• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Aiming to get to 6.5 hba1c

SheilaCanning

Well-Known Member
Messages
106
Location
English seaside
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi guys,

Thanks so much for your help. I'm 7 weeks into testing and low (ish) carbing. My diabetic nurse gave me 12 weeks to lose a stone and reduce sugar levels from hba1c 7.7 to 6.5.

I apologise for being a bit slow with this but if my average self test over the last 7 weeks is 6.7 that isn't equivalent to 6.7 hba1c is it? It would equate to 5.8 hba1c?

I can see the conversion chart but am just seeking clarification that I am on track! (I understand the self-tests are just snapshots but I am keeping it super steady with readings being between 6 and 7.8.)

I've lost 9 pounds. Whooo hooo!
 
Hi guys,

Thanks so much for your help. I'm 7 weeks into testing and low (ish) carbing. My diabetic nurse gave me 12 weeks to lose a stone and reduce sugar levels from hba1c 7.7 to 6.5.

I apologise for being a bit slow with this but if my average self test over the last 7 weeks is 6.7 that isn't equivalent to 6.7 hba1c is it? It would equate to 5.8 hba1c?

I can see the conversion chart but am just seeking clarification that I am on track! (I understand the self-tests are just snapshots but I am keeping it super steady with readings being between 6 and 7.8.)

I've lost 9 pounds. Whooo hooo!
The weight loss and the low carbing looks like it’s going the right way
As you know the discrete testing nature means the hba1c may not match, but it looks good anyway so fingers crossed!
 
Looks like you are heading in the right direction and doing the right things - well done you - looks like you will be giving yourself a big pat on the back :) I wish you well
 
@SheilaCanning Congratulations on the amazing improvements you have made. I am sure your nurse will be impressed.

I just want to add a note of caution. HbA1C is a measure of your average blood sugar at all times. Your finger pricks are a measure of blood sugars at the time of pricking. It is possible your blood sugars are higher between pricks so your HbA1C may be higher than you are forecasting.

I say this so you do not set your expectations too high and not to detract from your fantastic work.
 
As well as saying well done for what you have achieved I’d add a word of caution for your next appointment. A few on here have done similar and got an extremely underwhelming response from their nurses or even attempts to make them eat carbs again and fear mongering. IF you get that please don’t let it deflate you. Hopefully you’ll get the response you do deserve though. If you don’t meet her goals/expectations still acknowledge the progress you have made because it’s fantastic. And she can, and should, only advise you not enforce anything. She can’t “give you” deadlines or force you to take any action you don’t want to take. Your body your choices.
 
As well as saying well done for what you have achieved I’d add a word of caution for your next appointment. A few on here have done similar and got an extremely underwhelming response from their nurses or even attempts to make them eat carbs again and fear mongering. IF you get that please don’t let it deflate you. Hopefully you’ll get the response you do deserve though. If you don’t meet her goals/expectations still acknowledge the progress you have made because it’s fantastic. And she can, and should, only advise you not enforce anything. She can’t “give you” deadlines or force you to take any action you don’t want to take. Your body your choices.
Thank you. I do feel much stronger. I think at first I was so taken aback, especially when I asked if I could try to control things through diet and she said no, I had to go on medication. Thanks to advice here I insisted on trying first and I feel confident to say no to meds unless there's a very nasty surprise in my blood results. Thank you for the boost.
 
@SheilaCanning Congratulations on the amazing improvements you have made. I am sure your nurse will be impressed.

I just want to add a note of caution. HbA1C is a measure of your average blood sugar at all times. Your finger pricks are a measure of blood sugars at the time of pricking. It is possible your blood sugars are higher between pricks so your HbA1C may be higher than you are forecasting.

I say this so you do not set your expectations too high and not to detract from your fantastic work.

Thanks - understood. I would be surprised if my blood goes much higher than at the time of testing - though who knows - but I hope that even if it is it will be lower than when I was merrily drinking Bailey's and scoffing pasta galore!
;)
 
Don’t be shocked if your hba1c is a bit higher than you expect

Finger pricking is not the best relation to hba1c because it only sees your bg in that instant. 3 or 4 times a day or however often you do it

The trouble is you can have unseen highs in between which will affect the hba1c

But if you are eating well, losing weight and keeping active then it sound like you are heading in the right direction.. stick at it and good luck
 
Back
Top