I’m a Dialysis Nurse. When My A1C Came Back at 6.4, I Had a Question That Number Couldn’t Answer.
After 14 years caring for dialysis patients, I wanted to know what my blood sugar result meant for the organs I worried about most.
Three days a week. Four hours a session.
I’ve watched families rearrange their lives around those appointments.
The holidays they couldn’t take.
The husbands waiting outside.
The grandchildren learning which days Grandma was unavailable.
Then I received my own diagnosis.
Prediabetes. A1C 6.4.
I knew that didn’t mean dialysis was inevitable. But after 14 years in that room, I wanted a clear picture of my health.
And one number couldn’t give me that.
Your A1C Measures Blood Sugar. Who’s Checking Your Kidneys?
An A1C result tells you about your average blood sugar over roughly three months.
It doesn’t measure how well your kidneys filter your blood or whether protein is leaking into your urine.
Those need separate checks.
Blood sugar targets matter. So does knowing what else needs monitoring.
High blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in your kidneys over time, often before obvious symptoms appear.
I wanted to understand my results before fear filled in the blanks.
Eating Less Sugar Was Only One Part of the Conversation
I started looking more closely at how the body handles glucose.
Insulin helps glucose move into cells. With insulin resistance, those cells respond less effectively.
That made me curious about the research behind ingredients marketed for blood sugar support.
One kept appearing.
Cinnamon.
But the more I read, the less useful the word “cinnamon” became on its own.
The Kitchen Spice That Made Me Read the Study
A 2025 randomized, placebo-controlled trial tested a Ceylon cinnamon extract for 12 weeks.
Researchers reported a greater reduction in fasting blood glucose in the extract group.
That finding gave me a reason to investigate the ingredient.
Then came the buying question.
What exactly was inside the supplement I was considering?
Before Buying Cinnamon, Check These Three Things
- The species. Does the label identify Ceylon cinnamon, Cinnamomum verum?
- The concentration. Does it distinguish the extract amount from the raw-cinnamon equivalent?
- The routine. Is it something you can take consistently without turning breakfast into a preparation session?
Why I Chose Metabolae
Metabolae combines Ceylon cinnamon extract with MCT oil in a softgel.
Its 12:1 extract provides a stated 7,200 mg raw-cinnamon equivalent per serving.
No loose powder. No opening capsules into a spoonful of oil.
One daily softgel. A routine I could fit around my shifts.
Check with your clinician before adding it, particularly if you take blood sugar medication or have kidney disease.
What I Noticed After Starting
The first change I noticed wasn’t on a lab report.
It was getting through a shift without the same afternoon fog. Then sleeping through the night more often.
I also tracked my fasting readings rather than relying on how I felt.
Those observations belonged in my follow-up appointments. I wanted my whole routine and results considered together.
Give the Routine 90 Days
If you’ve been comparing cinnamon supplements, look at the formula you’ll actually be taking.
Ceylon cinnamon. Concentrated extract. MCT oil. One daily softgel.
Metabolae comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee.
Try it as directed. If you’re not satisfied, request a refund under the guarantee.
~ Sandra Keller, RN
Individual experiences vary. Metabolae is a dietary supplement, not a treatment for diabetes or kidney disease. Continue prescribed care.