Type 2 Haemoglobin A1C at 77%

[Wistx]

Hi everyone, I've registered on here as my father has type 2 diabetes and 'Alcoholic liver disease', and I'm very worried about his condition. He's kept his diagnosis mostly secret from me for some time, and prolifically lies about his discussions with doctors and test results. He downplays everything. I believe he does this as he is a chronic alcoholic, and doesn't want there to be a reason to stop drinking. Recently I have stepped in against his wishes however, as his health is deteriorating noticeably, and I'd like to do something about it if I can.

I have very recently gained access to some of his latest test results from various clinics, and was wondering what the above test result means. The percentages I'm finding online for this test result don't seem to match up with the one he has received. The range seems to be somewhere from 5% to 12% ... so I'm not quite sure what to make of his A1C being at 77%. I have checked the results and accompanying documents, and the above percentage is accurate. Is there some conversion I'm missing here? Is this result as bad as I think it is?

If someone could provide a little information regarding my question I would be extremely grateful, as I'm completely new to this and know very little about diabetes test results.

Many thanks for any help, and kindest regards

Aiden

 

[bulkbiker]

I think (hope for your dad's sake) that you may have the wrong units and his HbA1c is 77 mmol/m?

 

[Rokaab]

You are indeed missing a conversion you'll be pleased to know, the % numbers are the numbers that used to be used in the UK, now the numbers are (mostly) stated in mmol/mol - so the 77 will be 77 mmol/mol not 77%, there is a conversion tool here https://www.diabetes.co.uk/hba1c-units-converter.html, but basically 77mmol/mol is the same as 9.2% - in the UK diabetes is diagnosed at 48(6.5%), pre-diabetes is diagnosed at 42(6%), so your father is a way over that.

 

[Wistx]

Many thanks for the kind and swift replies! And I'm really glad to hear that. Is there any reason his doctor would be using the old value? I'll attach an image of part of the letter.

And thank you for the link!

Aiden

 

[Rokaab]

Many thanks for the kind and swift replies! And I'm really glad to hear that. Is there any reason his doctor would be using the old value? I'll attach an image of part of the letter.

Some of them still do use the old scale (don't know why) - though I don't believe the doctor is using the old value, though it is slightly worrying that the doctor has actually put 77% (I'm not convinced anyone would be alive at that level) rather than either 77 or 77mmol/mol, you probably want to go talk to them about that if they will talk to you about it (it may just be a letter template that they need to change)

 

[bulkbiker]

Many thanks for the kind and swift replies! And I'm really glad to hear that. Is there any reason his doctor would be using the old value? I'll attach an image of part of the letter.

And thank you for the link!

Aiden

Could also be a typo and they mean 7.7%.
Might be worth contacting the GP for clarification or registering for online test results (which if you are in the England should be available) .

 

[Rokaab]

Could also be a typo and they mean 7.7%.
Might be worth contacting the GP for clarification or registering for online test results (which if you are in the England should be available) .

Ah yes, very true (hadn't thought about them just misplacing a decimal point)

 

[Wistx]

Some of them still do use the old scale (don't know why), though it is slightly worrying that the doctor has actually put 77% (I'm not convinced anyone would be alive at that level) rather than either 77 or 77mmol/mol, you probably want to go talk to them about that if they will talk to you about it.

I will try to find out more from the doctors, but I'm guessing they won't be able to discuss this with me directly. I'll try to convince my father to let me go in with him asap, and see what is really going on. From what I overheard when he was having his consultation however, they were extremely concerned about the results. The blood nurse said his results were literally off the charts. Something about they don't usually test past a certain point. He was then referred to a specialist to investigate further. They then retested him a few weeks later, and this was the second result that came back. The professor who discussed the second set of results with him was equally concerned. Made it sound like he would die if he didn't do something pretty soon. Not sure if just scare tactics or not.

Really sorry for the lack of concrete information here. It's like getting blood from a stone unfortunately.

Hopefully this is some sort of typo in the letter. If it was accurate he'd likely already be dead right?

 

[Mr_Pot]

Hopefully this is some sort of typo in the letter. If it was accurate he'd likely already be dead right?

This chart shows HbA1c as % and mmol/mol. As you can see the maximum it shows is 13.5% so 77% is impossible.

 

[Wistx]

This chart shows HbA1c as % and mmol/mol. As you can see the maximum it shows is 13.5% so 77% is impossible.


View attachment 37155

Many thanks for your reply and the chart. I'll have to get in touch with the doctors to find out exactly where he's at, and try to help him stay in a half decent range. They've obviously messed up in that letter. Yay for NHS.

