Are you getting support for diabetes above the minimum

[jennylaney]

I was diagnosed as type 2 last year, April, and started on metformin. I had my annual review in April and all test results were good. In September I had eye screening and was told I had background retinopathy (my eye screening did not show this last year.) I contacted GP and asked for another HBA1c test to see if control was still good, prior to an appointment. The letter from the eye screening said my blood sugar control might need improving. I was told that my blood sugar and pressure were excellent and no further tests needed, that the letters from eye screening always mentioned improving blood sugar control. I questioned this as the letter did not say this last year! I now have a phone consultation with a health care assistant in two and a half weeks to discuss my concerns. I'm feeling let down as I'm worried and feel I need more support but not sure it will be forthcoming. I'm not sure how we can discuss my blood sugar on the phone without a recent blood test. I know GP surgeries are struggling at the moment. Is everyone else getting all the support they need?

 

[offspin]

Hi jennylaney ,

I went to an optician and had my eyes tested privately and he inspected the photographs with me in the room.

All clear and he charged me £15.00. I understand that many of the large optician chains offer this service.

 

[Deleted member 21371]

I pay for a private eye test, but I get the NHS service as well.
I get at least annual blood screening, and a diabetic review, but if I ask for any in-between I haven't been refused.

 

[Leadinglights]

If you find out what your actual HbA1C results are then people might be able to comment whether that is OK or whether there might be something you can be doing to improve it, if it could do with being lower.
As far as your eye screening is concerned people often get a statement in their letter which indicates 'there is some background retinopathy' but the test the next year shows all clear.
The more you can do to keep your blood glucose level stable the better.

 

[rebrascora]

Personally I would say that it would be better to invest in a BG meter for that £15 (Gluco Navii or Spirit Tee2) than to pay for a test at the opticians which is just duplicating the test you have already had done at the hospital. As mentioned, those background retinopathy results can disappear the following year and it just indicates they have spotted a very tiny change which of itself is unlikely to be a problem but the reminder in that letter to manage your diabetes as well as you can is an important and valid aspect in preventing any further changes and hopefully reversing that extremely minor damage. A BG meter can help you do that much better than having a second retinal scan. It can show you which foods cause you problems and which your body can cope with and in what portion size. If you can then adjust your diet to keep your levels in range, then your HbA1c should reduce and your eyes should be less at risk and have a good chance of healing that tiny bit of damage they have spotted...... You can think about it a bit like a graze on the skin I suppose. It will bleed and then scab over and then your body will work underneath the scab to heal it and the scab will drop off and you won't know it ever happened after a few weeks. If it is quite a bad graze then it may leave a bit of scaring so you might not be able to totally eradicate the mark. Keeping BG levels in range enables the body to heal itself much more efficiently and effectively.

Hope that alleviates your concerns a bit but unfortunately the NHS is stretched at the moment and with diabetes particularly, it pays to be proactive and take control yourself, so doing some home testing would be the most useful thing I think you could do for yourself in your situation. You can also get an HbA1c done privately, but personally I would recommend home testing your BG levels rather than forking out for an HbA1c as it will give you more useful data.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear about the changes in your eyes @jennylaney

I know just how worrying that news can be. As you are only very recently diagnosed, and went straight onto Metformin, have you substantially reduced your HbA1c since diagnosis? There is a possibility that your eyes may have just been caught a little off guard by rapid improvements to average BG, which can sometimes lead to temporary changes in your eyes, which recover over time.

Try not to panic, or feel that ‘all is lost’. Background changes may not be permanent. Trying to build on the improvements you’ve already made, and try to keep your levels as stable and as in-range as you can manage for as much of the time as you can 🙂