My Mom’s cardiologist told her, “we don’t do that test for people your age.” (HbA1C) She was 73 at the time! Makes my blood boil!! She is also a breast cancer and triple bypass surgery survivor.
Family member survived heart surgery when just few days before doctors were not diagnosing anything and not ordering the key bloodwork until years of several "mini" heart attacks - all until the days before the heart surgery, when suddenly they ordered HA1C and CT Scan... For 5 years of chest pain and stress and no key tests were done (by multiple doctors and even at work wellness center "free" bloodwork drives for Employees Wellness - all used so Employer can see who is at high risk and Employee would be blissfully unaware... They REFUSE TO ORDER THESE TESTS BASED ON MEDICARE AND MEDICAID INSURANCE NOT PAYING FOR TREATING OBESETY, HEART DESEASE, PRE-DIABETES until one has established the Desease by Having a Heart Attack, Heart Surgery, had Diabetes and OBESETY symptoms constantly for Several Years until it's irreversible and untreatable. One would educate themselves and ask their Doctors to Order Key Tests and offer to Pay for them yourself or Prove they have underlying condition symptoms for months (diligently describing them and writing them down in a diary like fashion) - i.e. go to the Doctors for wealthier people who doesn't take your MEDICARE and Medicaid Insurance and take Fee for treatment... Or go to Specialist such as Cardiologist and Endocrinologist or both and get these Advanced Tests ordered by again first helping the doctor to prove to insurance that these tests are needed for you.
1000000000% - NO doctor, EVER in 70 years explained blood sugar/glucose even a 1/4 this thoroughly. I feel like I should send Dr. Boz a co-pay for this video!
An even better test for patients, BEFORE they are diabetic or PRE diabetic, is their resting Insulin level or HOMA-IR. Your resting insulin will start going up way before you see any changes in your A1C. Had to argue with my doctor tho, but he finally relented and checked it, and sure enough it was very high, but my A1C was in the "Normal" range which showed that I was on my way to being diabetic.
Just from watching your videos and reading your books, I knew that I was at least pre-diabetic (certainly insulin resistant) and possibly crossing the threshold into type-2. Bought a glucose meter and my first morning glucose = 125. So, I started the keto diet and ordered one of the a1c tests. Had only been on keto for 1-week when I took the test so I knew the result wouldn't be very skewed from true. Just got my result = 5.8. Thankfully not in the type-2 range, but clear to me that I must, must, must keep going with keto and get that number down out of the pre-diabetic range. I'm so glad I didn't have to have that "discussion" with my doctor yet...I will have that discussion, just after I get my number down and shed some pounds.
Also, if you're middle age or older, or have had a high A1c get your coronary artery calcium scan and carotid intimal media thickness tested, to find out if you're seriously at immediate risk of heart attack or stroke. You can get these tests every two or three years if you're found not to be at immediate risk.
@@teribunker5223 Well, 38 isn't the end of the world. What you want to do is take it again next year and see if / how much it's progressed. Don't expect it to go down or anything. If you keep it stable, you're having a profound effect and drastically reducing your risk.
@@teribunker5223 So the thing to do is keep getting it checked and keep your A1c down. I was diagnosed diabetic four years ago, and I've been keto ever since. A low carb lifestyle should help, and tracking your A1c and your CAC should verify that you're doing a good job.
Thank you for this message. Lot of valuable information in a short period of time. Hopefully this will help others understand the impact blood suger levels have on our health.
There is also an A1C home meter that I've tried and it matched the lab test within a .1 deviation. It's about $40 for two tests or $60 for 4 tests. The negative aspect is the test needs about 1ml of blood drawn into a capillary tube so it is like using the first generation glucose meters from 30 or 40 years ago. Basically you need the fat drop of blood which requires the more beefy spring loaded lancet that is included. On the positive side, you will have the result in 5 minutes. It's called A1CNOW.
@@paulseverson2307 No the meter gives you a digital answer in your house similar to a glucose meter. . It comes with a meter keyed only to the tests included. Once you use up all the tests you through the meter away. There are two versions available. A1CNOW which is carried by Amazon and ReliOn A1C test carried by Walmart which is actually a rebranded A1CNOW. As for your second question, I do not know how much her A1C test is. I've only used Dr. Boz's Vitamin D test which was $99 for two tests.
@@paulseverson2307 No I don't know how much she charges for her A1C test. I have only used Dr. Boz's Vitamin D test. Those were 2 for $99 and they had to be mailed in.
An even cheaper option is to order an AICNow test kit. (Amazon, etc.) 4 tests runs $65, say $80 with tax and shipping, worst case. You get the result in a few minutes. A couple of times I have tested the same day I had a blood draw for a lab test. Same result +/- 0.1%.
The simple truth is that most people who want to get a CGM but cannot get a prescription for one simply cannot afford its cost. After nearly 3 years keto with ever cheating my fasting morning glucose is still nearly always over 100. After eating it might only rise to 130 but might take the better part of a day to get below 100. I could keep it under 100 if I only ate sardines all the time but that would be a pretty cheerless diet.
@@paulseverson2307 No, because as a 71 year old I need to eat as much as I do to hit my protein target. I walk 4 miles every day and do resistance weight training every other day so I'm getting enough exercise. Eating the carnivore diet now my carb levels are very, very low. I no longer test my glucose levels because I obsess about it when it's really just fine.
Glycated hemoglobin doesn't effect oxygen transport capacity. A1c is basically just an indicator of the overall glucose toxicity on the whole body. RBC are fine even at 12-14% A1c ratio. Damage points are rather the small arteries, endothelial cells, neurons.
