HbA1c blood test

[Charlie5757]

Hi everyone. My partner was diagnosed with type 2 a few years ago when his level was 49. Pretty quickly he got this down to 37. Then along came Covid and he only had another blood test in June this year.

The results are headed HbA1c (DCCT aligned) (GMH15894) normal

HbA1c level IFCC standardised 51 mmol/mol

When he phoned the GP for the results, he was told by the reception that everything was normal.

He saw the GP last week for another issue, and the GP was mumbling that he was diabetic. The GP does not have great communication skills.

Can anyone please explain which reading we should take as correct - the ‘normal’ or the 51 mmol.

Thanks

 

[lovinglife]

The 51 - normal is just an opinion the number is a fact

 

[catinahat]

DCCT aligned

Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT),
usually expressed as a percentage normal is below 6% - pre diabetes 6% to 6.4% - diabetes 6.5% and above

HbA1c level IFCC standardised

International Federation of clinical chemistry measured in mmol/mol
Normal is below 42mmol/mol - pre diabetes 42 to 47 - diabetes 48 and over

At 49mmol/mol he was just into the diabetic range
At 37mmol/mol he was still T2 but with well controlled levels in the non diabetic range
At 51 his levels are no longer so well controlled and are now slightly worse than when he was originally diagnosed

(GMH15894)

No idea what means? But the HbA1c of 51 means there are too many carbohydrates in his diet

 

[Charlie5757]

The 51 - normal is just an opinion the number is a fact

Thanks for this. It seems like the GP practice just saw ‘normal’ and did not pick up on the 51.

 

[Charlie5757]

Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT),
usually expressed as a percentage normal is below 6% - pre diabetes 6% to 6.4% - diabetes 6.5% and above


International Federation of clinical chemistry measured in mmol/mol
Normal is below 42mmol/mol - pre diabetes 42 to 47 - diabetes 48 and over

At 49mmol/mol he was just into the diabetic range
At 37mmol/mol he was still T2 but with well controlled levels in the non diabetic range
At 51 his levels are no longer so well controlled and are now slightly worse than when he was originally diagnosed


No idea what means? But the HbA1c of 51 means there are too many carbohydrates in his diet

Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT),
usually expressed as a percentage normal is below 6% - pre diabetes 6% to 6.4% - diabetes 6.5% and above


International Federation of clinical chemistry measured in mmol/mol
Normal is below 42mmol/mol - pre diabetes 42 to 47 - diabetes 48 and over

At 49mmol/mol he was just into the diabetic range
At 37mmol/mol he was still T2 but with well controlled levels in the non diabetic range
At 51 his levels are no longer so well controlled and are now slightly worse than when he was originally diagnosed


No idea what means? But the HbA1c of 51 means there are too many carbohydrates in his diet

Thanks you. There are no figures or percentages at all given against the DCCT section, just ‘normal’.

Yes unfortunately the jam, bread and chocolate has crept back into his diet, so we need to do some serious work on it. I think the GP practice may have messed up on this one. Also when his level dropped to 37, the GP told him he was no longer diabetic so he probably became a bit complacent about it.

 

[catinahat]

GP told him he was no longer diabetic

Seems a strange thing for a Dr to say, I'm fairly certain that if they had found cure it would have been widely reported on TV and the news papers.
All of my hba1c results have been in the non diabetic range for the last 8 years, because I eat a low carbohydrate diet. I will always have T2, it doesn't go away, if I go back to eating how I did before my levels will rise just like your partners have.

 

[Charlie5757]

Seems a strange thing for a Dr to say, I'm fairly certain that if they had found cure it would have been widely reported on TV and the news papers.
All of my hba1c results have been in the non diabetic range for the last 8 years, because I eat a low carbohydrate diet. I will always have T2, it doesn't go away, if I go back to eating how I did before my levels will rise just like your partners have.

I went to the first appointment with the GP after the orginal diagnosis, and he did say at that time that he would always be diabetic.

You’ve done well. I too believe that low carb is the way to go, and tend to eat that way anyway. I will be doing it with my partner from now on.

 

[Daphne917]

Seems a strange thing for a Dr to say, I'm fairly certain that if they had found cure it would have been widely reported on TV and the news papers.

A colleague of mine was told by his GP that he was no longer diabetic after having one non diabetic Hba1c following his T2 diagnosis. Not sure how he’s doing now as he moved away but he was soon back on the cake etc.