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    • 12 hours, 1 minute ago
      Fabio Gobeth likes your comment at
      On average, how long does it take you to recover from a low glucose episode?
      Generally, it only takes about 10 minutes,, if I treat promptly. I set my CGM to alarm at 85, so I have time to treat quickly. Even if I go lower than 70, I'm able to function pretty well,
    • 13 hours ago
      Steve Rumble likes your comment at
      How often do you over-correct low glucose levels?
      Depends on how low. The lower the more likely. The response also varies. A pair of 4 gram sugar tabs can raise my Bg 60 points or none.
    • 17 hours, 21 minutes ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      How often do you over-correct low glucose levels?
      Some of the time. Usually, it occurs when I have a severe low blood glucose. Then I get that insatiable appetite. Most of the time, I do well with corrections.
    • 1 day, 2 hours ago
      Amanda Barras likes your comment at
      If insulin became available in a once-weekly formulation, how interested would you be?
      It would depend on if it was blood sugar responsive. I currently have an A1c near 6 and don’t want to give up control.
    • 1 day, 8 hours ago
      Bruce Schnitzler likes your comment at
      If insulin became available in a once-weekly formulation, how interested would you be?
      I like having control over the amount of insulin I administer according to my diet and physical activity.
    • 1 day, 12 hours ago
      Molly Jones likes your comment at
      If insulin became available in a once-weekly formulation, how interested would you be?
      I responded "Unsure" because I'd need more information about this before I would be willing to try anything...
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Mike S likes your comment at
      If insulin became available in a once-weekly formulation, how interested would you be?
      If it handled basal and bolus correctly, where my time in range was 80-90% and I only had to do one shot a week that would be amazing
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Mike S likes your comment at
      If insulin became available in a once-weekly formulation, how interested would you be?
      Would this be a basal insulin? How would meal-time insulin be administered? And how would fluctuating insulin needs (day vs night, sedentary vs active) be managed with a single dose? I have many questions that outweigh the possible convenience of a single injection (if that’s what this question is about).
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Mike S likes your comment at
      If insulin became available in a once-weekly formulation, how interested would you be?
      I responded "Unsure" because I'd need more information about this before I would be willing to try anything...
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Mike S likes your comment at
      If insulin became available in a once-weekly formulation, how interested would you be?
      I like having control over the amount of insulin I administer according to my diet and physical activity.
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Mike S likes your comment at
      If insulin became available in a once-weekly formulation, how interested would you be?
      I said moderately because being on Medicare, I’d need much more information such as how many weeks would I be able to have on hand without additional prescriptions? Would I still need some kind of preauthorization once per year that’s a hassle getting? How long would it stay good - the same amount of time? Would the pump take a week’s worth or how does that work with pump supplies?
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      eherban1 likes your comment at
      If insulin became available in a once-weekly formulation, how interested would you be?
      I'm MDI and if we're talking basal it isn't a big deal to me. Now if we're talking fast acting, that's a much different story!
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      If insulin became available in a once-weekly formulation, how interested would you be?
      Would this be a basal insulin? How would meal-time insulin be administered? And how would fluctuating insulin needs (day vs night, sedentary vs active) be managed with a single dose? I have many questions that outweigh the possible convenience of a single injection (if that’s what this question is about).
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      If insulin became available in a once-weekly formulation, how interested would you be?
      I responded "Unsure" because I'd need more information about this before I would be willing to try anything...
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      If insulin became available in a once-weekly formulation, how interested would you be?
      I like having control over the amount of insulin I administer according to my diet and physical activity.
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      If insulin became available in a once-weekly formulation, how interested would you be?
      I responded "Unsure" because I'd need more information about this before I would be willing to try anything...
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      If insulin became available in a once-weekly formulation, how interested would you be?
      I'm MDI and if we're talking basal it isn't a big deal to me. Now if we're talking fast acting, that's a much different story!
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Bonnie Lundblom likes your comment at
      If insulin became available in a once-weekly formulation, how interested would you be?
      I responded "Unsure" because I'd need more information about this before I would be willing to try anything...
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      eherban1 likes your comment at
      On average, how long does it take you to recover from a low glucose episode?
      I find I can normalize my BG in 15-30 minutes. But after ~50 years with T1D and maybe due to getting older I am fairly exhausted for hours after a hypo.
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      eherban1 likes your comment at
      On average, how long does it take you to recover from a low glucose episode?
      To feel like it hadn’t happened I need a nap.
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Derek West likes your comment at
      On average, how long does it take you to recover from a low glucose episode?
      It varies from 5 minutes to 20 minutes. The exception to this is the very occasional low that's resistant to resolving and - as Anthony said in his comment - I continue adding more glucose until I begin to feel the symptoms ebb. Once the low is gone the extra glucose will slowly but surely result in a higher-than-desired blood sugar.
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Derek West likes your comment at
      On average, how long does it take you to recover from a low glucose episode?
      I answered 15-30 minutes, but there are times, especially at night, especially when very low, that it can take 1-2 hours. That's a real pain. I just keep throwing glucose at the problem which will creat high readings later, but I have to get the glucose reading to rise and it won't. Also, my best quality decisions are not made when awoken in the middle of the night.
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Debbie Pine likes your comment at
      If insulin became available in a once-weekly formulation, how interested would you be?
      I responded "Unsure" because I'd need more information about this before I would be willing to try anything...
    • 1 day, 17 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How often do you take a “vacation” from wearable diabetes technology (insulin pump, CGM)?
      Never! I think about my blood sugar so much less with all these devices attached. And I barely notice them once they are on. It’s such a blessing that when I have to take them off that’s more of a problem/inconvenience than a vacation.
    • 1 day, 17 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How often do you take a “vacation” from wearable diabetes technology (insulin pump, CGM)?
      Never. I have severe hypoglycemic unawareness. No symptoms even at glucose levels of 40.
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    What was your A1c at the time of your T1D diagnosis?

