Although a pancreas transplant is not classed as a cure, I regard myself as being post diabetic in the sense that I had to stick to a diet and insulin regime when I was diabetic. Now I don't have to stick to a diet and only take immuno-suppressants, prescribed Vitamin D, Aspirin and Omeprazole, to reduce stomach acid.Sorry, no the question is addressed to Alexandra. Surely post Diabetic can only mean dead as beyond Diabetes doesn't exist, there is no cure so the only way to be post D would be to have died? It makes no sense.
Although a pancreas transplant is not classed as a cure, I regard myself as being post diabetic in the sense that I had to stick to a diet and insulin regime when I was diabetic. Now I don't have to stick to a diet and only take immuno-suppressants, prescribed Vitamin D, Aspirin and Omeprazole, to reduce stomach acid.
I think that the higher the rate of hba1c than 5.4% this means that there is someone who has a disorder percentage. This person is not 100 percent healthy
HbA1c tests are not highly accurate, but they can be useful. And for some people they do accurately reflect their average blood glucose levels. But even if they are accurate for a person, they shouldn't be used in a vacuum. The HbA1c results should be looked at along with glucometer tests. You need to look at your fasting blood glucose levels first thing in the morning and checks throughout the day, especially after meals. These results along with your HbA1c results should give you an idea of how your doing. Even though HbA1c results may not be 100% accurate, whether your HbA1c is going significantly up, down or staying the same tells you something potentially useful. Unfortunately most HCPs will not take the time to look over the glucometer results you've recorded, so it's up to you to interpret them.Then why the hell have them?. This really upsets me, here i am one day away from having my 3rd Hba1c , so why have it if it isn't accurate i really don't understand. I'm really pretty sure now after the stress of this thread and another one saying similar things my levels will be up. I have no confidence in it now.
Hi @Moggely, I think it is because HBA1C is the best we have got at present. Hopefully better measures will be forthcoming in future.Then why the hell have them?. This really upsets me, here i am one day away from having my 3rd Hba1c , so why have it if it isn't accurate i really don't understand. I'm really pretty sure now after the stress of this thread and another one saying similar things my levels will be up. I have no confidence in it now.
Thank you for your reply @pollensa and I hope you will still read what is on site. Your argument about laboratory cut-offs is at the heart of medical science seeking certainty in what is a spectrum of the human condition. I find this paradoxical when one of the so-called highly valued attributes of doctors is the ability to tolerate uncertainty !! Far better that repeated-at-intervals tests and assessment, some maybe office-based, others home-based (e.g.weight), tests that health-based interpreters are trained to assess on trends and all known factors about an individual person, might be used to gauge, in full discussion with the individual person, what might be a suitable change in lifestyle, diet etc, measures proven to effect outcome positively. That might be an ideal, of course, but hopefully would dispel the cut-off nonsense. Repeated results suggest a trend which can be addressed sensibly without agonising over figures as though it is a pass-fail exam. A change to the way health professionals are taught and trained, and how much exposure they receive from health care consumer views during those critical years, will likely involve a paradigm shift. But one has to start somewhere !!Here is one person who totally agrees with your thinking regards line cut off re degree diabetes and errors due to numbers set. Also the very little differences of cut offs should be taken into consideration when diagnosing.
I have made comments re my own concerns about this on this site and now refrain from doing so, as no one seemed to take notice, but I reiterate again, the cut off lines made are all arbitrary set confirmed as such. I have also given example of myself, between two countries, i.e. New Zealand views 6..6% as pre diabetes, here in spain 6.6% is diabetic. The same goes if one is sitting on the cut off i.e. 6.5% spain cut off, so if your on this number, you are still classed diabetic, yet New Zealand pragmatic viewing is more flexi, if one is up to or equal to i.e. sitting on 6.6% your still viewed as pre for example.
New Zealand feels, to label a person diabetic, just because they are sitting on a number or one number above, can cause anxiety stress, and other, and prefer to have a flexi approach caution, monitory reviews approach.
Its a difficult one, there has to be a number set as I see it, but what is the correct line cut off is the doubt question. Until that changes, to save doubts and when no big differences, I do not have faith or trust in the arbitrary numbers set but then thats my own personal opinion and I am sure am the minority on this view.
Today for example, although I no longer reply or send posts, I have taken the liberty to post my success story, in the hope to give incentive to others, as this and the success story will be my last post, but within that story, I have mentioned the differences of victims as myself, inbetween two countries that differ on cut off its not an error, both countries are right, but they follow their own criterias, and although not an error, its a doubt as to what should be the cut off, i.e. nor arbitrary set, but instead by clinical and medical proof of evidence, to allow diagnosing purposes.
It is not clearly stated to us i.e. cut off is 6.5% i.e. does that mean if your sitting on 6.5% or is it 6.6 becomes diabetic. Personally if one is sitting on the cut off, its borderline case situation Caution, but many countries view if your on the cut off arbitrary set at whim random choice, you are diabetic.
You have a good point raised. An example, it depends where one resides time of being diagnosed, as many countries have different cut offs, so who is right and who is wrong, and I guess it could be at the end of the day referred to as your question is there error...I have had one lab error that showed I was diabetic, after pressure and force to have this checked and rechecked it proved Yes, there was an error, and believe me, may not be of that important to the Lab, but for the person on the receiving end of the lab test A1C Test, there is a big difference between pre diabetic and diabetic. Had I not pushed and pressed to get proof error, I would still be thinking I was Diabetic. Now that is frightening.
