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Hba1c question

ladybird64

ladybird64

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,731
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Dishonesty, selfishness and lack of empathy.
I have had two of these tests done, the one that diagnosed me and the following one in October last year. At diagnosis I refused Metformin and Statin meds as I wanted to try on diet alone. The next test was done as part of something else I went to the GP for and I have realised that I now haven't had a test for 6 months - with our surgery it is usually every 3 months.
Nor have I been called for a blood pressure check even though I'm on meds for hypertension..I'm wondering if they consider a diabetic on diet only not worthy of follow up? :wink:

No seriously..is it really necessary, the HbA1c? At present I am able to do a resonable amount of self testing due to my dear benefactor from this forum so I have a good idea how I am doing generally, I should also be able to tweak my diet some more.

Is that enough?
 
No. Go and get your proper tests done.

I haven't been called for mine either (13 months after diagnosis), but I'm going to bang down the surgery door to make sure that I get all I'm entitled to. The practice get £2000 a year for me, and I cost them nothing in meds or test-strips.

I think HbA1c is a great measure of your control.
 
I'd get it done. Its good to know how you're progressing and it sounds like its about time they spent some of the £2000 they get for having you on their books.
 
Get it done. Also get your BP done every 6 months, more often if it's still high.

Diabetes + hypertension = increased risk of sleep apnoea, another life-threatening condition, which most doctors don't bother to screen for.

If hypertension cannot be controlled by one drug (ie you need 2 or more) then there is an 80% you also have sleep apnoea.
 
Don't wait for them to ask... Phone them an make an appointment..

When it comes to our diabetes it's better to ensue that you make an appointment when you need a checkup, this ensures that you get one, as all sorts of things can happen which leads you to being missed/called in for your review...
 
Nor have I been called for a blood pressure check even though I'm on meds for hypertension..
Click to expand...

Following an acute kidney infection, I went to see the GP. My systolic BP was 180. and she asked me not to work the next day. Didn't understand why, since I felt normal !
Four days later, it was still 150.

Once home, and a few googles later, I found this inexpensive meter (can't believe the price of them on the shelves of chemists), which has been my companion for the last 4 months. It gets loads of positive comments

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Omron-Basic-Blo ... 731&sr=8-1

My first reading is often 140 something but I can relax it down to 120 something after a few minutes rest.

Worth considering but no pressure :)

Geoff
 
lol Geoff

The way I look at it this. you only have you to remember, they have (?) number of patients. Don't wait for them, if you are due a check, make the appt yourself.

Mary x
 
It's not just HbA1c and BP that are important.
You should have your weight checked
and at least yearly:
lipid levels (cholesterol)
kidney function: a blood test for creatitine and a urine test for small amounts of protein.
You should have your feet checked (sensation and pulses)
and retinopathy(eye) screening.
 
librarising said:
Nor have I been called for a blood pressure check even though I'm on meds for hypertension..
Click to expand...

Following an acute kidney infection, I went to see the GP. My systolic BP was 180. and she asked me not to work the next day. Didn't understand why, since I felt normal !
Four days later, it was still 150.

Once home, and a few googles later, I found this inexpensive meter (can't believe the price of them on the shelves of chemists), which has been my companion for the last 4 months. It gets loads of positive comments

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Omron-Basic-Blo ... 731&sr=8-1

My first reading is often 140 something but I can relax it down to 120 something after a few minutes rest.

Worth considering but no pressure :)

Geoff
Click to expand...
Omron mx2 currently £10 at Asda
 
My surgery does an Hba1c every year if you are well controlled or 3 or 6 monthly if not. They say they will call/remind me but they never do. My GP gives me a blood test sheet and a month for the next appointment at the current appointment and I make all the bookings nearer the time. My GP suggested I buy my own blood pressure tester which I've done but the nurse will take it any time I request anyway.
 
Blast. :( I was kind of hoping that I could get away without having it done, thought it wouldn't make that much difference. Regarding the BP, the only time I got that done was was when I went for my three monthly contraceptive jab, docs never do it, have stopped that so no BP done for at least 8 months.

I have a few other health issues and I really hate going to the surgery unless it is vital, I've spent a lifetime taking meds for one thing or another so try and avoid docs and tests like the plague.

I was only there two days ago for my airway infection, didn't think to mention it as I felt too unwell.

Oh well, suppose I haven't a choice. Thanks all .
 
Well, you have a choice. We always have choices. You can choose to take control of your own health or you can choose to let things happen to you.

I totally get the situation when you go in for an acute infection, you feel unwell, and so you stick to one issue and get home to rest. (BTW, poorly controlled diabetes increases the risk of infection, and slows recovery.)

