PeaceHealth St. John | Healhy You | Winter 2017

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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
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