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Blood tests for T2's

Pinkorchid

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,927
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
How often do those here with T2 have blood tests. I have had routine annual blood tests for over 10 years because I take blood pressure tablets and how I found out last year that I had T2. After diagnosis I was told to have a blood test in 3 months time which I did the nurse was pleased with my results HbA1c had gone down from 46 to 42 so she told me to have the next one in six months which is due next month.
My husband was diagnosed T2 about 18 months ago he had one 3 month blood test and 2 6 month tests his BG levels are good and the nurse said now he would just have yearly tests so is this what most T2's have
 
The guidelines say 3 monthly initially until levels and any meds are stable at an acceptable level, then 6 monthly. Once the levels have been stable at a low enough level for a year or two and any meds are working well, annually.

I was on 3 monthly initially, not on any medication.
My levels dropped to pre-diabetic after 6 months. After 12 months they were still pre-diabetic and dropping so I was moved to 6 monthly.
After another 12 months they were still stable and pre-diabetic so I was offered the chance to come off the register and move to annual tests and be put on the "at risk" register. I declined this as I prefer the 6 monthly blood tests, mainly because I prefer to keep an eye on my bloods in general not simply my HbA1c.
So that is where I remain - 6 monthly blood tests and an annual review with the nurse.
 
When the nurse told my husband to have a blood test and review in a years time it was after his second 6 month one does that mean he will be taken off the register and is a year to long to go when he has only had T2 for 18 months
 
Did he not ask why, or was he told why? He needs to ask what their plans are, and why. Is he on any diabetes meds? If so they can't remove him from the register.

I wasn't given the option to come off the register until 2 years had elapsed from diagnosis with no meds in that time and 18 months in the low pre-diabetic range. My HbA1c was 42. Even then I would have been transferred to the "at risk" register, but I'm not sure if this is a national register or just one my surgery created. My surgery is excellent for type 2 care (apart from the dietary advice, although that has done a bit of a U-turn since I was diagnosed) and follows the NICE guidance.
 
He takes Metformin, all the nurse said to him was his HbA1c level was good and he forgot to ask what it was.. and to have a blood test in a year
 
My blood tests are annual too, to reduce costs.
 
Pinkorchid said:
He takes Metformin, all the nurse said to him was his HbA1c level was good and he forgot to ask what it was.. and to have a blood test in a year
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They won't take him off the register whilst on Metformin. Perhaps he should enquire as to what his HbA1c was if it will put your mind at rest. Personally I never trust the words "good" or "fine". It can mean different things to different people. He can always ask for an interim blood test at 6 months. I asked for one once when they first moved me from 3 months to 6 months, and my nurse obliged. What they probably won't do is offer him 6 monthly reviews with the nurse. As I said above, I have 6 monthly blood tests but only annual reviews.
 


I was diagnosed in November last year, steroid induced T2 (it was thought,) but I was already taking part in a Pre Diabetes Study when it was discovered so I think I must have been pretty borderline.
I was given three months of watching my diet and exercise to see what happened. I bought my own blood monitoring meter and a book by Dr David Cavan on How To Reverse Your T2 Diabetes and set work to to reverse mine.
I did reverse it in the three months by totally overhauling my diet and following Dr Cavan's advice - definitely not following the recommended 'carbs with every meal' healthy plate regime I have to say - I recorded absolutely everything I ate (got a spreadsheet with everything I have eaten since December last year!) and eliminating anything that raised my blood glucose levels and so didn't go on the register.
I was told I wouldn't be tested again for a year!!! I would quite have liked to be tested in less time but I suppose they were happy that I was no longer T2 because of the steroid link.
I've been on BP tablets for about twelve years and I've never had any blood tests for that, just an annual chat wth the doctor and the same sort of thing wth the 'asthma nurse' although the nurse spends ages with me checking everything out.
 


I absolutely hate 'fine, perfect, good ' too.
I was watching Behind Closed Doors on TV last night and none of the patients were given a number for any test results - not even for blood pressure. They were all just told 'Your results are perfect / good / fine and we're happy with that! In a way it didn't surprise me but to see them all one after another really brought it home. I always ask for mine, usually I write them down but I have asked for print offs of all my results in the past too - you are entitled to have them, some surgeries either don't want to give you them or charge or both! But persist and you will get them.
 
