HbA1c

dectjoh

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Diagnosed end of December, HbA1c done end of Feb - 9%. Repeated at the end of March - 7.5%. Feeling quite down about T1 in general but quite pleased that my HbA1C has gone down. Is it OK or should I be aiming for lower?
Tracy
 

cugila

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I had a recent discussion with a Member (T1) about these levels........your HbA1c level should be agreed with your HCP's as they know all your background and medical history. Together you should decide what is a good level for YOU .........however, ANY reduction has to be good to try and avoid complications later. The consensus is between 6.5% and 7.5% depending on risk factors etc, however as we know that complications can start to set in at around 7% I think lower has to be better if achievable with all the caveats about going too low.

Here is a link to what I had to say about it.

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=20398&hilit=+quality&p=185634#p185634

Well done on the reduction BTW......... :D
 

sugar2

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833
Well done, that is great.. you should be really proud. (Sorry, that looks patronising, but please believe me, it isn't meant to be!!)

What Ken said really. 7.5 is great, but if you can get i lower, without being hypo all the time, then this would be a good thing to do.
 

dectjoh

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53
Thanks both. I am hopeful that I can get it a little lower next time because I was still running high in January while I got used to relatively lower sugars. Have to say though, after the initial burst of novelty, I'm quite fed up with it all now. Bit worrying since I'm only 3 months in and this is obviously for the long haul! How do you sustain the motivation to do well day in / day out? Tracy
 

noblehead

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dectjoh,

That's a big drop in such a short space of time, in my view there is still room for improvement but this should not be at the expense of repeated hypo's so do take it slowly.

Nigel
 

jeb

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I have been a type1 on insulin for 56 years. I have no complications due to the fact that I keep my A1c between 4-6. I react if when I take a blood test, which occurs daily 6 times a day if it is outside that range. It seems to me that doctors tell diabetics to have higher blood sugars than in non diabetics, seems to me to be specious advice. I find if mine goes over 7 I feel physically ill so I am aware that I have to react and do something about it. I also maintain a low carb diet having just enough carbs to balance the amount of insulin in my system. This balance was something I was taught in the 1950s and have always maintained. It doesn't seem complicated to me so I don't understand why some poor folk don't use their noddles to keep themselves well. Seeing a specialist months in the future will not help your blood sugars today. You have to be responsible for your own body not depend on others to do so. Just learn and keep your blood level. It really isn't hard to do.
 

donnellysdogs

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Hi Dectjoh

I am a type 1 of 25 years, and unlike Jeb I have not found it all easy to keep motivated all the time to keep levels within parameters, infact I have really struggles at times. I have found enormous help from various GP's and HCP's and friends and family and this forum. It is the support of others throughout life that can add to the motivation.

My worst practice was to try and improve my HBA1C before my diabetic checkups. Every year for the past 3 years I have had incidents of hypo's, and I can genuinely put these down to two things:- having a checkup in July and having my Mum stay in July too. Both cases, have given me worse hypo's than my normal living. I recognise this now, but last years hypo was the worst scenario for me at anytime in my 25 years, and I never want to experience anything like that ever again......so my advice is to try and live a normal life, allowing treats and special occasions etc-(everything in moderation!!)- and NOT to try and get better results just prior to having hba1c tests done!!!

Motivation does come from within, but external influences also have a big impact too. Some like Jeb can achieve levels of low hba1c with type 1 diabetes....and there are others that really struggle to get a good balance at times.

Your last hba1c is pretty good for a newcomer to type 1, take it easy with tweaking diets, insulin etc, as the most important thing to know is that diabetes lives with you, and not the other way around. You need to find your balance with your lifestyles and living.

Lots of people have ups and downs, but nowadays I think that is life in general. Type 1 is not so limiting nowadays as it was many years ago. You will be able to get a balance that suits you, and the motivation will continue. Make sure that family and friends are there to support you, and don't be afraid of speaking up asking for help when you feel that you need it. In addition this website is invaluable for support and friendship too.

Some of us haven't found diabetes easy to get a grip with. I have had my best result at 6.3 in 24 years recently, but this includes some days, really struggling to get my bg's above 4. So, some of us find it hard to get levels that Jed stated without hypo's interfering. It is for you to get a balance and levels that suit you and with agreement with your HCP's.

You will do it, I think your levels after such a short while as type 1 are great and hope that you will get a balance of life with the diabetes that suits you.
 

TheSparkyPony

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Messages
136
Well done! I know how hard it is, I've gone from a HBA1C of 14% in October to 7% in March. It's a hard slog, but worth it in the end!

I'm aiming for a target of 6%, but am having to be very careful as I'm very hypo-ey at the moment which will ultimately give me a false HBA1C reading.
The ideal would be to consult with your diabetic nurse or consultant to discuss an ideal but achievable!) target for you.

All the best :D
 

SugarPlums

Active Member
Messages
28
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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I asked my Consultant once about HBA1C tests at different Hospitals, he said "good question". Never seen any indication whether the methods of testing are even standardised. Can some expert reveal more ?