You're right, or at least mostly right. I've read that there's a slight shift in the oxygen binding curve of glycated hemoglobin, but it's no where near as consequential as Dr. Boz makes it out to be. Organs aren't starved of oxygen because of diminished oxygen carrying capacity of RBCs. As you said, it's because of the impaired function of the endothelium and the small vessels. I like Dr Boz's channel and her work but I cringe when I hear her explanation of glycated hemoglobin. It gives knowledgeable physicians and physiologists ammo to call her a quack.
Ok. Let's level set what you consider expensive. 30 test strips are $10. With medicare it is more expensive. I can not get insurance to cover a CGM because my blood sugar is well managed with metformin and diet. If I took insulin, insurance would cover it. See the irony? My doctor gave me a sample cgm, it was defective and expired in one week. Drove back to the doc for a second sample. I've been keto/ketovore for almost 5 years. My blood sugar averages around 100. And this is an improvement. I stopped my thyroid med to help reduce my blood sugar. Please be sensitive to those of us trying and still not in the 80s or without the income to afford more blood sugar testing.
The A1C misses a few things. People with climbing insulin resistance can be producing more and more insulin up to a point with no increase showing in the A1C. Damage is being done but the A1C does not show. Two tests that would show the growing problem would be fasting insulin and insulin resistance
My BG is typically about 350. Low carb and drugs seem to do no good. Stopped insulin and lost over 100#. It was a deadly spiral but didn't help my A1C.
The CGM‘s don’t really work. I got a prescription and shelled out the money for a freestyle libre and whenever I tested it compared to my Keto-Mojo it was rarely accurate. I’m doing keto and intermittent fasting, typically one meal a day, to lose weight and improve my health. I go see my doctor and get my blood work done every 30 days. After I lose the weight I want to lose I’ll probably check my blood work every six months. Because I will continue doing keto but increase my healthy carbs to maintain my desired weight.
I appreciate your explanation, but with one suggestion, tell us what normal should be to begin with. it's difficult to follow your numbers when I don't know what normal should be, so I am somewhat left with little context on what we're shooting for to start with, then the numbers are just a blur.
Yes. Good feedback. We have another video coming out that shares that … but it’s not done yet. Spoiler alert: I like my A1C to be 4.5. I encourage patients to keep it below 5.3
@@nickbardan3867 Watch her videos from four years ago. Her readings weren't as good then. It takes work, like a three day fast once a week for two months. Megan Ramos works with Dr. Fung and says it takes several multiple day fasts. She's hard to watch though.
@@jselectronics8215 wow - My last was 5.9 in spite of eating keto/ketovore IF for years! I am essentially free of sugars, grains, starches, and alcohol, very limited seed oil (mayo), processed food, and fruit, also low histamine. I easily pass up "cheats" by thinking I'd only be cheating myself. I have resisted getting into the daily testing and counting as I can get compulsive and let it absorb my life, but looks like I need to. Something in my diet is not working for me.
Hi Dr Boz, if the hBa1c test measures destroyed oxygen in the blood cell why wouldn’t we want that number to be zero? You stated you wanted yours to be 4.5 Thank you
How often and how many times should I take the A1C test? I truly don't know where I stand. I did buy your book any way you can, kitchen magnet with book, the continuum and watch all your video and ready to take the A1C test but want to know how many times and perhaps how often.
My mom is not statistically significant or peer reviewed but her experience has had real significance among her circle of friends and family. 2 years ago, my 80 year old mother finally had a follow up appointment with her physician which was delayed for months because her doctor has been in charge of treating Covid patients in the hospital and in nursing homes and was not able to meet with her. She had a full blood panel taken for this visit and her doctor was astounded at the progress she had made during the last year. She is now no longer diabetic and she was instructed to stop taking insulin after having been on it for 12 years. Her doctor also praised her kidney function which has never looked better. Also, she couldn't believe that her total cholesterol was only 139, with LDL of 67, HDL of 60, and triglycerides of 82 which is a big improvement for her. According to the Framingham Heart Study, these numbers mean that she is virtually "heart attack proof" as many plant based doctors have noted. Her physician mentioned that she is reconsidering the diet for her family based on this experience. She also asked my mom to share her experience with our community after the pandemic. All of these results are exactly what I had hoped would occur. Here is the menu that I had developed for her to try to mimic what she was used to eating -> "GSP Mother's Menu" - While this menu is not a pure whole foods plant based diet, it appears to be health promoting enough to work for her. My understanding is that low carb diets are a workaround that do not address the root cause of diabetes which is excess intramyocellular lipids and the resulting insulin resistance (excess saturated fats and refined sugar/flour are the most common cause of this metabolic system failure). Cheers!
Dr Boz do you know if there is any restrictions if you do not live in the USA? I live in BC Canada and would like to order and have this test done but not sure if there would be restrictions going through customs?
Do we do this test in a fasted state and if so for how long? The last bloodwork i had done i fasted for at least 12 hours and my blood glucose was 60. Don’t think we did an A1c text. The last A1c test i remember was 5.4 from several years ago.
Is there a way to measure Insulin level history? Glucose can remain constant over time as Insulin levels are increasing, from what I understand via Dr. Sten Ekberg. Too much trigging of Insulin because of diet is what causes all the problems. My major concern is Insulin Resistance.
I wore a continuous glucose monitor for two weeks two different times over a three month period. My average blood glucose was 95. My A1C was 6.0. I have been very low carb before 11 months. And when I was using the continuous glucose monitor my blood sugar was never above 109. So I don’t know how my A1c is still 6.0. It is so confusing and frustrating.
Same with me. My endocrinologist started checking other things like fructosamine to get a more complete picture. Even with well controlled blood glucose levels, I’m usually at an a1c of 6.0, and have only been able to reach a 5.7 once in the last 7 years.
@@dkearl6827 My endo has loaner units that she gives to patients to use for a couple weeks at a time so that she can get some insight on levels. I only wore it for a little while back in 2016. I don’t know if she still does this. Unfortunately, my Blue Cross doesn’t cover a CGM. Wish they did. They do cover Livongo so I get a free meter and free unlimited test strips. I test 7-10 times a day and they just keep sending me more for free. My fingers are sore, but it’s the next best thing for me.
