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1st Repeat HbA1C & Full Blood Count Query

Z

Zaraah

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
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Happy New Year everyone!

I have sent e-consult to nurse/GP, however, no reply as yet if you have blood forms which cite HbA1C and full blood count along with Thyroid and Liver etc, does the “full blood count” include testing for Vitamin B12 and Folate too or do I have to ask for these to be listed separately so they are tested?

Thanks in advance!
 
Zaraah said:
Happy New Year everyone!

I have sent e-consult to nurse/GP, however, no reply as yet if you have blood forms which cite HbA1C and full blood count along with Thyroid and Liver etc, does the “full blood count” include testing for Vitamin B12 and Folate too or do I have to ask for these to be listed separately so they are tested?

Thanks in advance!
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Mine doesn’t, no. It just does everything about red cells and white cells, I think.
 
Zaraah said:
Happy New Year everyone!

I have sent e-consult to nurse/GP, however, no reply as yet if you have blood forms which cite HbA1C and full blood count along with Thyroid and Liver etc, does the “full blood count” include testing for Vitamin B12 and Folate too or do I have to ask for these to be listed separately so they are tested?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Full blood count just looks at blood cells & platelets. Vit B12/folate is a separate thing.
 
Hi @Zaraah - happy new year to you too!

Yes, as people have said above. A FBC does not include Vitamin B12 or Folate testing. The FBC looks at your red and white blood cells, haemoglobin levels, and other basic components of your blood, and is taken in a purple/lilac tube (the same tube that will be used for your HbA1C). B12 and Folate is a separate test that is taken in a gold tube (which is the same sample that will be used for your thyroid and liver function tests).

Hope this helps!
 
Hey everyone thank you so much for the replies - very helpful! Still waiting on GP to reply.

Not sure if I just book blood tests for forms I have and then when nurse calls to discuss results then ask for B12 and Folate then.

Technically been 2 months since diagnosed as T2 as started T2 meds on 8 November 2024, so wondering if just get blood tests done so least know if HbA1C has gone down from initial 129!

Think whilst trying not to have too much hope so not disappointed am slightly worried as I did indulge a little over Christmas break and I find that I am better when at work as have a routine.

My 7 days fasting wake average was 5.5mmol for some time and now 5.9mmol. Known being silly as better to know than not know so least know if what I doing is enough or not.

#mymoanover ❤️
 
You would normally have another HbA1C test 3 months after the one which gave your diagnosis to check if the treatment and dietary changes are taking you in the right direction, if so then usually after another 6 months and after that every year assuming your HbA1C is continuing to go down.
 
@Leadinglights yes I thought 3 months would be my repeat after initial diagnosis however Diabetic Nurse said earliest can do is 2 months once been on meds that long as I was triple figures at diagnosis nurse wants to see if any change in numbers.

Nurse gave me forms before Christmas break told me to book in New Year earliest being once been on meds 2 months, which was yesterday.
 
I suppose as your HbA1C was very high she perhaps wants to be sure things are going down but obviously there will be an overlap in time with before you were on the meds and changing your diet. If you imagine it as a rolling 3 months when the month 1 drops out, then months 2 etc so by 3 months, it will all be after changes. 3 months represents the average life of peoples red blood cells.
 
I do wonder whether I should wait another month and do at 7 February that way would have been 3 months then least the figure more realistic so I know where I am going with figure rather than at 2 months if not much of a change or being disappointed and 3 months not passed so would not have real picture if I making sense?!

Definitely give me another to get the number down if possible 🙂
 
Zaraah said:
I do wonder whether I should wait another month and do at 7 February that way would have been 3 months then least the figure more realistic so I know where I am going with figure rather than at 2 months if not much of a change or being disappointed and 3 months not passed so would not have real picture if I making sense?!

Definitely give me another to get the number down if possible 🙂
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That sounds like a good plan @Zaraah

The HbA1c can be somewhat weighted towards the most recent few weeks I think, so I suppose leaving it the full 3 months would offer less ‘crossover’ with older red blood cells still lingering from diagnosis, and would also allow you a bit more space after Christmas to get your New Year changes bedded in?
 
If B12 / Folate were tested on your last bloods (at diagnosis) I wouldn't be concerned about not testing them this time, especially if they were normal.

My folate and B12 are normally only tested once a year, even if having more frequent HbA1c bloods done. The only time I had a more frequent test of B12 / folate was when my B12 was low and I needed B12 injections, so they needed to check the jabs had worked. At my last review, my folate levels were low, and I was prescribed folic acid tablets for 4 months, but there are no plans to retest until my next annual review in November/December.
 
wantonnoodle said:
If B12 / Folate were tested on your last bloods (at diagnosis) I wouldn't be concerned about not testing them this time, especially if they were normal.

My folate and B12 are normally only tested once a year, even if having more frequent HbA1c bloods done. The only time I had a more frequent test of B12 / folate was when my B12 was low and I needed B12 injections, so they needed to check the jabs had worked. At my last review, my folate levels were low, and I was prescribed folic acid tablets for 4 months, but there are no plans to retest until my next annual review in November/December.
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I had a low folate result which I put down to cutting out bread (largely) and breakfast cereals which are fortified with folic acid as well as other vitamins and minerals. A four month course of folic acid sorted it out but I now do take a multivitamin.
 
wantonnoodle said:
If B12 / Folate were tested on your last bloods (at diagnosis) I wouldn't be concerned about not testing them this time, especially if they were normal.

My folate and B12 are normally only tested once a year, even if having more frequent HbA1c bloods done. The only time I had a more frequent test of B12 / folate was when my B12 was low and I needed B12 injections, so they needed to check the jabs had worked. At my last review, my folate levels were low, and I was prescribed folic acid tablets for 4 months, but there are no plans to retest until my next annual review in November/December.
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Not been tested in recent blood tests. Managed to speak to GP surgery and they added blood test on. See what happens!
 
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