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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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21 Year Old With Diabetes. Low Hemoglobin Levels. What Is The Treatment?

Hello, my brother is diabetic. He is 21, 155 lb, 5 8 and muscular. His hemoglobin A1C has been above 9 for about three years in college, peaking at 12. Prior to that, his hemoglobin levels were constantly below 7 when under control of the house. How long can he go along without seeing complications. What can be done to bring this under control?
Thu, 14 Mar 2013
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Internal Medicine Specialist 's  Response
Hi,
Welcome to HCM,
Your brother is diabetic and I presume this is Type I and you are right it is monitored by HbA1c level and up to 7% is good control and beyond this level it reflect that blood sugar level is poorly control.
He should take care of diet and his insulin intake at proper time,it requires lot of care and self discipline.
I think it is not the question how long complication may not come as acute complication and coma can come any time if precipitated by any negligence and acute event like infection.
Proper understanding of disease is important and he himself has to take care, if not please discuss about insulin infusion pump which may be costly but may help to control diabetes better.
In such disease patient and family cooperation is of utmost importance.
Please take care
Good Luck
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General & Family Physician Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta's  Response
Hello,
In fact you should think about the complications and educating your brother rather than thinking about the time when complications come.
Remember,if complications come,it may be late for your brother.
Since your brother seems to have DIABETES type 1 ,he has to take injections insulin regularly under the guidance of his treating doctor.
Besides medication ,he must take care of his diet,follow the proper dietary restrictions,do regular exercises and not lot let his weight increase.
Uncontrolled diabetes has various micro as well as macro vascular complications .
Since he is dependent on insulin,he can land up with keto acidosis any time.
I hope it helps.
Thanks
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21 Year Old With Diabetes. Low Hemoglobin Levels. What Is The Treatment?

Hi, Welcome to HCM, Your brother is diabetic and I presume this is Type I and you are right it is monitored by HbA1c level and up to 7% is good control and beyond this level it reflect that blood sugar level is poorly control. He should take care of diet and his insulin intake at proper time,it requires lot of care and self discipline. I think it is not the question how long complication may not come as acute complication and coma can come any time if precipitated by any negligence and acute event like infection. Proper understanding of disease is important and he himself has to take care, if not please discuss about insulin infusion pump which may be costly but may help to control diabetes better. In such disease patient and family cooperation is of utmost importance. Please take care Good Luck