Changes in hb1ac : why the variance?

[HSSS]

I believe that Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin is the weight in picograms of the hemoglobin in a red cell. Fortunately all my blood numbers are in range so I haven't investigated what they all mean, how they interact or what is important, you would need to consult your GP.

Asks for that. I’ll check it. As far as asking the gp? The surgery (more than one gp) who ignored my prediabetes? Who misdiagnosed and mistreated my gallstones for years? Who ignored my low b12? Who advocate moderation for T2 diet? Who anyone in our area struggles to get appointments for unless half dead? Who are understaffed and underfunded?

The report of “normal” is no longer sufficient for me. I want numbers and to understand what that actually means. And they don’t have the time to have a nice chat about the potential meaning of tests they consider “normal” even if only by the tiniest margin. Hence I try and do my best to do my own quality evidence based research.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Thanks, I didn't understand the mechanics. But if there are fewer red blood cells, might that also mean that a bigger proportion would be glycated? Also, fewer red blood cells may be because they don't live very long or aren't being produced in sufficient quantities. I have been anaemic for over 60 years, so there is something fundamental at work.
It is all very difficult and I was just saying not to concentrate too much on the numbers. My fbg is pretty constant at 4.5 and my weight is on target which are my main priorities.

Anaemia certainly does affect the HbA1c. Certain types will increase it, other types will lower it. However, if you have always been anaemic (since diabetes diagnosis) then your HbA1c tests will all have been falsely high or falsely low, so the current upward trend you see now is unlikely to be caused by your anaemia.

 

[Alexandra100]

It is all very difficult and I was just saying not to concentrate too much on the numbers. My fbg is pretty constant at 4.5 and my weight is on target which are my main priorities.

Yes, it certainly is very difficult. If I had a fasting bg like yours I'd be less inclined to worry too! But I go along with the view that the most important numbers are the ones around meals. Not that mine are perfect either, but I give them much more credence than A1c tests.

 

[Alexandra100]

The report of “normal” is no longer sufficient for me. I want numbers and to understand what that actually means

Sorry if you've already answered this, but do you get your results online? I do, and when I look at the detail I am offered a more general explanation on each type of test. But I totally agree with your policy of research.

 

[pixie1]

It all depends what level you have come from and what target you have chosen. My worst A1c was 41. Even by cutting almost all carbs from my diet I can't get it any lower than 38. I would dearly like a "normal" A1c of 31, or failing that 34 max. According to research quoted by Jenny Ruhl, heart attack risk rises with the rise in A1c above 31, slowly at first, but then more steeply from 36 upwards. My family is prone to cardiac problems, so I am wary of that risk.

39 is in non diabetic range, which I am. I'm wary about research, as long as the cvd markers are in range, like triglycerides, ast, alt are normal, that's the main thing. My were very high 5 years ago, absolutely fine now on low carbing. My trigs are only 0.88 now.

 

[HSSS]

Sorry if you've already answered this, but do you get your results online? I do, and when I look at the detail I am offered a more general explanation on each type of test. But I totally agree with your policy of research.

I do get them online now, since I learnt to be more distrustful. Though mine don’t give explanations i am happy to go do the research myself and ask questions if required.

 

[DCUKMod]

@HSSS - These are my venous blood HbA1cs, since diagnosis in 2013. They don't vary massively, but they do vary a bit.

Now withing that time I have had periods of considerable stress, periods of little stress, some planned (i.e. routine, done as a part of annual blood panels), and some, including the last, lowest ever, out of the blue, when my GP decided to do a full panel, prior to me seeing an Endo (for something non-diabetes). The amounts and frequency of carb consumption has varied, on a n ad hoc basis along the way, but I rather seem to have a range I'm tending to run in.

Personally, I have a scale of acceptability I work to for myself. I won't state what the range is, as it doesn't matter a jot to anyone, except me, but provided I remain within that max tolerance range, I'm content.



Life has a way of getting into the mix of how our lives trundle along.

 

[Alexandra100]

Personally, I have a scale of acceptability I work to for myself. I won't state what the range is, as it doesn't matter a jot to anyone, except me, but provided I remain within that max tolerance range, I'm content.

With numbers like that I'd be super-content too!

 

[HSSS]

Me too

 

[Alexandra100]

Personally, I have a scale of acceptability I work to for myself. I won't state what the range is, as it doesn't matter a jot to anyone, except me, but provided I remain within that max tolerance range, I'm content.

Sorry, I should have said, "Well done, amazing results!"