A1C<7%: Knowing the Number May Help The Lives Of People With Diabetes (NAPSA)—When Loretha Huff unexplainably began losing weight 20 years ago, it didn’t occur to her that she might have a serious, and potentially life-threatening, disease. Although she was eventually diagnosed with diabetes, it wasn’t until she started losing her vision that she realized the magnitudeof the diagnosis. “That was a really scary experience for me because it seemed so sudden,” Huff said. “My blood sugar levels were very high and my vision was impaired so I couldn’t see the numbers on a syringe. The doctor put me in the hospital for two weeks.” Huff was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes—a chronic disease in which the body does not make enough and/or does not properly use insulin. As a result, sugar levels build up in the blood. Doctors measure what your glucose levels have been over the last two- to three-month period with a blood test called hemoglobin A1C. For people with diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommended goal is an A1C of less than seven percent (A1C<7%). At the time, Huff’s A1C level was over 18 percent, which may have caused the temporary blindness she experienced. “Initially, when I found out I had diabetes, I was devastated,” Huff said. “Knowing that an A1lC<7% is even a one percent reduction in Seven Steps to Achieving AlC<7%* 1. Take an active role in your owndiabetes care. 2. See your healthcare provideratleast two to four times every year. 3. Have your hemoglobin AIC levels tested regularly. 4. Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to achieve and/or maintain target AlC<7%. 5. Monitor yourdaily glucose levels. 6. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. 7. Get checked for long-term complications and have them treated. * AICis a measure of blood glucose levels over a two-tothree-month period. The American DiabetesAssociation recommends an Al(<7% for optimal blood glucose AIC resulted in a significant 35 percent reduction in the risk of microvascular complications. Today, Huff is proud to say her diabetes is under control, and her AIC levelis 6.6 percent. “People with diabetes need to realize that while this is a serious disease, it doesn’t have to be a dev- astating one. With AlC<7% as a goal, you can gain control of your diabetes. Now I hope to encourage others to eat better, exercise more and use all the tools my doctor gave me, including oral medica- tions and insulin,” adds Huff. “At first, I was afraid of the active role in my diet and routine.” Huff is among the estimated 13 million Americans who have been diagnosed with diabetes. But for more than 60 percent of these people, achieving an A1C<7% isstill elusive. Medical studies have shown that people with diabetes who achieve an A1lC<7% are less likely to suffer disabling and often life-threatening complica- idea of taking insulin every day, but I quickly learned that it wasn’t that painful or scary. And it’s been an important part of my treatment.” For the last three years, Huff has used an insulin called Lantus (insulin glargine [rDNAorigin] injection) because it is continuously released over 24 hours, and it only needs to be taken once a day at the same time each day. If you have diabetes, experts recommend that you become familiar with your A1C level and talk to your health care provider about all the available treatment options to achieve an A1C<7%. heart attack, amputation and kidney disease. In these studies, believeachieve.com or call 1-877A1C07-639. control. @ the key to being in control has given me and my family a real goal to shoot for—even my husband knows the number, and he takes an tions such as blindness, stroke, To learn more, visit www.aim About LANTUS (insulin glargine [rDNAorigin] injection) LANTUS?is indicated for once-daily subcutaneous administration in the treatment of adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who require basal (long-acting) insulin for the control of hyperglycemia and for adult and pediatric patients (6 years of age and older) with type 1 diabetes mellitus. LANTUS* demonstrates a consistent slow, prolonged absorption and a relatively constant concentration/time profile over 24 hours. LANTUS MUST NOT BE DILUTED OR MIXED WITH ANY OTHER INSULIN OR SOLUTION.If mixed or diluted, the solution may become cloudy, and theonsetof action/timeto peak effect may be altered in an unpredictable manner. The adverse events commonly associated with LANTUS? include the following: hypoglycemia, lipodystrophy, skin reac- tions (such as injection-site reaction, pruritus, rash), and allergic reactions. Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse effect of insulins, including LANTUS*. For additional information, please visit: www.lantus.com. LAN-AM-15772-2
