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Message: <blockquote data-quote="KennyA" data-source="post: 2653975" data-attributes="member: 517579">Hi Morgan78Do you know what your most recent HbA1c was? You know we can't diagnose on the forums, so here's my story.  I was firmly told by my GP for years that I didn't have diabetes because "my blood sugars weren't high enough". This was despite considerable weight gain, kidneys packing in,  blood not clotting, blistering, oedema, fluid retention, and burning feet with extreme pins and needles, etc etc.  I know now that my BG went out of normal range around 2010 and the symptoms started almost immediately, with a new one coming along every so often. I wasn't officially diagnosed until late 2019 when I finally "achieved" an HbA1c of over 48.  With the help of this forum and a keto diet I reduced my A1c from 50 to 36 in four months. The issue is that the >48 level was supposed to be a fallback, triggering an automatic diagnosis. There's nothing to prevent a diabtes diagnosis being made before BGs have risen to that level.  it's just that the test has become the most important thing, although it is fully recognised that diabetic symptoms can happen at lower levels. In fact 48 was chosen because diabetic retinopathy is rare (ie not unknown) at  levels under 48. I wish I'd known in 2010 what I know now. I'd have avoided years of pain and discomfort.  You don't need a formal diagnosis to behave as if you'd been diagnosed.</blockquote>

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