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Disappointed with first Hba1c!

P

pinewood

Well-Known Member
Messages
792
Location
London
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I was diagnosed in mid December and got my first Hba1c result today - it was 7.4% - I was so disappointed!

My BG metre is showing my average to be 6.4mmol and I test really regularly (8-10 times a day). The consultant thought that the high levels from pre-diagnosis were affecting it as it was only 2 months ago, and that if we redid the test next month it would probably be in the 6% range. Despite that, I can't help feel disappointed as I've worked so hard to try and get good control!
 
It's probably not your fault, because Hba1c is result of your sugars in last 10-12 weeks, actually it measures the amount of glucose bound to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells. So this result is certainly affected with high blood sugars you had before you were diagnosed. Just keep doing good job and everything will be fine
 
@pinewood, please don't be disappointed as you have done brilliantly in such a short time , and you HAVE achieved good control :) Your consultant is absolutely right that the results will be skewed because of the timing, so it doesn't reflect anything apart from your HbA1c is on a downward trend.

Actually, many newly diagnosed people would be thrilled to get the result that you did, as it shows progress;) I know we all look for and hope for good numbers and feel flat when they come back higher than we would like , but it is just a number and I'm expecting you wil be pleasantly surprised by your next results :)

Signy
 
Remember the old saying: Rome wasn't built in a day?

I agree that you're going to be still seeing evidence of your old higher levels in that result. Don't expect immediate miracles, just be well pleased that things are improving for you and keep up the good work.

Robbity
 
@pinewood - dont worry about the 7.4 after only a few months. It will come down :) I still remember my first Hba1c,18 years ago. Mine was 9.3 !
 
Chin-up Pinewood, for a first Hba1c it's very good and do take heart by what your consultant said to you today, I'm sure next time it will be in the 6's.
 
Hi Pinewood,

I've been there: for ages I just couldn't get my HbA1c down past 49, and I had been SO good. It turned out that I was predicting from my fasting BGs before and after meals, but what was keeping the A1c high was the (quite modest really, never more than 2.0) spikes. Once I tackled those by taking NovoRapid 15-30 mins before eating, the A1c dropped within a month to 5.7.

It'll come down, Pinewood, never fear. Just keep on trucking, and pay attention to the spikes. You're doing brilliantly already.
 
I agree with the others. It is a good result so soon after diagnosis, and will have included some of the time before you began to gain control. This is a marathon, not a sprint, and not a competition. You are heading in the right direction and will get there.


You can't rely on your meter averages to predict an HbA1c unless you test every half an hour because you will be missing your peaks just testing 2 hours post meal plus a few before meals. I was also disappointed with my last HbA1c so for a few weeks I started testing at an hour, and every half an hour after that until I was back down again. I got a lot of surprises!!
 
Hi pinewood

You have done brilliantly in a short time since diagnosis :) It took me decades of trying to reduce my HbA1c through the 7.0%'s into the 6%'s. Be very proud of what you have achieved in a short time.
 
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