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HbA1c test?

B

Bethsmum

Well-Known Member
Messages
51
Location
Essex
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi everyone, a month ago I had a routine blood test that came back with a fasting blood glucose 6.4
I began healthy eating as my doctor said I would need to re test in a month, I had the second result back at 6.3, my doctor has now sent me for hbAc1 test, is it likely to come back high? I read that the higher you glucose levels have been the higher hbAc1 will come back?
I have to sweat over the weekend now for my results :(
 
The HbA1c test reports average blood sugar levels over the previous 3 months so it is likely that it will be around the same as your previous results I would have thought.
 
Don't worry too much - those levels aren't exceptionally high and you may be able to reduce them by cutting down the carbs you eat. Do you have meter to test your own BG levels and see what certain food does to your levels?
 
Bethsmum, sorry to hear you didn't get your diagnosis today. I share your disappointment as I'm not very patient. Hope you're able to find a way to distract yourself this weekend. :(

Here's a link on the fasting glucose test... http://www.diabetes.co.uk/fasting-plasma-glucose-test.html

And here's a link on the HbA1c test... http://www.diabetes.co.uk/hba1c-test.html

Your tests so far aren't normal, and they are within the range of pre-diabetes. Regardless of the HbA1c result on Monday, I think after you get a meter, lancet device, and test strips - (get the cheapest strips and monitor so you can test frequently and keep costs down) - you'll see that your blood glucose levels are likely up and down quite a bit.

You're fortunate. You've caught your diabetes early, so you'll be able to control it just fine with changes to diet alone. We'll support you in doing that. :)
 
Awe thank you everyone, your all so lovely here, my doctor said she is treating me for diabetes :( but she just wanted this hbAc1 test to be sure. So back to the doctors next week.
I am ordering my self a meter tonight so I can start testing my bloods.
Should I do morning and night ? Or inbetweens like after dinner ?
 
I have ordered the code free meter, and some strips too.
How many roughly would I use a week?
 
Bethsmum said:
I have ordered the code free meter, and some strips too.
How many roughly would I use a week?
Click to expand...

I started off taking a morning fasting test, and also before and after my evening meal, so 3 strips daily initially.

I've since cut down the morning test because regardless of what I do, I am never lower than 8. I've kept up testing for main meals and also for anything new.

My last Hba1c was 43 (May) down from 58 at diagnosis November 2015.
 
The most important readings are 2 hours after you have eaten, this is the best indicator of how what you have eaten has affected your BS.
 
It depends on how much you're able to budget for testing. I agree the 2 hour post meal readings are the most important. I typically test four to five times a day, fasting and 2 hour post meals, and then again when I get back from my after dinner walk or before bed. But if I get an unexpectedly higher blood glucose reading, I many test more to track what's happening.

Eventually, I assume I'll stop testing so much, but I feel like, even though it's been 5 months, that I'm still learning and need that feedback to stay motivated. :)
 
Bethsmum said:
Hi everyone, a month ago I had a routine blood test that came back with a fasting blood glucose 6.4
I began healthy eating as my doctor said I would need to re test in a month, I had the second result back at 6.3, my doctor has now sent me for hbAc1 test, is it likely to come back high? I read that the higher you glucose levels have been the higher hbAc1 will come back?
I have to sweat over the weekend now for my results :(
Click to expand...
HA!! I win lol jk
My last and first hbac1 was 196 so just keep doing what u doing ....
 
Bethsmum said:
. . . . . fasting blood glucose 6.4
. . . . . . second result back at 6.3, my doctor has now sent me for hbAc1 test, is it likely to come back high?
Click to expand...

This is only my opinion because I think it could go either way. You have mentioned two results for your BG measuring at a point in time. The HbA1c gives something that reflects an average over the previous 8 - 12 weeks, so the result for that would depend on what your BG has been doing at other times and the most crucial times are after you have eaten. Quite often people will measure one and two hours after eating to see the effect of the food that they have consumed at a particular meal.
You refer to healthy eating. Is that the GP's idea, NICE guidelines, Eatwell plate. The bottom line is the more carbs the higher your BG. All the best.
 
The healthy eating was my own idea after the first BG came back at 6.4, then a month later it was 6.3.

I think I will start with tastings, then test after meals then :)
 
Bethsmum said:
Hi everyone, a month ago I had a routine blood test that came back with a fasting blood glucose 6.4
I began healthy eating as my doctor said I would need to re test in a month, I had the second result back at 6.3, my doctor has now sent me for hbAc1 test, is it likely to come back high? I read that the higher you glucose levels have been the higher hbAc1 will come back?
I have to sweat over the weekend now for my results :(
Click to expand...

Hi Bethsmum,

I was given a Long term blood test about 10 days ago after constant BGL's in the high teens and low twenties and it came back at 9, for the period, so if your levels have been in the 6's for sometime I think your reading will be okay, so I wouldn't worry to much and continue what you've been doing, good luck, Ok!

Stemar, (Downunder)
 
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