Aa
victoza concerns
i have been doing a good job keeping my diabetes under control. But my last A1C jumped from 6.1 to 6.6. My doctor has put me on victoza, but after using it for a month i have read about some serious side effect issues. While i have yet to experience any myself, i am wondering if it is worth taking along with my metformin and lantus when i am already under 7.0
COMMUNITY LEADER
If you are not experiencing any side effects and it is bringing down your blood sugar continue with it.
A A1C of 6.6 is too high. An A1C of 7 is way too high. THere are serious complications to high blood sugars (Note that truely normal A1C would be < 5.0), and it is correct to agressively manage blood sugars to keep them as close to normal as possible.
You can also focus on lifestyle measures like regular (daily) aerobic exercise at least 30 minutes every day, eating lower carb, and making sure your weight is normal to help keep your blood sugars down.
A A1C of 6.6 is too high. An A1C of 7 is way too high. THere are serious complications to high blood sugars (Note that truely normal A1C would be < 5.0), and it is correct to agressively manage blood sugars to keep them as close to normal as possible.
You can also focus on lifestyle measures like regular (daily) aerobic exercise at least 30 minutes every day, eating lower carb, and making sure your weight is normal to help keep your blood sugars down.
In addition, your daily glucose average based upon A1c
6.0 = 126 mg/dl
6.6 = 143 mg/dl
This says you are not doing a good job of keeping your diabetes under control. As sally stated, focus on lifestyle changes.
6.0 = 126 mg/dl
6.6 = 143 mg/dl
This says you are not doing a good job of keeping your diabetes under control. As sally stated, focus on lifestyle changes.
According to my last AIC lab report, (Feb. 22, 2011) the reference range reads as follows: (These are the ranges used in the United States. Other country's may be different)
Hemoglobin AIC
Note: New Reference Range as of 4/2/2007
Non-Diabetic level <6%
Goal for Diabetic Patient 8%
I agree with both of you ladies. I think 6.0 is TOO HIGH. But notice that the A.D.A. does recommend less than 6%. I believe ideal is 5.0 - 5.5% That shows great control.
Scared506- How much Lantus are you on daily? I believe it would be safer to raise your Lantus a bit, rather than add another drug, that does report serious side effects. Being on Metformin AND Lantus (at the proper levels for you) should show you the levels that you want to see.
I am on 2,000 mgs. of Metformin a day and 20 units of Lantus once a day. My A1C levels have dropped from 10.2% (estimated average glucose of 246) down to 7%. Proper diet and exercise is just as important as your medications. It's also important to keep your weight down, as that seems to be a huge key when controlling Type II diabetes.
We are not preaching at you dearheart, we just want to help, as we all understand what you are going through. Sometimes it's difficult to get your glucose levels at just the right place. I wish you well.
Heather
from the MS Forum
Hemoglobin AIC
Note: New Reference Range as of 4/2/2007
Non-Diabetic level <6%
Goal for Diabetic Patient 8%
I agree with both of you ladies. I think 6.0 is TOO HIGH. But notice that the A.D.A. does recommend less than 6%. I believe ideal is 5.0 - 5.5% That shows great control.
Scared506- How much Lantus are you on daily? I believe it would be safer to raise your Lantus a bit, rather than add another drug, that does report serious side effects. Being on Metformin AND Lantus (at the proper levels for you) should show you the levels that you want to see.
I am on 2,000 mgs. of Metformin a day and 20 units of Lantus once a day. My A1C levels have dropped from 10.2% (estimated average glucose of 246) down to 7%. Proper diet and exercise is just as important as your medications. It's also important to keep your weight down, as that seems to be a huge key when controlling Type II diabetes.
We are not preaching at you dearheart, we just want to help, as we all understand what you are going through. Sometimes it's difficult to get your glucose levels at just the right place. I wish you well.
Heather
from the MS Forum
That range levels SHOULD READ:
Non-Diabetic <6%
Goal for Diabetic patient 8%
Don't know what happened to my original info, when I pused send.
Non-Diabetic <6%
Goal for Diabetic patient 8%
Don't know what happened to my original info, when I pused send.
still not coming out right, don't know if MedHelp is blocking it for some reason. Goal for diabetic patient less than 7percent NOT 8 percent as it reads. Therapeutic action suggested at anything greater than 8 percent.
