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HBa1c Levels Ideal?

Randburg

Randburg

Well-Known Member
Messages
751
Location
South Africa
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
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Grey Cats
Hi
Went to the Doctor for my check up, and explained that I was Eating Low Carb, and he had no major problems,
I showed a Graph of my Blood Glucose that had really come down nicely in the last 6 weeks or so,
This fits as I've been very strict on Diet.
My Last HBa1c was 5.5 and I was hoping for a Low 5 or into the 4 mark.
My result was 5.8.
I was not happy in view of all the effort, and I discussed this with him ( a very approachable Doctor).
He said, the HBa1c was probably taken about 6 weeks too early to reflect the result, and almost guaranteed it would fall on the next test based on my records, if I continued as at present.
The most interesting thing he said to me was,
Why do you want to get your HBa1c to below 5 ?
I replied the normal, better control, hopefully slow down later complications etc.
His answer, was that if you have a reading of 7 and below, it does not actually matter what the figure is, it will make no long term difference.
So a reading of 5.8 versus a reading of 5,5 was immaterial, and lower readings could lead to Hypos, so rather stay in the 5 to 6.5 range if possible.
Made sense to me !
Don't feel so bad now ;)
Any thoughts ?
TYPE 2
 
There is no need to feel bad, you are doing very well. However, you asked for our thoughts, so here are mine:

1. Unless you are on insulin or a sulfonlurea (spelling??), you will not get proper, medical emergency type hypos. If you are diet only or metformin only, you will not hypo. Your blood sugars may, from time to time, be below 4 and you may even feel tired, dizzy and ready to eat something, but this is not a hypo.

2. Concerning HbA1c of 7 and below, you may like to read Jenny Rhul of Blood Sugar 101 on the subject,
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14046702.php
She makes the clear point that "normal" is below this and that complications still exist at 7. The acceptance of 7 as "good control" by doctors, is why many of them believe that all diabetics get much worse eventually. It is not low enough.

You have made a great start. Keep going. And, even if I am wrong and your doctor is right, having an HbA1c in the low fives or high fours, won't do you any harm.
Here's to next time!
Sally
 
5.8 is still a good reading Rand, the Hba1c result is reflected in the most recent weeks I believe.
 
How soon after your previous HbA1c was this last one? They are usually 3 months or longer apart as they average over the previous 2 to 3 months, weighted towards the previous few weeks.

At diagnosis I had 2 HbA1c's TWELVE days apart. The first I was 52 (6.9%). The second I was 53 (7%). OK not much difference, but nonetheless, not the same. Those 12 days made some sort of difference. Either that or the tests aren't 100% accurate. As both were in the diabetic range it didn't matter, but what if one was and one wasn't.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
How soon after your previous HbA1c was this last one? They are usually 3 months or longer apart as they average over the previous 2 to 3 months, weighted towards the previous few weeks.

At diagnosis I had 2 HbA1c's TWELVE days apart. The first I was 52 (6.9%). The second I was 53 (7%). OK not much difference, but nonetheless, not the same. Those 12 days made some sort of difference. Either that or the tests aren't 100% accurate. As both were in the diabetic range it didn't matter, but what if one was and one wasn't.
Click to expand...
Thanks
The test of 5.5 was on 2/4/2014, and the 5.8 today, it will go down.
I was more interested in the Below 7, any figure is OK theory
 
Did your GP mean a level of 7% on an HbA1c test, or on a normal fasting glucose test, or on your meter?

A level of 7 on an HbA1c test equates to 53 in new money, and this equates to 8.6mmol/l on our meters. This is way too high in my opinion, and was the very level I was when I was first diagnosed. It is well within the diabetic range. If this is what your doctor meant, you need to change doctors.
 
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