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GRUMPY GRAZER!!

Grazer

Grazer

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,115
So, had my first 12 month MOT since diagnosis with the DSN at my surgery following an HbA1c.
Some good stuff. I’ve been on low-dose Simvastatin for years before diagnosis, and levels always varied from 4.8 to 5.5. This is my first cholesterol check since diagnosis 12 months ago, with Statin levels unchanged, and it was down to 3.8! :D That despite probably eating more fat in the last 12 months, with my reduced carb intake, than before diagnosis.
Blood pressure before diagnosis normally about 150/85. No meds, but this time 137/72 :D
Resting pulse rate before 76, this time 68. :D
BMI before 25.2, now 22.4 :D
So why grumpy?
HbA1c 3 months after diagnosis down to 5.9 from 8.2, this time (9 months later)... 5.9!! :evil: :evil:
So completely unchanged, despite the fact that ALL my BGs are far better than they were 9 months previously, in the period leading up to that test. Comparisons as follows:-
Fasting BG ...............6.5 down to 5.9 :D
Before lunch ............5.7 down to 4.3 :D
After lunch .............. 6.4 down to 5.5 :D
After dinner ............ 7.5 down to 6.0 :D
Before bed .............. 6.8 down to 5.9 :D
OVERALL AVERAGE BG, from model, allowing for peaks an hour after eating 30% higher (tested) than the 2 hour post-prandial, and allowing for all known other factors, down from 6.7 to 5.9. :D

So how the Heck can my HbA1c be identical?? :shock: Was it worth all the extra effort to get my BGs lower? Was the extra exercise worth while? Am I missing something here? :thumbdown:
Used the same meter throughout, all test strip batches tested, not on any medication so no “night highs” following hypos, all that’s changed is that I’ve found out more and more about what food affects me and how, so have got my BGs lower and lower. No illness or stress before HbA1c (that would have shown in BGs anyway) Didn’t believe it so bullied the doc into giving me a 2nd HbA1c and it was the same, so no error. Wot Then? :? :?
Sorry for the long post!
 
Grumpy man go easy on yourself! :)

The bp,pulse, cholesterol and Hba1c levels are all excellent for someone only diagnosed 12 months ago, try not to beat yourself up over the 5.9 and keep-up the exercise regime and moderate carb diet.....who knows in 12 months time you could be in the low 5's! :thumbup:

Best wishes!
 
Well done Malc!

How did you behave yourself over Christmas? Some sources say that the HbA1c is only really representative of the last few weeks (rather than a true average of last 3 months).

A couple of mince pies and some Chritmas pud might be enough to push your HbA1c up (despite your attempts to normalise it with a few glasses of sherry).

Your BG numbers sound much better than mine and I scored a 5.1% at the last test, so who knows what else influences it.

Great work fella.
 
Thanks for your replies. I know the results as such are quite good, just a bit annoying when you can't work out why it wasn't better! I actually did the HbA1c's just BEFORE Christmas, so no pud influences there. I even looked at my numbers in the last 2 weeks before this test and the previous: This time averages still better! Had the MOT last week, and was waiting for that before posting to see if the DSN could shed any light. Fat chance! Nice girl, but her only comment was "did you fast before the HbA1c?" :roll: :roll:
Ah well, back to the drawing board. Been thinking about taking Metformin to see if I could get a better result with my same diet and exercise routines. Sounds a bit like giving in, but if there's no side effects, (have to see!) and no downsides, (which apparently there aren't), then perhaps I'm just being a bit stubborn if I don't go that route. I know it won't make a big difference, but I'd just like to get down to my target of 5.5. What do you think? Any downsides you know of? I can easily bully my GP into giving me the SR version if I want.
 
Grazer said:
So how the Heck can my HbA1c be identical?? :shock:
Click to expand...


Could it be that you are now using test strips that measure plasma rather than whole blood? I believe plasma tests are somewhere around 10% higher than whole blood and most test strips in this country changed over recently.
 
My GP took me off Metformin. I hate him. I'd love to go back on. I don't see that there is any downside.

