Type 1: What are your HbA1c test results?

oldgreymare

Well-Known Member
Messages
550
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
Commuting, overcrowded spaces, especially after the arrival of covid-19...
My latest HbA1c was 42, but did capture some weeks of too many nighttime hypos. Aim is to achieve this level or better WITHOUT the hypos...

Regarding comments above, using Dexcom 6/7 for a couple of years my HbA1cs have been consistently 3-5 units lower than the Dexcom predicted level - I guess my red blood cells just don't quite survive to 12 weeks! :p

Edited - spelling
 
  • Winner
  • Like
Reactions: plantae and Antje77

Rokaab

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,165
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Well I'm happy, my latest HbA1c (about a week ago) was 43 :)
About the same as last time and I'm dead happy with it and to be honest any lower would probably be dangerous for me anyway
A lot of it is due to my pump and its automode - but still requires a fair wodge of effort (its Medtronics older one that works with sensors) .
 

RobertJ

Well-Known Member
Messages
217
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
According to my Libre data from the last 14 days, my HbA1c is 6.7/49. I know lots of people are better than this, but this is the first time I've seen it below 50 ever. I have mixed feelings, because it hasn't even been that hard to achieve this. It hasn't involved sacrifices: it's just happened because I've been more intelligent about things, and I've been more willing to do small corrections when necessary.

Although I'm glad I've got it to this level, I could have done this years ago and I would have a better chance of long-term good health as a result.
 
Messages
28
Just got 29 / 4.8%.

Although i'm not even sure if i'm t1 or t2.

My GAD indicated type 2 but they gave me a c-peptide which indicated type 1. I was diagnosed with a1c of 95 in DKA, bmi of 20, age 30 no family history.

I got diagnosed in August 2022 and I still haven't had an appointment with an endo, keeps getting postponed.

Obviously happy with the a1c. I still have some pancreatic function as indicated by the c-peptide test. Hopefully that continues.
 
Last edited:
  • Hug
Reactions: oldgreymare

Marie 2

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,401
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Pump
@aseriesofunfortunateevents There are several antibody tests. A cost saving measure is to just test for GAD because that is by far the most prevalent one. But it's not the only one. You can see if they will test for the others since your C-peptide was I assume low. In the US here I know my doctor asked for all of them but only if the GAD was negative.

If the C-peptide was low, that's a sign it's type 1. A type 2's C-peptide is almost always high normal or high because they are insulin resistant and make extra to make up for their insulin not working well. There can come a point where the pancreas wears out and can't make enough, but that is years and years down the road. Less than 6% of type 2's are lacking in making normal amounts of insulin. And there is a theory that some of those might have been misdiagnosed type 1's. A type 2 just doesn't utilize their insulin well and keeps trying to produce more.

And then there are the few type 1's, that test negative on the antibodies and they don't make insulin and they don't know why. My DE is one of those. Plus there is also what they commonly call type 3 in the UK, which the pancreas is damaged and can't make insulin or enough insulin. Maybe an injury or sometimes steroid use can cause it and some get back insulin production. (But in the US they are starting to call alzheimers type 3 diabetes, very confusing.) And then there is the temporary symptoms they know can happen with certain viruses, covid being one of them. With the previous Sars outbreak a bunch of people developed type 1 and type 2. But quite a bite of it was temporary. Covid has caused the same surge of cases. I don't think they know yet if/how many will recover later. It does attack the cells in the pancreas.

And when you first get LADA/Type 1, it is slower progression and you still make some insulin for a while. Lifestyle changes, what you eat, exercise and medication can work at first until it doesn't. That is called the honeymoon period and it can last years and insulin production is erratic. DKA is also a sign of type 1. Type 2's don't seem to get it unless they are on certain medications. They get a similar condition but it's also rare. DKA is caused by the lack of insulin. It's something you need to keep an eye out for as it could happen again if you are a type 1. A low BMI points more towards being a type 1 too, but not always.

I'm not saying you are a type 1, I have no idea. But you have some signs you might be and need to be aware.

