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Hba1c confusion

S

Saimaci

Member
Messages
11
Hello,

I had a routine Hba1c b/t last week and it has come back at 42. The receptionist at the Drs has asked me to repeat this test as it indicates I could be pre-diabetic. This has come as a shock to me and I have no further information, help or advice to give me reassurance.

My hba1c was checked in March this year and it was 31 way off pre diabetes so the above has come as a shock. Due to stress I have binged on food and fizzy drink a lot this year so can understand it peaking but not to thr level it has so rapidly. My plan is to detox and reduce the binging and fizzy drinks however any help would be appreciated. My plan is to have 2 main meals a day snack on 2 fruits a day. 1 treat per week and allow myself 2 fizzy drinks per week and then repeat the bloods in 6 weeks and see if lifestyle change helps reduce my hba1c.

I love cake do I need to cut cake out altogether?

Should I be worried?

Thank you in advance for any help.
 
Saimaci said:
Hello,

I had a routine Hba1c b/t last week and it has come back at 42. The receptionist at the Drs has asked me to repeat this test as it indicates I could be pre-diabetic. This has come as a shock to me and I have no further information, help or advice to give me reassurance.

My hba1c was checked in March this year and it was 31 way off pre diabetes so the above has come as a shock. Due to stress I have binged on food and fizzy drink a lot this year so can understand it peaking but not to thr level it has so rapidly. My plan is to detox and reduce the binging and fizzy drinks however any help would be appreciated. My plan is to have 2 main meals a day snack on 2 fruits a day. 1 treat per week and allow myself 2 fizzy drinks per week and then repeat the bloods in 6 weeks and see if lifestyle change helps reduce my hba1c.

I love cake do I need to cut cake out altogether?

Should I be worried?

Thank you in advance for any help.
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Before you do anything else go and repeat the blood test to confirm that the first one was accurate.

If you just change your diet and then get "magical" results in 6 weeks time you will convince yourself that the changes worked when you could have been non diabetic all the time.

Having said that, your diet doesn't sound healthy so you might consider some changes anyway.:)
 
Saimaci said:
In your experience is a routine reading of hba1c 42 diabetic or a red flag
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It’s the lower end of pre-diabetic. The red flag for me would be the quick rise from 31 earlier this year - assuming the repeat test confirms the jump.
 
Thank you for all the replies. I guess I have a fear that the repeat blood test will confirm I am diabetic. I don't want to be diabetic. And yes my diet is not great and this is not an excuse but food has always been an emotional blanket for me and I have clearly not thought about the internal effect it would have on my internal organs.
 
I don’t think anyone ever wants to be diabetic. Luckily we can manage it.
 
Goonergal said:
It’s the lower end of pre-diabetic. The red flag for me would be the quick rise from 31 earlier this year - assuming the repeat test confirms the jump.
Click to expand...


Thank you for your reply. It's not been a great year due to heavy stress and I have unfortunately neglected my body by binging as my way of dealing with the stress.

Would you start reducing foods or go tee total. If, I'm going to go down the total turn around life style change rather than another diet I thought reducing my food makes sense rather than going tee total.

Any thoughts please?
 
Saimaci said:
Thank you for your reply. It's not been a great year due to heavy stress and I have unfortunately neglected my body by binging as my way of dealing with the stress.

Would you start reducing foods or go tee total. If, I'm going to go down the total turn around life style change rather than another diet I thought reducing my food makes sense rather than going tee total.

Any thoughts please?
Click to expand...

Go with changes you think you can sustain. It’s carbohydrates that increase blood glucose. I am teetotal so not best placed to advise, but there is low carb alcohol around, so if that’s the harder ask, look at food changes. The dietdoctor.com website has a lot of useful resources.
 
Saimaci said:
Hello,
My plan is to detox and reduce the binging and fizzy drinks however any help would be appreciated. My plan is to have 2 main meals a day snack on 2 fruits a day. 1 treat per week and allow myself 2 fizzy drinks per week and then repeat the bloods in 6 weeks and see if lifestyle change helps reduce my hba1c.
I love cake do I need to cut cake out altogether?
Should I be worried?
Thank you in advance for any help.
Click to expand...
First of all there is no need for 'detox' - you have not been poisoned, so no point.
Secondly - two pieces of fruit a day, if you are sensitive to carbohydrate, is a lot. Try a couple of small servings of frozen berries a week to minimize fructose intake.
Fizzy drinks are fine - just don't chose ones with sugar in.
If you seek out low carb cake options you might need to shop online for ingredients but some cake should be possible.
 
Thank you for all your replies so far. I'll go for the repeat b/t next week and update.

I don't drink alcohol. My downfall are fuzzy drinks and large volumes of binging. It's amazing how a 'wake up' call like this can put things in perspective. It's a shame I didn't realise it before.

If 42 is on the lower scale of pre diabetes is the higher scale 47? As according to the NHS website a hba1c of 48 means diabetes. Is this correct?
 
Hello and welcome,

You must be feeling quite worried and a bit overwhelmed. That is totally normal.

I agree that if the test is correct the increase in the HbA1c is concerning.

If the retest confirms the reading then you really need to take it seriously. Luckily diabetes is a disease that doesn't have tp be progressive in the way drs expect.

The really good news is that you have found this site- that is the first step to managing the disease. I would suggest even if the next test comes back a little lower if it has increased significantly from you earliest test you should consider taking action. The earlier you take action the less insulin resistance you will have and the easier it is to manage the condition.

in the meantime while you wait for your retest results my suggestions are to read around on this site- ask questions become informed about diabetes. The medical profession can be a bit behind the times on this disease- we can't afford to be.