Lots of people will say that it only reduces your BG by about 1mmol/l, but that's the difference between a HbA1c of 5.9% and 5.2%.

Even better, I could get away with eating a few more carbs, while still keeping my @2 hour postprandial BG below 7 mmol/l.

I've also noticed that my weight loss has stopped since I came off the Metformin (although losing weight wouldn't be a beneficial side effect for you Malc).
 
borofergie said:
Lots of people will say that it only reduces your BG by about 1mmol/l, but that's the difference between a HbA1c of 5.9% and 5.2%.
Click to expand...

Exactly my thinking! 5.2 would do me nicely. Don't want to lose weight though - do you think that was just because your appetite went down a bit, (not a problem, i'll carry on grazing!) or is their a metabolic reason?
Back to the "why wasn't it lower with lower average BG?" - I did read that the rate at which we Glycate sugar in the blood changes in the winter, so there may be something in that. Not sure how much it varies though.
Thanks again for the replies.
 
Hi Grazer. You should be so lucky to have an Hba1c of 5.9; I wish mine was down there. I think we all find some of our results a bit strange at times. Don't forget the Hba1c is weighted to the extent it is influenced by more recent BS levels over the 3 months. Did Christmas eating have any influence?
 
Thanks Daibell, but no, the HbA1c's were done just before Christmas, just had the MOT last week.
 
Metformin doesn't necessarily cause weight loss. . Only if you have a fair bit to lose.

I know what you mean about a little help. I persuaded one of the Drs [behind the Dsn's back} to prescrinbe just 1mg of glimepiride. I had been on 6, the usual dose is two but found that if something interruped my routine I had to work really hard to compensate .

Certainly go for the SR . Why suffer unnecessarily? I think the effects are worse if you don't need to lose weight.

Good luck with it. As metformin is often prescribed jus for its protective effects its not really giving in is it?
 
Well done on your test results, Grazer. They are excellent.

Grazer said:
Was it worth all the extra effort to get my BGs lower? Was the extra exercise worth while? Am I missing something here?
Click to expand...

Maybe if you hadn't put in all that effort then your Hb result would have increased.

Please don't beat yourself up about it. You are one of my role models on this forum and I always look for your advice. You always seem to know the answers. I thought you had been diabetic for longer than a year :o

Keep up the good work.

Marina
 
Hi Grazer!

I know exactly how you feel! At my last consultant appointment my HbA1c had gone from 5.6 to 6.0 over the course of 6 months, even though my control had got better and better having started on rapid-acting insulin. I was so disappointed! The consultant kept saying 'but that's a really good reading for someone who has just started on insulin'. It didn't feel like tht to me! Anyway, about 6 weeks later I got called to my GP for their annual checks (the clinic and the GP don't communicate so their blood tests are always done seperately :roll: ) - this time my HbA1c came back at 5.9. I knew it was still up from the 5.6 and only 0.1 better than the 6.0, but psychologically it felt much better :lol: So chin-up - you're on 5.9 - it's miles better than 6.0 :lol:

Well done on the results!

Smidge
 
Thanks for that Marina. Just SEEMS like I've been diabetic for longer - forever sometimes! I just spend a lot of time studying it. Knowledge is key! Anyway, grump over so back to usual eh? :)
Thanks again
 
Grazer
I think you have done a fantastic overall job! Great results ,well done ,and remember its not all about a piece of paper and labs....if you feel better than you did and are enjoying your new lifestyle ,well that's more important than anything.
Stay happy, you've worked hard, you deserve it :D
 
I agree with all the others Grazer. You have done really well. The only thing which gives you away at all as fairly newly diagnosed is the fact that you expect it all to be logical and predictable.

Many Hcps fall into this trap. The numbers are all that coiunt. Tisn't so. Should be but often isn't.
Try not to let i worry you too much.
 
We could have a whip round and find a nice vet to put the poor old sheep out of his misery...

The good thing about diabetic lamb is that you don't have to use much mint sauce to make it sweet.

Just sayin'.
 
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