HBA1C

viscountdriver said:

I am pretty elderly and my Diabetic nurse told me any readings up to 8 are fine at my age. Does age make a difference?

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Hello viscountdriver and welcome to the forum.

Your question is a little hard to answer without knowing whether it relates to an HbA1c which is an average of the last 3 months deduced from a blood sample taken from a vein or a random finger scratch test.

Although both may be considered a little on the high side these things need to be viewed taking all your personal and medical history into account.

What did your nurse suggest that you do?

How elderly is elderly?
My Mum is 95 and her doctor says the same, I suspect that's because they don't expect her to live long enough to develop serious complications. However, she has developed sight problems and I can't find out if it's diabetes or age related.
For myself, I don't allow my blood glucose to reach 6.5. I check daily and keep my consumption of bread, potatoes, rice etc to an absolute minimum.
I tell everyone I speak to that we don't need any starch or sugar in our diet and the less we eat of them the better.
Hana

Hi Vscountdriver,
I would think that you are a little worried, maybe a chat with your Doctor might be more in your favor to put your mind at ease. There are a few nurses around that are not fully trained in the understanding of diabetes.

Welcome to the forum and beat of luck with this query.

Roy.

viscountdriver said:

I am pretty elderly and my Diabetic nurse told me any readings up to 8 are fine at my age. Does age make a difference?

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It depends on what she actually meant by that. Hard to tell if she meant all readings, an average reading or readings upto 8.0. The target ranges quoted on this site are:

Type 2 diabetes: before meal, 4 to 7 mmol/L; 2 hrs after meal under 8.5 mmol/L

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care ... anges.html

Whilst many people here are trying to get their readings down to the levels of an otherwise healthy person, your DN may just be reminding you that 8.0 isn't bad for someone with type 2. There are many twice that. I wouldn't worry about it but just ask her to be more precise next time.

viscountdriver said:

When I complained my HBA1C was around 8 she said that was fine at my age and not to worry.

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NICE guidelines say "involve the person in decisions about their individual HbA1c target level, which
may be above that of 6.5% set for people with type 2 diabetes in general"

and "Consider adding a DPP-4 inhibitor (sitagliptin, vildagliptin) instead
of a sulfonylurea as second-line therapy to first-line metformin
when control of blood glucose remains or becomes inadequate
(HbA1c ≥ 6.5%, or other higher level agreed with the individual)" NICE clinical guideline 87 – type 2 diabetes

So if you haven't discussed and agreed a target above 6.5 I should go back. NICE guidleines add an extra strand to treatment above 7.5% - "HbA1c ≥ 7.5% or other higher level agreed with the individual" so 8 clearly isn't the norm.

OIC, this is a HBA1c reading, you say so lower down the thread. Yes, that is high and it is something you should ask about. There should at the very least be an explanation why you need not worry about it. There has to be a reason why the DN makes that claim. It seems to go against the grain and I think if you do ask, you are entitled to know the rationale behind it.