November 15

For November 15th I wanted to talk some about what blood tests I get done and why.

The first and most important is my Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). This test is to check my overall control of my blood sugars over the last 3 months. I have a picture of my HbA1c which is at an 8.7%. A non-diabetics will be less than around 5.7%(around 90 mg/dl average). A diabetics will be 6.5% (around 130 mg/dl average) or higher. For me, I aim to be less than 7% (around 150 mg/dl average). That means I have my diabetes fairly well controlled. There is no way I'll probably ever get to non-diabetic levels. But the lower, the better. About 3-4 years ago I was at around a 12% (around a 315 mg/dl average) when I didn't have my good insurance and when I was going through a period where I didn't care so much about my diabetes and was dealing with an issue called Diabulemia. I'll talk more about Diabulemia but it's where someone doesn't do their insulin so they can lose weight.

I have my lipids checked like my cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL (good cholesterol) and my LDLs (bad cholesterol). Being T1 with hypothyroidism and polycystic ovarian syndrome makes me at a much higher risk for high cholesterol and heart disease. My cholesterol is high and always has been which is not good since heart disease and high blood pressure run in my family and my grandpa has even had a heart attack before. One good thing is that my good cholesterol (HDL) is perfect and that's working for me to prevent heart disease. 

I need to have my thyroid checked since I have hypothyroidism (same time I was dxed with T1D). They check for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) which my levels were much too high recently and that needed a medication boost. I'm already feeling a whole lot better with that increase in medication. My Endocrinologist also checked my free T3 and free T4. These are two other tests to check thyroid function. 

I am also tested for protein in my urine which checks for kidney function. With uncontrolled diabetes, the kidneys are one of the first organs to be damaged and can lead to serious problems and even transplantation to save my life. Good news is my kidneys are doing great and there was no protein!

Those are just the usual tests I get once a year or more often if needed. I got many more tests done this time just because I am a new patient there and I just got started on a pump.
The last blood draw was 8 vials of blood!