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JEAN IMOLT E

does not have diabetes, but she became

concerned when the numbers on her A1C blood sugar test

kept creeping up a tenth of a point every year.

The A1C is a common blood test used to diagnose diabetes.

It provides information about a person’s average levels of

blood glucose, also called blood sugar, over three months.

Gerard Sebastian, MD, stresses the importance of

monitoring A1C levels. Studies show that by keeping it

below 7 percent, diabetes complications can be prevented,

he says.

It is important to monitor it every three months to

determine if your blood sugar is controlled or not.

“By tracking the levels closely, you and your doctor can

decide if it is necessary to make adjustments to your diabetes

management,” says Dr. Sebastian.

Considering her A1C numbers, Jean knew it was time to

do something. At the urging of a friend, she attended the

prediabetes program at PeaceHealth. It was life-changing.

“I didn’t know I didn’t really eat right until taking the

class,” says Jean. Based on what she learned, Jean made some

immediate changes—purging her pantry of starches, which

act like a sugar in your system. She also made a plan before

grocery shopping, loading up on vegetables and making

Come get

the facts!

Find out what you need

to manage prediabetes.

When:

Friday, Jan. 27,

Feb. 24, or April 21,

10 a.m. to noon

Monday, March 20,

5 to 7 p.m.

Where:

PeaceHealth

Medical Group–

Internal Medicine,

1615 Delaware St.

P A T I E N T P R O F I L E

Prediabetes class inspires major life changes

them the mainstay of her diet.

After six months, Jean retested her A1C. She was pleasantly

surprised: Her levels were down to where they had been two

years before. She was also shocked at how easily her weight

came off. In six months, she lost 15 pounds and was at the

same weight as when she married 36 years ago.

Even when company comes over, she might serve a pasta

dish where everyone shares the same sauce, but she’ll use a

spiralizer to create noodles from vegetables as her pasta.

Everyone’s happy, including her husband, who started

eating like his wife after learning his own A1C numbers

were also edging up.

Jean is considering another prediabetes class as a

refresher. “It’s a great class! I was ready to change. I just

didn’t know what to do.”

Knowledge was power for Jean—and it can be for you as

well! Ask your doctor about getting your A1C checked.

Gerard Sebastian, MD

Internal Medicine

PeaceHealth Medical Group

1615 Delaware St.

Longview, WA

360-501-3601

Dietary changes lowered her A1C. Then the pounds started dropping. And

then her husband joined her effort—and is benefiting too.

To learn more about nutrition and diabetes

resources, visit

peacehealth.org/st-john/ diabetes . peacehealth.org

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