Thank you for this info. 5.3 AC1 is prediabetic - didn't know that - my lab results treated this as normal and my average blood sugar 115 and real time blood sugar was 80.. This was a couple weeks after starting carnivore. Been on carnivore 3.5 months except for a few days testing a keto pancake mix and ate a cup of mulberries off a tree. Also, almost raw milk.
After about 8 months on Keto my A1C dropped to 4.9. That was 2.5 years ago. But 6 months after that and since then it has been 5.5 (on same diet). I don't understand since I have done 100's of home meter tests , most 1-2hrs after meals and my meter says my avg blood sugar is always below 100 , never close to the 111 that a 5.5 A1C equates to. ARgh! I almost qualify as a lean mass hyper responder with high LDL but trig/hdl ratio near 1. Also - we have a travelling blood testing Co that often comes to town with a nurse at a local grocery store offering a bunch of very affordable tests done by a major lab. The A1C is only $25, and a very nice super panel is only $35 so I do 1 or both every 2 months or so.
There is more to the glycation of the hemoglobin than the blood sugar average numbers. The viscosity of the blood, the size of red blood cell, how much they live, etc.
@@nickbardan3867 Thanks Nick for the reply. I seem to recall Dr. Paul Mason in a vid mentioning blood cells living longer(?) and potentially increasing A1C on a carnivore diet is not a problem. But seems most all the other keto/carnivore experts here keep saying that A1C should be at the low levels Dr Boz here wants to see ...
@@entropy0917 You can't force your body into doing something just because somebody says so. We are not robots. For some people 100 blood sugar is normal , for other 80. Just like with blood pressure. Mine is 100/60. Other people would faint with this being too low. Trust that your body knows what it's doing. I believe 5-5.5 a1c is a healthy range.
@@nickbardan3867 Probably good advice - thanks. I was surprised when I went initially from 4.9 back up to 5.5. Guess I could donate blood to get a bunch of new blood cells - hah! Anyway not too concerned unless it goes higher. My fasting insulin is low and at 70 taking no more meds, and meet the 'metabolically healthy' criteria. Most my age can't say that!
Yesterday i was drinking my bulletproof coffee, i checked my blood glucose and it was 65, i felt great , is it low because my body was making ketones or what? Normally with hypoglycemia you feel shaky and weak But not in my case . Last night was 90 after i ate supper. This morning was 83. I always working out fasted in the morning by the way.
The party line is that you have fatty liver and so you glycogen stores are still depleting. With carnivore you also need to watch your protein intake because protein can be converted to glucose which will refill some of your stores and slow your progress. Keep the fat high.
Keep doing what you're are doing. The reason your blood sugars don't seem to come down now is because your body doesn't see 100 as being any kind of emergency. I bet if you ate some food and then checked it again, your blood sugar would drop because then your body would create a little bit of insulin to regulate the blood sugars from going to high. Give it time, it took many many years to break the system, it may take a few years to fully reverse your insulin resistance. Don't give up!
@@jimschermerhorn5370 Great progress, I would say. It may take several three day fasts to get below 5.0. I'm not ready to go there. I've been mostly carnivore for four years but I cheat and make cookies. :)
@@jselectronics8215 , thanks J &S Electronics for your thoughts. I switched back and forth from carnivore to keto. I’m pretty good about cheating. But do at least once a week. Love my salads, nuts and berries. Have a blessed day.
Your energy and hands are quite distracting. Just make your points and please, more quickly. Bottom line, give your patients a copy of The Plant Paradox and they won't need all your fancy meters.
@@gleeneh1648 Just keeping it real. She has been told this many times before. I prefer people who communicate in a more calm, unrushed manner but it's her channel. I guess it gives her a chance to pursue the acting career she clearly always wanted. Good info. though- again, just wish she could cut the dramatics and get to the point. You are probably someone who loves long, pointless meetings as long as you are getting paid to sit there.
@@susieoldaker5769 You are confused Susie. I watched because I was curious to hear what she had to say. I was not impressed and will not likely watch anymore of her videos. She didn't talk much about eating. She took 11:32 of our time in a video that could have been 2 minutes. "Buy THESE A1C tests so that I can earn a commission and done." All that fast talk and hand gestures is not selling me. With all due respect, I have probably forgotten more about eating healthy than you will likely ever know. If you have trouble sleeping, you might want to look into taking Magnesium Glycinate. Thanks for stopping by.
cgm is about as accurate as a finger stick of 15 percent cgm is about 10 percent so calubrating with a finger stick is not precise. in addition to a1c test a fasting insulin test shows if your body is working overtime to keep glucose in check. better pridictor of pre diabetes
Great video Doc !!! I must get serious about my health again, did great for 10 years, then went wacko !! I'm going too do the home test, should be very interesting 🤔. You are the best, much love to you !! 😍
since glucose is such a poison that we have to test for it; multiple times per day; why is it permitted to be sold in the form of added sugar and carbs in the first place by industry?
i appreciate learning of an ideal value. i have been trying to figure that out for awhile now. also, i would like to hear a comparison of A1C to HOMA-IR by someone who has medical knowledge of both tests. perhaps a future video idea if you are interested. thanks for sharing
Learned a lot from this video! In the past I was able to get a prescription for a CGM but once my A1C dropped down to 6.0 the insurance would not pay for it. I would pay for it out of pocket but it is not allowed without a prescription. My doctor has completed a prescription but the insurance would not approve it. I have purchase the home A1C kit and the one I have come with a device to see your A1C then and there. I do not have to send away for the results. Wish I could just buy the CGM over the counter. Not sure why it is not just sold over the counter.
