Advise please about hba1c

[Mummymaw]

Hi, I'm 45, slim, eat healthy and exercise regularly. 10mths ago during routine bloods I had a shock with a hba1c reading of 46. Absolutely stunned for the next 3 months I
Religiously followed a low carb diet with the thought I have to do all I can and if it doesn't go down I know I did all was possible. 4 mths later a repeated test came back 42. I was pleased but also gutted I hadn't come out of the pre diabetic range. Fast forward to the last 2 weeks and I just haven't felt well. Tired, more thirsty, often light headed and also noticing my vision sometimes blurring. Working in a gp practise I got my sugar levels checked 2hrs after I'd eaten 2 weetabix with unsweetened soya milk and a handful of nuts. 7.9. Which I was told was borderline. They have repeated my hba1c and today's result is 49
Gp saying my bloods are not high enough for me to have these symptoms. Repeating hba1c next week and also another test on pancreas.
So my questions are
Is this type1 or 2 diabetes?
Is it possible to have symptoms even though figures are low range of diabetes?
My diet is still low carb and healthy! Are others like me?

Thanks

 

[bulkbiker]

2 weetabix

Hi and welcome.
I'm afraid almost all processed breakfast cereal (I would say all) is going to be bad for your blood sugar numbers. Far better to have an egg or two or no breakfast at all.
2 Weetabix have 26g of carb which is more than I eat in a day.
Do you know how many carbs you are having each day?

 

[sally and james]

Gp saying my bloods are not high enough for me to have these symptoms.

Oh, it does annoy me when doctors basically tell you that, what you are telling them isn't possible. Your blood sugars are definitely higher than they should be and you are quite likely to on your way to some type of diabetes. You say you are eating Low Carb. Are you familiar with the Diet Doctor site, https://www.dietdoctor.com/ ? Perhaps have a good look to make sure that you aren't making mistakes. Most people who are T2 can reverse diabetes with a true Low Carb diet (less than 30g per day). Weetabix do not, generally form part of a low carb diet, so I am wondering if this is where your problem lies, or was this just a home-grown glucose tolerance test?
Perhaps tell us a bit more about what you actually eat.
Sally

 

[Bluetit1802]

We can't answer your question as to whether it is type 2 or late onset type 1. The further tests you had are probably to determine this. Either is possible. With Type 1 you would most likely have very high levels and be very poorly because it progresses quickly. With late onset T1 (LADA) you may not as this condition tends to progress slowly. There are lots of reasons why people get Type 2, and one of these is insulin resistance. Anyone can have this, whether fat or thin.

The HbA1c is a sort of average of your blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months. It is an average, and does not catch the peaks and troughs, swings up and down. You could be normal low all night and some of the day, but high post meal, and it is those peaks that cause the problems and symptoms over time, and not just the height of the peaks, but how long it takes for that to drop back to normal.

I can't tell you how many newly diagnosed arrive here with no idea why because "I eat healthily". Believe me, Weetabix is not healthy if you are prone to higher than normal blood sugars. Neither are some of the other "healthy" foods such as fruit. OK for healthy people, not OK for those with blood sugar issues. Carbohydrate is the reason our blood sugars rise post meal. It all converts to glucose once inside the system. The more carbohydrate, the higher the levels. Non-diabetic healthy people have a pancreas that copes with it. Diabetics don't.

I wish you luck with your test results, and please do post your results here, and ask as many questions as you wish.

 

[ringi]

Your BG levels are not great, but I agree with your GP that they are not high enough to explain your symptoms. Hence the GP is right to consider if there is something other than diabetes going on. But you also need to get your BG lower as it will become a problem if you don't.

 

[hareshg06]

Hi, I'm 45, slim, eat healthy and exercise regularly. 10mths ago during routine bloods I had a shock with a hba1c reading of 46. Absolutely stunned for the next 3 months I
Religiously followed a low carb diet with the thought I have to do all I can and if it doesn't go down I know I did all was possible. 4 mths later a repeated test came back 42. I was pleased but also gutted I hadn't come out of the pre diabetic range. Fast forward to the last 2 weeks and I just haven't felt well. Tired, more thirsty, often light headed and also noticing my vision sometimes blurring. Working in a gp practise I got my sugar levels checked 2hrs after I'd eaten 2 weetabix with unsweetened soya milk and a handful of nuts. 7.9. Which I was told was borderline. They have repeated my hba1c and today's result is 49
Gp saying my bloods are not high enough for me to have these symptoms. Repeating hba1c next week and also another test on pancreas.
So my questions are
Is this type1 or 2 diabetes?
Is it possible to have symptoms even though figures are low range of diabetes?
My diet is still low carb and healthy! Are others like me?

Thanks

Hi
There is a test called C- peptide levels. It basically shows if pancreas is creating insulin on its own. Usually done as in the fasting state, like the fasting blood sugars. In other words again, before breakfast. Consult your doctor regarding this. Stay strong. Never give up.
Thank you.

