At what HBa1c level did your GP recommend Metformin?

[HSSS]

Not sure how often a diagnosis is made these days that isn't simply two HbA1c of 48 or above.

Mine 5 yrs ago was an hba1c of 55 followed (at my request of confirmation) by a FBG at 7.3. Only symptoms was tiredness which is ubiquitous to so many conditions. b12 was low as was folate, vit d and ferritin. All of which could have contributed.

 

[Ladynijo]

I was diagnosed T2 in February, GP never told me the hba1c just said i was diabetic and prescribed Metformin. The diabetic nurse said it was only just & I thought she said 48 or 6.5%. I’ve been having annual blood tests because I’ve been on medication for high blood pressure for several years, and the hba1c has been creeping up, along with my weight. GP also prescribed statins, as my cholesterol was also high.

I immediately cut out the obvious stuff like desserts and all starchy stuff like potatoes, rice etc and have been refining a low carb regime ever since. Years ago I did a Dukan diet to lose weight and that gave me some ideas to start with. Since February I have lost 22lb and my BMI is now in the normal range. I’m tolerating the Metformin Ok but have had a few unpleasant effects so I’d rather do without it. My fasting morning blood is now usually between 6.0 - 7.0, and I’ll see what my hba1c is in a couple of weeks time. My objective is to get it down and then ditch the Metformin and focus on diet & exercise alone.

The statins I’m in two minds about, there’s no discernible negative effect, although my local pharmacy ran out so I haven’t been taking them for a week or so anyway. But I’ll see what the numbers say when I get tested in a couple of weeks.

 

[Robbity]

I had a second HbA1c done for confirmation although the first was definitely in the diabetic range.

But regarding @Littlemoon's 46 and 49 results , I would expect them to be a pre-diabetes/borderline warning not a definite T2 diagnosis .

 

[KennyA]

Mine 5 yrs ago was an hba1c of 55 followed (at my request of confirmation) by a FBG at 7.3. Only symptoms was tiredness which is ubiquitous to so many conditions. b12 was low as was folate, vit d and ferritin. All of which could have contributed.

I was diagnosed December 19/Jan 20 with BGs of 50/49. I'd had blood tests yearly but no-one mentioned my rising BGs: I had a wide range of diabetic symptoms while my BGs were in the mid-40s, but was told I definitely wasn't diabetic as my blood sugars weren't high enough; the only thing ever discussed was cholesterol; no other diabetic tests ever.

The variation in approach is interesting.

 

[HSSS]

I was diagnosed December 19/Jan 20 with BGs of 50/49. I'd had blood tests yearly but no-one mentioned my rising BGs: I had a wide range of diabetic symptoms while my BGs were in the mid-40s, but was told I definitely wasn't diabetic as my blood sugars weren't high enough; the only thing ever discussed was cholesterol; no other diabetic tests ever.

The variation in approach is interesting.

That was my first ever hba1c that I can find on record. Despite years of tiredness complaints, rising blood glucose results (some into diagnostic levels if they were fasted which is unclear and many that were pre diabetic). Shambolic and typical of my practice tbh.

 

[mojo37]

Can you sign up to get access to your medical stuff online? If you can' do so. Anyone in Scotland can (MyDiabetesMyWay - totally gross name IMHO) and I believe there is something similar in England.

It seems to depend from surgery to surgery if you can do that ...mine doesn't .

 

[CatsFive]

I was diagnosed T2 in February, GP never told me the hba1c just said i was diabetic and prescribed Metformin. The diabetic nurse said it was only just & I thought she said 48 or 6.5%. I’ve been having annual blood tests because I’ve been on medication for high blood pressure for several years, and the hba1c has been creeping up, along with my weight. GP also prescribed statins, as my cholesterol was also high.

I immediately cut out the obvious stuff like desserts and all starchy stuff like potatoes, rice etc and have been refining a low carb regime ever since. Years ago I did a Dukan diet to lose weight and that gave me some ideas to start with. Since February I have lost 22lb and my BMI is now in the normal range. I’m tolerating the Metformin Ok but have had a few unpleasant effects so I’d rather do without it. My fasting morning blood is now usually between 6.0 - 7.0, and I’ll see what my hba1c is in a couple of weeks time. My objective is to get it down and then ditch the Metformin and focus on diet & exercise alone.

