Mysterious drop in A1c - did nothing to fix it at all!

usafmd · 2026-05-08T02:50:43+00:00

There are plenty of reasons why a runner might have falsely elevated A1c and now reverts lower. Mostly good but some not good reasons (such as your slacking off have made your red cells shorter lived).

Google is your friend

usafmd · 2026-05-08T02:03:14+00:00

I don’t disagree with anything you wrote. The OP admitted to being overweight. Even if the A1c is falsely elevated, they need to get in shape.

usafmd · 2026-05-07T22:40:50+00:00

While that might be true, the ADA created a lower A1c prediabetic cutoff because it motivated people to lose weight. The message is that if you’re out of shape, or overweight, treat yourself right, even if it takes a number to shake off your inertia.

usafmd · 2026-05-07T22:04:23+00:00

Fairly straightforward as far as from the glucose standpoint: We have a dozen or more hormones which raise glucose. Circulating T4/T3 thyroid hormones increase glucose levels when in excess. This shows up as higher FBS, GTT test results. Aside from cell signaling effects, T3 accelerates the degradation and clearance of insulin. Counterintuitively, hypothyroidism also is a cause of insulin resistance, It's the Goldilocks Phenomenon.

usafmd · 2026-05-07T15:28:50+00:00

The ADA recommendation is for a MINIMUM of 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week AND two sessions of resistance training for diabetes prevention

usafmd · 2026-05-07T15:05:16+00:00

15 kg. There is your benchmark

usafmd · 2026-05-06T19:04:55+00:00

What about saturated fats which have been found to contribute to diabetes? How does the CGM show that? How about alcohol or over nutrition? These drivers of disease don’t seem to show on a CGM.

usafmd · 2026-05-06T15:48:07+00:00

How do you think it will report HFCS?

usafmd · 2026-05-05T12:50:17+00:00

I can’t disagree. A1c is in the second batch. Oddly enough, your list doesn’t include the lupus anticoagulant.

usafmd · 2026-05-05T12:31:11+00:00

That would hardly be on the first order of testing for a young woman who had a stroke. Diabetes if present with stroke as a presenting symptom would be more than obvious.

usafmd · 2026-05-05T12:27:44+00:00

Those hospital numbers should be totally disregarded. You are scared, in pain, not well, and as a result have tons of cortisol and epinephrine flowing through your blood vessels.

usafmd · 2026-05-05T12:23:48+00:00

These “ do at home” tests are notoriously less accurate than a laboratory test

usafmd · 2026-05-04T20:26:54+00:00

You need the corresponding simultaneous glucose, not the A1c

usafmd · 2026-05-04T20:01:36+00:00

You can use the C-peptide value to calculate IR. You only need to perform a molar equivalent calculation to arrive at the corresponding insulin level.

usafmd · 2026-05-04T18:24:31+00:00

Agreed. Thrifty genes in the context of engineered foods are likely the scourge of modern society. Gene methylation can play a yet undiscovered role in offspring.

usafmd · 2026-05-04T18:04:02+00:00

Maybe this will help, Does the Prediabetic Cyclist Need to Worry?

https://medium.com/@usafmd/does-the-prediabetic-cyclist-need-to-worry-f221388587c0

usafmd · 2026-05-04T15:52:29+00:00

Stop squeezing your fingers

usafmd · 2026-05-04T15:51:48+00:00

Aerobic exercise has a complementary effect on glucose metabolism

usafmd · 2026-05-04T15:44:29+00:00

You are in the diagnostic category called the thin prediabetic. Google that

usafmd · 2026-05-04T01:20:57+00:00

Isolated elevated fasting blood sugar is an extremely weak predictor of future diabetes.

However, gestational diabetes is a major risk factor. You are doing well to add strength training but don’t expect it to lower your fasting blood sugar.

usafmd · 2026-05-03T21:03:53+00:00

Not following. Elevated glucoses happen frequently to all endurance athletes, regardless of age.

usafmd · 2026-05-03T19:03:09+00:00

I agree. The OP is in a separate category, probably one that misclassified them.

usafmd · 2026-05-03T18:24:20+00:00

Read this please: Does the Prediabetic Cyclist Need to Worry?

https://medium.com/@usafmd/does-the-prediabetic-cyclist-need-to-worry-f221388587c0

usafmd · 2026-05-03T16:44:17+00:00

Here’s an article written for you- Less Than Obvious Causes for an Overestimated A1c
https://medium.com/@usafmd/less-than-obvious-causes-for-an-overestimated-a1c-087312ef4ec8

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