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Type 1 Good Hba1c - with hypos or a work of genius?

PeterHall

PeterHall

Member
Messages
9
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Just had the annual visit to the hospital to check on progress with insulin. Results have been good since I started insulin 4 years ago and even better this time (38 - 5.6%). This of course starts the discussion on hypos as I'm told getting this low normally means lots of hypos. Most people, apparently aren't that low, or are having regular hypos and turning up at A&E. In fact low Hba1c for insulin users was described to me as lots of hypos or being a genius.

Now I didn't think I was a genius and I don't have a hypo issue but what's your experience? Are you struggling to get your Hbalc on track or doing it with regular hypos? Or are you a genius!?

I guess the regime makes a difference - I'm doing basal-bolus with Lantus and Apidra - along with activity, weight, ability to count (I'm told you need GCSE maths to use a pump!), etc.
 
Hi!
My a1c is in the same area as yours (34 in Nov, 38 in Jan) and my nurse was telling me the same thing! I DO NOT have a lot of hypos, have good hypo awareness, but I also use a CGM to help me manage my levels better. My nurse didn't believe I could get my a1c this low without having constant hypos! She was only convinced when I brought a week worth of my graphs from a CGM showing no hypos at all.
A1c in the 5% area means you're in around 5-6 mmol/l most of the time and manage to keep spikes to a minimum (and/or bring them down fast) - and that's how it works for me.

So, you're not alone :) Diabetes is a lot of work and it's different for everyone - for some it's harder to control, that's just how their bodies are. I think most medical professionals are just not used to see people being able to control their levels so well. But with more and more knowledge and places like this forum, I think recently people have been given more tools to actually be in charge.

I'm on basal-bolus with Levemir and Novorapid. I'd love to get a pump, but with a1c this low, I don't think I stand a chance. I'm no genius! ;)

BTW, I don't listen to "most people" argument... my dietician says that 8 mmol/mol of fasting BG is "very good" for "most people". So if "most people" have levels this high, no wonder that their a1c is much higher.
 
@PeterHall
I know that I'm a T2 but controlling your BG with few/no hypos and a low HbA1c could be down to the"rule of small numbers" in that if you are controlling your diet and insulin in that your BG does not vary wildly then you wont have the high BGs (and hence high levels of Glycosylated Hb /HbA1c ) and also miss out on the hypos.
 
Back in the days when i was quite normal(struggle to move around much now) my hba1c was 4.9 and i hardly had hypos,just didn't eat carbs
 
I wouldn't say I am struggling to get a lower HbA1c, but I am still not getting the numbers I would like.............

why?

eating too many carbs and not exercising enough, as simple as that.............:)..............
 
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