Not hopeless! Take control of your carb intake with the help of online support groups. You dont need some "professional" to manage what you put in your mouth. I navigate church potlucks and restaurants and do NOT feel sorry for myself!! Actually many friends look at me with envy because, at 76, I still can jog 4mi, ride my horse, and help hubby with clearing trees and remodeling our house. (Just yesterday I tore up linoleum flooring!) Others just dont want to eat and exercise how I do, but you CAN! God bless ❤️🙏❤️
What sucks for me, is that I have been on prednisone a few times this year, for other health issues that are still being worked on. I know it's having an effect on my A1c, and I'm scared my doctor will try to put me on medicine. She can try, but it's not going to happen.
Wonderful videos! Could you do a video on type 3c diabetes? I had a Whipple with half or so of the pancreatic head removed for pancreatits and I am now 'pre-diabetic' with an A1c of 6 on no medications. What are the differences between this and type 1 and type 2? I expect that there is no insulin resistance but I have never been tested except for A1c every six months.
Is this test a waste of time after a 10 day vacation of food and beverage that’s not typical of your regular diet? Prior to the 10 days-my diet was consistent with my normal eating/drinking habits. Would the test be accurate?
Yes keto can reverse type 2 diabetes…. Go to her UA-cam channel and search for diabetes. She has several videos that will help you immensely! Good luck!
What's a good sugar number to achieve after I eat? 4.5 a1c? I have about 13% body fat, run 5 miles per day, weights 4 times per week, a1c 5.5. 95% carnivore diet. I don't understand?
On carnivore I think you would see 120 or less after eating. Running raises your blood sugar because fat burning is too slow to provide the extra energy needed to run. So your liver cranks out some glucose. For a person with a basal metabolic rate of 1500 calories, while fasting, the body makes 80g of glucose, and it is made from 20g of protein and some other recycled stuff like lactate and pyruvate. So if you fast, your body breaks down almost an ounce of protein per day. I know, Dr. Fung says you don't lose muscle but ...
![Dr. Boz [Annette Bosworth, MD]](http://yt3.ggpht.com/WfdlK4hAtLXN0pbNT1UGRBAe53Vw5hmmlAuyvVV_OUs2FctDCAR2Ot0byG4T8N5Ux04V8wgWZSk=s48-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj)
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My Mom’s cardiologist told her, “we don’t do that test for people your age.” (HbA1C) She was 73 at the time! Makes my blood boil!! She is also a breast cancer and triple bypass surgery survivor.
I will order this POC test for her today!
similar experience---they act as if they are paying for it ----we both need to find new docs
Senior citizens are treated so poorly. 💩
Totally IDIOT doc
Family member survived heart surgery when just few days before doctors were not diagnosing anything and not ordering the key bloodwork until years of several "mini" heart attacks - all until the days before the heart surgery, when suddenly they ordered HA1C and CT Scan... For 5 years of chest pain and stress and no key tests were done (by multiple doctors and even at work wellness center "free" bloodwork drives for Employees Wellness - all used so Employer can see who is at high risk and Employee would be blissfully unaware... They REFUSE TO ORDER THESE TESTS BASED ON MEDICARE AND MEDICAID INSURANCE NOT PAYING FOR TREATING OBESETY, HEART DESEASE, PRE-DIABETES until one has established the Desease by Having a Heart Attack, Heart Surgery, had Diabetes and OBESETY symptoms constantly for Several Years until it's irreversible and untreatable. One would educate themselves and ask their Doctors to Order Key Tests and offer to Pay for them yourself or Prove they have underlying condition symptoms for months (diligently describing them and writing them down in a diary like fashion) - i.e. go to the Doctors for wealthier people who doesn't take your MEDICARE and Medicaid Insurance and take Fee for treatment... Or go to Specialist such as Cardiologist and Endocrinologist or both and get these Advanced Tests ordered by again first helping the doctor to prove to insurance that these tests are needed for you.
This was the most valuable explanation of A1C and Diabetes I have seen.
Thank you!
1000000000% - NO doctor, EVER in 70 years explained blood sugar/glucose even a 1/4 this thoroughly. I feel like I should send Dr. Boz a co-pay for this video!
An even better test for patients, BEFORE they are diabetic or PRE diabetic, is their resting Insulin level or HOMA-IR. Your resting insulin will start going up way before you see any changes in your A1C. Had to argue with my doctor tho, but he finally relented and checked it, and sure enough it was very high, but my A1C was in the "Normal" range which showed that I was on my way to being diabetic.
Just from watching your videos and reading your books, I knew that I was at least pre-diabetic (certainly insulin resistant) and possibly crossing the threshold into type-2. Bought a glucose meter and my first morning glucose = 125. So, I started the keto diet and ordered one of the a1c tests. Had only been on keto for 1-week when I took the test so I knew the result wouldn't be very skewed from true. Just got my result = 5.8. Thankfully not in the type-2 range, but clear to me that I must, must, must keep going with keto and get that number down out of the pre-diabetic range. I'm so glad I didn't have to have that "discussion" with my doctor yet...I will have that discussion, just after I get my number down and shed some pounds.
THANKS for talking about Blood Sugar rather than Cholesterol or "Saturated" Fat. : )
Outstanding video-super informative and easy-to-understand. Kudos!
Freestyle Libre 3 much cheaper. Uses your phone. Checks every minute.
Also, if you're middle age or older, or have had a high A1c get your coronary artery calcium scan and carotid intimal media thickness tested, to find out if you're seriously at immediate risk of heart attack or stroke. You can get these tests every two or three years if you're found not to be at immediate risk.
I requested the calcium scan 2 years ago. $100. Score was 38. I have coronary artery disease😢
@@teribunker5223 Well, 38 isn't the end of the world. What you want to do is take it again next year and see if / how much it's progressed. Don't expect it to go down or anything. If you keep it stable, you're having a profound effect and drastically reducing your risk.
