In the past few months, I've been concerned about the health of my islet cells. My blood sugars and insulin needs have been on the increase. Its been more and more difficult to keep my blood sugars under control. My lab results have been telling the same story. My fasting C-peptide was undetectable and my A1c had climbed to 7.3.
To give my islets a chance of detection, a post-prandial C-peptide was ordered. Its always a little higher because the islets are working harder after a meal. This test showed a C-peptide of 0.1. For comparison, my last post-prandial was 0-6. When my islets were new, it ran from 3-6.
So, this was not good news. I suppose an undetectable result would have been worse, but this is probably the lowest possible detectable amount. I had an appointment with my endo last week. He agreed that it didn't look good. But then he looked at a scatter plot of my blood sugars from the last three months. The standard deviations around the points was also given. He said that my variation looked more like that of a Type 2 diabetic than a Type 1. So, he thinks I still have some islet function. This is good news. It means that I'm still getting some help from my islets, and I'll take whatever I can get.
My A1c was 6.8 which is better too. I'm sure both of these readings were elevated due to the stress of the infections that I was dealing with.
So, I'm in a kind of limbo at the moment. I would never give up hope, but I can see and understand what is probably happening. Another chapter in my amazing islet experience.
Ironically, I feel fine now. After a very LONG chain of various health events, I seem to be through almost all of it. I still have the BK virus, but that has no symptoms. My energy level is less than it was when my islets were functioning at a higher level. I do miss that. My creatinine is down to 1.6 and I don't need to see my nephrologist for 8 months.
Senator is getting a workout alerting to my highs and lows. That part is fun and exciting. I'm very pleased with his progress and feel that he will be a help with my health. The cuteness of his alerts and the pride I take in our training of them really helps to dull the sadness of the need for his alerts.
To give my islets a chance of detection, a post-prandial C-peptide was ordered. Its always a little higher because the islets are working harder after a meal. This test showed a C-peptide of 0.1. For comparison, my last post-prandial was 0-6. When my islets were new, it ran from 3-6.
So, this was not good news. I suppose an undetectable result would have been worse, but this is probably the lowest possible detectable amount. I had an appointment with my endo last week. He agreed that it didn't look good. But then he looked at a scatter plot of my blood sugars from the last three months. The standard deviations around the points was also given. He said that my variation looked more like that of a Type 2 diabetic than a Type 1. So, he thinks I still have some islet function. This is good news. It means that I'm still getting some help from my islets, and I'll take whatever I can get.
My A1c was 6.8 which is better too. I'm sure both of these readings were elevated due to the stress of the infections that I was dealing with.
So, I'm in a kind of limbo at the moment. I would never give up hope, but I can see and understand what is probably happening. Another chapter in my amazing islet experience.
Ironically, I feel fine now. After a very LONG chain of various health events, I seem to be through almost all of it. I still have the BK virus, but that has no symptoms. My energy level is less than it was when my islets were functioning at a higher level. I do miss that. My creatinine is down to 1.6 and I don't need to see my nephrologist for 8 months.Senator is getting a workout alerting to my highs and lows. That part is fun and exciting. I'm very pleased with his progress and feel that he will be a help with my health. The cuteness of his alerts and the pride I take in our training of them really helps to dull the sadness of the need for his alerts.
3 comments:
I'm so sorry to hear that the news has been somewhat disappointing. And I think you are such a trail-blazer and admire how brave you are. Hugs to you!
Thanks Karen,
This phase of my transplant experience is a little hard at times, but well worth it for all of the positives.
Kathy,
Thanks for sharing your experience - as real and raw as it gets. I appreciate your positive attitude about all of this - even with the ups and downs. Glad you are having fun with Senator!!
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