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Please help. HBA1c of 122

Alisonjane10

Alisonjane10

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,671
Location
England. (North East)
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Bullies, discrimination of any kind, bad manners, parents who let their kids run amok & spoil things for everyone else, unkind spiteful people, being a clumsy clod, toast crumbs in the bed, cold feet!!
Hello folks

I'm still learning how to manage my T2 Diabetes & my BG has come down from 22 to an acceptable level in a couple of weeks. I think I know that the HBA1c blood test looks at BG levels over a 3 month window. But I'm unsure. And how is that then converted into mmols, as I've seen on forum members statistics. What does it actually mean? My GP rang me at teatime today with the result of my recent blood test. Like I say, I'm newly diagnosed. My HBA1c is 122. I've been tearful since as I know this is super high and I'm scared. What happens now? Is it even possible to get levels within a normal range from such a high starting point. Advice very much needed.

Ali. X
 
Ok, take a deep breath ...your HbA1c is high, but not unusual in someone newly diagnosed, and is reversible over time . The figures you have been given are in the new way of expressing it, and you can find a converter here : http://www.diabetes.co.uk/hba1c-units-converter.html.

It absolutely is possible to get into much lower numbers, but it needs to be done in a controlled way over time, and this is what your GP will be discussing with you. Have you been tested for definite that you are Type 2 by the way ?

And if you have managed to get down from 22 already, then what you are doing is already on the way to a much lower A1c already, you are doing something right :)

Signy
 
Heathenlass said:
Ok, take a deep breath ...your HbA1c is high, but not unusual in someone newly diagnosed, and is reversible over time . The figures you have been given are in the new way of expressing it, and you can find a converter here : http://www.diabetes.co.uk/hba1c-units-converter.html.

It absolutely is possible to get into much lower numbers, but it needs to be done in a controlled way over time, and this is what your GP will be discussing with you. Have you been tested for definite that you are Type 2 by the way ?

And if you have managed to get down from 22 already, then what you are doing is already on the way to a much lower A1c already, you are doing something right :)

Signy
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Thank you SO much. It's good to know this is reversible & I'm doing the right things to lower it in the future. I thought I was about to pop my clogs! Perhaps that's the drama queen in me. X
 
You are doing well, so relax. This is a marathon, not a sprint. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen if you follow a suitable diet that YOU can sustain forever and use your meter to help you find this diet. Try to find time to read some of the success stories. Plenty of folk on here have got down from very high levels to normal levels, and many have been able to reduce their medication, or even come off it altogether. It is possible, but it is down to you and the effort you put in in. From what I have seen from all your posts, you can and will do this. :)
 
It's always a shock ! :rolleyes: It takes time to assimilate, and you would be weird not to be scared so deffo not a drama queen :D . I have seen people with a HbA1c higher than yours, initially, and they do get them down . There's a few people on this forum , or was, with a similar tale to tell.

I do wish that people were not told things like this over the phone, but face to face because you are not in a good place to ask questions and seek reassurance .

Hang on in there, hinny, you're a long way off the clog popping yet ! :D

Signy
 
Bluetit1802 said:
You are doing well, so relax. This is a marathon, not a sprint. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen if you follow a suitable diet that YOU can sustain forever and use your meter to help you find this diet. Try to find time to read some of the success stories. Plenty of folk on here have got down from very high levels to normal levels, and many have been able to reduce their medication, or even come off it altogether. It is possible, but it is down to you and the effort you put in in. From what I have seen from all your posts, you can and will do this. :)
Click to expand...

How very kind @Bluetit1802. I hope I can justify your supportive words. And you've made me stop & realise that yes, managing this disorder is indeed a marathon. Guess I just want things to change quicker than is possible for anyone. Thank you for once again taking the time to reply to my question. Ali. X
 
Heathenlass said:
It's always a shock ! :rolleyes: It takes time to assimilate, and you would be weird not to be scared so deffo not a drama queen :D . I have seen people with a HbA1c higher than yours, initially, and they do get them down . There's a few people on this forum , or was, with a similar tale to tell.

I do wish that people were not told things like this over the phone, but face to face because you are not in a good place to ask questions and seek reassurance .

Hang on in there, hinny, you're a long way off the clog popping yet ! :D

Signy
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Good advice. And lol @ hinny. X
 
Alisonjane10 said:
How very kind @Bluetit1802. I hope I can justify your supportive words. And you've made me stop & realise that yes, managing this disorder is indeed a marathon. Guess I just want things to change quicker than is possible for anyone. Thank you for once again taking the time to reply to my question. Ali. X
Click to expand...
Hi & welcome.
You'll be surprised just how quickly you can change things when the right steps are taken in the marathon. Small steps can take us along way without even realising it just stay with us, you're already moving in the right direction.☆
 
Hi,

I'm tagging @rowan for you, because she has recently done amazingly well at bringing her BG down in a very short time - and it is always great to know what is possible. :happy:
 
Brunneria said:
Hi,

I'm tagging @rowan for you, because she has recently done amazingly well at bringing her BG down in a very short time - and it is always great to know what is possible. :happy:
Click to expand...

Thank you @Brunneria. I'll check out @rowan. Appreciate your responding to my thread.
Ali. :)
 
Ali, don't panic about your HbA1c, you're doing all the right things and it will come down :)
 
I cut mine by 30 points in 3 months .... and that was without ANY understanding about diet 'til I got on here.

Work at it, eat well, test BS and start exercising .... moderate if you're not used to it :) Then build up.

You'll get there :) Mike
 
sanguine said:
Ali, don't panic about your HbA1c, you're doing all the right things and it will come down :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the supportive words and encouragement. You're so kind.
Ali. X
 
Mike D said:
I cut mine by 30 points in 3 months .... and that was without ANY understanding about diet 'til I got on here.

Work at it, eat well, test BS and start exercising .... moderate if you're not used to it :) Then build up.

You'll get there :) Mike
Click to expand...

Well done Mike. Guess it can be done. Thanks for the encouragement. I'm gonna start building my stamina for exercise up again by walking. Got some favourite routes locally that are around 1 1/2 miles. Hopefully by the summer I'll be back doing my 5-7 mile hikes. This time next year I'll have lost weight, got fit and I'm gonna be a complete babe! Lol. Hmmmm....I wonder. Best wishes.
Ali. :)
 
Thank you to all of you gorgeous people for responding to my question. Your wisdom & kindness is just wonderful. This forum has a lot of very special people and I would be sinking without you. Best wishes & good health to you all.
Ali. X
 
Hi Ali

Try some easy walking in the morning and afternoon. Heaps of water as well. You have another HB1AC in (say) 3 months? Work to the plan you map out for yourself and (not knowing your weight or fitness levels) I'd reckon the 1.5 miles will be enough to drag those numbers down substantially together with a good diet.

Remember ...... small steps .... many suggest it is not a good idea to drop your BS too quickly so it'll take time. Once you become conditioned to it, you'll be amazed how the mind sets your routine and you just get on with it :)
 
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