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'Normal' HBAc1?

Only this week, I had a 6 monthly Diabetic Review, I had been fearing the worst, as I really felt I wasn't keeping up the standards I used to have until roughly 2 years ago when I accepted a promotion within my employer and relocation to a post in the far North of Scotland. Within 6 months, after daily ritual humiliation, and what a Union rep said was the worst case of Corporate Bullying he'd ever witnessed in over 20 years, I had a Mental Breakdown. I subsequently walked out of my job and back home to the North of England.

There followed a period including 3 months off sick when my medical and medications regime went out of the window and intermittent Diabetic support plus I wasn't looking after myself, got into debt, Mortgage arrears and so on and was on a downward spiral, but legal and financial help did arrive and I got better.

Last June, I landed my current role in the Midlands and haven't looked back plus I'm in a much better place now. I also have a superb GP, and it was his Senior Nurse when I registered with them last July, and at my first Diabetic Review in 12 months found the horrendous HbA1c score at 77. Yikes, I hear you all shout!

But perseverance, some Medication changes and the help of my GP and other NHS partners got my score this week down to 51. The Nurse has said to me she wants me down to between 45 and 50 by my next review in July, but is so pleased I have got down to 51 in such a short space of time.

What is "normal" for one person, may not be for another, so I am led to understand. But what I have also learnt in the past 6 months and reinforced this week by my GP's Senior Nurse, is that the level of Education and getting to grips with the illness has been sadly lacking in my case. When I described when I was first diagnosed way back in the midst's of time, what assistance was put my way now appears utterly useless and not really appropriate at all, so she is getting me onto a refreshment course to fully understand what it is all about and how I deal with it.

My experiences with Diabetes through GP's over the past 10 years or so is now, on reflection, a mish mash! Some GP's whilst superb on mainstream medical matters, have paid only lip service on Diabetic matters; some have only gone through the motions of issuing the monthly prescriptions, but it has been the partner agencies within the NHS who have ensured that I have had my annual Retinopathy etc. I daresay, I should be grateful that my current GP and his partners are really on the ball and above all, take their time with me.
 
It was a long journey for you but you've reached a good destination with your HbA1c and I truly imagine you're going to keep getting the numbers right. Well done. ... enjoy the weekend.
 
I have not heard (although there may be someone) of anyone with type 1 who is able to safely get their Hba1c to under 41.

Mine has been consistently in the high 30's for the last couple of years and the consultants have never expressed concern, except once when I came in at 35 a DSN said something. They do ask about hypos though.

The game changer for me has been CGM. The trend info to pre-empt a hypo is a game changer.

Possible night time hypos - while interrupted sleep is a pain with the occasional beeping CGM - can also be managed. This is also eating at least 3 hours before sleep (to use up short acting) and knowing where I am and what trend is just before my head hits pillow.

I think Consultants now accept that with CGM tight control is safe, possible and can be achieved with low risk of frequent hypos.

I actually saw consultant yesterday, and Hba1c has dropped to 37 from 38 six months ago.

I think there are actually a few T1s on here with well controlled sub 41 Hba1c.

(To try and add to the original question, yesterday as we ran through my blood stats, on the screen I saw a Hba1c range for a non-diabetic was 20-42).
 
For me, I'am fighting with an other concern. I was diagnosed diabetic T2 10 years ago. I was 52 year old and my weight was 83 kg and I am 1,86 meters tall. Now, and since 7 years I weigh 67 kg and since more or less 7 years I don't succeed to reduce my HBac1 (7,5 % or 60 nmol). I often read on this site about the carb diet. I have the conviction that I can fast further. I am already to skinny. I eat a lot, but absorb practically nothing.
I take 2000 mg metformine a day and my glucose is around 150 mg/DL.
I'm dreaming to get rid of the diabetes through natural ways....
So, any comments, advices ?
Anyway, have a nice day....
 
I assume you are referring to type 2 diabetes.
I have not heard (although there may be someone) of anyone with type 1 who is able to safely get their Hba1c to under 41.
When mine was 48, I was advised this is likely to be due to too many hypos so I should aim to increase my Hba1c.
I did. Last a1c was 42 8 months ago, and my control has gotten better in the meantime. But I can only do it thanks to the freestyle libre. In the first place because I can safely be in the 4's and 5's without eating now I can see it's not dropping. In the second place because the results on my libre are proof to my DN that I'm not hypoing all the time.
 
Newcastle worked for me. This am I got my hbac (40) FBG 5.3. I consider myself "reversed" as Prof Taylor puts it. Doc said they would test my hbac annually now.
 
