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Newly diagnosed? Low HBA1C high

L

Littlepenguin

Member
Messages
12
Hi,

so I’ve had a phone call from my GP this morning to say my fasting blood sugar was raised (11.9) but my HBA1C was actually low? He said He’s pretty sure I’m diabetic based on my fasting blood sugar and the fact I’ve got symptoms but I need a call from the diabetes nurse which could take a week before starting any treatment. I’m only 21 and live quite a healthy diet so I’m really surprised by the results has anyone else had anything similar?
 
I wonder if you have Type 1 diabetes.
Unlike type 2, Type 1 can come on quite fast. HbA1C test your average blood sugar level over the last 3 months so many not be appropriate.
Have your symptoms come on quickly?
Do you have a blood glucose meter? If there is a risk of Type 1 (it is not always genetic) it is important for you to keep a very close eye on your blood sugar levels and visit the hospital if you become unwell as your levels could rise fast.
 


It’s not been super quick probably the past month I’ve been feeling off or coming close to a month. I’ve not got a blood sugar meter but I might buy one can I get them over the counter or do I need a prescription for it?
 
Hi @Littlepenguin and welcome to the forum, sorry to hear about your health problems.

Here’s some info on UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned.


HOME HEALTH have the Gluco Navii, which is a fairly new model and seems to be getting good reviews, links to the strips and the meter:

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-produ...ose-meter-test-strips-choose-mmol-l-or-mg-dl/

There are also discount codes for when you come to buy more strips - "navii5" and "navii10" will give you 20% off purchases of 5 packs of strips and 25% off 10 packs of strips respectively.


Then they sell the older SD Code Free, details to be found here!

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/

Discount codes for the Code Free strips

5 packs 264086

10 packs 975833





SPIRIT HEALTHCARE have a meter called the Tee2 + found here:



https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...e2-blood-glucose-meter?variant=19264017268793

with the strips found here:



https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...py-of-tee2-test-strips?variant=19264017367097

Some members have got a free Tee2+ by phoning up to order, with a large order of strips they often throw the meter in for free:

Phone number 0800 8815423


With more expensive strips is their Caresens Dual, this one has the advantage of glucose and ketone testing in one machine, it’s to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/collections/caresens-dual



If there is a choice of units of measurement then ‘mmol/L’ are the standard units in the UK, ‘mg/dl’ in the US, other countries may vary.


Don’t forget to check the box if you have pre diabetes or diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)
 
You say you have a healthy diet, are you also a normal weight? At 21 with a genuinely good diet and normal bmi it’s pretty unlikely to be type 2. And type 1 can deteriorate quickly.

I’m shocked your dr is not testing for type 1 and actually think it’s quite negligent. Please go back (ideally to a different dr) and ask to be tested for type 1 and ketones. A meter is essential right now to keep an eye on things and if you are in any way at all unwell please don’t ignore it. Seek medical advice quickly stating you sure suspected of diabetes but the diagnosis is not confirmed.

the other thing that can distort Hb1ac is are some conditions affecting red blood cells, like some types of anaemia or sickle cell for example.
 

I am slightly overweight (BMI of 27 but I gave birth less than a year ago so still loosing baby weight ) I think we only have one doctor at the surgery or least I’ve only ever spoken to him so not sure I can request a different doctor. If I start feeling worse though I’ll definitely call 111 is there anything in particular I need to look out for?

i actually have sickle cell trait! I’ll mention that to the diabetes nurse when she calls me and see what she thinks.
 

I totally agree with HSSS above. You have been left hanging. I'd get hold of the Dr again and insist they do something now, at the very least they can give you a glucose monitor and get you to provide them with some real time data, you'll also see for yourself what your levels are doing outside of a one off result. Waiting a week (or more) is a terrible option. Don't rely just on whether you feel 'well'. I felt fantastic (apart from specific diabetes symptoms like weeing too much and losing weight I couldn't afford to lose) but the GP did a ketone check (high) and off to hospital immediately and found to be going into DKA. They kept saying 'Are you sure you feel ok' and I did, but the tests were showing otherwise.
 

oh wow that’s terrifying!! I assumed if something was massively wrong I’d be able to tell. I’ll give my GP a call when they re open at 4 and see if they can get me fitted in for an appointment. They’ve never tested my ketones (unless it was in my blood test but he only mentioned fasting sugar, iron and a full blood thing). Not sure if Covid has changed things though as it’s all over the phone except for blood tests. Hope your doing okay now.
 
Hi. Yes, do consider T1 (LADA) as a possibility. Often ketones aren't present but worth testing for anyway if you feel unwell. Getting a meter is important for you so you can then spot if your blood sugar is going up. Keep the carbs in your diet down as this will help both blood sugar and weight. Don't panic at the moment but get a meter so you know how you are doing. Any BS reading into the 20s needs urgent action.
 
Just an update I spoke to the doctor yesterday again and he said pretty much the same as before to wait for the nurse to call me but that she might refer me to a hospital specialist if she’s unsure. I brought a meter on Amazon in the end (because next day delivery) and my blood sugars after lunch were 20 I’m getting really worried after looking up about type 1 diabetes yesterday and hoping it’s just standard diabetes
 
Hi welcome, the good news is both types are equally rubbish, the actual good news is, you found this forum, whatever you have, there are lots of clever helpful folks here, please keep posting and asking questions, it’s never as bad as it seems at diagnosis, I hope you get some help soon, best wishes.
 
Littlepenguin said:
my blood sugars after lunch were 20
Click to expand...
If you start to feel unwell in any way - tummy ache, nauseous, funny breathing, this might be an emergency. If you're not producing enough insulin it's possible to develop ketoacidosis (DKA).
If in doubt and your numbers don't drop, don't hesitate to call 111 for advice.
 
Littlepenguin said:
It’s not been super quick probably the past month I’ve been feeling off or coming close to a month. I’ve not got a blood sugar meter but I might buy one can I get them over the counter or do I need a prescription for it?
Click to expand...
I got one from the diabetic nurse at GP surgery after being referred to them by renal consultant . Have been monitoring my blood sugar and after telling gp the results I’m starting metformin tablets .
 
Hi. That makes T1 very likely. If you feel unwell go to A&E and keep testing. In the meantime keep the carbs way down
 
Just wanted to update everyone the diabetes nurse has put me on metformin and referred me to the hospital team. But thankfully the metformin mixed with a low carb diet is starting to get my sugars under control. Had a fasting of 14 today which is the lowest it’s been since I started testing.
 
Well done for fasting of 14 today. I have found that exercise really helps with my levels, just gentle walking everyday is really helping and makes me and my dogs feel better.
 
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