Hb1Ac + Home Test Results

[rossmcd87]

Hi Guys,

I posted this in another thread but thought I'd put it here too....

I've got my results.

My fasting was 4.2mmol/l.

However, my Hb1Ac was 38. Now the link above (other thread) says <42 can still be at high risk of Diabetes & I found another that said 38.8+ is Pre-Diabetes.

I was a bit confused as the Doctor said the Hb1Ac is an average over 4 months, to which I said I only had symptoms for 1 month, to which he said that wouldn't make a difference. I don't understand how that makes sense?

Considering I've cut the amount of carbs in my diet by a large amount over the last month, if I'd kept up a high carb diet, I've no doubt my Hb1Ac would have come back in Pre-Diabetic ranges.

A couple of things on my liver function test raised red flags. They would have been missed if I hadn't asked to talk to the Doctor about results as the results were marked "Normal" despite this.

I'm getting blood tests to check for other things now too but as far as my Doctor is concerned I don't have Diabetes in any shape or form. (that's 7 vials of blood in the past 3 days!!)

I still think my Hb1Ac was a bit high, so I've picked up a blood glucose checker to see what is happening day-to-day. What would be sensible times to check? Like 2 hours after Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner over a few days? I actually eat 5 times a day but I think that would be overkill to check that often.

*EDIT* - Changed the title; I will update this thread with my results from my BG checker.

 

[CollieBoy]

What would be sensible times to check? Like 2 hours after Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner over a few days? I actually eat 5 times a day but I think that would be overkill to check that often.

A start would be Fasting, and before & +2hr after breakfast, lunch, evening meal.(Together with a food diary)
This would allow you to see a base BG and what your body does with the meal.
From this you can see what the foods do to you and what you may want to adjust.
As you learn about your body responses to foods you can scale back on tests<G>

 

[Lazybones]

Dear Rossmcd87,
Please don't get confused between the types of readings that you would take on a home blood/glucose test meter with those obtained through a HbA1c blood test that would be taken at the doctors.
There is a relationship between the two readings but they aren't quite the same thing. The HbA1c test will measure what is in effect the 'AVERAGE' level of what had been your blood/glucose in the 120 days that preceeded the blood test. Average level being the operative word as this will not show any fluctuation as to what were any highs or lows in your blood/glucose levels.
This is where your home blood glucose meter can help, as it will no doubt show a differing range of highs and lows in what are in effect a minute by minute change. Most diabetics will use their meter to record either their morning 'Fasting' reading before eating and then take another reading 2 hours after eating to see what effect the food/drink that they have eaten/drunk produce to their blood/glucose levels and will also do this same procedure both before and 2 hours after every main meal throughout the day.
Over a period of time their diet can then be ammended (carbohydrates reduced being the common choice) or other dietry changes made, so that they can then fine tune their own choise of diet so that they have greater control over their blood/glucose levels on a day to day basis.
Your doctor is quite right in his/her diagnosis. You aren't diabetic and haven't as yet crossed the threshold that would define you as diabetic though your HbA1C is elevated and in the Pre-Diabetic range.
You should treat what your doctor has said as being a warning, and by making the required changes to your diet and lifestyle you can hopefully prevent yourself from becoming diabetic in the future.

 

[rossmcd87]

Thanks.

The Doctor actually gave me no advice about diet or anything. He never once asked me about my diet or advised me on it. As far as he was concerned, I could go away & eat as many McDonald's as I wanted.

Anyway, I am happy to say that my home testing has shown me to have no noticeable insulin resistance & in fact my blood glucose levels are pretty low!

My average Pre-Prandial was 4.4 which is the same as my fasting readings.

My average Post-Prandial was 5.3.

The highest Post-Prandial I had was 7.0,

I decided to do my own version of the GTT, which although I know the results would differ from a proper one, would still show any impaired glucose tolerance.

I drank 420ml of Lucozade. (75g of glucose) 3.5 hours after last eating. My Pre-Prandial was 6.7 on this occasion. I wanted to ensure I hadn't taken a bad reading, so I took another 5 minutes in which was 7.5.After 1 hour it was 7.8. 30 minutes later it was 7.4 & then at 2 hours it was 7.4. 30 minutes later before I ate, it was 4.4. I'm not sure why, but almost within 10 minutes & until the 1 hour mark, I was freezing cold - something to do with a release of adrenaline perhaps?

Clearly I have no issues. I am sure I had some issues before Christmas whilst I was on a high carb bulking diet but over the following month having cut out a lot of carbs, it's clearly reversed things. Possibly my Magnesium supplementation could have helped. If you are deficient & not yet Diabetic, it is supposed to decrease insulin resistance.

