Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Sugar Matters
February 8, 2011

So you think you are safe, eh? Pre-diabetes revisited…

About two weeks ago I received my copy of the American Diabetes Association’s clinical recommendations. These come out very year in January and are the benchmarks for diabetes care. They generally reflect the opinions of experts from both the American organization, and also its European counterparts as well.{{more}} Given our ongoing discussions about pre-diabetes, when I came upon a section dealing with future risks for pre-diabetics I thought certainly I had to share this with my Vincy family!

The interesting thing to me at the get-go is that we now have a range of A1cs whereby we can categorize pre-diabetes. It is no longer based only on the value of fasting or glucose-challenge blood sugar. Note that the levels I will be discussing do not apply to someone with KNOWN diabetes who then has an A1C of these values while on treatment. This is for screening (first testing) purposes only. So if you have no history of diabetes ever before, and walk into the lab to get your blood checked and they say:

“Your A1C is over 6.5%” – you have diabetes based on this level. According to the new guidelines A1C levels above 6.5% are considered diabetes range. The test should be repeated or another test be used to back it up, UNLESS you have other symptoms of high blood sugars, or the value is clearly high. An A1C right at 6.5% can be in question, but one of 7.5% is not in question – you certainly have diabetes then.

“Your A1C is 5.9%”-you would be categorized as having pre-diabetes now, based on the new criteria. Whereas five years ago, an A1C of less than 7% would have told the doc that you did not have diabetes and that was about it. Now, we actually use the A1C for stratifying risk of diabetes and levels of glucose abnormalities; it is not black and white, yes or no anymore. In the new criteria, an A1C between 5.7% – 6.5% is pre-diabetes.

“Your A1C is 5.6%, normal.”— and you think, ah, I am safe, no diabetes, no pre-diabetes even. NOT SO!!! Research is finding that abnormalities in glucose levels, even when mild and not in disease range yet, can still carry high risks for the future. Someone with an A1C between 5.5-6%, therefore including some people not even categorized as having PRE-diabetes, STILL HAS A HIGHER RISK of developing diabetes in the next 5 years-in fact it is between 5-25% increased risk, depending on which research you read.

Those with A1C ranges of 6-6.5%, that is pre-diabetes range, have a 25-50% change of developing diabetes within 5 years.

So why am I throwing all these numbers at you this week? I want to continue to remind you of two things:

1)getting screened is important. PLEASE speak to your doctor about checking for diabetes AND PRE-DIABETES so that you can address the risks with appropriate life changes and treatment as soon as possible.

2) pre-diabetes carries a high risk for developing diabetes n the near future. People just don’t often sit at pre-diabetes range-they tend to progress and worsen. And now, this new information is showing us that previously “normal” A1Cs are in fact NOT NORMAL at all.

So get on it Vincy family! Until next week, stay safe and healthy!

Anita Ramsetty, MD

Staff Endocrinologist

Roper St. Francis Hospital

anita.ramsetty@rsfh.com

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    PM Gonsalves calls for Venezuela-USA dialogue at UN General Assembly
    Press Release
    PM Gonsalves calls for Venezuela-USA dialogue at UN General Assembly
    Webmaster 
    September 27, 2025
    Nations can definitely collaborate and cooperate with the United States of America (USA) to combat drug trafficking and transnational criminal activit...
    Villager recounts rescue of boy in treacherous Sans Souci waters
    Front Page
    Villager recounts rescue of boy in treacherous Sans Souci waters
    Webmaster 
    September 26, 2025
    Last Tuesday morning, September 23, 2025, at Sans Souci, Gabriel Smart recounted to the media the harrowing experience he went through on Sunday, Sept...
    Home Care Provider pleads for more Caregivers
    Front Page
    Home Care Provider pleads for more Caregivers
    Webmaster 
    September 26, 2025
    by Jada Chambers Vasilca Carter, a carer in the Home Help for the Elderly Programme within the Ministry of National Mobilisation will like to see more...
    Sans Souci residents call for social intervention for near drowning victim, family
    Front Page
    Sans Souci residents call for social intervention for near drowning victim, family
    Webmaster 
    September 26, 2025
    While people are celebrating the successful rescue of a teenage boy from the rough waters in San Souci on Sunday, September, 21, 2025, it has been poi...
    Inmates with mental health issues grateful for new programme
    Front Page
    Inmates with mental health issues grateful for new programme
    Webmaster 
    September 26, 2025
    by Lyf Compton Several inmates at His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) with varying mental health issues say they are appreciative of a new programme spearheade...
    600 Graduate from Community College Continuing Education Programme
    Front Page
    600 Graduate from Community College Continuing Education Programme
    Webmaster 
    September 26, 2025
    The Centre for General and Continuing Education (CGCE) continues to help people up their game in various fields while providing an opportunity for int...
    News
    Librarian and Poet uses  spoken-word as a relief Valve
    News
    Librarian and Poet uses spoken-word as a relief Valve
    Webmaster 
    September 26, 2025
    Often times, people’s struggles, insecurities, physical issues and inner pain are masked by an exterior that looks strong, poised and well put togethe...
    Roadside garages, bars and food stalls posing a problem, says Transport Minister
    News
    Roadside garages, bars and food stalls posing a problem, says Transport Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 26, 2025
    Motor repair shops that are dotting the public road side spaces are now posing a serious problem, particularly to drivers on the roads of St Vincent a...
    Association urges patience and love for people living with Alzheimer’s disease
    News
    Association urges patience and love for people living with Alzheimer’s disease
    Webmaster 
    September 26, 2025
    With the goal of raising awareness and increasing public knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, the St. Vincent and the Gren...
    Canadian/Vincentian receives top Music recognition
    News
    Canadian/Vincentian receives top Music recognition
    Webmaster 
    September 26, 2025
    Zacary James, who is a part of the Melisizwe Brothers, has received the SOCAN award, a move with which he is said to be thrilled. The brother of Seth ...
    Senator Browne hails the new port as a significant milestone in infrastructural resilience
    News
    Senator Browne hails the new port as a significant milestone in infrastructural resilience
    Webmaster 
    September 23, 2025
    The official handing over of two key facilities under the Kingstown Port Modernization Project- the container freight station (CFS) warehouse, and the...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok