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number of HbA1c tests done per year?

A

ann34+

Well-Known Member
Messages
393
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
just wondering how many HbA1c tests others have at their hospital clincs? and whether these are being cut back? My clinic does finger prick tests and i have always gone in between clinic visits for a test, having a total of 4 a year for at least 15 years . Now it seems things may be changing........what is the experience of others?
 
As stable Type1 I typically have 2-3 HbA1c tests per year. My diabetologist issue prescription on this by default, to have it done 1-2 weeks ahead of each visit with him.
 
As a relatively stable T1, I've only ever had them ahead of the clinic appointments or annually at the GP. In the clinic they use a finger prick to take the blood (infuriatingly). This has equated to 1-2 tests per year dependent on frequency of clinic appointments.

This year it will be twice due to having appointments at the clinic six months apart following insulin changes.

This is what i normally have had.
 
Thanks, CyberDyme, and Tim2000s, it seems i was lucky before, maybe only the diabetics i know have had 4 a year. As the HbA1c test is only a record of the situation in the last 3 months, i would be surprised if there were not more clinics offering, at least in the past, the opportunity for 4 finger prick tests to those who needed them. If people use the CGM i can see they might not be so needed, but i cant afford that and will have to buy the tests as i did years ago. Not sure why you are not so keen on the finger prick tests, Tim.?...i like them. Ann
 
@ann34+ The last two times it has taken so long to get enough blood, it would have been quicker to stick a needle in my arm the old fashioned way!
 
Zero at the moment, as a T1 in my area I have to be managed as a hospital outpatient, it's a shambles.

Just about to cancel my latest outpatients appointment at hospital as have to work away in three weeks time when it's due. The last time I saw the hospital as an outpatient was in Nov 2013, since then we have rescheduled one appointment each, each time pushing the appointment back six months. So I know my last HBA1C was pretty decent, who knows when I'll next find out. Not really bothered at not seeing them, I manage my BG and get on with life, would rather the NHS concentrate on others.
 
JRW said:
Zero at the moment, as a T1 in my area I have to be managed as a hospital outpatient, it's a shambles.

Just about to cancel my latest outpatients appointment at hospital as have to work away in three weeks time when it's due. The last time I saw the hospital as an outpatient was in Nov 2013, since then we have rescheduled one appointment each, each time pushing the appointment back six months. So I know my last HBA1C was pretty decent, who knows when I'll next find out. Not really bothered at not seeing them, I manage my BG and get on with life, would rather the NHS concentrate on others.
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Don't your GP's do you an annual teview of your bloods? My consultant does twice a year and my GP twice a year as they get scored higher on their DES targets for having good hba1c's with diabetics. I am a good hba1c so help with their targets!
 
I have 4 hba1c tests a year. I get the bloods taken at my local GP 1 week before clinic then it is sent off. If I forget it is done at hospital and is a bit like a finger prick test, I'm even aloud to use my own finger pricker haha (I dislike theirs a lot) My hospital have always done 4 tests.
 
I do 4 per year, each precedes my quarterly visit with my endocrinologist. Along with the HbA1c i also get a full blood work up that pretty much tests for everything..

So full blood work 4 times every year. I think that is standard here in Canada, or at least at my Endocrinologist.
 
tim2000s said:
@ann34+ The last two times it has taken so long to get enough blood, it would have been quicker to stick a needle in my arm the old fashioned way!
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Tim2000s, Thanks for your reply, interesting how different people are - shows the need to have a number of choices. i have no trouble with finger prick tests at all, the blood flows out, but i can't have blood taken too many times from my veins , due to very easy bruising and veins which are easily damaged. Ann
 
donnellysdogs said:
Don't your GP's do you an annual teview of your bloods? My consultant does twice a year and my GP twice a year as they get scored higher on their DES targets for having good hba1c's with diabetics. I am a good hba1c so help with their targets!
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I've had 1 test in 2.5 Years from My GP, haven't been offered any others. It's about 18 months since I had my last HBA1C.
 
I get HbA1c tested four times a year in Switzerland and get the results while I am in with the endo as they have the machine on the spot. Due to have one this afternoon!
 
Every 3 months for me - my diabetic hospital team know that I like to know where I am with my HbA1c - it's like little short term goals for me - they were very happy for me to do it this way x
 
JRW said:
I've had 1 test in 2.5 Years from My GP, haven't been offered any others. It's about 18 months since I had my last HBA1C.
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To be honest you should be going to your Practice and asking why you are not being called in for blood tests and annual reviews..

This could be written to Practice Manager or by seeing a GP or DSN. If they use the EMIS system then something is wrong as letters etc should be automatically printed and not actually done by staff. So wouldn't be staff fault.

Some people have also accidentally been removed from GP lists in some areas.

It is certainly worthwhile checking out as this is your health long term. Whether you may think you are in good health now or not, you cannot see all your kidney functions, albumin etc and total blood health... It is possible for diabetes to seem good but could be impacting on other health without you knowing.
 
Depends really I used to go every 3 months. But now I'm going to have ivf I'm going every 4 - 6 weeks until they can give me the go ahead
 
donnellysdogs said:
To be honest you should be going to your Practice and asking why you are not being called in for blood tests and annual reviews..

This could be written to Practice Manager or by seeing a GP or DSN. If they use the EMIS system then something is wrong as letters etc should be automatically printed and not actually done by staff. So wouldn't be staff fault.

Some people have also accidentally been removed from GP lists in some areas.

It is certainly worthwhile checking out as this is your health long term. Whether you may think you are in good health now or not, you cannot see all your kidney functions, albumin etc and total blood health... It is possible for diabetes to seem good but could be impacting on other health without you knowing.
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Appreciate your feedback, and advice.

Not too bothered at the moment though, the only medical help I will pursue in the short term is insulin advice for sport. I work away loads, so don't think an appointment every 6 months that isn't movable really works for me. When I have a regular lifestyle I'll check back in with the NHS.
 
JRW said:
Appreciate your feedback, and advice.

Not too bothered at the moment though, the only medical help I will pursue in the short term is insulin advice for sport. I work away loads, so don't think an appointment every 6 months that isn't movable really works for me. When I have a regular lifestyle I'll check back in with the NHS.
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If you registerd as an online patient you could book appts with a GP (not nurse) easier in 6 months time!!
 
cara147m said:
Every 3 months for me - my diabetic hospital team know that I like to know where I am with my HbA1c - it's like little short term goals for me - they were very happy for me to do it this way x
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Thanks, cara147m, That seems much like what i find works the best for me - I find 3 months is manageable - something of a challenge, then it's on to the next 3 months.....Ann
 
As a T2 I have mine every 6 months at my doctors surgery. I have my blood taken there then see the Diabetic Nurse for review.
 
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