A1c.

[SuNuman]

What is classed as good control for diabetes as in the HbA1c test please? X

 

[KennyA]

What is classed as good control for diabetes as in the HbA1c test please? X

That depends on a number of things, including who you are, what you think "good control" is, and the type of diabetes you have.

The general view is that "normal" A1c readings fall in the 38-42 range. It's a circular argument - it's viewed as "normal" because the vast majority of non-diabetic people have A1c figures in this range - the attached graph shows the A1c readings for a non-diabetic group of Dutch adults. There's a good number with A1c scores slightly beneath the 38-42 range, but much fewer above it.

My personal view is that "good control" for me as a T2 is an A1c within or a bit below what's usually accepted as normal range (38-42). Living at that level has removed most of my symptoms completely and greatly reduced those that haven't entirely gone. That doesn't mean that it's what you or anyone else should aim for. For example - I understand that people with T1 are encouraged to run at higher BG levels because of the risk of hypos: and what's normal for one individual won't be normal for another.

 

[Deleted member 543160]

You can check here levels at which T2 diagnosis is made -
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/controlling-type2-diabetes.html
So officially:
"The target HbA1c value for people with type 2 diabetes is 6.5% or 48 mmol/mol.
If you get an HbA1c result at this level or below, you’re on the right track with your diabetes control."

Pre-diabetic HbA1cs are considered to be between 42 and 47, and below that is normal.

However and I feel this is very important, an HbA1c measures glycated haemoglobin, essentially an average of glucose levels over a certain time period, and averages may be the result of a fairly stable set of figures or a set of highs and lows which could balance out to the same nice levels, so I prefer to use a meter and take pre, post, fasting, etc, readings to see how I'm actually doing. So in general - HBA1c for DN and GP to use but my meter data for me.

 

[SuNuman]

That depends on a number of things, including who you are, what you think "good control" is, and the type of diabetes you have.

The general view is that "normal" A1c readings fall in the 38-42 range. It's a circular argument - it's viewed as "normal" because the vast majority of non-diabetic people have A1c figures in this range - the attached graph shows the A1c readings for a non-diabetic group of Dutch adults. There's a good number with A1c scores slightly beneath the 38-42 range, but much fewer above it.

My personal view is that "good control" for me as a T2 is an A1c within or a bit below what's usually accepted as normal range (38-42). Living at that level has removed most of my symptoms completely and greatly reduced those that haven't entirely gone. That doesn't mean that it's what you or anyone else should aim for. For example - I understand that people with T1 are encouraged to run at higher BG levels because of the risk of hypos: and what's normal for one individual won't be normal for another.

Thank you. X

 

[SuNuman]

You can check here levels at which T2 diagnosis is made -
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/controlling-type2-diabetes.html
So officially:
"The target HbA1c value for people with type 2 diabetes is 6.5% or 48 mmol/mol.
If you get an HbA1c result at this level or below, you’re on the right track with your diabetes control."

Pre-diabetic HbA1cs are considered to be between 42 and 47, and below that is normal.

However and I feel this is very important, an HbA1c measures glycated haemoglobin, essentially an average of glucose levels over a certain time period, and averages may be the result of a fairly stable set of figures or a set of highs and lows which could balance out to the same nice levels, so I prefer to use a meter and take pre, post, fasting, etc, readings to see how I'm actually doing. So in general - HBA1c for DN and GP to use but my meter data for me.

Thank you. X