    Home > LC Polls > What was your A1c at the time of your T1D diagnosis?
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    Have you experienced any life transitions during which it has been particularly difficult to manage T1D? Select all that apply to you.

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard has worked in the diabetes research field ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.

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    47 Comments

    1. Melinda Lipe

      Really? I don’t remember getting an A1C until many years after diagnosis.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. LizB

      I don’t know any of my numbers from my time in the hospital, probably because they meant nothing to me at the time.

      3
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Lenora Ventura

      Never heard what my A1C was but my blood sugar was 856. I can only imagine what it was…..

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Teri Morris

      They said it was around 700, which would be over 33 mmol/l….I was slipping into a coma on the way to hospital. Very painful trip!

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. ELYSSE HELLER

      A1c measurements were not around when I got diagnosed, but my BG was either 1200 or 1300.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Robert Wilson

      My Blood Sugar was 688 in the USA. My A1c wasn’t done till 3 months later.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Eva

      I don’t remember the exact number. I what I do remember is that my BG was starting to creep up as a result of pancreatic insufficiency. But my physician thought to hold off on the insulin as long as possible cause he didn’t want me to experience severe hypoglycemia.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. Robin Melen

      I was in DKA when I went to the hospital – sick as a dog! That was when I was diagnosed.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Dennis Dacey

      Seventeen years after my diagnosis I participated in the project developing the glycated hemoglobin analysis which is called HgA1c / HbA1c. My blood sugar was estimated as “just over 1700” and I was heavily into acidosis poisoning.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. JuJuB

        I was just shy of 4 years old, and my mother was told my bG was over 1600. I always say, “with the testing methods available at the time”, which was in 1970. I don’t know what those methods were, or if the same blood sample would measure differently today, but I have always found that number difficult to fathom.

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Grey Gray

      Amazing how much Diabetes management has changed. When 1st diagnosed I was peeing on glucose/ketone strips. Now your asking me about a test I find antiquated and less than usefull…. Time in range is my standard now.

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. AimmcG

      I don’t know what my A1C was but the doctor was shocked that I could even walk because my sugar was @800

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. KCR

        Same here!

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Philip Bunsick

      Interesting that the questions is really not what is done clinically. As most are saying no A1c, just a quick finger test showing 1500+. The diagnosis was not too difficult after that.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Amanda Barras

        Mine was a urine test in office that was positive for ketones and off to the hospital I went to be admitted for a week. I’m sure they ran more specific labs there, but I was barely 4 years old so I don’t remember specifics.

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Patricia Kilwein

      I just remember a couple of lows (30). Pretty scary. Dr ordered a blood that had to be sent to COLORADO. Took 2 weeks for results, they came back with positive markers for T1D.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Patricia Kilwein

        Blood test.

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
      2. Jneticdiabetic

        Hi Patricia. I also had a history of low blood sugars before my T1D diagnosis (about 6 years pre-diagnosis in my case). Have wondered if that was an early sign of beta cell dysfunction.

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. Amanda Barras

      I do not know.
      I had just barely turned 4 years old at dx.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Joan Benedetto

      10.4 with BG of 454. He was 18 mos old.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Jim Andrews

      The A1C test didn’t exist when I was diagnosed 56 years ago.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Jeanne McMillan-Olson

      There was no A1c in 1955 when I was 9 yrs old. Myblood sugar was in the 400s. I was getting very drowsy when finally admitted to the Virginia Mason hospital. My current endo was involved in the research for the A1c. He now uses time in range. It is Medicare that requires an A1c every 3 months!

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Jen Farley

      I do not know. I do know he did a test that came back with an over 600 for a reading of that moment. Close to a finger poke test now, but too way longer. I remember I had just gotten paid for a babysitting job and had bought candy I could never eat and was promised a cheeseburger and milkshake for going to the doctor. I was 13 yo and weighed 70lbs and glad now that nightmare ended before my death. So, test used, unknown, results, priceless!

