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HbA1c

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ebony321

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Helooo all,

Hba1c... i Haven't had one yet. is this bad?. i was diagnosed type 1 in jan. should i be asking my doc for one? hmm?
 
I'm a T2 and I get mine done every 3-4 months depending on my availablity. I don't see that a T1 should be any different.
 
Hmmm.. 7 months and i havent had one. i went to hospital in june with ketones and was hospitalized and the traige nurse got quite angry with me when i told her i hadnt had one yet, and she said of course you have... went to check some sort of file i guess and came back and said with a puzzled face.. you havent had one.. is the test helpful towards you or just crippling when your told its high?
 
NICE guidelines for the Clinical Monitoring of Type 1 Diabetes in Adults.

• Measure HbA1c (high precision DCCT-aligned method) every 2–6 months at the time of, or a few days before, consultation.

• Communicate the results (as ‘A1c’ for simplicity) to the person with diabetes.

It is an indicator as to how good or bad your blood glucose levels have been, particularly over the previous 90 days. It is only an average figure. Daily testing is more up to the minute.
 
sorry if this frustrates you, but the only reason why I did not get my hba1c on day of diagnosis was because I had a cup of tea in the morning.

I then had it the following day. That was in March.

I then had one at the beginning of June, and will be having my third in about 3 weeks.
 
I get one every 6 months. My nurse sends me a letter for my annual review and Iorganise the one in the middle. anything less isn't good. and it doesn't need fasting. that's for Cholesterol.
 
Hi,

I was diagnosed T2 in mid June and has my first HbA1c a few days after my fasting glucose test. It was 8.5.

I've had a range of appointments with the practice diabetes nurse who has been excellent in providing advice and information. I had another HbA1c last week, about 2 months from the first one and got my results today. It was down to 7.2.

I changed my diet dramatically on diagnosis and was very pleased to hear that it's had a good affect. I've some way to go but knowing my 'scores' on the HbA1c certainly helps motivate me to keep improving my diet and taking exercise.
 
Hmm, Sounds like i should have at least had one.. also sounds like its helpful and motivates you to improve the way you control your diabetes seeing it on a big scale instead of seeing a high reading and having to correct it, my sugars high alot. i went on holiday for two weeks and was averaging about 8 injections a day to keep my sugar down. maybe its my diet. anywaaaaay. thanks for all that replied. didnt want to get shirty and ask for something i was entitled to :o) thanks guys x
 
ebony321,

You definitely need to have one done.

I was diagnosed in September and i've already had three. They're pretty vital in gaining a "bigger" picture of your control.You don't need to ask for them either, just demand them. Ring your GPs clinic and say you want to book an appointment with the Nurse to get your HbA1c doing. It's really that simple.
 
I get tested every 6 months. Gives you an average glucose level for the previous 90-120 day period, which is the approximate lifespan of a Haemoglobin cell. Daily monitoring is essential, but HbA1c gives you the "big picture".

I've heard rumours that some labs will refuse to test a sample if they've previously tested a sample from you within 2 months. Not their call in my opinion, but I've never experienced this problem myself. That's PCT autonomy for you...
 
I found this thread and half expected an explanation of what HbA1c meant.

can someone please elaborate mine is apparently 8.7 surely that isnt to bad?


regards Nigel. :wink:
 
In the blood stream are the red blood cells, which are made of a molecule, haemoglobin. Glucose sticks to the haemoglobin to make a 'glycosylated haemoglobin' molecule, called haemoglobin A1C or HbA1C. The more glucose in the blood, the more haemoglobin A1C or HbA1C will be present in the blood.

Red cells live for 8 -12 weeks before they are replaced. By measuring the HbA1C it can tell you how high your blood glucose has been on average over the last 8-12 weeks. A normal non-diabetic HbA1C is 3.5-5.5%. In diabetes about 6.5% is good.
 
cheers Sue to the rescue once again :lol:

thank you sue, so my 8.7 is pretty poor then for someone on gliclazide?

still waiting for the insulin brigade to sort themselves out. I only get tested once a year ppl on here seem to have the test a lot more frequently.

regards Nigel. :wink:
 
got my first next week with my consultant endocrine, was diagnosed 3 months ago. thought that was standard practice?? shame and worrying they haven't sorted you out, maybe you just slipped through the system somewhere.

I wouldn't bother doing it with my GP or diabetic nurse cos frankly after 3 months i know more than them combined about DB and also their standards are very low.

howie
 
it seems that others are being tested much more frequently than me, sounds like something is wrong here,

I have just changed doctor surgery fed up completely with the old one, ive moved to a small village practice four miles away, which is run by my old GP of 7 years ago he was a smashing doctor and one of those people who was always trying to help lets hope he doesnt bang on about goverment statistics like hold surgery.

I went to my Hospital diebetes centre for a second opinion on wether or not I had run out of options in pills to treat my type 2 the GP said I must now go on insulin.

The diabetes centre have stopped drop in visits for advice and refered me back to the GP who bent my ears because I went elsewhere for a second opinion, so I bent her ears about giving me Metformin and making me violently sick, not being able to hold down my meds.
and told her I didnt like her attitude at all. if I want to ask a proffessional I will, if I want a second opinion I am entitled to seek one out. the receptionists all think they are doctors and want to know all of your bussiness before they grant you an appointment, I just say mind your own bussiness or are you a qualified GP?

I promptly signed on at the new surgery,

i know I'm shooting myself in the foot because i am in a time of High sugars and need to get this sorted but the new surgery will see me next wednesday the old surgery couldnt see me for another two weeks, lets hope it all works out ok. I just want better management and will make this clear at the new surgery appointment.

Regards Nigel.
 
Hi Nigel,

I'm no expert by far but it seems to me you have a very fair point. if your sugar is high and need to get this sorted before next week i'd go to your local diabetes centre? i've been to mine in times of crisis or just for a chat unannounced and they are always willing to help me.. my GP has only seen me once regarding my diabetes and she didnt really seem like she has a clue and said some offensive things so i no longer go to my surgery regarding diabetes, i hope you get it all sorted out asap. all the best :)
 
ebony,

thanks for that, I dont know why the surgery was so upset, perhaps they didnt like me going behind their backs but that was the whole point I thought of getting a second opinion or was I supposed to ask my GP for a second opinion and get my ears chewed off in the process.

I was trying to avoid conflict.

regards Nigel.
 
Hi

Some of these people think they are above criticism.

The NHS is the best of British. But until they find a way to enpower all patients, too many of it's staff do exploit the power this fault give them. The more people who question standards the better.

All power to you all
 
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