HbA1c raised but finger pricks are fine

[Bignick47]

Hi, My HbA1C has risen steadily from 42 in March 20 to 67 now. My daily prick tests still average between 7 and 8.

I am booked in for an operation on the 23rd of March 21 - 12 days away and my surgeon just said the HbA1C must be below 60 for a bone graft to take properly.

Any bright ideas how to bring the HbA1c down? I am on Metformin and Dapaglifozin - plus umpteen other meds for various illnesses.

 

[trophywench]

Have you reduced the carbohydrate content of your food? That usually reduces the HbA1c.

 

[adrian1der]

HbA1c is a measure of your average BG over two to three months. Lowering it in 12 days would be very difficult

 

[LottieL]

Hi, My HbA1C has risen steadily from 42 in March 20 to 67 now. My daily prick tests still average between 7 and 8.

I am booked in for an operation on the 23rd of March 21 - 12 days away and my surgeon just said the HbA1C must be below 60 for a bone graft to take properly.

Any bright ideas how to bring the HbA1c down? I am on Metformin and Dapaglifozin - plus umpteen other meds for various illnesses.

 

[EllsBells]

HbA1c is a measure of your average BG over two to three months. Lowering it in 12 days would be very difficult

I got mine down by 25 in 6 weeks - you might just make it but you'll need to be ultra strict with your diet, carb intake and exercise. I hope you manage it.

 

[Kaylz]

@LottieL you are likely to get the Libre on the NHS though, the OP being a Type 2 has absolutely no chance of obtaining it on prescription xx

 

[LottieL]

Good luck with that Barbara Have you been on a Daphne course Some good hints explanations and tips. I am joining one in my area on Tuesday. Visual like Zoom. I did one 6 years ago and need a refresher

 

[Kaylz]

The finger pricks are slightly on the high side and as these are on the spot tests it is likely you are spiking without seeing it and therefore that is why your hba1c has gone up, what kind of things are you eating? xx

 

[AndBreathe]

Hi, My HbA1C has risen steadily from 42 in March 20 to 67 now. My daily prick tests still average between 7 and 8.

I am booked in for an operation on the 23rd of March 21 - 12 days away and my surgeon just said the HbA1C must be below 60 for a bone graft to take properly.

Any bright ideas how to bring the HbA1c down? I am on Metformin and Dapaglifozin - plus umpteen other meds for various illnesses.

In UK, for elective surgery, the cut off point for surgery is usually 69, so you may just scrape in there, although obviously your surgeon will fully understand the implications of A1c being a bit on the high side for surgery, and also the operation you are having may carry additional risks too.

I'd urge you to tighten up your diet, if you can, and hopefully you can have your op. Unfortunately, your HbA1c can take a while to show changes, but fingers crossed for you.

 

[Flower]

Hi @Bignick47

I'd suggest testing your blood sugar at some other times of the day if you're able to. Are you testing at the same times every day before meals? Can you test first thing or a couple of hours after eating to see when your blood sugar is rising?

An HbA1c result of 67 mmol/mol converts to an average blood glucose of approx 10.6 so if the finger prick test results you're getting are around 7 & 8 your blood glucose must be elevated and out of range for periods of time when you're not seeing it. An HbA1c result of 60 mmol/mol is an average bg of approx 9.6 so doable but really tight to show in an HbA1c result for surgery in 12 days.

As said above with an HbA1c result it does take a few weeks at least to start to reflect what is happening with your blood glucose although it is weighted to more recent results. Wishing you well.