- Messages
- 50
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
I am wondering whether anyone else gets a hard time from their hospital for their A1c being "too low".
By way of background, my stats since diagnosis in February 2017 are:
February 2017 - 10.5%
April 2017 - 6.7%
August 2017 - 4.5%
March 2018 - 4.5%
October 2018 - 4.5%
The only result that my hospital have been happy with was April 2017 (which was elevated because it was so soon after diagnosis). For the three most recent visits, I've essentially been told to loosen my control because the numbers are too low. Given that A1c is an average, I don't know how they can make the assumption that I must be having frequent hypos - in fact, I am in range 98-99% of the time (3.6 - 6.7 mmol/mol). Not only do a get a hard time about it at the appointment, I then get a letter written about it to my GP each time.
Just one example - they say I should be between 6.5 and 8 mmols before bed. At best this seems overly cautious (especially if you know you tend to rise a bit over night). At worst, it seems irresponsible. I wonder whether this kind of advice is aimed at covering their own liability. I understand that not everyone tries (or is able) to achieve non-diabetic levels and that the standard guidelines may be appropriate in most cases. But if someone wants to do better than that, I don't see why they should not support that.
It's highly frustrating to put in so much work on a daily basis to have it disregarded. Saying that, I haven't been able to see the consultant since my diagnosis in February so perhaps he would take a different view. I am intending to take a print out of my daily stats next time to see if that alleviates their concerns.
Anyone else get this? Do you just continue to do your own thing and put up with the visits?
By way of background, my stats since diagnosis in February 2017 are:
February 2017 - 10.5%
April 2017 - 6.7%
August 2017 - 4.5%
March 2018 - 4.5%
October 2018 - 4.5%
The only result that my hospital have been happy with was April 2017 (which was elevated because it was so soon after diagnosis). For the three most recent visits, I've essentially been told to loosen my control because the numbers are too low. Given that A1c is an average, I don't know how they can make the assumption that I must be having frequent hypos - in fact, I am in range 98-99% of the time (3.6 - 6.7 mmol/mol). Not only do a get a hard time about it at the appointment, I then get a letter written about it to my GP each time.
Just one example - they say I should be between 6.5 and 8 mmols before bed. At best this seems overly cautious (especially if you know you tend to rise a bit over night). At worst, it seems irresponsible. I wonder whether this kind of advice is aimed at covering their own liability. I understand that not everyone tries (or is able) to achieve non-diabetic levels and that the standard guidelines may be appropriate in most cases. But if someone wants to do better than that, I don't see why they should not support that.
It's highly frustrating to put in so much work on a daily basis to have it disregarded. Saying that, I haven't been able to see the consultant since my diagnosis in February so perhaps he would take a different view. I am intending to take a print out of my daily stats next time to see if that alleviates their concerns.
Anyone else get this? Do you just continue to do your own thing and put up with the visits?