I’m not diabetic, but I’m 65 & this is what kills EVERYBODY in my family..
@@teribunker5223 So the thing to do is keep getting it checked and keep your A1c down. I was diagnosed diabetic four years ago, and I've been keto ever since. A low carb lifestyle should help, and tracking your A1c and your CAC should verify that you're doing a good job.
Can that be checked by blood draw or is it a separate test? Thank you
Thank you for this message. Lot of valuable information in a short period of time. Hopefully this will help others understand the impact blood suger levels have on our health.
That colour looks so good on you Doc.
Great video as always.
I wish you are my doctor God bless you dear 🙏
There is also an A1C home meter that I've tried and it matched the lab test within a .1 deviation. It's about $40 for two tests or $60 for 4 tests. The negative aspect is the test needs about 1ml of blood drawn into a capillary tube so it is like using the first generation glucose meters from 30 or 40 years ago. Basically you need the fat drop of blood which requires the more beefy spring loaded lancet that is included. On the positive side, you will have the result in 5 minutes. It's called A1CNOW.
So, you don't have to send anything to a lab for results? Do you know how much it costs to send a test into a lab for results using her meter?
@@paulseverson2307 No the meter gives you a digital answer in your house similar to a glucose meter. . It comes with a meter keyed only to the tests included. Once you use up all the tests you through the meter away. There are two versions available. A1CNOW which is carried by Amazon and ReliOn A1C test carried by Walmart which is actually a rebranded A1CNOW. As for your second question, I do not know how much her A1C test is. I've only used Dr. Boz's Vitamin D test which was $99 for two tests.
@@paulseverson2307 No I don't know how much she charges for her A1C test. I have only used Dr. Boz's Vitamin D test. Those were 2 for $99 and they had to be mailed in.
Very nicely explained
Great video. Love your energy and presentation style. Information is clear.
Wonderful explanation! Thank you.
An even cheaper option is to order an AICNow test kit. (Amazon, etc.) 4 tests runs $65, say $80 with tax and shipping, worst case. You get the result in a few minutes. A couple of times I have tested the same day I had a blood draw for a lab test. Same result +/- 0.1%.
Using a continuous glucose monitor was eye opening because for the first time I could see what foods spike my sugar and what ones don’t.
Same. Everyone would benefit from one.
Same here, as well. Currently using a CGM. Absolutely fascinating and vitally interesting!
The simple truth is that most people who want to get a CGM but cannot get a prescription for one simply cannot afford its cost. After nearly 3 years keto with ever cheating my fasting morning glucose is still nearly always over 100. After eating it might only rise to 130 but might take the better part of a day to get below 100. I could keep it under 100 if I only ate sardines all the time but that would be a pretty cheerless diet.
You're either eating too much or not exercising enough to deplete those sugars.
@@paulseverson2307 No, because as a 71 year old I need to eat as much as I do to hit my protein target. I walk 4 miles every day and do resistance weight training every other day so I'm getting enough exercise. Eating the carnivore diet now my carb levels are very, very low. I no longer test my glucose levels because I obsess about it when it's really just fine.
Thank you, didn't know that.
Monitoring Matters...thanks
I don't know about the United States but in Canada 100 test strips is almost $100.
Glycated hemoglobin doesn't effect oxygen transport capacity. A1c is basically just an indicator of the overall glucose toxicity on the whole body. RBC are fine even at 12-14% A1c ratio. Damage points are rather the small arteries, endothelial cells, neurons.
You're right, or at least mostly right. I've read that there's a slight shift in the oxygen binding curve of glycated hemoglobin, but it's no where near as consequential as Dr. Boz makes it out to be. Organs aren't starved of oxygen because of diminished oxygen carrying capacity of RBCs. As you said, it's because of the impaired function of the endothelium and the small vessels.
I like Dr Boz's channel and her work but I cringe when I hear her explanation of glycated hemoglobin. It gives knowledgeable physicians and physiologists ammo to call her a quack.
Excellent video thank you Dr
Ummm sensors are 90$ Canadian 🇨🇦 and A1C test is free for everyone in Canada 🇨🇦.
Clicked! Ordered! And remember! DocBozRox!!!
Great video.
Ok. Let's level set what you consider expensive. 30 test strips are $10. With medicare it is more expensive. I can not get insurance to cover a CGM because my blood sugar is well managed with metformin and diet. If I took insulin, insurance would cover it. See the irony? My doctor gave me a sample cgm, it was defective and expired in one week. Drove back to the doc for a second sample. I've been keto/ketovore for almost 5 years. My blood sugar averages around 100. And this is an improvement. I stopped my thyroid med to help reduce my blood sugar. Please be sensitive to those of us trying and still not in the 80s or without the income to afford more blood sugar testing.
How does thyroid meds raise blood sugar levels - levothyroxin too?!!
Why do you say that thyroid meds raise blood sugar levels? Where can I read about that?
I have to fast over 20 hours to get my blood sugar under 100. It's such a bummer.
Keep going … it is fixable
@@DoctorBoz Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you dr boz
Great info you look fantastic you are very easy on eyes
what if your hbA1C is 5.2, but your morning glucose is 126? Does this mean type 2 diabetes or just insulin resistance?
The A1C misses a few things. People with climbing insulin resistance can be producing more and more insulin up to a point with no increase showing in the A1C. Damage is being done but the A1C does not show. Two tests that would show the growing problem would be fasting insulin and insulin resistance
True … but after hundreds of insulin tests … I have learned the volatility of our insulin also fools folks. A1C is slow and steady.
And bo
My BG is typically about 350. Low carb and drugs seem to do no good. Stopped insulin and lost over 100#. It was a deadly spiral but didn't help my A1C.
thank you very much
The CGM‘s don’t really work. I got a prescription and shelled out the money for a freestyle libre and whenever I tested it compared to my Keto-Mojo it was rarely accurate.