Many thanks for the replies and confirmation everyone. Feel a lot better knowing he's somewhere in the normal (if not unhealthy) range.

Cheers!

 

[KK123]

Many thanks for your reply and the chart. I'll have to get in touch with the doctors to find out exactly where he's at, and try to help him stay in a half decent range. They've obviously messed up in that letter. Yay for NHS.

Many thanks for the replies and confirmation everyone. Feel a lot better knowing he's somewhere in the normal (if not unhealthy) range.

Cheers!

Hi Wistx, obviously you will be trying to get the proper result but if it is a mistake and is really 9.2% (as calculated above), it is still a high reading and would mean your Dad has been running high glucose levels prior to the test so not 'normal' as such but of course if the decimal point is the issue, then 7.7% is not quite as worrying but of course it needs clarifying anyway so you know how you can help your Dad. Good luck. x

 

[NicoleC1971]

I will try to find out more from the doctors, but I'm guessing they won't be able to discuss this with me directly. I'll try to convince my father to let me go in with him asap, and see what is really going on. From what I overheard when he was having his consultation however, they were extremely concerned about the results. The blood nurse said his results were literally off the charts. Something about they don't usually test past a certain point. He was then referred to a specialist to investigate further. They then retested him a few weeks later, and this was the second result that came back. The professor who discussed the second set of results with him was equally concerned. Made it sound like he would die if he didn't do something pretty soon. Not sure if just scare tactics or not.

Really sorry for the lack of concrete information here. It's like getting blood from a stone unfortunately.

Hopefully this is some sort of typo in the letter. If it was accurate he'd likely already be dead right?

As you can see from the information then whether it is 6.7% pr 77 then its not good especially in tandem with a damaged liver given that type 2 s can often have non alcoholic fatty liver disease.
It is hard to see someone not taking care of himself in this way but it isn't as if he does not realise what he is doing to himself and to you (presumably he has been told off many times and had the scare tactics). The consultant is correct to be concerned but it is a chronic rather than acute risk though I am not sure the extent of his liver damage; he could come back from both bad situations but of course he has to want to.
I hope you can get support from your own Gp to understand what's going on even if dad won't let you in!

 

[Wistx]

Hi Wistx, obviously you will be trying to get the proper result but if it is a mistake and is really 9.2% (as calculated above), it is still a high reading and would mean your Dad has been running high glucose levels prior to the test so not 'normal' as such but of course if the decimal point is the issue, then 7.7% is not quite as worrying but of course it needs clarifying anyway so you know how you can help your Dad. Good luck. x

Many thanks! Yeah he's definitely in need of a massive change, as either way he's not going to last much longer with his current lifestyle. Without knowing exactly how bad his current condition is, it's pretty hard to scold him or push him in the right direction though. His absolute denial of his conditions and his secretive nature make things a little difficult too. First things first, get the accurate results, then see what needs to be done. Hopefully I can manage something this time around

As you can see from the information then whether it is 6.7% pr 77 then its not good especially in tandem with a damaged liver given that type 2 s can often have non alcoholic fatty liver disease.
It is hard to see someone not taking care of himself in this way but it isn't as if he does not realise what he is doing to himself and to you (presumably he has been told off many times and had the scare tactics). The consultant is correct to be concerned but it is a chronic rather than acute risk though I am not sure the extent of his liver damage; he could come back from both bad situations but of course he has to want to.
I hope you can get support from your own Gp to understand what's going on even if dad won't let you in!

Thanks Nicole! Yeah he's definitely got fatty liver from long term alcoholism, and has for some time now. But can't get an update from him how it's progressed unfortunately. All I know is that his liver enzymes have deteriorated massively too according to his recent test results, and are also apparently off the charts according to one of the nurses I talked to, so I'm assuming his liver is in a really bad way by now (despite what he tells me). As far as he's concerned, until they tell him he has cirrhosis, he's totally fine and healthy. And you're totally right. He's done all of this to himself, so no ones fault but his own. I've gotta keep trying though, even if I get nowhere Ty again for your kind message!

 

[LittleGreyCat]

@Wistx What is your father's tipple of choice? There is no good alcohol when you drink too much, but with regards to diabetes wine and spirits (without mixers) are marginally less harmful than beer, fortified wine, and spirits with sugary mixers.

I'm sorry I can't really offer any help, but you have my sympathy.

Edit: just a thought - the Doctor may have dictated the letter and the secretary may have put the % in by mistake. In which case the value would probably be 77 mmol/mol.