The statins I’m in two minds about, there’s no discernible negative effect, although my local pharmacy ran out so I haven’t been taking them for a week or so anyway. But I’ll see what the numbers say when I get tested in a couple of weeks.

IMHO it's worth getting started on the exercise now, if you haven't already.

 

[HSSS]

It seems to depend from surgery to surgery if you can do that ...mine doesn't .

The nhs app is available to everyone. And your surgery should turn of the test results section on request if it isn’t already on.

 

[mojo37]

The nhs app is available to everyone. And your surgery should turn of the test results section on request if it isn’t already on.

Well it doesn't even getting an answer on the phone is a feat in its self !

 

[HSSS]

Well it doesn't even getting an answer on the phone is a feat in its self !

Are you saying they are refusing to give you access to the nhs app results section?

 

[mojo37]

Not sure where this is going all I said is that there is no online access at my surgery .

 

[HSSS]

Not sure where this is going all I said is that there is no online access at my surgery .

And I’m trying to explain legally in the uk they are required to provide and allow this. If they are not doing this make some noise.

Basic NHS app access doesn’t need anything from them at all but to activate the test results section they need to turn it on.

 

[mojo37]

Ah I wasn't aware of that all I have ever been told, when asking if I can access my blood results online, is that the practice doesn't do this . I will investigate this further thank you .

 

[Lainie71]

I was prescribed meds but pretty much refused them. Dropped my levels enough for the dn and gp to be happy with me staying on lchf and exercise thrown in

 

[Ladynijo]

IMHO it's worth getting started on the exercise now, if you haven't already.

Already on it. Have upped my regular swim sessions to 3x a week, good cardio and keeps me flexible. Would like to start cycling again but a little cautious now - have broken wrist twice and the older I get the more averse to tumbles I’ve become. Used to do yoga but fallen by wayside since the last break, downward dog being particularly ouchy with a pin in the wrist. ‍ Not so keen on straight gym work or weights but may need to consider something, it’s just enjoying it enough for it to stick.

I’d happily walk someone’s dog if I could find one, & regularly go on the local Heartsmart walks - I usually enjoy those.

 

[MrsA2]

I’d happily walk someone’s dog if I could find one

Check out the Cinnamon Trust, its a charity were volunteers walk dogs of those no longer able or recovering from illness etc

 

[Ryhia]

And I’m trying to explain legally in the uk they are required to provide and allow this. If they are not doing this make some noise.

Basic NHS app access doesn’t need anything from them at all but to activate the test results section they need to turn it on.

I'm in a similar situation to @Lainie71. No access to blood levels online. When I queried why, I was told that the surgery had not bought into the level of access required so results were not available via the NHS app. Something like that anyway. Different situation but on another occasion, I had to have bloods (A1c) taken at the hospital these were assessed via the hospital's own lab. When I phoned the surgery to ask for the results I was told the surgery could not see the hospital results, again because they had not bought into that part of the application. Because of that I had to have my bloods (A1c) done again via my HCP. Didn't bother to query why as my surgery is the envy of the town where I live so I presume they must have a good reason. Maybe patient privacy, who knows...

 

[KennyA]

Ah I wasn't aware of that all I have ever been told, when asking if I can access my blood results online, is that the practice doesn't do this . I will investigate this further thank you .

This is what should happen, according to the NHS. What actually does happen varies - a lot.

View your GP health record

View your GP health record online, find out what's included in a GP health record and what to do if there's an issue with your record.

www.nhs.uk

 

[Andy0182]

I was diagnosed with an HBA1C of 76 in March, I had a 2nd test which was 69. Met with the Nurse a month later and I had already switched to low carb by that point, had lost a bit of weight, and generally felt better. We agreed I would persist with this and would have a further test in 3 months. I have a call with the nurse this morning to discuss my results and next steps. I can see on the NHS app that my result was 49, so I am hoping that I can continue as is without any medication. Good luck

 

[mojo37]

This is what should happen, according to the NHS. What actually does happen varies - a lot.

View your GP health record

View your GP health record online, find out what's included in a GP health record and what to do if there's an issue with your record.

www.nhs.uk

That's my experience too and I was saying surgeries seem to vary .