• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Hb1AC Level disappointed!

Jok11

Member
Messages
24
So got my third set of results, went from 75 to 48 and now up to 51. I have been eating a few more carbs I guess. I have also been trying Saxenda which is Victoza, I’ve been buying it myself as a weight loss drug. I need to lose more weight currently have a BMI of 28.1. Oh so annoyed with myself, I’ve taken my eye off the ball.
 
48 to 51 isn't an enormous rise and could well be within margins of error for the test so...

However carb creep is never great so double down on reducing consumption, weigh loss should come fairly naturally with that so maybe you can save the money from the pills to buy a decent steak?
 
I sympathise with the disappointment but at least you are not burying your head in the sand and 51 is a long way from 71. You've proved to yourself you can dramatically reduce A1c so you'll do it again now you've had the kick up the sit upon.
 
Firstly I just want to say congratulations, to go from 75 to 48 is a fantastic achievement. Why are you so hard on yourself, we are all human and let things slip occasionally. Anyway a tiny little 3 point rise should be easy for you to reverse, you already dropped your HbA1c by 28 points so to get that 3 and more off should be no problem.
You already know that cutting carbs is the solution to controling glucose levels and will probably help with the weight loss too. Don't wast your time beating yourself up.
 
Couple of things: A HbA1C can fluctuate some, it's not the end of the world. Any ground lost can be regained. Considering where you came from, it's still a pretty good result, and nothing to sneeze at. And if you know it's because of carb-creep, then you know where the problem lies, and you can fix it.

That said, weight loss is more difficult for women over, let us say, 40. (I'm no good with numbers, but everything in the peri-menopausal range and beyond, basically.). I put on weight very easily, it takes me a loooong time to get it back off though, while in my pre-40's it went relatively quick, in spite of a wonky thyroid. Maybe rather than trying drugs, you might go for a walk after an evening meal? Fewer side effects, and quite pleasant. (I'm not dead set against medicinal help mind you, but I don't know where you're getting it from, and I don't trust online sellers and such. Bit weary.).

In any case... Just clean up your diet, it'll make a difference, I'm sure. What does your current routine look like, maybe there's a pitfall somewhere?
 

I've tried Saxenda - which is expensive and appeared to do absolutely nothing in terms of appetite suppression...... If it works for you, then good.

51 is actually quite good - bearing in mind that the HbA1C measures BG over a three-month period and so takes months to come down even if you eat well.

The BMI of 28.1 is also relatively healthy. There is quite a bit of nonsense about the BMI in our culture. This is just a random formula. More accurate is that your waist circumference (at belly button level, without breathing in or breathing out) should be half or less of your height. Eg if you are five foot (=60 inches), then your waist should be 30 inches or less. This is much more reliable than the BMI.
 
Last edited:
51 is not bad at all. Go easy on yourself.
 
Antje77 said:
Are you buying it with a prescription from your GP?
Click to expand...
Antje, I'm pretty sure the GPs will not prescribe this, in order to save the NHS money. A month's course costs about £250!!! And the original poster probably paid him/herself.
 
 
Thanks everyone, it’s diet related. Pretty stressful job and resorted to self medicating the sugar way on a few occasions. I do exercise, I go to circuits, body pump, and I walk. I’m going to start training for a 1/2 marathon, then marathon which should offer another route to deal with the stress. As posted saxenda is totally legit, on prescription (private) from Glasgow.
 
You're in this for the long run. My advice is to make the most of the low carb foods with differing recipes and fresh produce. I used to work in Scotland, it has enviable meat, fish and traditional dishes, just replace high carb elements.

I would focus on height to waist ratio and dress or trouser fittings, bmi is as outdated as 4 star petrol e.g. I am slim but probably have a bmi similar to yours.

It is not easy due to the environment and past habits, but all of the long term patrons will help as much as you want.
 
Antje77 said:
I didn't think you could buy this without a prescription an the UK.
Click to expand...
Some of the online pharmacies have a registered doctor working in them who reviews your application to buy some of the drugs they are offering for sale and the consultation is included in the price (or costs extra). Some drugs I have purchased have required me to mention the name and address of my doctor, state that I have been prescribed it, and that I don't mind if the pharmacy contact my doctor, so that partly gets round the stringency of the controls. It is of course ridiculous the range of drugs that are included in the "prescription only" controls, which ought to be cut back on a bit, especially seeing as it is difficult to see a GP in the first place.
 
Yes, Jok11, circuit training is one of the best things you can do. Well done!
 
Depending on lab equipment A1cs can vary as much as +/- 0.5% in old money.
48 to 51 is insignificant & great work on your behalf
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…