Do you have an elective pain management procedure scheduled with Dr. Gould? If yes, monitor your blood sugar levels and check your A1C values prior to the procedure. There are benefits to checking and risks if you don’t.
This post will help you understand why checking blood glucose and A1C levels matters. You’ll also learn what these terms mean, how to know your values, and how to keep your levels in an optimal range.
Understanding the Medical Terminology
Medical terminology can be confusing. Let’s consider first what we mean by blood sugar and A1C levels.
Blood Glucose and Blood Sugar Levels
The term “blood glucose” means the same thing as “blood sugar.” According to Renu Joshi, M.D., an endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism specialist and the Chief of Endocrinology at The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, measuring your blood glucose tells you the amount of blood sugar you have in your bloodstream at the very moment of the test.
If you have diabetes, test your blood sugar levels regularly. When you do, you understand what causes your levels to be too high or too low. Patients can monitor their blood sugar levels at home with a glucometer (glucose meter). If you need more information about blood glucose devices and technology, this post provides useful information.
A1C Values
Many factors affect your blood sugar levels, including your amount of exercise, the food you eat, and your levels of stress. Because of this, blood sugar levels can change frequently throughout each day.
Doctors often want to know if your blood sugar levels are changing or not changing over a longer period of time. A reading or test of your A1C, also known as Hemoglobin A1C, gives a value of the average of all your blood sugar levels over the past three months. A simple blood test measures A1C values.
If your procedure with Dr. Gould requires anesthesia, pre-admission testing (PAT) is required by our clinic. One test required during pre-admission testing is an A1C test. This testing can occur at a regular doctor’s office visit or at a location dedicated specifically for this kind of pre-procedure assessment. But why is it important and required?
Why Checking Your A1C Matters
You may wonder why knowing your A1C and blood sugar values prior to an elective procedure even matters. Here are some basic reasons:
A healthy glucose level prevents surgical complications.
Your recovery time improves when your A1C level is in an optimal range.
A healthy glucose level reduces risk of infection and/or poor wound healing.
Knowing your A1C level before your procedure visit might even prevent any need for a hospital admission because of complications.
It is important to prevent potential health challenges. Also, high-risk levels might delay your planned procedure time or require rescheduling.
High and Optimal A1C Trends and Values
An A1C level reading of 8.0% or higher might be High Risk for undergoing surgery or procedures. Medical professionals consider A1C values as optimal when in the 7.0% range or less.
There may be exceptions to this rule depending on whether you have other health conditions (co-morbidities). Another exception to this rule is age. The goal is to achieve an A1C level of 7.0% or less without inducing significant hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Steps to Achieve Optimal Glucose Values
If a test shows your A1C is higher than an optimal range or getting closer to those higher values, you may need to reschedule your procedure to another appointment day. Have no worries, though. We know that your procedure is important to you. There are several ways to get your glucose levels in a healthy range. The American Diabetes Association website, found here, has great information. Here are also simple things you can do:
Walk More
We all know walking is important. Yet, this may sound hard for those with a busy schedule. Getting in a bit of walking each day, though, can happen in small ways. Try to take an enjoyable walk around the block each day, if possible.
Another way is to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Also, when you go to the grocery store or movie theater, park further away from the front door just to get some of those steps in.
Reduce the Sweets & Eat Healthier
It always helps to avoid fast food. Also, reduce the amount of food for each meal. Incorporate small, healthy snacks in between each larger meal and take in fewer carbohydrates. You may want to cook with others who will enjoy eating healthier, too.
Eliminating sugary or sweetened beverages always helps. Also, if you like coffee, set aside the sugar and veer away from creamers with high sugar content. It is best to eliminate sweets and desserts. If you struggle with this, take small steps toward this goal first. Try to have sweets only on very special occasions and keep them to small portions.
Maintain Regular Doctor Appointments
There is a lot of useful information out there to help you along the way, but make sure it is accurate. The Center for Disease control website, found here, provides accurate information. The best guidance comes from your medical providers, so schedule and go to your medical appointments.
This includes seeing your primary care doctor or an endocrinologist or clinic specializing in diabetic medicine. With regular medical care, you will know where your values lie and how to stay healthy.
Getting the Pain Management Procedure You Want and Need
Maintaining a healthy blood glucose level is important for your overall health. It also helps you keep your desired procedure day and time and allows you to schedule it sooner than later. So, check your glucose trends through time and before your procedure.
Keep up your doctor’s appointments and don’t forget to try your best to incorporate those healthy life choices. When you do, you can get the services and treatment you need. Reach out to us if you have questions. Remember, we are here to help you along the way.