I’m doing keto and intermittent fasting, typically one meal a day, to lose weight and improve my health. I go see my doctor and get my blood work done every 30 days. After I lose the weight I want to lose I’ll probably check my blood work every six months. Because I will continue doing keto but increase my healthy carbs to maintain my desired weight.
I appreciate your explanation, but with one suggestion, tell us what normal should be to begin with. it's difficult to follow your numbers when I don't know what normal should be, so I am somewhat left with little context on what we're shooting for to start with, then the numbers are just a blur.
Yes. Good feedback. We have another video coming out that shares that … but it’s not done yet. Spoiler alert: I like my A1C to be 4.5. I encourage patients to keep it below 5.3
@@DoctorBoz 4.5 it's impossible to achieve unless you eat only fat. This is misguided information
@@nickbardan3867 Watch her videos from four years ago. Her readings weren't as good then. It takes work, like a three day fast once a week for two months. Megan Ramos works with Dr. Fung and says it takes several multiple day fasts. She's hard to watch though.
@@nickbardan3867 then eat only fat and protein. that's ideal for humans. just animal foods
@@jselectronics8215 wow - My last was 5.9 in spite of eating keto/ketovore IF for years! I am essentially free of sugars, grains, starches, and alcohol, very limited seed oil (mayo), processed food, and fruit, also low histamine. I easily pass up "cheats" by thinking I'd only be cheating myself. I have resisted getting into the daily testing and counting as I can get compulsive and let it absorb my life, but looks like I need to. Something in my diet is not working for me.
❤
Hi Dr Boz, if the hBa1c test measures destroyed oxygen in the blood cell why wouldn’t we want that number to be zero? You stated you wanted yours to be 4.5
Thank you
How often and how many times should I take the A1C test? I truly don't know where I stand. I did buy your book any way you can, kitchen magnet with book, the continuum and watch all your video and ready to take the A1C test but want to know how many times and perhaps how often.
My mom is not statistically significant or peer reviewed but her experience has had real significance among her circle of friends and family.
2 years ago, my 80 year old mother finally had a follow up appointment with her physician which was delayed for months because her doctor has been in charge of treating Covid patients in the hospital and in nursing homes and was not able to meet with her.
She had a full blood panel taken for this visit and her doctor was astounded at the progress she had made during the last year. She is now no longer diabetic and she was instructed to stop taking insulin after having been on it for 12 years. Her doctor also praised her kidney function which has never looked better. Also, she couldn't believe that her total cholesterol was only 139, with LDL of 67, HDL of 60, and triglycerides of 82 which is a big improvement for her. According to the Framingham Heart Study, these numbers mean that she is virtually "heart attack proof" as many plant based doctors have noted.
Her physician mentioned that she is reconsidering the diet for her family based on this experience. She also asked my mom to share her experience with our community after the pandemic. All of these results are exactly what I had hoped would occur. Here is the menu that I had developed for her to try to mimic what she was used to eating -> "GSP Mother's Menu" - While this menu is not a pure whole foods plant based diet, it appears to be health promoting enough to work for her. My understanding is that low carb diets are a workaround that do not address the root cause of diabetes which is excess intramyocellular lipids and the resulting insulin resistance (excess saturated fats and refined sugar/flour are the most common cause of this metabolic system failure). Cheers!
Wow!! That is such an awesome story! Thank you for sharing that.
The at home A1C test link does not work! Checked again two days later and it did. Basically $40
Dr Boz do you know if there is any restrictions if you do not live in the USA? I live in BC Canada and would like to order and have this test done but not sure if there would be restrictions going through customs?
Do we do this test in a fasted state and if so for how long? The last bloodwork i had done i fasted for at least 12 hours and my blood glucose was 60. Don’t think we did an A1c text. The last A1c test i remember was 5.4 from several years ago.
Is there a way to measure Insulin level history? Glucose can remain constant over time as Insulin levels are increasing, from what I understand via Dr. Sten Ekberg. Too much trigging of Insulin because of diet is what causes all the problems. My major concern is Insulin Resistance.
I think its called Kraft Insulin Survey, but there may by now be a quicker method.
I watch her channel to gain health information, but end up saying (Shes good looking !)
I wore a continuous glucose monitor for two weeks two different times over a three month period. My average blood glucose was 95. My A1C was 6.0. I have been very low carb before 11 months. And when I was using the continuous glucose monitor my blood sugar was never above 109. So I don’t know how my A1c is still 6.0. It is so confusing and frustrating.
Same with me. My endocrinologist started checking other things like fructosamine to get a more complete picture. Even with well controlled blood glucose levels, I’m usually at an a1c of 6.0, and have only been able to reach a 5.7 once in the last 7 years.
My insurance doesn’t cover (even partial). at all. Did you find a reasonable CGM?
@@dkearl6827 My endo has loaner units that she gives to patients to use for a couple weeks at a time so that she can get some insight on levels. I only wore it for a little while back in 2016. I don’t know if she still does this. Unfortunately, my Blue Cross doesn’t cover a CGM. Wish they did.
They do cover Livongo so I get a free meter and free unlimited test strips. I test 7-10 times a day and they just keep sending me more for free. My fingers are sore, but it’s the next best thing for me.
I’m working on it
@@livingthedream923 sore fingers are a small price to pay for understanding the human body. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for this info. 5.3 AC1 is prediabetic - didn't know that - my lab results treated this as normal and my average blood sugar 115 and real time blood sugar was 80.. This was a couple weeks after starting carnivore. Been on carnivore 3.5 months except for a few days testing a keto pancake mix and ate a cup of mulberries off a tree. Also, almost raw milk.
5.7 and above is pre-diabetic.
