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HBa1c anxiety.

Shepster48

Member
Messages
15
Location
UK
Type of diabetes
Other
Treatment type
Other
I had my HBa1c test today. Im really worried what they will find.

Ive had nafld for 7 years. No doctor ever mentioned it could be linked to diabetes. I was only told to reduce dairy.

Ive had fast glucose tests in the past and according to the gp they came back normal. However, i pushed the gp for a number after my last one in February and it was 5.9 after a 10 hour overnight fast. I thought that was high but the gp said it wasnt.

I noticed a couple of years ago i that my feet always seemed cold. Even in bed my wife says they are always cold. Lately ive developed a pain in my ankle, ive had it a few months now and still not gone away. It only hurts when i walk on it. I wouldnt say they are numb but because they are cold i dont seem to have as much feeling and do tingle sometimes. I can still feel every part of both feet when i my wife touches them.

Every now and again i get a faint feeling like im really hungry. This happened recently but when i tested my bg it was still 5.8. So not low.

Due to the fainting feeling ive bought a bg testing monitor and have been testing before and after meals. I am alarmed how high my levels get when i eat carbs even a few hours after. They do go down eventually an hour or 2 after the post meal 2 hour test.
Due to this ive witheld carbs and my bg is now hovering around the 5.8 - 6.0 mark before and after food. Its just very worrying that it goes so high with carbs and that ive had a very high carb diet for many years.

So im scared with worry that all this time since having nafld ive been diabetic and nothing has been done. Im worried what the test will find. Im worried i have damaged nerves in my feet.

Does the fact my bg goes down to a normal level 3 or 4 hours after initially eating carbs a sign its not type 1 or is that still way too long.

My gp said not to worry but ive read horror stories about losing feet and am worried ive been years with very high levels of bg.

If it is diabetes and i am showing signs of nerve damage in my feet. Is there anything that can be done to mend the damage?
 
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The main thing is you've had the test done.......let's get the results BEFORE thinking the worst (easier said than done I know).

Wishing good outcomes for you
 
The main thing is you've had the test done.......let's get the results BEFORE thinking the worst (easier said than done I know).

Wishing good outcomes for you

Thank you Traceymac23.

I know I shouldn’t get ahead of myself. I just worry that the tingles and poor circulation means I already have irreversible damage. I still can’t believe no gp had told me of the dangers.

Does the fact I can seem to control my bg by withholding carbs a good sign? I just hope things haven’t gone too far and I can halt the damage. I don’t care if I never eat another carb again.

One thing I have noticed is that since reducing carbs and sugar, my feelings of hunger after exertion seems to have got better. Everyone in my family thought I was mad getting a big monitor but I’m glad I did now.
 
Hi,

I'm sorry you are feeling so worried and anxious, and all I can say is that worrying about it will not change the result of the test. It will be what it is. All worrying will do is make you poorly. I know this is far easier said than done and waiting for test results is a dreadful time..

Your fasting blood glucose number of 5.9 is not a diabetic level. It has to be 7 or over for a diabetes diagnosis. It may well put you in the "at risk" category, (pre-diabetic) but that can be resolved quite easily if you continue to reduce your carbs. From what you say about your current levels, it seems you are doing the right thing. Being between 5.8 and 6 before and after meals is very good.

Eating very carb laden meals will make anyone spike, including non-diabetics. It is what carbs do to blood sugar levels. It does not indicate that you have type 1 diabetes. If you did have type 1 you would not return to normal at all and it would be very unusual to have fasting levels like yours. Your levels would be sky high and you would be suffering a lot of unpleasant symptoms.

Cold feet is not necessarily related to diabetes. There are many reasons why this could be so.

I wish you well with the results of your HbA1c, and please come back and tell us what it is.
 
Thank you bluetit1802

Your words have helped calm me. Yes my levels go back to normal after the spike so hearing it wouldn’t if I was type 1 feels a little reassuring.

I must admit, the first time I measured my bg 2 hours after a big bowl of bran flakes was scary. Seeing it spike to 11 freaked me out. Luckily it went back down before lunch.

Could I ask what a normal level of HBa1c is?
 
Could I ask what a normal level of HBa1c is?

Under 42 (5.9%) is non-diabetic
42 to 47 (6% to 6.5%) is pre-diabetic
48 (6.5%) and over is diabetic.

One little tip. We are entitled to print outs of our blood test results, so you can ask at your surgery if you can have a copy. The receptionist should help you with this. Once the GP has seen the results you can have a copy, so wait a day or two then give them a ring. Otherwise you may be waiting weeks for anyone to contact you. Please don't accept anything other than the numbers - the words "fine" or "normal" are not good enough. If you live in England your surgery should be putting test results on-line and they become available very quickly. You can ask the receptionist how to register for this service.
 
Shepster - my partner is a long term Type 1 Diabetic and routinely has BS levels that exceed 7-8 (sometimes far exceed), albeit she normally gets the levels to reduce within 1-2 hrs. Anyhow, for what it's worth she has excellent circulation in her feet and no nerve damage.

Thanks findthespot

Does your partner use insulin to reduce their levels? I’m new to this so assumed all type 1 are insulin dependant but I’m unsure. I guess I’m worried mine has gone for years untreated. I really overdid the carbs and sugars for many years thinking I was ok as long as I kept away from trans fats. My bmi was always around 24 but just since Christmas has nudged to 25.3 and into overweight. I never had a problem so assumed all was fine and whenever a gp did a bg he always said it was normal.

I just hope the circulation is an age thing.
 
Cold extremities was one thing which went away when I was diagnosed with a defunct thyroid - long ago now, but I still remember the feeling of warmth after a few days of Thyroxine tablets, like having my hands and feet in warm water.
You might ask your doctor for a test of thyroid activity - though it is notoriously difficult to diagnose.
I had several tests which were 'OK' before my doctor called me in and started the interview with 'there is something very wrong' - good test of my cardiovascular system.
 
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