GP's

[ade1066]

My previous GP, I moved, was happy my blood/suger level was 52, I think it went 48 at one point, my new GP tells me this is higher than they want and are aiming for 48 or below, I personally would be happy with a lower figure, but why too different opinions? Thank you

 

[JoKalsbeek]

My previous GP, I moved, was happy my blood/suger level was 52, I think it went 48 at one point, my new GP tells me this is higher than they want and are aiming for 48 or below, I personally would be happy with a lower figure, but why too different opinions? Thank you

A HbA1c is 52 is diabetic. Being between 42 and 48 is pre-diabetic, under that is non-diabetic. It's usually above 48 that diabetic complications can occur, though people in the pre-diabetic range can get symptomatic/complications after a while too. One doc just was a little more lax, or not exactly hopeful for his/her T2 patients, while the new one seems to at least try to get your numbers down into a range that gives you a chance at a longer life, with better quality of said life.

Truth is, most GP's thoroughly believe the Type 2 Diabetes is Progressive mantra so don't quite bother, and think there is very little their patients can or would be willing to do to be exceptions to that rule. You seem to have found one who wants a better life for you than you would when lightly in the diabetic range. That's my hope anyway.

Oh, and welcome.
Jo

 

[KennyA]

My previous GP, I moved, was happy my blood/suger level was 52, I think it went 48 at one point, my new GP tells me this is higher than they want and are aiming for 48 or below, I personally would be happy with a lower figure, but why too different opinions? Thank you

The other factor is that the Quality and Outcomes Framework payment systems for GPs for achieving diabetic targets in England are related to various figures. You were under 58 so you would have counted towards the payment. And you would have counted exactly the same whether your A1c was 57 or 37.

DM020. The percentage of patients with diabetes, on the register, without moderate or severe frailty in whom the last IFCC-HbA1c is 58 mmol/mol or less in the preceding 12 months

DM021. The percentage of patients with diabetes, on the register, with moderate or severe frailty in whom the last IFCC-HbA1c is 75 mmol/mol or less in the preceding 12 months

Fortunately your current GP seems to be more interested in your health. The 48mmol/mol figure in my opinion has very little meaning for anything. It's just the (recently, in 2011) agreed point at which health care systems internationally will automatically diagnose T2 diabetes. The rationale is that retinopathy is "relatively rare" (ie not unknown) at lower figures than 48. I'm one of those who had a lot of nasty and painful symptoms with BGs around 43 or 44, so it's not a theoretical issue for me.

 

[Sarah69]

I had my annual review with a consultant last Thursday, my hba1c was 63 it had come down from 64. He said type 2’s should aim for about 58.

 

[KennyA]

I had my annual review with a consultant last Thursday, my hba1c was 63 it had come down from 64. He said type 2’s should aim for about 58.

I've never had an HbA1c as high as that. I'm sure your consultant is fully aware that there are many T2s - you just need to read around on this forum - who successfully reduce and maintain their blood glucose levels at much lower figures.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

I had my annual review with a consultant last Thursday, my hba1c was 63 it had come down from 64. He said type 2’s should aim for about 58.

I was 42 at my last test, which had me thoroughly miffed... Usually aiming for 40 and under. My new GP was pleased as punch though, said how well I was doing, and was surprised I wasn't half as "impressed" as she was. She actually started explaining diabetes to me...! I've been a halfway professional type 2 for years, haha. I just have to be up a little smidge to get problems with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, so yeah. That means that 42, for me, is not acceptable. I've made some changes since, and things have improved with my liver, but... All in all, you decide what you're content with. I aim for non-diabetic numbers, because even prediabetic ones can cause me issues in other areas. Figure out what is doable for you, what your goals are, what you're willing to do or not do for non-diabetic or prediabetic numbers, and whether it's something you want to begin with.

Their benchmark doesn't have to be yours, is what I'm saying. Mainly because everyone's different.