HbA1c

Hi There,

I was diagnosed in April 2014 with type 1... Since I've had 2 HbA1c tests (the second I asked for). You should have had one on diagnosis and they should do another about 3 months after the first. If you haven't had one (more likely they haven't told you you've had one), then speak to your consultants or doctor..

One of the main things they look at with a HbA1c is insulin production over a 3 month period, so they are very important to measure how you are managing your diabetes. Everyone is different so I found it useful as it was specifically about me and not the usual generic feedback you get.

When I was diagnosed, it happen so quickly and I was given so much information lots of it didn't go in, I to didn't pick up on the importance of this test myself till a few weeks after, things needed to settle down and some of the information I was given finally filtered into my head - I guess you are going through a similar process of understanding/learning/accepting...

Hope this helps!

Usually on diagnosis they take an Hba1c every 3 months until things settle down, once your under control it's done annually. The hospital clinics sometimes take the blood themselves or they may request that you go to your gp surgery and they take your blood a week before your clinic appointment.

Just one word of advice, if they try and move you over to the care of your gp surgery try your best to stick with the hospital diabetes clinic, they are more specialised in dealing with problems surrounding type 1 diabetes.

You can ask for a print out of your blood tests. You are entitled to these, and they will show what tests you had and what the results were. They are well worth having, not just so you know where you are at now, but also for future comparisons.

Hi bluetit, I always get a printout of my hba1c and I can compare to see what's needing work on :)