RJM62
Touchdown! Greaser!
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2007
- Messages
- 13,157
- Location
- Upstate New York
- Display Name
Display name:
Geek on the Hill
I have a family history of Type 2 diabetes (mother and several aunts and uncles).
Over the past few years, my own blood sugar and A1C levels have begun to rise into levels suggesting early diabetes. My A1C level six months ago was 7, but dropped to 5 more recently after some dietary modifications. My FBS had been around 115, but now is usually around 90 - 95. Postprandial used to be around 180, but now is usually in the 120 - 140 range. I've never had a urinalysis come up positive for glucose.
Basically, the changes I made have been to space my meals out better (I was notorious for skipping breakfast, and sometimes lunch), and to avoid refined sugars, starchy foods, white bread and other refined grains, and most alcoholic beverages. (The exception is red wine, which actually seems to help stabilize my blood sugar when I have it with a meal; so I have a single glass with dinner most evenings.)
I had been checking my glucose levels daily, but now that they seem to have settled back into normal range, my doc suggested I check only weekly.
My question is basically about the significance of the numbers as they relate to flying. I fly SP and my doc has no issue with it, as everything seems to be under control.
But I've never had any noticeable symptoms when my numbers were high. The pre-diabetes was picked up on my DOT physical; but my doc considered the levels low enough that he signed me off pending dietary changes and follow up. But my point is that I can't trust a suggestive "how do I feel" because I didn't feel any different when the numbers were high.
So basically, what I'm asking is should I check my blood sugar before I fly, and are there some numbers above or below which I shouldn't fly, regardless of how I feel? Or should I just continue the weekly testing and the quarterly A1Cs and not worry about it as long as my levels are where they should be?
I probably should mention that I had pancreatitis due to a longstanding gall bladder problem a few years ago before I had my gall bladder removed. My gastroenterologist told me the pancreas can take years to heal. I don't know if this has any bearing here, but I guess I should mention it.
Thanks,
Rich
Over the past few years, my own blood sugar and A1C levels have begun to rise into levels suggesting early diabetes. My A1C level six months ago was 7, but dropped to 5 more recently after some dietary modifications. My FBS had been around 115, but now is usually around 90 - 95. Postprandial used to be around 180, but now is usually in the 120 - 140 range. I've never had a urinalysis come up positive for glucose.
Basically, the changes I made have been to space my meals out better (I was notorious for skipping breakfast, and sometimes lunch), and to avoid refined sugars, starchy foods, white bread and other refined grains, and most alcoholic beverages. (The exception is red wine, which actually seems to help stabilize my blood sugar when I have it with a meal; so I have a single glass with dinner most evenings.)
I had been checking my glucose levels daily, but now that they seem to have settled back into normal range, my doc suggested I check only weekly.
My question is basically about the significance of the numbers as they relate to flying. I fly SP and my doc has no issue with it, as everything seems to be under control.
But I've never had any noticeable symptoms when my numbers were high. The pre-diabetes was picked up on my DOT physical; but my doc considered the levels low enough that he signed me off pending dietary changes and follow up. But my point is that I can't trust a suggestive "how do I feel" because I didn't feel any different when the numbers were high.
So basically, what I'm asking is should I check my blood sugar before I fly, and are there some numbers above or below which I shouldn't fly, regardless of how I feel? Or should I just continue the weekly testing and the quarterly A1Cs and not worry about it as long as my levels are where they should be?
I probably should mention that I had pancreatitis due to a longstanding gall bladder problem a few years ago before I had my gall bladder removed. My gastroenterologist told me the pancreas can take years to heal. I don't know if this has any bearing here, but I guess I should mention it.
Thanks,
Rich
