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Rh216

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So had my hba1c results today and it was 48(previously had gestational diabetes until I had baby in January) can anyone tell me what 48 means as the doctor said it was still within normal range ??
 
The website diabetes.co.uk has a great forum as you are aware.
It also has an amazing diabetes reference library that is very easy to search.
If you go to the Home page and search" Hb1AC", this is one of the first links returned.
It includes information about what Hb1AC indicates diabetes, pre-diabetes, etc. as well as explaining what the test is measuring, how it varies from BG tests and more.
@Rh216 I highly recommend taking a look at this page (it is likely to answer questions you hadn't thought of yet) and at other great pages on diabetes.co.uk
 
Rh216 said:
So had my hba1c results today and it was 48(previously had gestational diabetes until I had baby in January) can anyone tell me what 48 means as the doctor said it was still within normal range ??
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...odd doctor...

Best get an appointment and bring graphs/guidelines along. Don't let this go!!!!
 
I think your Dr hasn’t done you any favours, but having come here and been told how it is, just into diabetic level, you can take action and with a few tweaks to your lifestyle you can lower that. By not diagnosing you as diabetic you are missing out on all the health checks you’re entitled to, eye tests, foot checks, regular blood tests etc... I agree with the others, a return visit is in order, especially with your history of gestational diabetes.
 
Tagging @daisy1 for the welcome pack. Read through the contents, there is a lot of information to absorb. Read through the forum and ask loads of questions.
 
As others have said, @Rh216 , 48 is the diagnostic threshold for diabetes. The only thing I am wondering if , bearing in mind how close a call it is, your Doc is maybe looking to test again in a couple of months, in the light of your confinement earlier in the year.

Have you had any other bloods, testing HbA1c done since your baby was born? I'm wondering if that could give a clue. If the numbers were down from last time.

I can honestly say, I have no idea how long it would usually take for any hangover from your gestational diabetes could linger, but I do know it isn't necessarily and on/off switch as soon as the baby is born. Those pesky hormones can interfere a bit.
 
With a borderline test result such as yours, you are supposed to have a second test 2 weeks approx later, to confirm the diagnosis. If your doctor hasn't arranged this he is not doing his job properly. If I were you I would make another appointment for a second test.
 
Doctor has said re test hba1c in 3 months but surely the figure suggests diabetes already so I need to get help ASAP? Previous hba1c was 41 in April 2018 so has risen unfortunately

QUOTE="DCUKMod, post: 1895670, member: 345386"]As others have said, @Rh216 , 48 is the diagnostic threshold for diabetes. The only thing I am wondering if , bearing in mind how close a call it is, your Doc is maybe looking to test again in a couple of months, in the light of your confinement earlier in the year.

Have you had any other bloods, testing HbA1c done since your baby was born? I'm wondering if that could give a clue. If the numbers were down from last time.

I can honestly say, I have no idea how long it would usually take for any hangover from your gestational diabetes could linger, but I do know it isn't necessarily and on/off switch as soon as the baby is born. Those pesky hormones can interfere a bit.[/QUOTE]
Pre
 
DCUKMod said:
As others have said, @Rh216 , 48 is the diagnostic threshold for diabetes. The only thing I am wondering if , bearing in mind how close a call it is, your Doc is maybe looking to test again in a couple of months, in the light of your confinement earlier in the year.

Have you had any other bloods, testing HbA1c done since your baby was born? I'm wondering if that could give a clue. If the numbers were down from last time.

I can honestly say, I have no idea how long it would usually take for any hangover from your gestational diabetes could linger, but I do know it isn't necessarily and on/off switch as soon as the baby is born. Those pesky hormones can interfere a bit.
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April Blood test was 41 so it has gone up since then unfortunately
 
Bluetit1802 said:
With a borderline test result such as yours, you are supposed to have a second test 2 weeks approx later, to confirm the diagnosis. If your doctor hasn't arranged this he is not doing his job properly. If I were you I would make another appointment for a second test.
Click to expand...
They said 3 months time but I’m seeing gp tomorrow
 
@Rh216
Hello and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will be able to help.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why

  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
 
So the GP advised that I need another hba1c in January to see what bloods are then. If still high they will start me on some medication and if not then just try to prevent full blown diabetes
 
Rh216 said:
So the GP advised that I need another hba1c in January to see what bloods are then. If still high they will start me on some medication and if not then just try to prevent full blown diabetes
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did you point out you already have diabetes and ought to be on the register so you qualify for the essential retinal screening and foot checks? What did he say about an HbA1c of 48, which is just over the threshold?

In the meantime, I suggest you treat yourself as being diabetic and try altering your diet (reducing carbs) and getting yourself a meter so you can start testing your reaction to food. Most GPs don't offer medication with an HbA1c like yours. They usually allow 3 months on diet only.
 
I said I’d previously had gestational diabetes so am aware of what the reading meant, I’ve been testing blood and have kit, the gp said they wouldn’t treat it as diabetes until I have another hba1c. They suggested low carb diet and exercise to try and reverse the sugars .
 
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