Hope this all prints out right this time. What's wrong with Medhelp today?
Hope this all prints out right this time. What's wrong with Medhelp today?
This is one reason we have been asking Medhelp for us to be able to make corrections to our posts, after they have posted.
Heather - I have to disagree with your post, the levels you posted are HIGH and not normal. You posted
Non-Diabetic level <6%
Goal for Diabetic Patient 7%:
Therapeutic action 8%
What this equates to is:
6% = 126 mg/dl
7% = 154.2 mg/dl
8% = 182.9 mg/dl [waiting to treat is highly questionable]
The goal is <5% [96.8 mg/dl] as 5.1% = 99.67 mg/dl, a tad over max normal. My HMO and several major hospitals I deal with target an A1c of 182.9 mg/dl to treat [therapeutic action] is very unhealthy.
Forget what the ADA says is "normal". Although the ADA provides very useful information one thing it fails on is glucose levels. Why? It is simple, the ADA web site is sponsored by major drug companies. I call it the wolf watching the sheep pen. Calling higher levels normal makes one depend on more medication, not less. The more you need the more you buy, the more profits drug companies make.
Non-Diabetic level <6%
Goal for Diabetic Patient 7%:
Therapeutic action 8%
What this equates to is:
6% = 126 mg/dl
7% = 154.2 mg/dl
8% = 182.9 mg/dl [waiting to treat is highly questionable]
The goal is <5% [96.8 mg/dl] as 5.1% = 99.67 mg/dl, a tad over max normal. My HMO and several major hospitals I deal with target an A1c of 182.9 mg/dl to treat [therapeutic action] is very unhealthy.
Forget what the ADA says is "normal". Although the ADA provides very useful information one thing it fails on is glucose levels. Why? It is simple, the ADA web site is sponsored by major drug companies. I call it the wolf watching the sheep pen. Calling higher levels normal makes one depend on more medication, not less. The more you need the more you buy, the more profits drug companies make.
Strange omission in my last post as it was proofed before I clicked the Post Comment button. The censor wagon is in need of a fix.
"My HMO and several major hospitals I deal with target an A1c of 182.9 mg/dl to treat [therapeutic action] is very unhealthy."
This should have read "My HMO and several major hospitals I deal with target an A1c of <6% [less than six percent] for diabetics. Targeting <7% [seven percent] is unhealthy. Targeting an A1c of 8% [eight percent ] or 182.9 mg/dl to treat [therapeutic action] is very unhealthy."
"My HMO and several major hospitals I deal with target an A1c of 182.9 mg/dl to treat [therapeutic action] is very unhealthy."
This should have read "My HMO and several major hospitals I deal with target an A1c of <6% [less than six percent] for diabetics. Targeting <7% [seven percent] is unhealthy. Targeting an A1c of 8% [eight percent ] or 182.9 mg/dl to treat [therapeutic action] is very unhealthy."
I took these ranges directly off the lab report that I received in February. These are American Diabetes Association guidlines.
After re-reading your post, it makes TOTAL sense to me, that the ADA guidlines are too high. I am having a good day, because my fasting blood sugars were down to 126 this morning. First time in a long time. I am getting there, but working more towards 70-80.
Yeah, it's a shame an organization like the ADA bends blood glucose ranges higher in order to satisfy its sponsorship money. There is an old saying I believe in, "If doesn't make sense, it ain't true".
On your fasting level, try testing before bedtime then compare against your morning fasting level. If you're higher in the morning your liver may be in overtime releasing stored glucose. You might try not eating simple carbs, or lower your carb intake at dinner to see if it helps.
On your fasting level, try testing before bedtime then compare against your morning fasting level. If you're higher in the morning your liver may be in overtime releasing stored glucose. You might try not eating simple carbs, or lower your carb intake at dinner to see if it helps.
I have been fighting off and on with diabetes since I was forty, so that's 17 years now.
I was totally able to get off oral medication and insulin, when I lost all that weight, 5 years ago. I felt so good. As I gained back 25 pounds, the blood glucose started creeping up again and has finally led me back to insulin. I've gone off of it before and I hope to get to a place in my life again, where I no longer need medication. Weight seems to play a huge role in the control of my diabetes.