After about 8 months on Keto my A1C dropped to 4.9. That was 2.5 years ago. But 6 months after that and since then it has been 5.5 (on same diet). I don't understand since I have done 100's of home meter tests , most 1-2hrs after meals and my meter says my avg blood sugar is always below 100 , never close to the 111 that a 5.5 A1C equates to. ARgh! I almost qualify as a lean mass hyper responder with high LDL but trig/hdl ratio near 1. Also - we have a travelling blood testing Co that often comes to town with a nurse at a local grocery store offering a bunch of very affordable tests done by a major lab. The A1C is only $25, and a very nice super panel is only $35 so I do 1 or both every 2 months or so.
There is more to the glycation of the hemoglobin than the blood sugar average numbers. The viscosity of the blood, the size of red blood cell, how much they live, etc.
@@nickbardan3867 Thanks Nick for the reply. I seem to recall Dr. Paul Mason in a vid mentioning blood cells living longer(?) and potentially increasing A1C on a carnivore diet is not a problem. But seems most all the other keto/carnivore experts here keep saying that A1C should be at the low levels Dr Boz here wants to see ...
@@entropy0917 You can't force your body into doing something just because somebody says so. We are not robots. For some people 100 blood sugar is normal , for other 80. Just like with blood pressure. Mine is 100/60. Other people would faint with this being too low. Trust that your body knows what it's doing. I believe 5-5.5 a1c is a healthy range.
@@nickbardan3867 Probably good advice - thanks. I was surprised when I went initially from 4.9 back up to 5.5. Guess I could donate blood to get a bunch of new blood cells - hah! Anyway not too concerned unless it goes higher. My fasting insulin is low and at 70 taking no more meds, and meet the 'metabolically healthy' criteria. Most my age can't say that!
@@entropy0917 🙏
Yesterday i was drinking my bulletproof coffee, i checked my blood glucose and it was 65, i felt great , is it low because my body was making ketones or what? Normally with hypoglycemia you feel shaky and weak
But not in my case . Last night was 90 after i ate supper. This morning was 83.
I always working out fasted in the morning by the way.
low glucose is good.
that's why fasting and keto/carnivore are healthy diets.
means you're fat adapted and burning ketones
Sounds like you said 3 dollars...more like 40 dollars
Oops .. I wish I could go back and crisp up that sound… $40 is correct
Yep- she talks too fast.
i will buy it for 3 not 40
is this test sent to Spain too??✨✨✨
How sensitive is the test? If over three months I have a few Desserts, is that bad enough to significantly raise the A1C?
Mine is 37 mmol/mol.. is this normal?. I still can’t understand as here in Ireland use different ranging.
I live in the UK,
I find it so confusing the numbers
They give in America,
Smart👌🎇
Been zero carb, OMAD for 11months and while I've come down consistently why can't I get under 100??
Because zero carb is not possible. You are allowed 20 grammes a day. Read the labels carefully.
The party line is that you have fatty liver and so you glycogen stores are still depleting. With carnivore you also need to watch your protein intake because protein can be converted to glucose which will refill some of your stores and slow your progress. Keep the fat high.
Keep doing what you're are doing. The reason your blood sugars don't seem to come down now is because your body doesn't see 100 as being any kind of emergency. I bet if you ate some food and then checked it again, your blood sugar would drop because then your body would create a little bit of insulin to regulate the blood sugars from going to high. Give it time, it took many many years to break the system, it may take a few years to fully reverse your insulin resistance. Don't give up!
My fasting blood glucose is still high (128) every morning and I am eating low carb no sugar etc.
what if food alone will not
Lower it?
it's called the dawn effect. Eat even less carbs
I've been zero carb (Carnivore) last 5 months , keto prior 6 months and I still cannot get below 100 :(
@@marianne1959 It's almost impossible to be zero carb.
Read the labels and start again. Keep at it and it will work....
Metformin (ask your doctor).
@@Scottlp2 or berberine.
My average is 122. I’m a type 2 diabetic. Taking metformin. Low carb diet. Doing everything I can to get it down. Don’t know what else to do.
Ps. January 2022 my weight was 220lbs. With A1c of 8.0. April 2022 I weighed 193lbs. With A1c of 5.5.
@@jimschermerhorn5370 Great progress, I would say. It may take several three day fasts to get below 5.0. I'm not ready to go there. I've been mostly carnivore for four years but I cheat and make cookies. :)
@@jselectronics8215 , thanks J &S Electronics for your thoughts. I switched back and forth from carnivore to keto. I’m pretty good about cheating. But do at least once a week. Love my salads, nuts and berries. Have a blessed day.
You're a nut But I love you ✨
😁👌✌🖖👍😎
Your energy and hands are quite distracting. Just make your points and please, more quickly. Bottom line, give your patients a copy of The Plant Paradox and they won't need all your fancy meters.
You can check after your daily chill pill too!
@@gleeneh1648 Just keeping it real. She has been told this many times before. I prefer people who communicate in a more calm, unrushed manner but it's her channel. I guess it gives her a chance to pursue the acting career she clearly always wanted. Good info. though- again, just wish she could cut the dramatics and get to the point. You are probably someone who loves long, pointless meetings as long as you are getting paid to sit there.
I love her energetic passion!
why do you watch her videos if you don't believe in this way of eating??
@@susieoldaker5769 You are confused Susie. I watched because I was curious to hear what she had to say. I was not impressed and will not likely watch anymore of her videos.
She didn't talk much about eating. She took 11:32 of our time in a video that could have been 2 minutes. "Buy THESE A1C tests so that I can earn a commission and done." All that fast talk and hand gestures is not selling me.
With all due respect, I have probably forgotten more about eating healthy than you will likely ever know. If you have trouble sleeping, you might want to look into taking Magnesium Glycinate. Thanks for stopping by.