So I applaud you for this post you have written, as it leaves room for lots of thought on the subject.
This is my last reply, and the post I have done today will be my last also, that post was to indicate that errors can happen, do happen, and personally its up to all individuals if they want to take care after all its our bodies, to ask questions and whether that is 1 or 100 to get it right, do so, had I not asked questions, I would be under impression I was diabetic, and was not due to lab error.
Sadly some health care providers think that fear is the best motivator, although that attitude is less common these days.Thanks @kitedoc and @NoCrbs4Me . I think i'm just expecting too much in such a short time. Sometimes it seems such hard work for so little gain really and yes i know i'm sounding like a sulky child. Never use to be like this. Time i stopped taking it so seriously but then again ...amputated feet,legs,blindness ext ext..
It was a little joke. However, the term could be applied to those who initially had an A1c high enough for them to be diagnosed as diabetic and then by their own efforts lowered it to a level considered even below pre-diabetic. I believe that sometimes their doctors re-label them as not diabetic, sometimes as in remission, or sometimes the diabetic label remains. Indeed, when on this Forum we choose what label to apply to ourselves, the option of "post-diabetic" might come in useful.How can one be "post Diabetic"?
No medical test is 100% accurate. Everything to do with diabetes is particularly poorly understood, inaccurate, unpredictable including the various tests. Finger prick tests are inaccurate, CGM testing is inaccurate, the official guidelines are not even based on the latest research but rather on expedience. This is one factor that goes to make diabetes such a distressing condition. IMO we have to make the best of what we have. That includes A1c tests, finger sticks, CGM from time to time if we can afford it and consulting the best books / sites and articles / videos, not forgetting this Forum. It is a mistake to get too downcast / elated by the results of one test, but over time they can add up to useful information. And tests are motivational. The Fitbit effect of a looming A1c is not negligible!Then why the hell have them?. This really upsets me, here i am one day away from having my 3rd Hba1c , so why have it if it isn't accurate i really don't understand. I'm really pretty sure now after the stress of this thread and another one saying similar things my levels will be up. I have no confidence in it now.
How well put, exactly as you describe, thankfully Alexandra 100 post, you are one of the minority who see the light, and question what is good medical sense, or what is medical sense that is doubtful. Excellence of a post and information put forth.No medical test is 100% accurate. Everything to do with diabetes is particularly poorly understood, inaccurate, unpredictable including the various tests. Finger prick tests are inaccurate, CGM testing is inaccurate, the official guidelines are not even based on the latest research but rather on expedience. This is one factor that goes to make diabetes such a distressing condition. IMO we have to make the best of what we have. That includes A1c tests, finger sticks, CGM from time to time if we can afford it and consulting the best books / sites and articles / videos, not forgetting this Forum. It is a mistake to get too downcast / elated by the results of one test, but over time they can add up to useful information. And tests are motivational. The Fitbit effect of a looming A1c is not negligible!
It was a little joke. However, the term could be applied to those who initially had an A1c high enough for them to be diagnosed as diabetic and then by their own efforts lowered it to a level considered even below pre-diabetic. I believe that sometimes their doctors re-label them as not diabetic, sometimes as in remission, or sometimes the diabetic label remains. Indeed, when on this Forum we choose what label to apply to ourselves, the option of "post-diabetic" might come in useful.
I told this to my diabetic nurse, she wanted to discharge me because my numbers were good. I explained to her that I am managing my diabetes, it hasn't suddenly gone away!HbA1c measures average glucose levels over the past 2 or 3 months. Imagine 2 people have diabetes. For the last two months one has been on a low carb diet and the other has eaten bread, potatoes and rice every day. Their HbA1c would show how well they are managing their diabetes not how "badly" they have the disease.
Thank you for your reply @pollensa and I hope you will still read what is on site. Your argument about laboratory cut-offs is at the heart of medical science seeking certainty in what is a spectrum of the human condition. I find this paradoxical when one of the so-called highly valued attributes of doctors is the ability to tolerate uncertainty !! Far better that repeated-at-intervals tests and assessment, some maybe office-based, others home-based (e.g.weight), tests that health-based interpreters are trained to assess on trends and all known factors about an individual person, might be used to gauge, in full discussion with the individual person, what might be a suitable change in lifestyle, diet etc, measures proven to effect outcome positively. That might be an ideal, of course, but hopefully would dispel the cut-off nonsense. Repeated results suggest a trend which can be addressed sensibly without agonising over figures as though it is a pass-fail exam. A change to the way health professionals are taught and trained, and how much exposure they receive from health care consumer views during those critical years, will likely involve a paradigm shift. But one has to start somewhere !!
How true and well said.No medical test is 100% accurate. Everything to do with diabetes is particularly poorly understood, inaccurate, unpredictable including the various tests. Finger prick tests are inaccurate, CGM testing is inaccurate, the official guidelines are not even based on the latest research but rather on expedience. This is one factor that goes to make diabetes such a distressing condition. IMO we have to make the best of what we have. That includes A1c tests, finger sticks, CGM from time to time if we can afford it and consulting the best books / sites and articles / videos, not forgetting this Forum. It is a mistake to get too downcast / elated by the results of one test, but over time they can add up to useful information. And tests are motivational. The Fitbit effect of a looming A1c is not negligible!
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