My doctor thinks that my pancreas may be finally "pooping out" on me. Hope that's not the case.
Thanks again for your responses.
Heather
I was totally able to get off oral medication and insulin, when I lost all that weight, 5 years ago. I felt so good. As I gained back 25 pounds, the blood glucose started creeping up again and has finally led me back to insulin. I've gone off of it before and I hope to get to a place in my life again, where I no longer need medication. Weight seems to play a huge role in the control of my diabetes.
My doctor thinks that my pancreas may be finally "pooping out" on me. Hope that's not the case.
Thanks again for your responses.
Heather
"My doctor thinks that my pancreas may be finally "pooping out" on me. Hope that's not the case."
I hope his/her assumption is based upon your pancreas lab results. If not, there is an insulin test called C-peptide which measure the amount of insulin produced in the pancreas. Always ask for a copy of your lab results so you can see for yourself where you stand.
I hope his/her assumption is based upon your pancreas lab results. If not, there is an insulin test called C-peptide which measure the amount of insulin produced in the pancreas. Always ask for a copy of your lab results so you can see for yourself where you stand.
i should have mentioned getting them under control. while still high, i was at 10.8 when i was diagnosed a year ago. i had origionally dropped 20 lbs, but put 10 back on while being out of work. I do construction so when i am not working i am not nearly as active. my doctor was more focused on the wieght loss side effect of victoza more than my blood sugar.
Hey, the discussion of Victoza got lost here somewhere. Why do you all advocate taking insulin with type II diabetes and an A1C of 6-7? I have artery disease, as do many diabetics whether they know it or not, and high insulin levels in the blood seems directly related to artery disease. Adding insulin when your insulin levels are NOT too low, or are already high because your body is trying to do something about all the sugar, makes no sense! I found out I had diabetes when I had a 99% blockage in my LAD artery and had a stent implanted! I am lucky I had symptoms, many just fall over dead. At that time, my A1C was 14!
Everyone with diabetes should be having the C-peptide test as part of their routine bloodwork, I always make sure it is done, and I ALWAYS get a copy of my bloodwork for my files. As long as my insulin levels are normal (to high-normal), I most certainly do NOT want to add more insulin into my body! Having an alternative like Victoza is great! Beats having a heart attack! I have not been managing my blood sugar well either for the last year (mainly because I have not been working out like I was, due to a new job that has made it difficult) and it has crept back up into the 250-300 range with taking 2000mg metformin. After two weeks of Victoza, my sugars have dropped 150 points, with no exercise. Last night I saw 113 on my meter, a sight not seen in ages! However, the side affects are really beating me up. I have had constant nausea, dizziness, a generally flu-like feeling all day, and even a low-grade fever at night! But they tell me this will subside soon, and the 150 points I think is worth it, oh and also the 8 lbs I have lost already. AND not having to take insulin which could be hard on my heart, instead to replace a hormone that is found to be lacking in diabetics...that's a no-brainer for me. I started at .6 and am at the 1.2 dosage now. My doctor does not plan to raise the dosage higher, he thinks that will be enough, and it seems he will be right. Later perhaps, it may need to be raised, but then there will be room to do it.
They say it has caused thyroid cancer in mice and rats, but not yet in humans. Perhaps it is too soon for some to take a chance on this drug, but not for me. I am 50 and so am more concerned about a sudden heart episode, really. My own common sense says that introducing a human hormone into the bodies of mice and rats would cause their hormonal glands to freak out, and perhaps produce cancerous cells. The question is, will these modified human hormones do the same to human hormonal glands? So far they have not, and now I guess I am part of the next long-term experiment. I researched, I educated myself, I looked at my situation, and I decided to try it. My doctor recommended it, but that is all. I am the one who made the decision. We could have added more Metformin, and Actos, and then perhaps resorted finally to insulin, or, we could try this. Time will tell if we made the right decision, but my sugar levels are saying, for now at least, that we made the right one. What I would like to learn here is if there have been any serious side affects (besides pancreatitis which I already know about) in people since the studies were documented in the med insert.