  • C-Peptide
    While most tests check for antibodies, this test measures how much C-peptide is in a person’s blood. Peptide levels typically mirror insulin levels in the body. Low levels of C-peptide and insulin can point to T1D
  • Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Autoantibodies (GADA or Anti-GAD)
    This test looks for antibodies built against a specific enzyme in the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells.
  • Insulin Autoantibodies (IAA)
    This tests looks for the antibodies targeting insulin.
  • Insulinoma-Associated-2 Autoantibodies (IA-2A)
    This test looks for antibodies mounted against a specific enzyme in beta cells. Both the IA-2A and GADA tests are common T1D antibody tests.
  • Zinc Transporter 8 (ZnT8Ab)
    This test looks at antibodies targeting an enzyme that is specific to beta cells.
  • Islet Cell Cytoplasmic Autoantibodies (ICA)
    Islet cells are clusters of cells in the pancreas that produce hormones, including insulin. This test identifies a type of islet cell antibodies present in up to 80 percent of people with T1D
 
Last edited:

richyb

Well-Known Member
Messages
346
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
Cold weather
What are your H test results?

Mine is 7.1mmol
My last one was 43, but this is bit low so trying to raise it. I am type 1 for 58 ish years and omnipod flash which is very good. Just changing from libre to dex G7 , which can be a bit out but can be calibrated.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Marie 2

becca59

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,888
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
My last one was 43, but this is bit low so trying to raise it. I am type 1 for 58 ish years and omnipod flash which is very good. Just changing from libre to dex G7 , which can be a bit out but can be calibrated.

Why do you think 43 is too low. Did it come with lots of hypos. In the days of cgms getting a lower HbA1c is much more achievable. My last was 41 with a good TIR and I do not consider it too low. I am aiming for the high 30s albeit with a high in range %
 

oldgreymare

Well-Known Member
Messages
550
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
Commuting, overcrowded spaces, especially after the arrival of covid-19...
My last one was 43, but this is bit low so trying to raise it. I am type 1 for 58 ish years and omnipod flash which is very good. Just changing from libre to dex G7 , which can be a bit out but can be calibrated.
Just to comment that on a call with Dexcom technical support, I was advised to avoid calibrating g7 sensor and only once per sensor. Only calibrate if >15% different from flatline fingerprick test. But G7 app does have a handy option to log (rather than use for calibration) your fingerprick BGs.
 

michelle88

Well-Known Member
Messages
83
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
My last A1c result I received a couple of weeks ago was 42.1/6.0, which is my lowest in 3 years. I use Dexcom G6 and I'm happy with it, but I can't wait till the G7 becomes available in Switzerland.
 
  • Winner
  • Like
Reactions: enzina and Marie 2

richyb

Well-Known Member
Messages
346
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
Cold weather
Why do you think 43 is too low. Did it come with lots of hypos. In the days of cgms getting a lower HbA1c is much more achievable. My last was 41 with a good TIR and I do not consider it too low. I am aiming for the high 30s albeit with a high in range %
My care team wants me to be higher to avoid hypos. But since having libre I get very few. Average about 1 or 2 a month, which are not very low. I like to be 45 to 47. To please everyone. It all depends how accurate the cgm is.
 

richyb

Well-Known Member
Messages
346
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
Cold weather
Just to comment that on a call with Dexcom technical support, I was advised to avoid calibrating g7 sensor and only once per sensor. Only calibrate if >15% different from flatline fingerprick test. But G7 app does have a handy option to log (rather than use for calibration) your fingerprick BGs.
Think I have calibrated 4 times on this one with 2 day's to go. This is only my 2nd sensor
 

Gljones

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I was diagnosed around 6 weeks ago after blood tests due to losing a stone and a half over the Xmas period. Feeling so fatigued. My hba1c blood test came back at 120.
Still can’t get my head around it. Am under a specialist who put the libre 2 in straight away.
My readings started off at 25.8, now 3 weeks on after cutting all sugar out my highest goes to around 13.7, but I’ve had a few hypos!

I’m awaiting confirmation of type 1, my gp just said I was type 2 and to start metformin.
I was rushed in to see the specialist due to working at a gp surgery who advised that it was highly likely I am type 1. The specialist has agreed and just need the blood test back to confirm this. But my c -peptide test came back low so he’s pretty sure it’s type 1.

I’m 39 years old 63kg and was fit and healthy.
Nobody in my family history has it.
 

RobertJ

Well-Known Member
Messages
217
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
As of Monday, mine is 50. That's the lowest it's been in my life although I am still having too many mild hypos. It's still down to tighter control though.