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High fasting normal Hba1c

Neanie

Member
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Other
Hi Just wondering if anyone has experienced the same, my fasting numbers are in 7s (on a good day) or 8s.
I had gestational diabetes x2 on insulin straight away.
My mother and grandmother are type 2 diagnosed. I’ve been regularly checked since pregnancies but my drs won’t diagnose me as diabetic as even though high fasting I have a normal hba1c.
I have a lot of nerve issues and pins and needles and want to understand if diabetes related.
Recently I’m getting more migraines after eating when it used to be occasional. I eat healthily but not low carb and exercise everyday.
I’m pushing the drs and back this week but was hoping someone might have experienced similar and can offer some advice

Thanks
 
I do not have your experience. But I can tell you they want your A1C at a certain level to diagnose you. So even if it's higher than normal, you are not considered diabetic until you meet their magic numbers.

An A1C is also a 3 month average so it's possible to have your numbers higher for a month and the A1C not reflect the latest numbers. Plus if you are dropping into lower numbers most of the day and having dawn phenomenon which is only a higher number for a few hours before you get up, as an average those few hours won't affect your A1C that much. It doesn't mean you aren't having an issue, it might help explain the lower A1C.

PS If you are anemi.c, it can affect your A1C reading, but not your BG reading
 

When you say fasting numbers, I assume you are talking about morning fasting number? Mine is almost always a little higher than say middle of the afternoon numbers, and I have a normal A1C. Probably just dawn phenomenon.
 
thanks, I’m pretty sure I’m not anemic But guess something is going on overnight, will have to see what the dr says this week

 
Caprock94 said:
When you say fasting numbers, I assume you are talking about morning fasting number? Mine is almost always a little higher than say middle of the afternoon numbers, and I have a normal A1C. Probably just dawn phenomenon.
Click to expand...

thanks, can I reduce the dawn phenomenon?
 
What was your most recent HbA1c?
 
Neanie said:
thanks, can I reduce the dawn phenomenon?
Click to expand...

I think you can, but it takes time. For some, fasting morning blood sugar is the last to normalize. I'm certainly no expert on this! Perhaps others can weigh in. Sounds like you are on the right track!
 
Neanie said:
Recently I’m getting more migraines after eating when it used to be occasional. I eat healthily but not low carb and exercise everyday
Click to expand...

Try low carb for a few weeks to see how it makes you feel and what effect it has on fasting BG. Remember you may need a little more salt, and it takes a few weeks for your body to adjust so don't judge the results after a few days. (too little salt or dehydration can result in headaches)

Neanie said:
I have a lot of nerve issues and pins and needles and want to understand if diabetes related.
Click to expand...

These could be diabetes related and are not unknown when someone has a "normal" A1c. Ideally A1c should be in low to mid 30s.
 
I maintain that HbA1c is vastly overrated. It’s imprecise, indirect, tells you nothing about excursions, and tells you nothing about the insulin required to maintain it. Laughable that it’s the gold standard diagnostic criteria in the UK.
 
A1c is very important. It’s the only way for a doctor to get a good idea of overall blood sugars. They can not go by just meter readings because some test a lot and some don’t and that would be an even more narrow window of what is going on. Doctors need a way to judge how overall your BG level is doing.

The only other better way to tell is with a CGM or FGM. But obviously everyone does not have one nor would everyone want one.

I am a type 1 so I am always going to be on insulin. But I am 99% TIR , (3.6-8.9), 1.1 mmol SD with an A1c of 32. So I know what the better judge of "other" numbers are about.
 

Agreed it's a valuable indicator but it should be accompanied with fasting glucose (to fair it often is) and, waaaaay more importantly, fasting insulin (which it never is). Otherwise it amounts to little more than a guess.

In my opinion, anyway.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi @Neanie ,

Your HbA1c puts you in the prediabetic range, which is not what anyone here'd call normal. And what is considered a healthy diet, isn't usually one for people with an impaired metabolic system. You'll see a big difference in your fasting bg's if you do go low carb.... And are more likely to not become a T2 in a year or so. (You could probably hold it off forever.). Carbs are inflammatory, and insulin resistance has been linked to migraines, so yeah.... You've got nothing to lose by trying it, just gains all over the place. Keep in mind though that when you change your diet, you might experience something called carb flu. It really does feel flu like, with headaches and muscle/joint pain, fatigue and such, but that'd be your body adjusting, and can be tackled by having some extra electrolytes. (in for instance bone broth or coconut milk). Just takes a week or so, then you'd be quite into the swing of things. (And to me, if was well worth it!).

Good luck!
Jo
 
Thanks everyone, it’s pretty much my worse nightmare going low carb plus I’m vegetarian so limited on alternative options but really need to give it a go as need to reduce the sugars and migraines.
 
@Walking Girl is a type 2 and a vegetarian. She has done well and if you need help she might be able to give you input. She also has posted a bunch of meals in the Vegetarian section of "What have you eaten today"..
 
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