Secondly I would cut the sugary/ carbs stuff. I get it- I too used it as an emotional crutch and also because I am simply a carb addict- love the stuff- unfortunately my body does not tolerate it at all.

Good luck and let us know how you go.
 
Saimaci said:
As according to the NHS website a hba1c of 48 means diabetes. Is this correct?
Click to expand...

Yes in diagnostic terms..
to be "safe" its best to aim to get to lower than 40 mmol/m through dietary changes.
Cut out starchy carbs and any sugar (sorry that does include cake).
Base meals around meat, fish and above ground vegetables if desired.
Try not to eat between meals and maybe reduce to 2 meals per day.
 
I am an emotional/stress eater, but managed to go low carb by finding low carb treats.
I thought about the foods I would really miss and found substitutes for them. I suggest you decide how many carbs to aim for and fit in some low carbs treats into that?

I started on 100g a day, then down to 85g. I was lucky that I started low carb straight away so my body recovered faster and I got into remission without having to go lower - but even so after a few weeks I found some days I'd only eaten 70g.

At first I was careful to keep some easy to reach treats ready, and gave away anything that was not in line with the low carb programme.
I still haven't lost my sweet tooth, I doubt I could, but I allowed myself up to 15g extra carbs for 'bad' days so I could have a coconut flour or ground almond cake or some no added sugar chocolate/ice cream.
Some people find using sweeteners can still spike blood sugars but I find truvia does not affect me, and I would have struggled and probably failed without it!
For savoury snacks I bought packs of 20g cheeses and kept them right at the front of my fridge at eye height.
I switched to 85% chocolate, or 90% made into mousse by melting a couple of squares and stirring it into double cream with a little stevia/truvia sweetener.
I found a great recipe for coconut milk/flour pancakes, a keto mug cake recipe, and how to make a raspberry/rhubarb crumble with ground almonds to have with real egg custard.
 
VashtiB said:
Hello and welcome,

You must be feeling quite worried and a bit overwhelmed. That is totally normal.

I agree that if the test is correct the increase in the HbA1c is concerning.

If the retest confirms the reading then you really need to take it seriously. Luckily diabetes is a disease that doesn't have tp be progressive in the way drs expect.

The really good news is that you have found this site- that is the first step to managing the disease. I would suggest even if the next test comes back a little lower if it has increased significantly from you earliest test you should consider taking action. The earlier you take action the less insulin resistance you will have and the easier it is to manage the condition.

in the meantime while you wait for your retest results my suggestions are to read around on this site- ask questions become informed about diabetes. The medical profession can be a bit behind the times on this disease- we can't afford to be.

Secondly I would cut the sugary/ carbs stuff. I get it- I too used it as an emotional crutch and also because I am simply a carb addict- love the stuff- unfortunately my body does not tolerate it at all.

Good luck and let us know how you go.
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Hi Vashti,

I'm definitely, feeling overwhelmed but grateful for coming across this website and how helpful everyone has been to me. Not sure if I was asking the correct questions, repeating myself or sounding stupid. Thank you for being patient and for understanding where I'm coming from.

I'm assuming a Hba1c of 42 is just off the mark for pre diabetes.

I'm hoping within 3 months I will be able to get my hba1c back within the normal range.

I'm not having any symptoms so I guess that is a good sign.
 
TriciaWs said:
I am an emotional/stress eater, but managed to go low carb by finding low carb treats.
I thought about the foods I would really miss and found substitutes for them. I suggest you decide how many carbs to aim for and fit in some low carbs treats into that?

I started on 100g a day, then down to 85g. I was lucky that I started low carb straight away so my body recovered faster and I got into remission without having to go lower - but even so after a few weeks I found some days I'd only eaten 70g.

At first I was careful to keep some easy to reach treats ready, and gave away anything that was not in line with the low carb programme.
I still haven't lost my sweet tooth, I doubt I could, but I allowed myself up to 15g extra carbs for 'bad' days so I could have a coconut flour or ground almond cake or some no added sugar chocolate/ice cream.
Some people find using sweeteners can still spike blood sugars but I find truvia does not affect me, and I would have struggled and probably failed without it!
For savoury snacks I bought packs of 20g cheeses and kept them right at the front of my fridge at eye height.
I switched to 85% chocolate, or 90% made into mousse by melting a couple of squares and stirring it into double cream with a little stevia/truvia sweetener.
I found a great recipe for coconut milk/flour pancakes, a keto mug cake recipe, and how to make a raspberry/rhubarb crumble with ground almonds to have with real egg custard.
Click to expand...
Hi TriciaWs,

Food has always been a comfort blanket for me and for the past 9 years I've had my hba1c it has always been in the normal range. However this year with no exercise and allowing my body to have a party of takeaways, chocolate and fizzy drinks x 4 cans a day as a coping mechanism due to stress my body is finally telling me to stop.

I know it will a new chapter in changing my habits but I accept now I can't continue like this.

Thanks for your reply, help and tips.
 
Hi,

First of all- don't worry about asking correct questions- all questions are welcome- you'd be surprised how often you will ask a question that others want the answer to. also don't worry about repeating yourself or sounding stupid. This form is full of amazing people who understand just how overwhelming it is with so much to learn. just keep reading and asking questions- one day you will be the person answering some of the questions- while we all have a lot in common we all also have different experiences so all of us together- including you - can help and support each other.

Good luck and keep posting- the question you ask may be just the one someone else is too worried to ask.
 
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