Cannot have a hba1c?

[Diabetic Krissy]

Hello all.

After nearly 2 years of being constantly asked to re do blood tests as they were not getting results, I have been told that I have a variant of hemoglobin therefor I need a different test to see my average blood sugar levels as the hba1c doesn't work for me. The test I have to have is a fructosemine test.... My diabetes nurse has never seen it and when she called the hospital lab, the guy she spoke to had also never seen it... Any of you lovely people have this issue??

I guess I was wondering how common it is.
Thanks for reading x

 

[Books1]

This from diabetes uk website
Fructosamine test
If your red blood cells are affected by, for example, anaemia, sickle cell anaemia or thalassaemia (all of which involve a lack of or abnormal type of haemoglobin – the oxygen-carrying part) then your doctor may carry out a blood test for fructosamine. Fructosamine gives an average result for the previous 14 to 21 days. If you normally have a fructosamine test, discuss your individual target with your doctor

 

[himtoo]

Hi Krissy
I had not heard of this -- but just bumping the post so hopefully some more knowledgeable may come along.

how do you do in terms of BG readings ?
( as we know daily readings taken regularly will give a good idea of control )

 

[AndBreathe]

Hello all.

After nearly 2 years of being constantly asked to re do blood tests as they were not getting results, I have been told that I have a variant of hemoglobin therefor I need a different test to see my average blood sugar levels as the hba1c doesn't work for me. The test I have to have is a fructosemine test.... My diabetes nurse has never seen it and when she called the hospital lab, the guy she spoke to had also never seen it... Any of you lovely people have this issue??

I guess I was wondering how common it is.
Thanks for reading x

As I understand it there are only a limited number of labs which carry out the fructosamine test. I have sort of looked at it as my HbA1c lab results are never even close to my finger prick readings. As the HbA1c is higher than my finger prick testing, I haven't troubled my GP to ask her as she is satisfied with the results I get.

Don't get me wrong, my HbA1c lab results are none too shabby, but I'd be curious to know if the fructosamine concurred with it.

I did look at having one where I am now, overseas, but I was told it could only be done one certain days of the week as the blood had to be sent to another country for analysis. I haven't taken it any further.

http://www.berkshirewestdiabetes.org.uk/professionals/diagnosis-of-t2dm-fructosamine

https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/fructosamine/tab/test/

Those links just provide some high level information for anyone interested.

 

[Diabetic Krissy]

Hi Krissy
I had not heard of this -- but just bumping the post so hopefully some more knowledgeable may come along.

how do you do in terms of BG readings ?
( as we know daily readings taken regularly will give a good idea of control )

Thank you unfortunately I have had terrible control the past couple of years... Not wanting to deal with it and being messed around by my doctor didn't help. I was in a major downward spiral but have been sorting it out recently... Had to change doctors then kick and scream and the new ones to find out why the Hba1c wasn't working! Now I know and am waiting for my fructosemine test results (I know it's going to be bad but at least I will have something to improve on!!) On the plus side I actually like my diabetic nurse now Haha

Thanks x

 

[Diabetic Krissy]

As I understand it there are only a limited number of labs which carry out the fructosamine test. I have sort of looked at it as my HbA1c lab results are never even close to my finger prick readings. As the HbA1c is higher than my finger prick testing, I haven't troubled my GP to ask her as she is satisfied with the results I get.

Don't get me wrong, my HbA1c lab results are none too shabby, but I'd be curious to know if the fructosamine concurred with it.

I did look at having one where I am now, overseas, but I was told it could only be done one certain days of the week as the blood had to be sent to another country for analysis. I haven't taken it any further.

http://www.berkshirewestdiabetes.org.uk/professionals/diagnosis-of-t2dm-fructosamine

https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/fructosamine/tab/test/

Those links just provide some high level information for anyone interested.

Thank you for your reply, do you have a variant of hemoglobin then or were you just looking into the accuracy of the different tests??

I will take a look at the links in a bit!!