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. BARRY HUNSINGER

      I don’t know the mmo/ml, I do know it was 550 gasting at 8 in the morning.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Randy Reed

      I was 20years into diabetes when A1C came uot

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. gary rind

      mine was 12.4. three months later, got it down to 7.0 so no pump for me!

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. Virginia Barndollar

      1965 No A1c’s

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    23. Kevin McCue

      In 1992 at time of diagnosis I only remember the sugar numbers not the long term hba1c and don’t believe it was measured

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    24. Trina Blake

      I don’t know, I was found in a DKA coma (not that I knew that at the time) by a nosy (thankfully, this time) neighbor who had a key to my house. She thought it best to call my day job to let them know I wasn’t coming in to work that day. Thank goodness my day job was with a large city Fire Dept. The dispatched EMS from HQ. Those guys saved my life.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Trina Blake

        AS a humorous side note, I had been feeling awful that weekend, decided to wear pj’s and go to bed. Thank goodness – the first responders were my co-workers. And in spite of the fact that in that job they see all sorts of people in all sorts of undress – these were my colleagues!!!!

        4
        3 years ago Log in to Reply
      2. AnitaS

        My cousin who was a type-1 (besides me), had EMS at her home often and because she would sweat when having a severe low, she would usually undress herself before becoming unconscious. One day when she was out and about, a paramedic greeted her and said “Joan, it is nice to see you with your clothes on!” 🙂

        1
        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    25. Janis Senungetuk

      The test didn’t exist when I was diagnosed in 1955.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    26. Steve Rumble

      I do not believe A1C measurements were available when I was diagnosed in 1970

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    27. Marty

      I only remember that my diabetic friend who diagnosed me with his own BG meter was shocked and felt he needed to get me to the clinic ASAP. I didn’t really pay attention to any lab results, which didn’t mean anything to me at the time. I continued to believe it was all a big mistake and I’d get over it soon on my own. I firmly embraced denial until they put me in a room to learn how to do insulin injections about a week later.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    28. T1D4LongTime

      LOL! 1966 had no A1C, current sugars were thought to be known with testing urine. So inaccurate!

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    29. KarenM6

      A1c was still about 5 years away from becoming a tool.
      I don’t know my BS# either. I was 5 and I don’t think anyone thought I needed to know. *shrugs

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    30. Chris Albright

      Too many years ago to recall……..

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    31. Pauline M Reynolds

      At time of diagnosis, my fasting BG was 229.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Pauline M Reynolds

        Oh, and I went to the doctor because I thought I was having a nervous breakdown!

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    32. Kris Sykes-David

      I said I don’t know, actually, I don’t remember! Maybe in the sevens? Or nines.? I wasn’t in DKA, had a long LADA honeymoon, and caught it early.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    33. Thomas Cline

      I went to the doctor (GP) only because of severe leg cramps that actually caused me to collapse on the street while walking with some friends. I was oblivious to the fact that I had all the standard symptoms of Type 1 diabetes except for being 56 years old — in fact I had been delighted with the effortless weight loss! First thing she did was measure my blood sugar, but she had to look up what a reading of “high” meant on the meter (= >500 mg/dl). Then and there she (mis)diagnosed me as Type II simply because of my age. A few weeks later I saw my first endocrinologist who took one look at me and said I was likely Type 1 (he ordered an antibody test that cliched the diagnosis). I don’t know why as late as 2002 a young, smart doctor would not know that adults can get Type I. I hope medical education has caught up with reality since then.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    34. Molly Jones

      I don’t remember what my A1C or BG was.
      All the comments sparked my interest in the history of HbA1c
      I saw an article on pubmed.gov stating: “Using the HbA1c as a biomarker for monitoring the levels of glucose among diabetic patients was first proposed by Koenig et al.7 in 1976.”
      Due to all the tested dogs and patients before the discovery of insulin having sweet urine, I assumed it was earlier.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    35. RegMunro

      My bg after the glucose tolerance test was about 660 so that was that. I doubt AIC had been implemented here in South Africa back in 1966

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    36. John Henninger

      I do not remember an A1C but my blood sugar was 640 with classic urination and water drinking issues. Added to it was Keto issues. The doctor told me about diabetes, and I said ok, fine and got up to go home. He stopped me and said, “I am admitting you to the hospital now” and they took me upstairs to my hospital bed. A vivid memory from many years ago.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    37. sweet charlie

      that test did not exist 70 years ago.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    38. Becky Hertz

      I was diagnosed in 1974. I don’t remember hearing about an A1c. Were they done then?

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    39. Andrea Hultman

      We didn’t check my A1c to diagnose; we checked postprandial blood glucose. Had to hold up the reagent test strip to the color code on the Chemstrips container. Anybody else remember those old days? (1980s.) BG was around 240. Pretty obvious I had T1D.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply

    What was your A1c at the time of your T1D diagnosis? Cancel reply

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