• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

HbA1C....

LindsayJane

Well-Known Member
Messages
609
Location
Taunton
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Housework - hate housework with a passion - and rude people.
Sorry to be stupid but how do I estimate my HbA1C? I've looked at the formulas on here but am a little confused!
 
Do you test lots of times a day? Do you keep records? Then all you have to do is average them all and use the calculator here

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/hba1c-to-blood-sugar-level-converter.html

However, you really do need to test a lot, and some night time readings if you wake up for a loo visit would be useful to include.

The Mysugr app will estinmate for you, but again you need masses of tests.
 
I do and I have - but it's cme out a lot lower than anticipated (32.1). I'm sure that's wrong - based on 3 readings per day for 31 days. I guess I'll find out next time the blood test is done... I tried Mysugr - it was not working for me
 
LindsayJane said:
I do and I have - but it's cme out a lot lower than anticipated (32.1). I'm sure that's wrong - based on 3 readings per day for 31 days. I guess I'll find out next time the blood test is done... I tried Mysugr - it was not working for me
Click to expand...

Testing 3 times a day will never give you an accurate result. You need some "low" numbers such as pre-meal, and some "high" numbers such as 1 hour and also 90 minutes after eating (to try to catch peaks) as well as 2 or 3 hours, plus a bedtime and a fasting, making sure you have a fair mix of the peak times and the low times. Even then, it is not an exact science.
 
Ah well - I think I'll just be patient then. Not sure I can afford more than three test stips per day! Thank you for replying - have a lovely day x x
 
LindsayJane said:
.... I tried Mysugr - it was not working for me
Click to expand...

I wonder what the lower limit is for MySugr, I test five times/day and it still produces an estimated an estimated HbA1c for me. This will be the first time I have tested less (I used to test 7 or 8 times a day) leading up to an HbA1c at the Drs. The estimate has never been exact, so I just keep an eye on if it’s trending up or down.
 
LindsayJane said:
based on 3 readings per day for 31 days.
Click to expand...

Even 24 readings a day might not be able to give you the same result as a HbA1c.

Personally I don't think it is possible to accurately guesstimate a HbA1c from a few random finger prick tests. I know some people can and have managed to get a similar result, but it cannot be guaranteed and is probably a waste of strips if the tests are only being done for that reason.
 
Estimating HbA1c is an expensive business. It would probably work out cheaper to pay for a private lab report from somewhere like Medichecks once in a while. Or even buy a home testing kit.

If you have very good gluco-stability 24-7 then the finger prick tests are likely to be reasonably accurate, but otherwise it’s a loose estimate at best.
 
I've decided to wait - no point estimating if it's not going to be an accurate thing. I'll end up getting over anxious or over confident and I don't want either. I'll just let the doctor give me a surprise. Thank you again everyone for your responses x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…