 

[AndBreathe]

Thank you for your reply, do you have a variant of hemoglobin then or were you just looking into the accuracy of the different tests??

I will take a look at the links in a bit!!

I haven't had any reason to query any haemoglobin anomalies, and know of none. I don't fall into any of the ethnic or racial groups, for instance. I was just wondering if there was a corroborative test as the curious one of me would prefer to "know" why these things aren't closer; even when using a Libre, which gives 24/7 readings.

But, as we know; in this there are always the unknowns.

I hope you get sorted out soon.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I'm another one that sees my HbA1c results very much higher than my finger prick tests. A lot higher. I did ask my DN for a fructosamine test just to compare. She told me they don't do them at our Health Centre. I asked how they go on with folk that have a lack of or abnormal type of haemoglobin. She shrugged and said she has many anaemic T2s but their A1cs appear fine. One has to wonder how she knows they are "fine"

 

[JohnEGreen]

It's a nice economical assumption and totally unwarranted.

 

[Diabetic Krissy]

I haven't had any reason to query any haemoglobin anomalies, and know of none. I don't fall into any of the ethnic or racial groups, for instance. I was just wondering if there was a corroborative test as the curious one of me would prefer to "know" why these things aren't closer; even when using a Libre, which gives 24/7 readings.

But, as we know; in this there are always the unknowns.

I hope you get sorted out soon.

Yeah that makes sense, I get my results back in a week hopefully... I'm trying not to be nervous as I know it will be a bad result but hey ho! Hopefully will be able to actually start controlling my diabetes instead of it controlling me!!

 

[Diabetic Krissy]

I'm another one that sees my HbA1c results very much higher than my finger prick tests. A lot higher. I did ask my DN for a fructosamine test just to compare. She told me they don't do them at our Health Centre. I asked how they go on with folk that have a lack of or abnormal type of haemoglobin. She shrugged and said she has many anaemic T2s but their A1cs appear fine. One has to wonder how she knows they are "fine"

Well that is a little worrying... Poor anaemic type 2's... I wonder if they even know they should be having the fructosemine test? It's really scary how different practice's treat us differently from practice to practice. My old GP nearly killed me when I was diagnosed as I asked him if it could be diabetes and he laughed and said I had a water infection and sent me on my way... The next day I collapsed and went into a diabetic coma -_- I wish they took you more serious

 

[emmajane1976]

This is my 3rd pregnancy and the first time they have discovered that I have a rare, abnormal HB variant, which is J Baltimore. It only affects hbA1c levels. From the research we have done, the blood 'does not register' that there is glucose attached to it and therefore provides lower and inaccurate readings. the hbA1c tests will therefore never show a true reading of your levels and should not be used. I have been told by my consultant that the finger prick tests will be accurate still as it is taken from capillary blood as opposed to venous blood, although I am still trying to look into this.
There are other blood tests that can be carried out to check levels, but those which are looking over a period of time may never be accurate as this particular hb variant just does not register that the glucose is attached to the cells. I have 45% of this variant in my blood, but am unsure how affected you would be if the % you carry is lower. If it a lot lower, then maybe long term testing such as hba1c would be more accurate, of that I am unsure.

 

[Diabetic Krissy]

This is my 3rd pregnancy and the first time they have discovered that I have a rare, abnormal HB variant, which is J Baltimore. It only affects hbA1c levels. From the research we have done, the blood 'does not register' that there is glucose attached to it and therefore provides lower and inaccurate readings. the hbA1c tests will therefore never show a true reading of your levels and should not be used. I have been told by my consultant that the finger prick tests will be accurate still as it is taken from capillary blood as opposed to venous blood, although I am still trying to look into this.
There are other blood tests that can be carried out to check levels, but those which are looking over a period of time may never be accurate as this particular hb variant just does not register that the glucose is attached to the cells. I have 45% of this variant in my blood, but am unsure how affected you would be if the % you carry is lower. If it a lot lower, then maybe long term testing such as hba1c would be more accurate, of that I am unsure.

I have no idea which variant I have as they have not told me.