Apologies if this has been asked before, but

[#1 Jets Fan]

Can undiagnosed severe OSA cause abnormal readings in blood work, especially sugar?

In April, my GP told me that my ACI (?) was creeping up over the last year, and in April it was 7.4, which is too high.

I was diagnosed in March with severe OSA and started CPAP on May 5.

Told my GP that before he took out his prescription pad, I wanted at least 3 months on CPAP and another blood test. He claims that I am diabetic now, but I'm not so sure, as I've not had problems in the past with this.

My AHI on CPAP is now averaging 3.5 to 4.0 over 30-day periods. My blood pressure has dropped since CPAP and I was taken off 2 of my 4 medications for hypertension.

I'm super ready for my next blood test next Thursday and really hoping to see better results. Think I"ll be disappointed (and put on yet another medicine)?

Anyone had similar issues?

Thanks

[rested gal]

"Diabetes"
topic started by giantred - Jan 26, 2011
viewtopic.php?p=560403#p560403

[cflame1]

In April, my GP told me that my ACI (?) was creeping up over the last year, and in April it was 7.4, which is too high.

The term... is A1C. It's a 3 month average number.

[xenablue]

An A1C of over 6.0% is ONE of the diabetic threshholds - 6.3% is another - you are well over both of those. I believe CPAP has helped me keep my BG in better control, but I'm also an agressive low-carber and like to keep my A1C well below 6.0% anyway. CPAP has definitely made a difference to my fasting numbers, however it's taken 8 months to get there.

Cheers,
xena

[Janknitz]

Getting adequate sleep without apena will certainly help but it DOES NOT CURE DIABETES or pre-diabetes. Your body is in serious trouble, and you need to start taking control NOW.

There's a great website called "Blood Sugar 101"http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/index.php that will really help you understand what's going on with your blood sugar. And you should read the book Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. You can start with his website here: http://www.diabetes-book.com/ much of the crucial info is right there on the website.

If your doctor hasn't already suggested monitoring your blood glucose levels, you should invest in a blood glucose meter and testing strips--you don't need a prescription. Walmart has the best prices--the strips get pricey. Your doctor may not yet have you monitoring your blood glucose levels ("blood sugars"), but doing so is really going to help YOU understand what your blood sugars are at various times during the day, what makes them go up, etc. (Much like having data on our CPAP machines tell us whether it's working or not and if we need to make changes to our therapy).

You need to understand that you are SUSTAINING ORGAN DAMAGE if your blood sugars are going too high--generally above 140--you are risking blindness, amputation, heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. By learning to monitor your own levels, you can see what causes them to go up and what you can do to keep them lower. Keep working with your doctor as you may need medication to help, but changing your diet and activity level will be the most crucial component. Don't accept the American Diabetic Association's "party line" that you can eat pretty much whatever you want (including their recommendation for WAY too many carbs) and simply control diabetes with medication--people who follow that line of thinking see their disease progress.

[#1 Jets Fan]

Latest A1C is 6.8% (down from 7.4), and I have been told the original spike may have been induced by prednisone I was prescribed for very nasty head cold/infections in early January.

I will be tested again in Late September to ensure the trend downward is permanent.

AHI 30-day average is down to 2.9. Blood pressure readings in the morning average 115/73. Lost 11 pounds over last 9 weeks.

I'm feeling great and eating lower carbs--spread out throughout the day.

Thanks again for the feedback.

[Sheriff Buford]

Jets: My blood-sugar level has crept down over the past year that I was on therapy. Look forward to lower numbers. By the way... the Texans are looking forward to playing ya'll next Monday. Gonna stomp ya'....

Sheriff

[jabman]

Can undiagnosed severe OSA cause abnormal readings in blood work, especially sugar?

I Think ( and this is just my opnion) that OSA can speed up the process of getting Diabetes but does not cause it. I also think that if you are daibetic and not sleeping well it may have an affect on your BG numbers but only if you are already a diabetic.

For me I am sure I would of ended up with Diabeties eventually because it runs in my family but because of OSA I got it sooner, Of course this is only opnion and not fact.

[chunkyfrog]

Honestly, it is about time someone produced a meter
that doesn't need expensive, one-use-only test strips.
It could be fairly costly, and still save a ton of money.
Make it available to medicare and medicaid patients--
this alone would significantly lower healthcare costs.
Don't they have something similar in Britain?

[#1 Jets Fan]

Sheriff, looks like you Texans beat us fair and square on Monday night. However, everyone in my family bleeds Gang Green, so watch this space!!
Enjoy the upcoming season!
GO JETS!!

AHI numbers are consistently below 4, and other than some mask lines in my face (which I wear proudly) I feel wonderful. No more yawning while driving to work!

Wishing you all peaceful nights!

[Tip10]

Honestly, it is about time someone produced a meter
that doesn't need expensive, one-use-only test strips.
It could be fairly costly, and still save a ton of money.
Make it available to medicare and medicaid patients--
this alone would significantly lower healthcare costs.
Don't they have something similar in Britain?

There are a number of non-invasive blood glucose monitor systems in the final stages of development -- almost all of them using some form of optical spectrometry to determine blood glucose levels.

An Israeli company called OrSense either is very close to or already has brought such a beast to market.

They are coming frog... Slowly but they are coming...

[idamtnboy]

Latest A1C is 6.8% (down from 7.4), and I have been told the original spike may have been induced by prednisone I was prescribed for very nasty head cold/infections in early January.

I will be tested again in Late September to ensure the trend downward is permanent.

Steroids will raise BG levels. Unlikely the downward trend, if it really is the case, will be permanent. BG levels tend to creep up over time for all diabetics, even with treatment and diet. The creep up can be retarded though by both meds and diet. I've been on the hose for a year now. BG has still come up, and BP hasn't dropped. I'm taking meds for both. Cholesterol stays level, and is OK b/c of meds.

Sorry to not be more encouraging, but recognizing what the reality may be helps you to better deal with it.

[archangle]

Apnea screws up your body in general. I wouldn't be at all surprised at side effects like that.

However, don't count on it. Just because you have apnea doesn't mean you have other problems that have nothing at all to do with the apnea.