Diabetic Retinopathy and drop in Blood Glucose Levels

pxmartin · Aug 1, 2017

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 16 years ago, and with diabetic retinopathy about 3 years ago (which is getting worse, although no treatment is required yet).
My last HBA1C was 7.2
I have been trying the 5:2 diet which has been having a significant beneficial effect on my blood glucose levels.
However, I noticed in several articles, including on this website, that a sudden improvement of my BG levels could make my diabetic retinopathy worse.
So I am trying to discover what a rapid improvement actually entails.
On this website it says :-
"People with diabetes should, however, be aware that a rapid improvement in blood glucose levels can lead to a worsening of retinopathy. A rapid improvement in blood glucose levels in this case is defined as a drop in HbA1c of 30 mmol/mol or 3%."
1) But using the 'Convert HbA1c to Average Blood Sugar Level' that is available on this site, entering 30 into the mmol/mol box brings up 4.9 in the HBA1C box, and not 3 % as suggested above ?
2) Also is the value of 5.2 in the mmol/L box correct (need this as my monitor displays in mmol/L) ?
3) Finally the article does not say the length of time over which this drop is referring to ?
Any help with this would b very much appreciated
Thanks very much in advance
Paul

noblehead · Aug 1, 2017

Hi Paul and welcome

pxmartin said:
Finally the article does not say the length of time over which this drop is referring to ?

According to the following the time-scale should be a year:

http://www.diabeticretinopathy.org.uk/retinopathyprogression.htm

The above website also says that when someone tightens up their diabetes control they should have their eyes checked every 3-4 months, so if your next appointment is some way off I would ring the Ophthalmology Clinic and ask if you can be seen sooner, the Ophtmologist will advise you further on time-scales and such. Good luck.

Dark Horse · Aug 1, 2017

pxmartin said:
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 16 years ago, and with diabetic retinopathy about 3 years ago (which is getting worse, although no treatment is required yet).
My last HBA1C was 7.2
I have been trying the 5:2 diet which has been having a significant beneficial effect on my blood glucose levels.
However, I noticed in several articles, including on this website, that a sudden improvement of my BG levels could make my diabetic retinopathy worse.
So I am trying to discover what a rapid improvement actually entails.
On this website it says :-
"People with diabetes should, however, be aware that a rapid improvement in blood glucose levels can lead to a worsening of retinopathy. A rapid improvement in blood glucose levels in this case is defined as a drop in HbA1c of 30 mmol/mol or 3%."
1) But using the 'Convert HbA1c to Average Blood Sugar Level' that is available on this site, entering 30 into the mmol/mol box brings up 4.9 in the HBA1C box, and not 3 % as suggested above ?
2) Also is the value of 5.2 in the mmol/L box correct (need this as my monitor displays in mmol/L) ?
3) Finally the article does not say the length of time over which this drop is referring to ?
Any help with this would b very much appreciated
Thanks very much in advance
Paul

An HbA1c of 7.2% is approximately 55 mmol/l. A drop of 3% would mean an HbA1c of 4.2% which is approximately 22 mmol/l. Thus a drop of 3% is equivalent to a drop of 33 mmol/l which is approximately 30 mmol/l.

The page @noblehead linked to quotes one source as recommending a drop of 1% (i.e. to 6.2% or 44 mmol/l in your case) over 1 year to minimise the risk of progression. 6.2% is generally considered to be good diabetic control.

pxmartin · Aug 2, 2017

noblehead said:
Hi Paul and welcome

According to the following the time-scale should be a year:

http://www.diabeticretinopathy.org.uk/retinopathyprogression.htm

The above website also says that when someone tightens up their diabetes control they should have their eyes checked every 3-4 months, so if your next appointment is some way off I would ring the Ophthalmology Clinic and ask if you can be seen sooner, the Ophtmologist will advise you further on time-scales and such. Good luck.

Thanks very much for your help

pxmartin · Aug 2, 2017

Dark Horse said:
An HbA1c of 7.2% is approximately 55 mmol/l. A drop of 3% would mean an HbA1c of 4.2% which is approximately 22 mmol/l. Thus a drop of 3% is equivalent to a drop of 33 mmol/l which is approximately 30 mmol/l.

The page @noblehead linked to quotes one source as recommending a drop of 1% (i.e. to 6.2% or 44 mmol/l in your case) over 1 year to minimise the risk of progression. 6.2% is generally considered to be good diabetic control.

Thanks very much for your help

Diabetic Retinopathy and drop in Blood Glucose Levels

pxmartin

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noblehead

Guru

Dark Horse

Well-Known Member

pxmartin

Newbie

pxmartin

Newbie

Diabetic Retinopathy and drop in Blood Glucose Levels

pxmartin

Newbie

noblehead

Guru

Dark Horse

Well-Known Member

pxmartin

Newbie

pxmartin

Newbie

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