It's certainly been very interesting. One trend I noticed, is that my blood sugar seems to continue rising even after the Post-Prandial reading. The most marked of these was the day I did my GTT. It was 4.7 on my Post-Prandial reading, yet almost 2 hours later it was up at 6.7 just before I did the test. Perhaps that has something to do with having a large amount of low GI carbs along with a good amount of protein & fat. Other times it continued dropping.

The thing that confused me was the Doctor said in my most recent test, I was showing no signs of dehydration yet I was still thirsty & peeing a lot.

Supposedly anxiety can cause a dry mouth, which makes me think I am dehydrated causing me to drink more water & urinate frequently! So, that's what was causing continuing symptoms despite increased insulin sensitivity. Or the other possible reason could be a thyroid problem which I am awaiting a test result for.

Anyway, all I need take away is that I am at increased risk but if I continue with my current diet, I have nothing to be worried about whatsoever. I'm sure if went high carb again, I'd probably have some level of impaired glucose tolerance again eventually.

 

[Lazybones]

Dear Rossmcd87,
Very well done in all that you have acheived so far in your home testing. You certainly have a good overall understanding of this diabetic thing from first principles and are speaking our 'diabetic language' fluently.
I am pleased for you that you haven't developed full diabetes, as having diabetes of whatever variety is certainly no joke and needs constant taming to ensure that it isn't to get the better of us.
Even the simple home testing of your own OGTT will show you how well or otherwise you can cope with glucose metabolism, but you should always be prepared for the few supprises along the way.
As you rightly say, various foods/drinks will have their indivual effect on B/G levels so it will take time to balance these food/drink items in terms of portion size/carbohydrate (sugar) content against the effect that thy have on your personall B/G levels.
Well done in everything that you have learnt and practiced so far, and good luck for the future - Lazybones

 

[DiamondAsh]

Anyway, all I need take away is that I am at increased risk but if I continue with my current diet, I have nothing to be worried about whatsoever. I'm sure if went high carb again, I'd probably have some level of impaired glucose tolerance again eventually.

I'd come to the same conclusion. I'm trying to stave off a pre-diabetic diagnosis. Perhaps I was on the right lines after all . Nonetheless I know I have to improve my diet as I have a very sweet tooth. I'm beginning to understand why more and more people are turning against sugar!

 

[Omnipod]

You blood sugars seem normal.
As a matter of interest, what is your weight like? if youre overweight, then perhaps this is your body telling you to loose weight. If your within your BMI, I wouldnt worry. Perhaps take up some excercise if you arent doing much.

 

[Gardengnome]

Hi rossmcd87. I've found your thread really interesting as I am in exactly the same boat except that I'm a lot older than you, 71 actually! I'd recently noticed that a year ago my HbA1c was 41 or 5.9% and my dr said to have it re-done. In the past yr have lost 17 kilos and have a BMI of 19. On retesting it was exactly the same, a disappointing 41 mmol/l. The dr had thought the changes to diet and weight I'd lost would have lowered it and now says I have prediabetes. He says it will rise and to have it redone in a year. Yesterday I saw my usual dr [for hypertension check] and mentioned my concerns. She said 48 mmol/l is the cut point for diabetes and prediabetes was a little vague. 41 was still normal and I was told not to worry as it was a long way off 48. I've been cutting carbs this past year and don't know what more I could do so wondered whether to get a blood glucose monitor like you and see what effect different foods have. I didn't want a year to pass then find the HbA1c had risen and I'd nowhere to hide - metaphorically speaking! and end up with Type 2.

 

[DiamondAsh]

Anyway, all I need take away is that I am at increased risk but if I continue with my current diet, I have nothing to be worried about whatsoever. I'm sure if went high carb again, I'd probably have some level of impaired glucose tolerance again eventually.

We're in a similar position... that's why I am adopting this way of eating and monitoring my BGs . I feel better but I do need to start exercising!!

 

[Gardengnome]

Have to say that I started exercising last Easter, just walking but at a fairly fast pace. I'd always been very active but walking seriously was new to me. I did it chiefly to try and stabilise high blood pressure and also to keep arthritis in the knee at bay. I have to say have never felt better and the knee is in good shape too.

Didn't do anything special really, partly 5.2, partly HFLC. and cut out salt and added sugar without being too precious about it. Used to eat a lot of dairy esp. low fat yogurts which I no longer do [all that sugar]. Now eat an egg and toast for breakfast and no cereal with milk. Also very little red meat. Whatever it was the weight just fell off.

Then I found like you that I am high risk for diabetes . I have to have the HbA1c done again in 12 months and with no weight to lose I hope I won't be in trouble. On reflection though I think I won't get a glucose monitor just yet - I'll just keep up the exercising and eating carefully.