average hba1c in uk amongst diagnosed diabetics

[the_anticarb]

does anyone know what this is or where I can find this out? I read somewhere it was around 9, which although that may include some newly diagnosed, sounds pretty high as an average...surely that can't be right?

 

[ebony321]

I'm not sure either, but would be interesting to find out, it wouldn't surprise me if it's right though, there must be some very high HBA1c's out there which push up a good average to something that looks bad like 9%

I myself had HBA1c's in the 16's for almost a year, sorry if i wrecked that average!

 

[imalittlefishy]

I don't know the average, but I do know that my mum and her colleagues (she's a practice nurse) have been set the target of getting 70% of the diabetics in their surgery to have a HbA1c of under 7.5%, in order to keep certain funding, and neither her surgery or any others she knows have come anywhere near this...So it wouldn't surprise me if the figure is somewhere around 9 too.
xx

 

[alaska]

http://www.diabetesinscotland.org.uk/Publications/Scottish Diabetes Survey 2009.pdf

This is for Scotland. I'm not aware of one for the UK but it's likely to be relatively similar to the Scotland results I would imagine.

 

[phoenix]

This is from 2008-9
http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/Services/ ... 8_2009.pdf

In 66.6 per cent of the records from people with Type 2 diabetes but only 28.6 per cent of records from people with Type 1 diabetes was HbA1c ≤ 7.5 per cent (NICE recommended). Thus, overall, approximately 40 per cent of people with diabetes have a high risk (for future
complications) HbA1c of > 7.5 per cent.
Furthermore, 33.6 per cent of people with Type 1 diabetes and 14.3 per cent of people with Type 2 diabetes have a very high risk HbA1c value of > 10 per cent. These overall results
are very similar to those found in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008.

However, there are appreciable subgroup differences in the rates of achieving target glucose control
For Type 1 diabetes a target HbA1c of ≤ 7.5 per cent was
more likely with:
– older age;
– male gender;
– higher weight (27.8 per cent with BMI between 18.5 and 25 vs 35.9 per cent with BMI > 40);
– and least social deprivation (25.7 per cent Q1 vs 19.9 per cent Q5)

For Type 2 diabetes a target HbA1c of ≤ 7.5 per cent was associated with:
– older age;
– female gender;
– white ethnic group (White 70.4 per cent, Asian 58.5 per cent, Black 62.5 per cent, Other 58.7 per cent);
– shorter duration of diabetes (duration < 9 years over 60 per cent, 10-19 years ~ 50 per cent,
20+ years ~ 40 per cent);
– lower weight (76.1 per cent with BMI between 18.5 and 25 vs 60.7 per cent BMI > 40);
– and lower social deprivation (64.15 per cent Q1 vs 57.29 per cent Q5)

 

[the_anticarb]

Crikey, so it seems that only apx 25% of t1s meet the 7.5 target (very rough average of scotland and england figures), which equates to an average blood sugar of around 9 anyway - so apx 3/4s must have an average blood sugar readings in excess of 9. (yes, you can see I excelled at maths at school!)

I was really interested in t1s as that's closest to my type (I've one of the inbetween/awkward types of diabetes)

I guess a lot of people still struggle despite interventions like dafne and the widespread use of blood testing kits (when I was diagnosed in the mid nineties these were seen as a bit of an optional extra, pee sticks were doled out to most)

It would seem that an average hba1c of 9 or above is quite likely then :shock:

 

[Tracey69]

Well i was amazed when i read some of the comments as when my HBA1C was above nine i was told i had to try and get it lower.
My HBA1C is 7.4 at present, but I have been in the 10's.
So I'm not actually sure but i would say that the level should be about 7.5, But i have to speak to my diabetic nurse this week so i will try and find out.
But just watch the intake of carbs.
Try and keep your sugar levels lower than 9mmols, as long term high levels can cause problems eg bleeding at the back of the eye, your kidneys

 

[anniep]

When I had an Hba1c of 7.4, every time I was ill one of the doctors in the practice wouls saY 'well what do you expect you are diabetic and badly controlled'

AND the practice nurse told my husband at his appointment that I didn't look after myself!

 

[viviennem]

When I was diagnosed my HbA1c was 6.5.

3 months later I was in the mid-5s, and that's where I've been ever since. (Type 2)

Viv 8)

 

[catherinecherub]

I attended for my annual review today.
The DSN is always pleased with my results and cannot understand why the vast majority of her patients don't care about their results. She has tried every way to explain to them that in this modern age, diabetes does not have to follow a pattern of progression but they ignore her. She is really frustrated about what she needs to do to get through to them. She has tried graphic details of what can happen including photos, the devastation caused to the rest of the family etc... to be met with replies such as "I am not giving up cakes for anyone," "I like sausage rolls and crisps". When she says that they are alright as an occasional treat their eyes glaze over and they stop listening.

With the weight issue, she has some before and after pictures that patients have agreed for her to show fellow diabetics. Interestingly some of them got good results with weight issues at Slimming World. She thinks that for some, the group setting is needed.

 

[AndyS]

I just moved house and registered with a new GP.

They did the usual thing of getting all excited because I was T1 and got all the blood tests.
When I saw the practice nurse she was very happy and said she wished they had more Diabetics with my numbers, I had just got 6.3 and was disapointed since the last 4 were all 5.9 or less.

So given her reaction I guess 9 could be about right. A bit sad and worrying really.

/A

 

[Unicornz]

I was diagnosed almost 9 years ago now, and before I went on the pump I have never managed a HBa1C lower than 7.5, however hard I tried and no matter how much effort I put in. In the eight years before my pump they have usually been between 8 and 10 (never higher than 10 though, although I was 12.8 when I was diagnosed).

Now I'm on the pump things are going MUCH better and I can't wait to have my first HBa1C done because I think I might have actually managed to get to 7% my lowest EVER! Trying not to get too excited though in case it's disappointing..

Guess that means that before the pump I was average then

 

[anna29]

Hi, Have spent the last 1.5yrs with Hba1c 9.1 and 9.7 despite supreme efforts and shots and meds it can be and is sooo frustrating as you try so hard n get little rewards with the Hba1c results when they come in at these levels. Just keep doing my best n plod on... Anna.x :?

 

[Pneu]

I had a review at the clinic yesterday and from some of the conversations going on I wouldn't be surprised about an average HbA1c of 9%.. I still think its a lack of education and respect for the condition... the number of people you hear talking 1/2 truths or just plain mis-informed rubbish is unreal!

To top it off they had one of the test strip companies in doing some sampling on the accuracy of some new strips.. so as the nurse took bloods for the HbA1c they then asked if you wouldn't mind testing on the new strips... having a quick nose at the results the lady was writing down so many people had readings of 10 - 15 mmol/l was surprising really.

 

[Unicornz]

Actually, come to think of it. I was at the doctor's not too long ago and when she tested my urine for infections (the stick also measures glucose) she told me in a very surprised tone that there wasn't any glucose in my urine which she seemed very impressed with.

By the sound of that I wouldn't be too surprised with the 9% result either!