Question affect of iron overload on blood glucose

[jimboffin]

I have been diagnosed type 2 diabetic as my fasting blood glucose is persistently above 7 mmol/l however my HBA1C is normal at 35mmol/m. How come? I am heterozygote haemochromatic with serum ferritin around 400 mg/l. I see research that suggests high iron loading correlates with high glucose levels. What does this mean?? Is it the fasting glucose or the HBA1C that is wrong, or is my iron confusing the results. Does anyone know? Do I believe my GP who now says 'don't worry HBA1C is normal'?

 

[Jaylee]

Hello,

All,I can say is get a blood glucose meter & find out what your bloods measure on waking, prior to & two hours after a meal? Don't forget before bed.... (It's the standard gubbins.)

I'm gonna tag in others who may have a better perspective...
@Bluetit1802 @AndBreathe @Brunneria @bulkbiker @NoCrbs4Me @Lamont D

 

[jimboffin]

Have one, never below 7 mmol/l fasting which is why I suspect the 'averaging' HBA1C

 

[walnut_face]

as jaylee says, you need to test at other times of the day too. Immediately before a meal and 2 hours after.#
You may be experiencing Dawn Phenomenon, have a search around the forums for an explanation, in short your liver pushes glucose into the blood stream to prepare you for the day ahead, its just not getting out of your blood quickly

 

[Brunneria]

Hi,

People with anaemia often have non-representative HbA1cs.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2015...ted-through-hba1c-due-to-anemia-97409751.html
http://www.bjmp.org/content/anemia-...fining-reference-ranges-and-therapeutic-goals
http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/iron-deficiency-may-increase-hba1c-levels/
But I am afraid that I don't know whether excess of iron has a similar effect.

I would definitely agree that you can't even guess at your HbA1c based on sporadic home prick tests, because blood glucose rises and falls all day, depending on sleep, stress, food, drink, exertion, etc. etc. Some of us make a pretty good stab (pun!) at guesstimating what it will be, but it takes a LOT of prick tests, and we are usually out by a fair it.

There is another test that can be used instead of the HbA1c for anaemic patients. Your doc may not have heard of it. I understand it isn't very expensive, but it is only offered by some labs. It is called the Fructosamine test, but I know very little about it.

You could try showing him this link,
http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=x20071228072816056327
and asking him for the alternate test.
https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopki...cemia:_fructosamine__glycated_albumin__1_5_AG

Have you been diagnosed with haemochromatosis?
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/hemochromatotis-bronze-diabetes.html

 

[Bluetit1802]

So, you have a meter. Good. What levels do you see before lunch and evening meal, and at bedtime? What levels do you see after eating, at say 1 hour or 2 hours after first bite? These readings are far more important and more indicative of your diabetes status than any morning fasting level.

Some people with "different" haemoglobin/red blood cells can have HbA1c tests that are higher or lower than expected.

 

[bulkbiker]

What they say above.. test at other times.. you will get a better picture

 

[jimboffin]

Thanks guys. On a low carb diet, weight and BP coming down. Will test more frequently. Last night 3 hours after eating 6.9 mmol/l

 

[jimboffin]

BTW, my father was Haemochromatic. I have been gene tested and have one faulty gene so not technically Haemochromatic but have raised iron in blood c. 400mg/l