For diabetic patients, there are a few important tests that doctors use to check how well your body is doing and to help prevent problems like heart disease or kidney damage. Let’s go over them!
Hemoglobin A1C: This test shows your average blood sugar over the past 2-3 months. The higher your A1C, the higher your blood sugar has been. A good A1C number for most people with diabetes is below 7%, but it can vary depending on what your doctor suggests. Keeping your A1C in the right range helps prevent damage to your eyes, nerves, and kidneys over time.
UACR (Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio): This test checks if there is protein in your urine. Your kidneys are supposed to flush (filter) your bloodstream but keep protein in your blood, so if protein is leaking into your urine, it could mean your kidneys are getting damaged. A normal UACR is below 30 mg/g. Keeping it in this range helps protect your kidneys from further harm.
eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate): This test measures the pressure rating of your kidneys’ ability to filter blood (or “flushing your bloodstream,” as Dr. Butler always says: ” The kidney is just like a toilet”). A normal eGFR or ‘pressure rating’ of 60 or higher is good. Dr. Butler would say, “The pressure at which your kidneys can flush life’s little toxins from your bloodstream is your kidney’s ‘flush-ability,’ also known as eGFR.” If this number gets lower than 60 (or “weaker than 60”), it means your kidneys aren’t working as well, and it’s important to keep it from dropping. Healthy kidneys are essential for filtering waste and keeping your body balanced.
“Your Kidneys: The Ultimate Body Plumbers – Keep the Flow Going!”
“Flush vs Filter: Same Thing! Your kidneys are like the body’s toilet—keep them flushing strong by drinking plenty of water and avoiding too many chemicals. Happy kidneys, happy life!”
HDL, LDL, and Triglycerides: These tests check different types of fats (or lipids) in your blood. HDL is “good” cholesterol, and it should be high because it helps clear out the bad stuff. It’s a function of exercise, and once you’re able to “exercise it up to 60,” it takes off a risk factor for heart attack or stroke. LDL is “bad” cholesterol, and you want it to be low, below 100 mg/dL, because it can clog your arteries. Triglycerides should be below 100 mg/dL as well, to avoid fat building up in your blood. Keeping these numbers in the right range helps prevent heart attacks and strokes.
“Keep the bad stuff under 100, and the good stuff over 60!”
- “Bad stuff” = LDL and Triglycerides
- “Good stuff” = HDL and eGFR
The best way to keep these numbers in check is to avoid fast food, junk food, and take-out meals. These foods are often full of unhealthy fats, sugars, and salt that can make your blood sugar, cholesterol, and kidney health worse. But it’s not just about food—getting off the couch and adding a little fun exercise to your day can make a huge difference! It doesn’t have to be boring, like going to the gym. You can make it fun by hula hooping, riding a bike, walking, or even dancing during TV commercials. Try walking for just 10 minutes in one direction after dinner, and then 10 minutes back. Easy, right?
The key is to make it something you enjoy. Do it with a friend so it feels more like hanging out than exercising. Laugh, dance, and play like you did when you were a kid! Build muscles and get your heart pumping with simple activities that make you smile. The more fun you have, the easier it is to stay active and keep those numbers in the healthy range. So, live like a kid again—dance, laugh, and have fun while taking care of your body!