HBA1C level on insulin

[dcoppard]

I'm a bit confused so any advice would be appreciated. I'm a 67 year old male type 2 diabetic who was diagnosed about 20 years ago. I've gone through the normal range of diet, then oral medication, and then finaly two years ago onto Lantus each day with NovoRapid should I experience any high readings. About 95% of my blood sugar readings are within the normal 4-7 range pre meal and generally it seems well controlled

Over the years my HBA1C has fluctuated and 6 months ago was 6.7%. I have just had my most recent test result and it is now 6.2%. I was half expecting a 'well done' from my GP but instead got a telling off because he now considers my HBA1C to be too low! I told him that over the last year I have only had 1 or 2 minor hypo's which I can quickly correct if needbe but he was not convinced and suggested that he would much prefer a reading for an insulin user to be around the 7% mark. :shock:

Now obviously I can, (and indeed have) started to reduce my Lantus injection and about a week later my blood sugar readings are starting to rise a little although still ok, ( mostly in the range 5 to 7 as against 4 - 6 previously pre meal). However I would love to know what level of HBA1C other insulin users are getting or attempting to get.

I just find it a bit annoying that having tried for 20 years to get and keep my blood sugars under control, ( and not always succeeding), when I get to a level I think is quite good I get a telling off.

Perhaps someone could advise me further.

 

[noblehead]

1-2 minor hypo's over a year is very good for someone using insulin, I wouldn't worry too much about what your Dr says, if you like you could always take your bg readings with you next time and show them that you are not having hypo's all the time.

 

[hanadr]

Since a non-diabetic has an HbA1c around 4% - 5% 6.2% isn't in and of itself too low. It would only be so if you were having frequent hypos.
Sounds like your doctor doesn't know as much as he thinks he knows and has heard of the study which showed low Hba1cs linked to deaths from cardiovascular disease[ I can't remember which study it was ACCORD or ADVANCE]
that study has been regualrly mis represented. since the patients were on multiple medications at pretty high doses, The HbA1cs were not tthe only links to the deaths.
Too many people simply don't understand the distinction between "link" and "cause".
My mother, grandmother, aunt and I all have/had T2 and blue eyes, but I doubt if eyecolour is the cause. My father and brother also have/had blue eyes and neither has/had T2, so it's not protecting them either.
Hana

 

[hallii]

The doc. is offering good advice.

Hypos are not good and at age 67 to allow your A1c to rise to 7 is unlikely to shorten your life by much if anything.

I am luckily able to manage on diet and excercise and one 500 mg Metformin, but if I was on insulin I would be happy to have slightly higher readings if it avoided any hypos.

As always there are no rights and wrongs, just different opinions and it comes down to good old personal choice.

I have, in the past ignored medical advice because I was convinced I was right, and guess what? I was

H