How often do you have an HBa1C ?

[benniesmum]

Following the withdrawl of my test strips, I thought I would check the NICE guidelines. Reading through these, NICE recommends that well controlled Diabetics should be offered an HBa1C test every 6 months. I've only ever been offered an annual one.

I'm seeing my Doc shortly and, if they won't reinstate my strips, planning to ask for a more frequent HBa1C test.

How often do you have one?

 

[ClaireG 06]

As my levels arn't controlled yet, i have one every 3 months. I've been told that when they are under control i will have an HbA1Cevery 6 months.

 

[Mervyn]

I have only had one yearly until this year and had 2 and that is only because when in hosp having an operation earlier this year, they could not keep my glucose under control even with Insulin. The doctor did two 3 months apart and made appt with specialist diabetic clinic but it seems that I am still only going to have one yearly!!

ervyn

 

[Lynmi]

I was Diagnosed last October as type 2 and have never been offered strips to test myself. for the first 2 months i had one each month so i could check i was going in the right direction since after I booked an appointment with the practice nurse every 3 months. Last result were a couple of weeks ago with a HBa1C of 5 and she still wants to see me in 3 months time.

 

[daisy1]

I have an HbA1c test every 3 months, although this may not be a great help to you since I don't get NHS care. That's about right since it's the average over 8-12 weeks. She will not make me wait longer for it later on as she insists I always see her every 3 months. I in fact asked her if I could see her every 6 months and she said no.

 

[sugar2]

For me, HbA1Cs are like buses...I don't have one for 6 months, then I get 2 in teh same week. My G does 1 a day, and the diabetes clinic does 1 each vist...this is about 3 times a year since being on teh pump, but previously was only once a year.

As T1 though, I am lucky enough to get test strips, so usually have some idea of what he HbA1C is going to say. If you aren't allowed strips...definately once every 3 months.

 

[Sanober]

Mine is every 3 months for now on the nhs

Basically I get given the special bloods packet to take in to the nurse and she basically does the test and I get my results about 5 working days later.

I keep getting told it's because I'm an 'unsual case' and not on any medication yet and a 'well controlled' diabetic so they want to monitor this way until I get my big official conclusive meeting with the specialist next month.

 

[borofergie]

Every 3 months on the NHS (so far). I get my done at the hospital blood clinic, and get the results a week later.

I also do my own using A1CNow kits in between (although I trust them less than the official ones).

 

[phoenix]

Like Daisy I'm not in the UK with the NHS. I still have HbA1cs every 3 months, but now see my doctor only every 6 months. My results are sent to me and if there was big change then my doctor would expect me to make an appointment to see her.

 

[bowell]

Also have HbA1cs every 3 months Same time have other blood tests for liver kidneys ,Uric acid
See GP every 8 weeks or less ,with other things

 

[anna29]

Hi, as am yet with out of control BG levels , have my Hba1c every 3months.
Thyroid function test 6monthly. VitaminD deficiency test 3monthly.
Anna.x

 

[volorg]

When I was diagnosed back in 2005 I was given an HBa1C every three months for the first year. In the second year it went to six months, then annual. It went up when I was pregnant for obvious reasons but is back to annual now. Saying that, if I am experiencing problems (such as a very high result after giving up smoking) my doc will test more frequently. It does seem that the test should be done to suit your specific situation with the proviso that newly diagnosed should have more monitoring.

Jane

 

[Osidge]

Hi

I have been on 6-monthly HbA1c tests since diagnosis until I wanted to go on Byetta. My GP (I have always had GP diabetes care) had to refer me to the hospital diabetes service and they put me on Byetta. For the moment, I am getting 3-monthly HbA1c tests.

Regards

Doug

 

[dovestream]

As my doctor won't give me test strips, I have the test every three months and see the diabetic nurse at the same time. I guess I am luckier than some but I woould still like to test myself. I occasionally buy the strips on Ebay but do believe we should have access to home testing for peace of mind.

 

[minitata]

My doctor is supporting me in the control and weight loss, though he won't give me strips, so I have one every 3 months at the moment. He's as interested as I am to find out how the low carbing goes. Unlike the nurse :roll:

MTT

 

[onemanandhiswife]

twice a year for me.

 

[omer dalors]

Every 3 months. I think that's a good interval.

 

[stoney]

James has it done every clinic appointment which is approx 3-4 months. HbA1c done and results there in 10 minutes :wink:

 

[benniesmum]

I guess I'm now at the bottom of the food chain then.

Finally got to see my Diabetic Doc today. DESPITE my HBa1C rising to 7.5 in 5 months, DESPITE increasing my Metformin to 850x3 a day, I cannot have test strips or an HBA1C before next Feb (2012!) i.e. once a year. Left after a heated argumunent with his suggestion that I seek a second opinion if I didn't like it.

What on earth am I paying my taxes for, if not for help when I need it?

 

[reidpj]

Last one was in the mid 1990's - sometime. I've just made an appointment to get a complete set done (A1c, lipids, etc.). I wonder if they've changed much over the last 15 odd years

Peter