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HbA1c

numan43

Well-Known Member
Messages
262
Location
Glasgow
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I've been having my HbA1c done every three months and its been improving with every test, my latest result is 40.0 mmol/mol (5.8%) on 03/09/2015.
I do have some weird highs and lows during that time when self testing but I consider getting the three monthly HbA1c right is the most important number rather than worrying about the freak highs when testing daily, anyone agree with this?
 
Yes, as it gives you an overall picture of what is happening.
Keep up the good work, mate!
Well done!
 
Yes mate. A finger prick test can only capture that moment in time, and of course the meters are not 100% accurate anyway.

Well done on your improvements, more inspiration for the troops.
 
Thanks all for your support, and britishpub with your recent fantastic numbers are you not tempted to try to cut down on the metformin or even get off it, I know I am but I'm not sure if the metformin is contributing greatly to my lowish hba1c or if I would manage without it
 
Well done on your great result. However I would try to avoid going too high on occasions, if it were me, obviously easier said than done if it's not the same thing spiking you.
 
long term levels is good indication of control and the risk of complications.......

spiking BG up and down though can have an effect on them micro-vascular system, so it all counts........

well done though on the continued improvement.........
 
Your Hba1C number is excellent. I would suggest that you should be looking at avoiding the high spikes though. There is evidence that retinopathy is made worse by spikiness and the a not so tight variance can play a part in complications.
 
Avoid the spikiness
tim2000s said:
Your Hba1C number is excellent. I would suggest that you should be looking at avoiding the high spikes though. There is evidence that retinopathy is made worse by spikiness and the a not so tight variance can play a part in complications.
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is a new one on me but so so true!
 
numan43 said:
are you not tempted to try to cut down on the metformin or even get off it
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Thanks, yes I might as well really, I never have been sure what difference it makes and I frequently forget to take it anyway.

I should try a little experiment I think and see what does happen if I stop taking it for a week or two. I was very lucky it seems as it also had absolutley no side affects at all for me when I started taking it.
 
tim2000s said:
Your Hba1C number is excellent. I would suggest that you should be looking at avoiding the high spikes though. There is evidence that retinopathy is made worse by spikiness and the a not so tight variance can play a part in complications.
Click to expand...
HI, the spikes I spoke of are not due to overeating carbs they usually pop up from nowhere and there is no way I could avoid them.
 
numan43 said:
HI, the spikes I spoke of are not due to overeating carbs they usually pop up from nowhere and there is no way I could avoid them.
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It's worth checking anyway. I've rarely seen spikes pop up out of nowhere unless I've been ill. Things like exercise and a lot of protein can be both be a cause.
 
tim2000s said:
It's worth checking anyway. I've rarely seen spikes pop up out of nowhere unless I've been ill. Things like exercise and a lot of protein can be both be a cause.
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My highs are mainly in the morning after 10-12 hours not eating. I've tried all sorts of things to beat dawn phenomenon unsuccessfully, just cant get a handle on that thing at all
 
numan43 said:
My highs are mainly in the morning after 10-12 hours not eating. I've tried all sorts of things to beat dawn phenomenon unsuccessfully, just cant get a handle on that thing at all
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How high are these high? It's really just so that we understand if it's a bit high, but higher than you would like, or HIGH, but as you know, Dawn Phenomenon is a tricky one to address.
 
AndBreathe said:
How high are these high? It's really just so that we understand if it's a bit high, but higher than you would like, or HIGH, but as you know, Dawn Phenomenon is a tricky one to address.
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can start around 6.0 at 5am but rises till noon to 9ish then plummets after lunch to as low as high 3s low 4s.

breakfast makes no difference, usually 12-14 carbs
 
numan43 said:
can start around 6.0 at 5am but rises till noon to 9ish then plummets after lunch to as low as high 3s low 4s.

breakfast makes no difference, usually 12-14 carbs
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What are you having for breakfast? Is it always the same, and has it always been the same since you modified your diet to reduce your HbA1cs?

I have found that not all carbs are equal, in terms of how they impact my bloods, and I don't think that's too uncommon.
 
sorry I didn't explain right, I have skipped breakfast altogether on numerous occasions but still get the same rises, then even if I eat a carby lunch it still falls by 3 or 4 points afterward
 
numan43 said:
sorry I didn't explain right, I have skipped breakfast altogether on numerous occasions but still get the same rises, then even if I eat a carby lunch it still falls by 3 or 4 points afterward
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Have you tried having a carby breakfast, to give your system something to work on?

Clearly the dawn phenomenon is your liver dumping glucose to help you get going in the mornings. Have you tried stopping that in it's tracks by taking on board a some carbs? I'm not talking about a massive amount, but maybe swap one of your carby lunches you can expect a drop from, and see what happens?

Most people are a little more carb sensitive in the mornings, but to coin the age-old saying, we're all different.
 
If you are skipping Breakfast, maybe your Liver is trying to tell you something.
 
thanks for all your advice guys but over the last six months I've tried everything you have mentioned, the only thing i've not tried is red wine before bed, cant stand the stuff, thanks anyway but this morning liver dump has really got my brain frazzled
 
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