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Shocked - i have some background retinopathy

P

pang

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hello,

I was diagnosed with Type 2 in Jan 2012. I had a blood test which showed I had a Hb1AC of 6.9%.
My previous blood test in early 2011 (and all previous blood tests) showed I had normal HbA1C. So I assumed that I only had diabetes from late 2011. Since Jan 2012 my blood tests have been ok, 6.5%, 7.2%, 6.6% 7.0%. However I had my first eye screening a few weeks ago and yesterday i got a letter from the screening clinic which said I had some background retinopathy.
I am in a state of shock. My GP told me that it takes years and years before any complications develop from diabetes and my blood sugar control has been ok. What could have gone wrong with me? All my blood tests before 2011 showed normal HbA1C levels so I've only had diabetes since 2011 (at the earliest) till now with ok blood sugar levels.
Why has the retinopathy developed so quickly?
I am only 34, although I have been taking blood pressure medication due to high blood pressure.

I am worried what other damage the diabetes has done to me.
 
Please don't worry too much about this..... I'm sure the letter you had also told you that no treatment was necessary: believe it! Nearly all of us get the "some background retinopathy" letter: I've had the same one for the last six years, and there is no indication that there is any significant increase in the retinopathy. In fact, most adults, whether diabetic or not, have some background retinopathy as the result of ageing (I know you are only 34, but no-one of 34 has the eyes of someone of 21!)
Don't let it freak you out... stay calm and remember that the whole point of retinopathy screening is to monitor its progress (if any) so that effective action can be taken when necessary.
 
I also had that letter and found that some time in the 3 years later it reversed itself.
 
Engineer88 said:
I also had that letter and found that some time in the 3 years later it reversed itself.
Click to expand...
Same here. I was sick when I received that first letter but letters since confirm that all is well. Don't worry about it unless, of course, it progresses at which point your team will be able to
guide and help you.


Late onset T1, several auto immune issues.
Humalogmix25 twice a day, Methotrexate 25mg once per week, FolicAcid 5mg once per week, prednisolone 5mg daily, Allopurinol 300mg, Calcichew-D3 800iu, Levothyroxine 50mcg, Atenolol 50mg, Losarten 100mg, Aspirin 75mg, Nicorandil 20mg, Nitrolingual GTN spray, Metformin 2000mg, Allimemazine 10mg, Lanzoprazole 30mg, Atorvastatin 20mg, Co Codamol 8/500mg, Depo Medrone (Methylprednisolone) or double Prednisolone for 7 days in case of RA flare.
 
pang said:
Hello,

I was diagnosed with Type 2 in Jan 2012. I had a blood test which showed I had a Hb1AC of 6.9%.
My previous blood test in early 2011 (and all previous blood tests) showed I had normal HbA1C. So I assumed that I only had diabetes from late 2011. Since Jan 2012 my blood tests have been ok, 6.5%, 7.2%, 6.6% 7.0%. However I had my first eye screening a few weeks ago and yesterday i got a letter from the screening clinic which said I had some background retinopathy.
I am in a state of shock. My GP told me that it takes years and years before any complications develop from diabetes and my blood sugar control has been ok. What could have gone wrong with me? All my blood tests before 2011 showed normal HbA1C levels so I've only had diabetes since 2011 (at the earliest) till now with ok blood sugar levels.
Why has the retinopathy developed so quickly?
I am only 34, although I have been taking blood pressure medication due to high blood pressure.

I am worried what other damage the diabetes has done to me.
Click to expand...


Hi Pang,

The wording of the letter you have received leaves much to be desired as it does for all of us when it says that we have background retinopathy and will be seen again in twelve months. We then panic wondering if it will progress during the twelve months. The wording really needs to change and a bit more of an explanation given as to why a twelve month wait is acceptable.

There are other factors that can affect our eyes including, high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, obesity and the duration of our diabetes.

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/diabetic-retinopathy-leaflet
 
Some great advice. This website is a must for anyone concerned with matters to do with diabetic retinopathy:

http://www.diabeticretinopathy.org.uk/Information_for_patients.html

I notice you say you have high bp pang, although I was never on meds for bp( before I developed retinopathy) my Dr and Ophthalmologist both agreed that I should start on a bp tablet to bring my levels down to around 130/70 as this takes pressure off the eyes, so if your bp levels are borderline then have a chat with your gp just to be safe.
 
pang said:
Hello,

I was diagnosed with Type 2 in Jan 2012. I had a blood test which showed I had a Hb1AC of 6.9%.
My previous blood test in early 2011 (and all previous blood tests) showed I had normal HbA1C. So I assumed that I only had diabetes from late 2011. Since Jan 2012 my blood tests have been ok, 6.5%, 7.2%, 6.6% 7.0%. However I had my first eye screening a few weeks ago and yesterday i got a letter from the screening clinic which said I had some background retinopathy.
I am in a state of shock. My GP told me that it takes years and years before any complications develop from diabetes and my blood sugar control has been ok. What could have gone wrong with me? All my blood tests before 2011 showed normal HbA1C levels so I've only had diabetes since 2011 (at the earliest) till now with ok blood sugar levels.
Why has the retinopathy developed so quickly?
I am only 34, although I have been taking blood pressure medication due to high blood pressure.

I am worried what other damage the diabetes has done to me.
Click to expand...


In the 9 years since I was diagnosed T2 I had only 1 of the background retinopathy letters. Spooked me, but have had normal ones since.

I make sure that I have an eyesight test every year, and use an optician that has modern technology, and so the retina is also examined there. Maintaining good BP and BG seems to be the key to good eye health.
 
Hi Pang, your HbA1c could be improved. I am a bit confused by the different scales though so could be wrong.

I got mine down to 35 but want to improve further.

What is you fasting bg? Postprandial? These readings are important too.
 
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