A new study by scientists from Yale School of Medicine, the University of Chicago, and Kaiser Permanente offers useful advice on managing blood sugar in older adults with type 2 diabetes.
The research was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society and focuses on a blood test called Hemoglobin A1c, or HbA1c.
This test shows how well a person has been controlling their blood sugar over the last two to three months.
HbA1c levels are very important for people with diabetes. For older adults, different health conditions can affect what the ideal HbA1c level should be. The Endocrine Society has recommended different target ranges depending on whether someone is in good, fair, or poor health.
The researchers studied older adults who were taking medications like insulin or sulfonylureas. These drugs can sometimes cause a person’s blood sugar to drop too low, which is known as hypoglycemia.
For those in good health, the study found that having HbA1c levels that are too high or too low increases the risk of health problems. This supports current guidelines that say it’s best to keep blood sugar levels within a certain range for healthy older adults.
But for people in poor health, the study showed something different. Their risk of complications didn’t change much whether their HbA1c levels were in the recommended range or not. This means that strict blood sugar control might not always be needed for older adults who are not in good health.
This study highlights the importance of personal care plans. For healthy older adults, keeping HbA1c levels in the right range is important to prevent complications. But for those with other serious health problems, doctors may choose to focus more on comfort and overall quality of life rather than trying to tightly control blood sugar.
Doctors and caregivers should always consider a person’s full health picture when creating a diabetes treatment plan. This helps make sure each person gets the care that’s right for them, rather than using the same approach for everyone.
If you’re interested in learning more about diabetes, other studies are also worth checking out. Some are looking into possible cures for type 2 diabetes, how certain vegetables might protect the kidneys in people with diabetes, and even how a bone health drug might help prevent diabetes.
There’s also research showing a possible link between eating more eggs and a higher risk of getting the disease.
This latest study adds to our understanding and helps doctors make better choices when treating older adults with type 2 diabetes.
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