetes is not just a “sugar problem.”  Blood pressure elevation (hypertension) is often seen in diabetic patients, so it is important to track cardiovascular health including your cholesterol and blood pressure.  Diabetic patients are often at increased risk for stroke and heart attack, so it is recommended that blood pressure be less than 140/90.  It is also recommended that diet and medication be used to control cholesterol; however, specific blood pressure and cholesterol goals should be discussed with your physician as these may vary depending on other health conditions.  

In addition to these numbers, persons with diabetes should also be aware of the following:

Urine Protein: Kidney failure is a concern in uncontrolled diabetes. Your doctor may ask for a urine sample periodically to track protein and other markers in your urine. The level of protein in urine can help physicians determine if your kidneys are working well.  In diabetic patients, the concern is that over time kidneys may become damaged and let too much protein leak into the urine.

Annual Circulation Check:  Diabetes is known to damage blood vessels and reduce circulation, so doctors monitor this damage with annual exams of your eyes and feet.  Diabetic patients should also inspect their feet often paying attention to any blisters, numbness or sores.

Diabetes affects every organ system. It can be controlled with medication, diet and exercise. It is important that you advocate for your own health and keep track of these few vital numbers. Know your numbers and discuss them with your primary care physician. Your health depends upon it!