Hba1c results

[rhugg]

Hello, I am a newbie and was hoping for some advice on Hba1c results, first diagnosed July 2014 results was 65mmol, October it was 52mmol and today it is 56mmol, is this latest one considered high or low? Many thanks

 

[novorapidboi26]

works out in old money as 7.3%..............

it was always recommended to get it below 7%, although you should try and get it lower.........

I have not been below 7% in many years...............

its only a guide as to what control has been like so don't be discouraged.........

 

[nancyb]

I would try to get it lower. If you haven't done so already, arm yourself with a meter and read up on low carb diets using this site.

 

[Ruth B]

Lower the better.

41 and below = non diabetic range
42 - 48 prediabetic
48+ diabetic

When I was at 53 the doctors were relatively happy with it, when it went up to 71 they increased the meds. Since then I have been reduced carbing and self monitoring and it went down first to 56 then to 42 and the HCP were over the moon, (although a bit disapproving of the lower carb and self testing but that's normal) So having gone up a bit isn't the end of the world and if you want to get it lower you can (I am assuming you are Type 2). If it keeps going up then medication will probably be pushed in your direction.

If you want to get it lower yourself, my advise is to buy a meter as you are unlikely to get one on prescription, start testing what you eat and how it effect your blood sugar and act accordingly.

Good luck, you are at the start of a life long road, take it slowly, learn from mistakes, both your own and from the rest of us here we all make them, and YOU can control this condition not your doctor.

 

[Kat100]

It might be worth considering that you need to feel and be well , maybe you could think about a goal which is right for you ...and maybe discuss with GP .
Of course. Numbers may go up or down without our control ....frustrating that but it does happen ....

Best wishes ...Kat

 

[Daibell]

Yes, the 56 is a bit high. I would aim to get it below 50 mmol. As others have said a low-carb diet is the way to go and then meds as well if needed. What is your BMI?

 

[Bluetit1802]

I am assuming you are Type 2? Type 1's have different aims.

That was a good drop from July to October, but it is now going up again and you need to do something proactive to get it down again.

@daisy1 will be along soon with some general guidance for newbies.

 

[daisy1]

Hello, I am a newbie and was hoping for some advice on Hba1c results, first diagnosed July 2014 results was 65mmol, October it was 52mmol and today it is 56mmol, is this latest one considered high or low? Many thanks

@rhugg

Hello and welcome to the forum

Here is the information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful in addition to the advice you have already been given by other members. Ask more questions and more people will come and help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you’ll find over 130,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

• Reduce your carbohydrate intake
• Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes-and-whole-grains.html

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)

• Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l

However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

• structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
• self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to bloodglucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.

 

[rhugg]

Thank you all for your comments it is type 2 on Gliclazide 80mg with breakfast and tea, will look at carbs