But what I don't get is why an intelligent person would not keep tabs on one's conditions, treatments, and monitoring.

I'm a diabetes newbie but when it comes to multiple chronic illness, I'm virtually geriatric. I have been there - I was on/off non compliant with antidepressants for years before I finally sat up and realised that I just need to take the pills every day without fail. I would go a week before realising why I was feeling so depressed. Did this several times.

I still hate taking a dozen pills every day, testing BG, BP, and weight, assessing my mood, pain level, sleep quality, choosing food, trying to exercise, remembering appointments, making sure I don't run out of anything, picking up things from the chemist, telling each new doctor or nurse my story, having to trust them when they had little training in my particular "illness du jour"...

I could go on. Just wanted to give you an example of the level of mental activity that I choose to invest in my survival. It truly sucks having to manage chronic illness. But I decided long ago not to sink, but to swim.
 
CatLadyNZ said:
Well, you have a choice. We always have choices. You can choose to take control of your own health or you can choose to let things happen to you.

I totally get the situation when you go in for an acute infection, you feel unwell, and so you stick to one issue and get home to rest. (BTW, poorly controlled diabetes increases the risk of infection, and slows recovery.)

But what I don't get is why an intelligent person would not keep tabs on one's conditions, treatments, and monitoring.

I'm a diabetes newbie but when it comes to multiple chronic illness, I'm virtually geriatric. I have been there - I was on/off non compliant with antidepressants for years before I finally sat up and realised that I just need to take the pills every day without fail. I would go a week before realising why I was feeling so depressed. Did this several times.

I still hate taking a dozen pills every day, testing BG, BP, and weight, assessing my mood, pain level, sleep quality, choosing food, trying to exercise, remembering appointments, making sure I don't run out of anything, picking up things from the chemist, telling each new doctor or nurse my story, having to trust them when they had little training in my particular "illness du jour"...

I could go on. Just wanted to give you an example of the level of mental activity that I choose to invest in my survival. It truly sucks having to manage chronic illness. But I decided long ago not to sink, but to swim.
Click to expand...

Hi CatLady, thanks for your reply.

Yes, I know I have a choice and I will make the right one, don't worry! I was just hoping..well, you know.

Just a little point, when one is responsible for the care and welfare of others of close family members, it isn't always possible to have the time to do all the right things, especially when those family members have complex health issues themselves. You weren't to know that though :)

I'm tired, have been ill for more than two weeks and struggling to breathe has taken a bit of a physical toll on me as well as other issues having an effect psychologically.

I guess I was just having a bit of a petulant moment which we all do occasionally. :wink: :lol:
 
But what I don't get is why an intelligent person would not keep tabs on one's conditions, treatments, and monitoring.
Click to expand...

In my case, its not a question of intelligence. Its because I am frequently overwhelmed with other health issues, plus dependant relatives, plus children, plus life in general and I dont have the financial or mental resources or strength to keep tabs on everything.

Sometimes life is very complex.
 
lucylocket61 said:
But what I don't get is why an intelligent person would not keep tabs on one's conditions, treatments, and monitoring.
Click to expand...

In my case, its not a question of intelligence. Its because I am frequently overwhelmed with other health issues, plus dependant relatives, plus children, plus life in general and I dont have the financial or mental resources or strength to keep tabs on everything.

Sometimes life is very complex.
Click to expand...

I agree Lucy, and I wasn't saying it is simple or easy to manage one's health. Keeping tabs doesn't mean maintaining a filing system and running a military operation - I just meant that if one has multiple conditions, it's good to be able to say the following for each:
What it is
Why I have it (if that can be known)
Who the lead carer is for it (eg nurse, GP, specialist)
What major tests I've had (eg endoscopy, CT scan)
What the major risk is (eg death, organ failure, loss of function)
Treatment goal (eg just a range (high BP) or symptom control (GORD))
Whether I'm meeting that goal (pretty much meeting it is ok)
If not, why not, and what the next step is

If one can't make a fair attempt at answering those questions then I'd say one isn't keeping tabs. I recently had to provide detailed info off the top of my head because hospital staff were too lazy or busy or careless to get the info themselves. The best source of info about my conditions is me, backed up by documented evidence where necessary. Even when I gave them the info, they recorded some of it wrong and I had to correct them.

If any of us get hit by a bus (not that I was) and taken to casualty, treatment options have to be weighed up by staff who don't know us. I always mean to document my info and get it put on my local hospital's system but life gets in the way. I'm just putting ideas out there to see if I or others can brainstorm and problem-solve if we can. The days of relying on doctors to call us in, or even to give us test results without prompting, are over.
 
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