Dr. Ramsetty

My friends on insulin pump and her Dr. says her A1C is great, but she has lows all day at work, that we have to make her eat. How can it be considered good? Thanks laura

[Anita Ramsetty, MD]

Hi,
How low is "Low?" If your friend is having values below 70 many times and/or is feeling poorly much of the day, then her rates need to be adjusted. Ideally, individuals should not be eating to keep their sugars up(this causes weight gain). The medication should be lowered instead.
A good A1C is improtant, but it is equally important not to have dangerous low values. Please ask your friend to do two things:
1)call her doctor to have her rates adjusted soon.
2)check her blood sugars ALWAYS before she drives. If it is low, she should get out of the car and eat something. If she feels poorly while driving, she should pull over. This one piece of advice can save her life(and others too).
Thanks for writing on her behalf.