Just had Hba1c test results from gp, so dissapointed after losing 24 pounds over three months, expected it to have gone lower from 42, couldn't believe it had gone up to 43, why I ask myself what more can I do !
Dissapointed
- Thread starter anniemit66
- Start Date
plutoniumcard
Active Member
- Messages
- 36
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
Don't get too hung up on the numbers. Brilliant that you have lost the weight. I would take your 43!!
Cheers
Tony
Cheers
Tony
Bluetit1802
Legend
- Messages
- 25,216
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Hi and welcome,
The difference between 42 and 43 is negligible and can be accounted for in test error, so I wouldn't be too concerned about the rise.
Well done on that weight loss - excellent loss.
May I ask what sort of diet you have followed to achieve this? Have you cut your carbs or your fat? Reducing blood sugar levels isn't just down to weight loss. A correct diet is necessary, one that doesn't raise BS levels, and sadly, carbohydrate does raise BS levels whereas fat doesn't.
.
The difference between 42 and 43 is negligible and can be accounted for in test error, so I wouldn't be too concerned about the rise.
Well done on that weight loss - excellent loss.
May I ask what sort of diet you have followed to achieve this? Have you cut your carbs or your fat? Reducing blood sugar levels isn't just down to weight loss. A correct diet is necessary, one that doesn't raise BS levels, and sadly, carbohydrate does raise BS levels whereas fat doesn't.
.
Bluetit1802
Legend
- Messages
- 25,216
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Diet only
OK. This has worked for weight loss, but not for BS reduction. I suggest you change to counting carbs rather than calories, You will still lose weight (hopefully) and will see improved blood glucose levels. All carbs turn to glucose once inside the system so it makes sense not to eat too many! Bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, cereals and flour are the worst offenders for raising levels.
Have a look at the low carb programme on this site. It has a lot of success and has won awards.
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/lowcarb/?utm_source=hp&utm_medium=dd&utm_campaign=lcp
Resurgam
Expert
- Messages
- 9,867
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Diet only
I'm afraid that although there is this concept of weightloss (sorry gaining weight) being important in the development of diabetes, it doesn't seem to be directly related in fact.
Hba1c is entirely to do with your blood glucose levels in the recent months - if your BG is low so is the Hba1c result.
eating low carb foods should cause your BG to fall towards normal levels and you'll get lower results in the bloodtests. Eating fewer calories doesn't guarantee any alteration.
Hba1c is entirely to do with your blood glucose levels in the recent months - if your BG is low so is the Hba1c result.
eating low carb foods should cause your BG to fall towards normal levels and you'll get lower results in the bloodtests. Eating fewer calories doesn't guarantee any alteration.
Last edited:
Pinkorchid
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 2,927
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Congratulations on the weight loss as to your HbA1c results there is really nothing wrong with that
Alison Campbell
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,443
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
Hi @anniemit66, so sorry to read that you amazing weight loss has not had the desired levels on blood glucose yet. Remember that HBA1C measures over 3 months so the full effect of your weightloss may not show up yet!
With the determination shown by your weightloss, I'm sure you will get you HBA1C into normal figures quickly.
Tagging @daisy1 for the new member information for you
With the determination shown by your weightloss, I'm sure you will get you HBA1C into normal figures quickly.
Tagging @daisy1 for the new member information for you
Juicetin
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 350
- Type of diabetes
- Prediabetes
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Hi if you can manage to reduce your carb intake even slightly it should have the effect of reducing your blood sugar. You don't have to go mad, try having a bit less bread and potatoes and cutting out sweets, cakes etc.
I used to be a pasta fiend but when my wife has it now I have butternut noodles instead.
It's about finding a balance you can live with, but even moderate reductions should help.
Having said all of that, everyone is different, I've tried really hard over the last 12 months but my A1C has gone down by just 1 point.
I used to be a pasta fiend but when my wife has it now I have butternut noodles instead.
It's about finding a balance you can live with, but even moderate reductions should help.
Having said all of that, everyone is different, I've tried really hard over the last 12 months but my A1C has gone down by just 1 point.
KezG
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 239
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- Tripe, most shellfish.. mussels, cockles etc...
@anniemit66 That's far from a bad result.. my last was 58... hoping it's as low as yours at my next blood test in May.
daisy1
Legend
- Messages
- 26,457
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- Cruelty towards animals.
@anniemit66
Hello Annie and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find this useful. Ask more questions when you need to and someone will help.
BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.
A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.
On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.
The role of carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.
If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.
The bad news
Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.
The good news
People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.
Controlling your carbs
The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.
The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.
Choosing better carbohydrates
The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.
Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.
Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.
Eating what works for you
Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.
To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.
The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:
Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.
You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.
Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. They're all free.
Hello Annie and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find this useful. Ask more questions when you need to and someone will help.BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.
A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.
On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.
The role of carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.
If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.
The bad news
Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.
The good news
People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.
Controlling your carbs
The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
- Reduce your carbohydrate intake
- Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.
The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.
Choosing better carbohydrates
The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.
Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.
Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.
Eating what works for you
Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.
To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.
The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:
Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
- structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
- self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education
Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.
You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.
Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. They're all free.
- Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
- Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
CherryAA
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 2,171
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Well if you've got this far by dieting alone, getting to the next level should be a doddle if you also switch to a low carb diet
I'm very happy to have got to where you are ! so the next step is simply a bonus ..
I'm very happy to have got to where you are ! so the next step is simply a bonus ..
Don't overthink. Overthinking is a bad human habbit that complicates our lives.!!
MuntiJay
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 78
- Type of diabetes
- Prefer not to say
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Lynn1
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 432
- Type of diabetes
- Prediabetes
- Treatment type
- I do not have diabetes
Please hang in there.
2.5 years ago I was told (quite out of the blue) that I was prediabetic. By pure good luck, I happened across this website and it transformed my life, both in terms of reducing my blood sugar to 37 mmol and loosing two stones.
Like you, my first Hba1c result was very disappointing. I was so disheartened, but persevered. I believe good BS results to be somewhat cumulative and, together with lowering that carb intake, I feel your next test result might be greatly improved.
Stick with it!
2.5 years ago I was told (quite out of the blue) that I was prediabetic. By pure good luck, I happened across this website and it transformed my life, both in terms of reducing my blood sugar to 37 mmol and loosing two stones.
Like you, my first Hba1c result was very disappointing. I was so disheartened, but persevered. I believe good BS results to be somewhat cumulative and, together with lowering that carb intake, I feel your next test result might be greatly improved.
Stick with it!
Jamesuk9
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 504
- Type of diabetes
- Prediabetes
- Treatment type
- Diet only
From my experience, it is much harder to reduce A1C if you are prediabetic. It will drop but the impact is less significant than reducing the A1C in T2.
Personally, on a full on "normal" carb junk food diet that included all sorts of processed **** and then switching to no cheating full on keto/low carb consistently without cheating and also including really hard enforced fasting, I managed to lose a fantastic 30lbs but the impact on my A1c was much smaller. 38 to 34 over 9 months.
It's the fasting numbers and dawn phenomenom that wont budge for me.
Personally, on a full on "normal" carb junk food diet that included all sorts of processed **** and then switching to no cheating full on keto/low carb consistently without cheating and also including really hard enforced fasting, I managed to lose a fantastic 30lbs but the impact on my A1c was much smaller. 38 to 34 over 9 months.
It's the fasting numbers and dawn phenomenom that wont budge for me.