Hi I'm new to the forum but felt I had to tell everyone about my hb1 levels which are sitting at 46 just now. I think that's pretty good but my GP feels it's to low as they said it might make me at risk of hypo and wants me to stop some medication diabetic nurse specialist told me that even a level of 53 is fine. Go to see her come Mon
 
At my GP Surgery, the diabetic team arrange for me to have a 4 monthly review which includes blood test for HbA1c (latest result 48), BP and weight. They also review my general health and lifestyle, we discuss my ongoing controls (I am not on any meds except statins). Then annual Cholesterol, Liver and Kidney function tests, foot examination and Retinopathy eye test at my local opticians. Due to holidays etc. I have seen three different members of the team over the years since I was diagnosed and the quality of care from all of them has been excellent and fairly consistent.
Regarding the latest HbA1c result of 48, when I expressed concern about it being up from 46, I was told " Don't beat yourself up about it, certainly lower is better, but after all you are "Diabetic".
I think I am extremely lucky to be under the care of this team.
 
I get my blood etc checked once a year unless they want to change anything then have to go every 6mth. As well as attending diabetic specialist nurse I attend diabetic review team at clinic who are more or less the practice nurses who don't even know what or how the medication works. Like one I take called dapagloflozin which stops your kidney's reabsorbing the glucose doing away with the need for urine test which is full of sugar due to taking this tablet but practice nurse still looks to test it. Will see how I get on on Mon.
 

I had my second A1C 3 months post diagnosis and now every 6 months, as I have gained some control of my BG.
 
@Neverbloobloo
I'm not on ANY meds either and only just into this, and hope I can get to where you are .... and maintain it!
Well done you.
 
Heretic1 said:
@Neverbloobloo
I'm not on ANY meds either and only just into this, and hope I can get to where you are .... and maintain it!
Well done you.
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Hi Heretic1, I hope your team is as good as mine, but remember if you are not sure about anything don't be afraid to ask them to explain. Good luck with your treatment.
 
Neverbloobloo said:
Hi Heretic1, I hope your team is as good as mine, but remember if you are not sure about anything don't be afraid to ask them to explain. Good luck with your treatment.
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@Neverbloobloo
I am VERY happy with my practice and treatment. Both the Dr and the PN are both quite relaxed and given time for things to happen etc, and equally within the first 2 months I had been given ALL the checks and referrals I needed - arranged by them. The PN had seen how I've struggled with this emotionally and mentally ... even if I'm 'smashing it' physically and has been very supportive and reassuring. She keeps telling me I'm doing really well and well ahead of where she would expect and 'if only all my patients were like you, .... but I still don't think it's enough and keep pushing myself harder.
 
Perhaps I'm lucky.

All my medical results are uploaded onto an online portal. I can see everything that has happened to me since I had a trigger thumb when I was 3 (I'm now 50).

My test results can also be viewed as charts and graphs. So I can see myself how well/poorly I am doing over time.
 

Same here. Right back to my first vaccinations when I was a baby - in 1948! There is a long gap after that until the 90's and then test results back to around 2012.

NHS England asked all GP surgeries to put coded medical records on line and make them available to any patient who wished to see them. You have to ask at your surgery for a consent form, which you complete and provide photographic ID such as a driving licence or passport and evidence of your address. Once done you get a code and off you go. All surgeries should have done this by April 2016, although it seems some have not done so. It is always worth asking.
 
Usually 3-6 month intervals. I get monthly blood check for potassium levels and sometimes they draw an extra HbA1c just in case.
 
I have blood tests every three months at the pathology shop at a private hospital two blocks away from where I live.

Most of my blood tests are for monitoring the dosage of medication for my heart, so my Doc tacks on a Hba1c test on to the request form .

The rest of my tests are for the usual liver, prostate, thyroid tests etc.

I have to fast though, and it only takes five minutes to walk to the pathology lab, and I get in to there just after the seven am rush is finishing. Pick up a number and wait my turn, normally no more than twenty minutes wait.

There is a nice cafe in there (hospital) as well so a nice cup of black coffee as a heart starter, then wander home.
 
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