What does this mean???

Okay - here's the scoop on what we know: My C-reactive protein reading is 5.7. Normal readings are 1.0 or less. My sedimentation rate reading was 39 on 2/28 and 47 on 3/20. Normal readings for a woman under age 50 is 20 or less. The problem is that neither of these tests is very specific. They both indicate some sort of inflammation or infection. Whatever. All of my other tests are normal. I would love a specific test that gave a specific result that would help us take specific action toward a specific treatment. Can I be more specific? These tests were re-done on 3/27. I am awaiting news that they are both decreasing. Otherwise, it's off to see another doctor! (Yippee.)

An update

The good news: I did not have a heart attack.

The not-so-good news: They don't know what's going on.

I have been, shall we say, a little "off" since mid-January. Two chest X-rays, three urine samples, one stress test (including ultrasounds of my heart), many EKGs, a fun-filled night at the cardiac ward of Regions Hospital, and too many vials of blood to count later, and we don't know what's wrong with me. It's stressful enough to give one a... oh, never mind.

The fun continues -- I see a new doctor tomorrow and my regular doctor Wednesday. I am sure more vials of blood are in my future. At least we know I don't have mono or malaria!

Stay tuned...

My A1c test

Whooooo hooooo! I just got word that my most recent A1c test result is 6.9!

For those of you unfamiliar with this, allow me to explain:

I have Type 1 diabetes. That means that my body does not produce any insulin and I need to inject insulin into my body so my cells can get glucose from the food I eat... so that I can live. I have to manage my blood sugar myself - eating when my blood sugar level is low and taking insulin to keep my blood sugar level from getting too high.

I do periodic checks of my current blood sugar level to help me determine how I am doing (i.e., do I need to eat something or should I take some insulin). Normal blood sugar levels range from 70 to 120. My blood sugar levels have been everywhere from 600 to 22 (neither of which felt very good).

An A1c test gives somewhat of an average of my blood sugar levels for the past two to three months. The goal is to have an A1c result of 7 or less. That means that I am doing a good job of balancing my eating, my exercise level and my food intake so that my blood sugar levels don't get too high (or too low).

After having Type 1 diabetes for over 10 years, I can say that it's not exactly easy to always keep in balance. That's why I am so happy that my result is 6.9! Yippee!