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HbA1c

C

crownlyn

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi, I have hovered in this group for a couple of years but have not been online for months.
I was diagnosed as Type 2 ages ago and have refused meds on the hope I can control this by diet (which I am failing at).
I've had a tough year and just recently lost my mum who had been type 2 for about 30 years. My diet/lifestyle has been awful throughout her illness (dementia) but I had been reassured by my HbA1c results over this last year - well the healthcare's comments which I took on board even though I am pretty sure they are incorrect. What do you think?
My last 6 results are listed below.
22/11/22 47
23/8/23 51
8/11/23 45
29/5/24 45 healthcare note - acceptable
17/1/25 57 healthcare note - good diabetic control
28/4/25 50 healthcare note - good diabetic control
I even received a message from my GP surgery in my nhs app saying 'well done on your good diabetic control, please continue your medication' (I don't take meds for diabetes).
Anyway at the moment I am convinced my sugar level is through the roof as I'm thirsty all the time, can't stop peeing, have no energy and constantly tired, oh and I can't sleep. I have just asked for my bloods to be checked again. I really need to get a grip of this and sort myself out.
Am I right in thinking a HbA1C result of 57 is not good?
 
Hi @corwnlyn . 57 mmol/ls is in the diabetic range, but really it’s not too bad. A few food adjustments and it’s possible you could bring your blood sugars down into the pre-diabetic range or even lower . The higher your blood sugars, the greater the risk of diabetic symptoms, but everyone is different. Some people can start feeling symptoms at these lower levels, some people, however, can have high blood sugars, but don’t feel any symptoms.
If you don’t mind me asking what kind of foods do you eat?
 
Hi Melgar, thank you for replying.
I start my day off well with greek yogurt, berries and almonds but then it all goes downhill. I'm office based so sit at my desk with a sandwich, crisps and chocolate. I try and have the Hovis no added sugar bread (I think about 6g of carb per slice). In the evenings I really try and eat chicken with mediterranean roasted veg or along those lines but just recently I have not been able to keep to a good diet. I have recently started (this year) on BP medication and also diagnosed with fatty liver.
I know I am grieving but I seem to be on a self destruct cycle that I really need to get off.
It is lunchtime at work that is my biggest hurdle, I can probably get back into good food in the evening - low carb, veg and meat etc.
 
I don't know your fitness or what exercise you get but sitting at the desk may contribute as well as diet. Can you walk of an evening even just a mile helps once you are onto this you will want t go further or try other things like swimming, running, longer hikes of a weekend etc. It really can make a big difference, other simple things you can try take stairs instead of lifts and escalators, get off bur a stop earlier etc small changes really do work
 
crownlyn said:
crisps and chocolate. I try and have the Hovis no added sugar bread (I think about 6g of carb per slice)
It is lunchtime at work that is my biggest hurdle
Click to expand...
hovis wholemeal ~11g per slice half size (29gram weight) (400g loaf weight)
hovis wholemeal ~15.1g g per slice (40gram weight) medium (800g loaf weight)
warbatons wholemeal (no added sugar) do a 400g loaf which is 9.0g could try switch to that i find both are pretty simular in taste.

what type of chocolate are you snacking on? i've moved to 90+ coco just 1 small square broken up in a few pieces leave it on tongue to melt.

crisps if enjoy some can have vastly different carb ratio. if you like cheese have you tried make your own keto styled ones? Wotsits multipack ~8g approx per pack compared to likes of walkers crisps ~13g. There are other alternatives as well which could be lower in carbs and help made from likes of cauliflower/carrots and other relatively low carb veggies.

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/260607/basic-keto-cheese-crisps/ i add a little sprinkle of black pepper, chives & paprika to them. could add some of ur own herbs and spices.

I personally moved mostly to snacking on nuts.. (prob too many tbh...)

Does your workplace have a microwave? could bring some of your own favourite meals with you if does and heat up there. There are some usb powered heated lunch boxes which would suffice for warming up likes of soup/med roasted veggies etc could perhaps be a great xmas pressie someone could get you from around 15 quid amazon.

edit: added below (corrected wotsits spelling)
A short walk will help after meals too. could eat sandwhich on the go weather permitting :)
 
Last edited:
Well I had to have medication, Empagliflozin and recently had to add Sitaglitpin
I eat Low Carb, high protein.
I bake my own bread and have done for years and limit myself to one slice that’s mainly wholemeal or rye with good scoop of mixed seeds. If buying bread I get sourdough.

My HbA1C has risen this year, I’d had blood tests and we’d been away a few times and couldn’t get the diet I needed
Hoping the next test will be lower, but GP suggested Sitagliptin low dose so hoping.

As the others said, 57 can be reduced with return to your diet
 
Thank you for your replies, I feel better just having a few supportive comments. I've collected my blood test form so we shall see.
The thing is I know what to do but I just can't do it even though I know it is so detrimental to my health and I don't know if I could keep it up long term.
I'm really angry for letting myself get like this and I need to sort myself out.
I don't exercise and I do actually love going for a walk so I certainly need to start up again.
Hopefully my test results will give me the push I need whether it is too high or not.
 
crownlyn said:
Thank you for your replies, I feel better just having a few supportive comments. I've collected my blood test form so we shall see.
The thing is I know what to do but I just can't do it even though I know it is so detrimental to my health and I don't know if I could keep it up long term.
I'm really angry for letting myself get like this and I need to sort myself out.
I don't exercise and I do actually love going for a walk so I certainly need to start up again.
Hopefully my test results will give me the push I need whether it is too high or not.
Click to expand...
with the walking start short routes as interesting as possible
 
Angela64 said:
If buying bread I get sourdough.
Click to expand...
Is sourdough available in low-carb form? Jason's Sourdough is 44.1 gms of carbohydrate and bog standard Hovis white is only fractionally more at 44.6.
 
Grant_Vicat said:
Is sourdough available in low-carb form? Jason's Sourdough is 44.1 gms of carbohydrate and bog standard Hovis white is only fractionally more at 44.6.
Click to expand...
robert andrews sourdough is pretty low just under 6g net a slice. Good for cheese on toast

Testing out
end of the week going to make smaller rolls with that recipe looked decent to go with some soup for Xmas dinner can let know how I find it if want
 
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