HBA1C's

Hi there, Lovinglife, Daisy 1,
Thank's for your replies. Lucky you no fasting.

My GP insists on the fast and puts it on the test form too. I go to the hospital blood dept first thing 7.30 ish, They ask you 'have you fasted for 12 hours', before taking any blood, there's no getting round it. I then break my fast after test in the hospital cafe, a soya latte and usually some sugar free halva and a piece of fruit, restores me quickly enough but it's a long old 12 hours.
My HbA1c has come down from 11 to 6.5 in 3 months, GP has now rationed my test strips to 2 a week and said I don't need to keep a chart of results. :roll: Next HbA1c in six months. I shall keep my testing and charting, it's my diabetes after all.

Isn't it strange though that different area's of the country and indeed different Countries have such variation in their approach to monitoring diabetes.

Yes. We can see a specialist directly - I see mine every 3 months. I have to prepare a chart showing 6 levels a day, what I have eaten and my blood pressure - this is only once a month though now. At the beginning I had to do it weekly. They have a Hba1c machine on the spot so I get the result in 8 minutes so it can be discussed during the consultation. We get up to 400 test strips a year. That is for a T2 - maybe (should be!) T1s get a lot more I don't know. $he looks at my feet and weighs me at each consultation. She is married to my generalist they share their office she works afternoons and he works mornings! and they share files which is useful. I haven't been sent for an eye examination yet and its going to prove a massive problem not being able to drive home so I'm not in a hurry to go. Medication is limited to generics where available - I take Metfin instead of Metformin. We have to pay a percentage of the price of medication though. And medication here is extremely expensive - much more expensive than in neighbouring countries. Yet a lot of it is produced here! It's not too bad here though.

The reason they ask for a 'Fasting Test' is so that they can see what your body is doing when there is no food / drink in your system. The test will give them a starting point to work from. Basically it is just about the lowest number that you can expect your Bg and of course, Cholesterol numbers to be.

If you eat anything before a test then your Bg levels and the Cholesterol levels will be affected. So if you want an accurate portrayal of what is going on then the fasting test is a good thing. Mine is always done when tested every 3 months.

If you, like me, sometimes have a non-fasting HbA1c done at the Diabetic Clinic while you wait then even if the level is elevated it might not mean anything is wrong. Depends what you have been doing and dietary intake.

However.....if a fasting HbA1c is elevated.......then there is definitely a problem which would need investigating to determine the cause.

Ken

Re: HA1c blood test

k9kitty said:

How do forum users prepare for and break the fast for HA1c blood test?

Click to expand...

I've never ever been told to fast before having a hba1c test taken, although I would be interested to see the results after a fast, so may try this next time I am due for my diabetes check-up.

Afterwards I shall go home and enjoy a full english with toast and tea!

Nigel

This seems VERY odd to me. Fasting the day before an HbA1c? But the test is for your average bgs over the last 6 weeks! Whether you fast or not is irrelevant.
I went to my GP recently to try and arrange to move my care there, and I asked for HbA1c tests and the doctor said, yes, great, we'll do that at a time when you can fast beforehand. I said "I think you are thinking of the glucose tolerance test, you don't need to fast for HbA1c" and he said "oh yes, of course, sorry, that's different, of course".
But if he could make that mistake maybe your GP has too?
In 20 years of HbA1c nobody has ever suggested I fast before having it, and as I say, it would be completely irrelevant to the results anyway as it is a test of average bg over weeks.

Just because you have never had a fasting HbA1c done doesn't mean that they are irrelevant.

Fasting tests the Serum and Plasma Glucose levels. A good indicator for an experienced Endo as to what exactly my Pancreas is doing and also an indicator for other things. Important things.

The other reading, your HbA1c which is listed separately on blood forms is an average of the levels over around 90 days, how high that figure has been, an indicator as to what the Diabetic control has been like over that period. It just shows a trend, whereas the S & P GL's are accurate figures designed to help the Endo with his diagnosis if there are any problems. If those levels are elevated then something is amiss, needs investigating. That's what a knowledgeable Endo as opposed to a GP does.

I posted earlier about the matter and gave the explanation as to why it is done. It is routinely carried out at the excellent Hospital Diabetic Centre I attend. I also get non fasting HbA1c's done. They are specifically asked for by my Endocrinologist. I have not been under the 'care' of a GP for the last few years as my GP really knows not a great deal about Diabetes. His words.....not mine.

If you still think it means nothing I suggest you discuss it in depth with an experienced Endocrinologist, not a GP. I am sure they can explain it far more eloquently than anybody on this Forum. Maybe then you will understand why there are the two types of HbA1c tests. I shall continue to have mine done as and when, along with many other Patient's where I am cared for. The staff there are the experts, I think I will stick with them and their experience and knowledge on this one.

Ken.

I went to the endo this afternoon and I am doing a trial stopping Met for a month to see if my headaches go. If I put on weight or if my sugars go up I will have to try Januvia instead. Will have to do a search to find out all about it. That's the good thing about this forum - all the information is there you just have to look for it!

She did my HbA1c and it was 5.1! I am aiming for a nice round 5.0 though. Should I try to go any lower than 5 though? I know some people are aiming for the 4s but is this a good idea?

When I have my blood test they usually take about 5 samples .Do a cholesterol check ,calcium thyroid ,and probably 1 for luck :!: Some of these need fasting bloods so better to do all at once. less pain
CAROL

Carol.
Me too.......bucket's of the stuff !

Had a new Phlebotomist this am.........she looked like she was drilling for oil and ignored my advice that a place next to a freckle on my arm was where most get the best vein.

Usually I have no bruising at all, just a tiny red mark........this time I have a 2" and growing multi coloured bruise on my arm. If I 'biro' around it some decoration I could pretend it was a tattoo. :lol:

Ken

Poor Ken
The nurse at my GPs is brilliant never leaves a mark .The one time I had to go to a health center I came back in the same state as you are I have refused to go there again.
P.S Have you tried wearing a bag of frozen peas on the offending bruise I promise it wont drive the BGs up :lol:
CAROL

Carol.
A fake tattoo and a bag of frozen peas on my arm.........err......there are several who think I am 'barking'.......I don't need to give them any more ammunition thanks ! :wink: :lol:

Seriously, I know what you mean, I only use fresh veg so no frozen. Freezer full of ice lollies so one of them will have to do, added bonus is I can eat it a bit later.

Ken

The imagination runs riot as to what delights from thefreezer you could wear about ones person.I freeze a lot of home made curries and soups as well as fruit from the garden .My husband puts his white wine in there to chill . Oh I also have a pork loin and some salmon.STOP :!:
CAROL

Carol.
This is a family site .........control yourself Woman ! :shock:

Ken