I assume you are referring to type 2 diabetes.
I have not heard (although there may be someone) of anyone with type 1 who is able to safely get their Hba1c to under 41.
When mine was 48, I was advised this is likely to be due to too many hypos so I should aim to increase my Hba1c.
Dr Bernstein (T1)'s great message is that all diabetics, T1 and T2, have a right to normal blood sugars. He believes that "normal" is very low, whereas Jenny Ruhl (T2) another important writer on diabetes believes that level can be set somewhat higher (but not a lot) while still avoiding heart disease and other complications. You can read what they have to say on their websites, and on Dr Bernstein's you will find many testimonials from the T1 patients he has successfully treated over the years. On Jenny Ruhl's you can read about the endless research studies she can call on to back up her views.
http://www.diabetes-book.com
http://phlaunt.com/diabetes/SearchR...phlaunt.com/diabetes/&ref=&ss=4964j1719190j18
 
If you want to get your levels back to real normal, and not diabetic levels, then follow the low carb programme, and you will get them back to normal.
I totally agree low carb is the way forward, but there are no guarantees, however low you go. Other factors enter into the equation. Some people can eat a keto diet but still not see their bgs fall to normal. We should not hold out false hopes.
 
I assume you are referring to type 2 diabetes.
I have not heard (although there may be someone) of anyone with type 1 who is able to safely get their Hba1c to under 41.
When mine was 48, I was advised this is likely to be due to too many hypos so I should aim to increase my Hba1c.

Would just like to point out that there are many Type 1 with near normal HbA1c. The lack of evidence for long term saftey studies on low carb led me to discover TypeOneGrit group (Dr Bernstein/RD Dikeman) and that gave me assurance that it could be done safely as they have members from 3-83 yrs old. That is safe enough for me. Everyone has their own criteria.

16819374_762359507256143_763090234021481050_o.jpg


Other notable Type1 on low carb ketogenic diet are Dr Troy Stapleton (Radiologist) and Dr Keith Runyan (Nephrologist) . In particular Dr Keith Runyan blog provides monthly glucose stats updates that dates all the way to 2007.
https://ketogenicdiabeticathlete.wo.../48-january-2018-update-on-my-t1d-management/

Take care.
 
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I believe Jenny Ruhl when she says that even above 31 heart disease risk rises. http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/15945839.php

Is she a qualified medic or something?
I wouldn't let some lad with a Haynes manual for a Fiesta work on my trucks brakes, 'cos he reckoned the garage were wrong.
Each to their own I guess.

Only saying because I'm mid thirties, and I haven't pegged it yet.
 
Is she a qualified medic or something?
I wouldn't let some lad with a Haynes manual for a Fiesta work on my trucks brakes, 'cos he reckoned the garage were wrong.
Each to their own I guess.

Only saying because I'm mid thirties, and I haven't pegged it yet.
If you require a qualified medic, Dr Bernstein is your man, especially if you are T1. Jenny Ruhl is over 70 and has survived decades of T2 without coming to too much harm. She has researched and quotes enormous numbers of research studies. You can check every one of those studies by going to her website. She has also written several books and is highly respected by many on this site. She has useful chapters in her books on how to evaluate would-be diabetes gurus, diet and supplement merchants. She is not really addressing T1s, although her somewhat gentler approach to low carb may well appeal to them. Let's hope that like Dr B you will make it to 83 and still be in excellent nick!

PS I think I didn't make myself clear. 31 refers to an A1c of 31, not the age 31! I'll correct that now.
 
If you require a qualified medic, Dr Bernstein is your man, especially if you are T1. Jenny Ruhl is over 70 and has survived decades of T2 without coming to too much harm. She has researched and quotes enormous numbers of research studies. You can check every one of those studies by going to her website. She has also written several books and is highly respected by many on this site. She has useful chapters in her books on how to evaluate would-be diabetes gurus, diet and supplement merchants. She is not really addressing T1s, although her somewhat gentler approach to low carb may well appeal to them. Let's hope that like Dr B you will make it to 83 and still be in excellent nick!

PS I think I didn't make myself clear. 31 refers to an A1c of 31, not the age 31! I'll correct that now.

Ok, no qualifications then.
Just a lot of books in the back room.

I guess I'll be pegging out then, if she's telling me mid thirties is bad?
Can't really say too much, I didn't get more then a few years before I reversed me diabetes, but I guess if I need to get below 31, even us 'non diabetics' are gonners?
 
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