- At home A1C test is a good idea ... 😊👌 🪡
I watch all your videos, and I really enjoy these short ones. Because I can watch on a break or a short down time! Great information as usual Dr Boz!
cgm is about as accurate as a finger stick of 15 percent cgm is about 10 percent so calubrating with a finger stick is not precise.
in addition to a1c test a fasting insulin test shows if your body is working overtime to keep glucose in check. better pridictor of pre diabetes
Thanks to Dr Boz my husband and I check our A1C every three months to stay healthy and keep us accountable, thank you
When my A1c is 5.0, can I stop Metformin?
I just paid $49 for a HbA1C and a Full Metabolic Panel at Any Lab Test Now. No insurance involved.
Great video Doc !!! I must get serious about my health again, did great for 10 years, then went wacko !! I'm going too do the home test, should be very interesting 🤔. You are the best, much love to you !! 😍
Dr Boz, I just watched an awesome documentary on how we have been lied to and fat and beef are good
What the name of the documentary
The fat fiction there’s 2 of them it has other dr talking about this it’s very interesting
It has 2 parts def a must see
… yes … the low fat diet revolution created a massive health failure for the average American … but guess who profits ?
The system and big pharma
This was very informative and easy to understand. Thanks Dr. Boz and everyone in comment section for the added information.😊
since glucose is such a poison that we have to test for it; multiple times per day; why is it permitted to be sold in the form of added sugar and carbs in the first place by industry?
i appreciate learning of an ideal value. i have been trying to figure that out for awhile now. also, i would like to hear a comparison of A1C to HOMA-IR by someone who has medical knowledge of both tests. perhaps a future video idea if you are interested. thanks for sharing
Learned a lot from this video! In the past I was able to get a prescription for a CGM but once my A1C dropped down to 6.0 the insurance would not pay for it. I would pay for it out of pocket but it is not allowed without a prescription. My doctor has completed a prescription but the insurance would not approve it. I have purchase the home A1C kit and the one I have come with a device to see your A1C then and there. I do not have to send away for the results. Wish I could just buy the CGM over the counter. Not sure why it is not just sold over the counter.
check out abbott. I did a quick search and it was available to US residents w/o prescription.
If you already have purchased the home A1C kit, why do you need an over the counter one?
Freestyle liber is 75 a month. Ask dr for a prescription and tell them you will pay. If diabetic ins usually pays.
This is good I wish we had you in the UK it's hopeless here.
Sooooo agree with you!!!
Not hopeless! Take control of your carb intake with the help of online support groups. You dont need some "professional" to manage what you put in your mouth. I navigate church potlucks and restaurants and do NOT feel sorry for myself!! Actually many friends look at me with envy because, at 76, I still can jog 4mi, ride my horse, and help hubby with clearing trees and remodeling our house. (Just yesterday I tore up linoleum flooring!) Others just dont want to eat and exercise how I do, but you CAN! God bless ❤️🙏❤️
What sucks for me, is that I have been on prednisone a few times this year, for other health issues that are still being worked on. I know it's having an effect on my A1c, and I'm scared my doctor will try to put me on medicine. She can try, but it's not going to happen.
Wonderful videos! Could you do a video on type 3c diabetes? I had a Whipple with half or so of the pancreatic head removed for pancreatits and I am now 'pre-diabetic' with an A1c of 6 on no medications. What are the differences between this and type 1 and type 2? I expect that there is no insulin resistance but I have never been tested except for A1c every six months.
So do you have to pay that $40 each month if you’re testing monthly?
My. a 1c was 5.4...should I be taking metformin to get down closer to 80s
Talk to your doctor … and the next video (still in production) offers ways to lower your average
Here in Sweden, 5.4 is considered in the normal range.
When I called labcore they said they require a rx form the doctor---crazy!!!
Is the Home test viable for an Australian resident?
I don’t know ..
Is this test a waste of time after a 10 day vacation of food and beverage that’s not typical of your regular diet? Prior to the 10 days-my diet was consistent with my normal eating/drinking habits. Would the test be accurate?
No.. it will give you the AVERAGE blood sugar over the past 100 days
Very compelling ❤
What do you think about the new Bayer A1C Now+ test kit for home. I see you get 20 test for $200.
I prefer the one made by OnegaQuant ..
Hello 👋 😊
Clicking link for your website to order kit is not working. Some error window pops up.
on.bozmd.com/HbA1c
Hi dr boz I am type 2 diabetes on levemir can ketogenic diet help type 2 off of insulin thanks Ravindra Prasad
Yes keto can reverse type 2 diabetes…. Go to her UA-cam channel and search for diabetes. She has several videos that will help you immensely! Good luck!
Yes but you need to speak with your doctor.
What's a good sugar number to achieve after I eat? 4.5 a1c? I have about 13% body fat, run 5 miles per day, weights 4 times per week, a1c 5.5. 95% carnivore diet. I don't understand?
On carnivore I think you would see 120 or less after eating. Running raises your blood sugar because fat burning is too slow to provide the extra energy needed to run. So your liver cranks out some glucose.
For a person with a basal metabolic rate of 1500 calories, while fasting, the body makes 80g of glucose, and it is made from 20g of protein and some other recycled stuff like lactate and pyruvate. So if you fast, your body breaks down almost an ounce of protein per day. I know, Dr. Fung says you don't lose muscle but ...
High cortisol levels
Is this available to us here in Canada?
I got a two week cgm sensor called freestyle libre over the counter at London drugs (shoppers too ) $99
I have been on a CGM for over 15 years now. I just wish the FDA would allow type 1s to be controlled closer to 80 instead of the 100-120 they do now
Curious what do you mean the FDA controls a type 1s range?
@@Kevin.Grindel they control what they allow our insulin pumps to control us at
Can you explain what you mean about the FDA controlling ty 1?
@@MEF7 the fda controlled the blood sugar number we can control at