Everyone with diabetes should be having the C-peptide test as part of their routine bloodwork, I always make sure it is done, and I ALWAYS get a copy of my bloodwork for my files. As long as my insulin levels are normal (to high-normal), I most certainly do NOT want to add more insulin into my body! Having an alternative like Victoza is great! Beats having a heart attack! I have not been managing my blood sugar well either for the last year (mainly because I have not been working out like I was, due to a new job that has made it difficult) and it has crept back up into the 250-300 range with taking 2000mg metformin. After two weeks of Victoza, my sugars have dropped 150 points, with no exercise. Last night I saw 113 on my meter, a sight not seen in ages! However, the side affects are really beating me up. I have had constant nausea, dizziness, a generally flu-like feeling all day, and even a low-grade fever at night! But they tell me this will subside soon, and the 150 points I think is worth it, oh and also the 8 lbs I have lost already. AND not having to take insulin which could be hard on my heart, instead to replace a hormone that is found to be lacking in diabetics...that's a no-brainer for me. I started at .6 and am at the 1.2 dosage now. My doctor does not plan to raise the dosage higher, he thinks that will be enough, and it seems he will be right. Later perhaps, it may need to be raised, but then there will be room to do it.
They say it has caused thyroid cancer in mice and rats, but not yet in humans. Perhaps it is too soon for some to take a chance on this drug, but not for me. I am 50 and so am more concerned about a sudden heart episode, really. My own common sense says that introducing a human hormone into the bodies of mice and rats would cause their hormonal glands to freak out, and perhaps produce cancerous cells. The question is, will these modified human hormones do the same to human hormonal glands? So far they have not, and now I guess I am part of the next long-term experiment. I researched, I educated myself, I looked at my situation, and I decided to try it. My doctor recommended it, but that is all. I am the one who made the decision. We could have added more Metformin, and Actos, and then perhaps resorted finally to insulin, or, we could try this. Time will tell if we made the right decision, but my sugar levels are saying, for now at least, that we made the right one. What I would like to learn here is if there have been any serious side affects (besides pancreatitis which I already know about) in people since the studies were documented in the med insert.
I very much agree with you about using an alternative to insulin. I just started Vicotza about 2 weeks ago. I am now on the mid-range dosage of 1.2 mg/day. My side effects have not been debilitating as of yet. I think many things with any disease end up being trade-offs. Do I want to develop CAD vs thyroid disease? and so on. (It's important to note that drug companies have to report all side effects even if there was only a tiny portion of the test population that experienced them). I am very pleased with my BG levels which have decreased AT LEAST 130 points since starting this medication. Thanks for your good comment!!
PS: I felt HORRIBLE when I was on ACTOS. Huge rapid weight gain and felt like I had the flu and was exhausted for about a year till I finally took myself off the med. Research validated that I was experiencing several of the side effects of that medication. My doctor told me that just about all of the patients she put on Actos experienced very negative effects. (of course my question was - WHY would you continue to prescribe)? Could be a combo of things going on with the meds!
Hi. I just started victoza a little over a week ago and increased my dose to the 1.2 range this morning. I have been experiencing the nausea, vomiting, and just not feeling well in general, but I keep telling myself this will pass. I agree with you that this is such a new medication and that all of the side effects experienced during the FDA trials have to be reported no matter how many people experienced them. I know this because I happen to be a clinical trial nurse coordinator and it is my job to report those side effects.
Since starting the victoza I also have seen a drop in my blood sugars. Before that I was on FOUR different medications and still experiencing fasting blood sugars of over 250, you can imagine what an after meal blood sugar would be. I did not want to return to being on injectable insulins again because they caused weight gain and that just compounded my other health issues (I also have rheumatoid arthritis). As long as I can continue to work and do the thintgs enjoy I know that the side effects of the victoza will eventually go away. The benefits out weigh the side effects any day!
Since starting the victoza I also have seen a drop in my blood sugars. Before that I was on FOUR different medications and still experiencing fasting blood sugars of over 250, you can imagine what an after meal blood sugar would be. I did not want to return to being on injectable insulins again because they caused weight gain and that just compounded my other health issues (I also have rheumatoid arthritis). As long as I can continue to work and do the thintgs enjoy I know that the side effects of the victoza will eventually go away. The benefits out weigh the side effects any day!
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