Slightly high blood sugar level

The HbA1c isn't affected by whether it is fasting or not - it is a measure of the long term average blood sugar levels. It is formed by a chemical reaction between haemoglobin and blood sugar - when the blood sugar level is above what it should be it it produces more of this type of haemoglobin and the level is higher when the blood sugar level is too high for long periods.

Your result is just borderline - barely into what is called pre-diabetic. It could be just a high-ish reading from the lab and on its own doesn't mean much. You need it monitored and checked every few months to see if it is rising further, indicating longer periods of high blood sugar. There's no need to worry yet.

However - you can do something to try to avoid it continuing to rise by looking carefully at your diet and taking out all processed carbohydrates - anything that comes in a packet or tin or jar will have large amounts of carbohydrate in the form of sugars to make it taste "better" or make it last longer without going dry or mouldy. Cakes, snacks and even bread have high fructose syrups added to them in the factory and it has been implicated in leading to diabetes. It's used especially in soft drinks and cakes, especially so-called low fat products.

Cut the amount of carbs you eat and you will automatically lower your blood sugar levels. Eat fresh products - and preferably ones YOU made yourself because then you know exactly what is in them. Home recipes have no added sugars - why would spag bol meat sauce need added sugar? Mine has meat, tomatoes, onions and herbs. Nothing else. Look at the labels on food and see what is in it - it's horrifying sometimes. Desserts such as "healthy" flavoured yoghurts have unbelievable amounts of sugar in them - buy plain non-sweetened and add your own fruit and the sugar level will be far lower. And it isn't just "sugar", all carbohydrate is broken down to glucose in the body so you need to restrict the "white" carbs in your diet: anything with flour is suspect! Wholegrains take longer to be absorbed so you get a lower spike of blood sugar so are better for you but they still contribute to your BS level so don't eat too much of that either.

I have not noticed any associated of ectopic beats (heart skipping beats), a - fib or increased PMR pain with modest alcohol consumption and occasionally a bit more.  Many people are not aware of their extra beats / arrythmias. I am aware of most of mine. That is helpful but also a distraction.

I am not aware that my PMR caused my a-fib as it started several years before the PMR but my a-fib went nuts when I came down with PMR and I had to increase my beta blocker dose. I think that was due to the inflammation caused by PMR. I feel pretty sluggish from the increased dose or is that PMR or both?

The most common cause of atrial fibrillation is excessive consumption of alcohol.

A modest amount of alcohol usually will not do it. These folks are drunk.

Charlie 44644