 

[Mummymaw]

Thanks for your replies. I struggle as to what eat for breakfast as I am diary intolerant and wouldn't be able to eat eggs. My lunch is salad with plenty of meat/fish for protein and a soya yogurt. Tea is usually chicken or fish with either veg or salad and sweet potato. I do sometimes have brown rice or wholemeal pasta maybe twice a week. Snacks are banana, sometimes an apple or peach. I long for biscuits but don't touch them as one biscuit would lead to a whole pack!

 

[Sam50]

could also be due to other things-ask to have your thyroid function tested. I'm no expert but with a HBA1C of just 42 you may be more hypoglycemic than diabetic ? keep asking at your practice x

 

[SockFiddler]

Hi @Mummymaw and welcome to the forums.

2 weetabix with unsweetened soya milk and a handful of nuts.

I'm guessing that you're thinking a low sugar, low fat diet with "sensible" carbs is the way to go? Unfortunately, carbs will turn into sugar when they are digested, and what you described in your last post is a fairly high-carb day (though admirably healthy under the current guidelines).

A few questions:

- Do you test your blood glucose yourself? If not, I'd start immediately as this is the single most powerful way to understand what food does to your BG levels. Test just before your first mouthful and two hours after your last.

- Do you have access to a different GP or a Diabetic Nurse Specialist? I'd go see one of those for advice.

- Have you had your Iron and Vitamin D levels checked recently? A lack of either (or both) of those could easily account for your symptoms.

- What type of diabetes were you diagnosed with? And was it the same doctor who has been giving you this slightly shonky, dismissive advice? If so, I'd make finding a new GP a priority.

Also, breakfast ideas... some bacon and fried mushrooms works well for me. Also, ham and cucumber is quite pleasant, and some fresh berries and yoghurt is both delicious and refreshing, too! My son loves Peperami and some kind of dip - either for breakfast or for a treat.

Hope at least one of those sounds appealing!

Sock x

 

[Mummymaw]

could also be due to other things-ask to have your thyroid function tested. I'm no expert but with a HBA1C of just 42 you may be more hypoglycemic than diabetic ? keep asking at your practice x

Thyroid fine, it was checked and latest hba1c today was 49.

 

[trimy]

Hi and welcome
Like you I am newly diagnosed with a relatively low reading of 53. I have had exactly the same symptoms as you and my GP has prescribes metformin. To be honest I don't overly like it and have just had my first blood test since being diagnosed. I am type 2 and now awaiting the results

 

[Bluetit1802]

It is a shame you wouldn't be able to eat eggs as they are a good staple for diabetics and an excellent breakfast solution. However, a good old fry up is a good breakfast (bacon, mushrooms, very high meat content sausage, a tomato) There is also cold meats that work well, or a plain low carb yogurt with a few raspberries or 2 or 3 strawberries. Even left overs from the day before. Breakfast cereals are very high in carbs.

I second the suggestion to buy a glucose meter. They are pretty much essential tools to teach us which foods we can cope with. I differ slightly from @SockFiddler in that the correct way to test is before you eat and 2 hours after FIRST bite. If you do this, and keep a food diary including everything in that meal and portion sizes, then record your levels alongside, you can see at a glance what that meal has done to your levels and after a period of time patterns will emerge, enabling you to reduce or eliminate some of the items.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. Your blood sugar readings aren't that high and not high enough to cause any symptoms for most people. T1 would only be suspected it you are really slim and your blood sugar was much higher. You shouldn't be eating bananas I'm afraid as they are very high in sugar. I would just continue with a low-carb diet and see how you go. Adding Metformin might help just a little so discuss with the GP next time you see him/her.

 

[Alison Campbell]

Hi @Mummymaw

I'm glad that you are having further tests to hopefully clarify things.

Having read a wide range of new members posts on the forum over the years we all seem to be affected differently by higher than normal blood sugar levels. Some people go undiagnosed for quite some with no symptoms and others are more sensitive to changes in blood sugar and symptoms.

I've certainly had bouts of blurred vision and many people with prediabetes report symptoms and complications.

Keep counting the carbs in your meals and testing the affect on blood sugar levels. Do let us know how you got on with the further tests you are having.

 

[Mummymaw]

Finally feel I've made progress today! Second HBA1C back and 48. Managed to finally speak to my GP today who has officially diagnosed diabetes type 2. With my symptoms worsening (ridiculous thirst, peeing more, blurred vision and nausea and sometimes sickness) I explained I knew I shouldn't have these symptoms but as I had please test for type 1. She agreed! But not sure how to!! so she is looking into it and should have the ball rolling by tomorrow. I'm actually relieved a dr has finally listened to me and feel I've made a massive step forward today. Will keep you posted

 

[Bluetit1802]

She doesn't know how to?

Blimey.

Glad she agreed though - well done.