Blood Test Results

[Timelordsboots]

Hello

I have just had my blood test results back (reviewed them on the NHS app) and I don’t have a doctors appointment for a couple of weeks but just wanted some advice as to whether you think I have diabetes.

My HA1C result was 50 mmol and my glucose fasting plasma was 6.4 mmol. I have been doing daily blood sugar tests which have been in the 4 to 6.9 range and my urine glucose tests have been normal (yellow).

I am 42 years of age. Many thanks.

 

[ianf0ster]

Hi @Timelordsboots and welcome to the forum.
We are not your P and so can't diagnose.
However here in the UK the standard test(s) for diagnosis of diabetes is 2 separate HbA1C test results a few weeks apart where both of them give a reading of 48mmol or above.

It sounds as though you have only had the one HbA1C done so far, but it's result (if confirmed by another HbA1C) would place you just inside the Diabetic region.

Some other countries -Australia for one, I think, use a fasting Blood Glucose test followed by a Glucose Tolerance test.
Perhaps there was something unusual for the month to 2 months before you took that HbA1C ( such as a steroid or a statin which you are no longer taking), or if you were eating differently during that time compared to now.
But if that is not the case then its probably best to assume you will be diagnosed as at least prediabetic (aka 'at risk of diabetes').

Those daily blood sugar tests look normal, but what matters is what the figures are like 2hrs after the start of a meal. It is this reading which will give an indication of 1) If you are producing enough insulin in response to the carbohydrates in your food. And 2). If your body responds in a timely fashion to the insulin it produces.

Age 42 doesn't mean anything so far as Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes is concerned.

 

[Timelordsboots]

Thank you for replying. I was previously pre diabetes and my mum and dad have type 2 I had a first blood test at the end of January and the result was 52.

 

[EmmaL76]

Looks like that might just put you in the diabetic zone. Which I know is a bit to take on board but there are positives. You are only just diabetic, it will not take very long at all to get back into normal range, your very lucky you caught it now. When you have spoken to the doctor and have an official diagnosis there will be plenty of advice , tips and moral support here

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Timelordsboots

Sorry to hear about your elevated HbA1c and increased risk of diabetes.

Have you been making any changes to your menu or levels of activity since January?

Your fingerstick results seem to suggest your meals are suiting your metabolism well - when are you taking the readings?

As @ianf0ster says, it can be helpful to take pairs of readings immediately before eating and again 2hrs after the first bite, which can help you see how your body is responding to particular meals.

There are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you have probably cut right back on already, but you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits.

That’s not to say that you have to avoid all those things entirely - but it can be really helpful to discover the portion sizes, and sources of carbs that are gentlest on your blood glucose levels.

There’s no one approach or menu that works for everyone, so it’s very much a case of trial and error, adjusting and experimenting, to find a way of eating that gets your weight where you want it, and keeps your BG levels in line 🙂

 

[Timelordsboots]

Thank you that is a great help. I have started cutting things out. I was starting to feel tired and sleep in the day but since cutting things out that has reduced thankfully.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thank you that is a great help. I have started cutting things out. I was starting to feel tired and sleep in the day but since cutting things out that has reduced thankfully.

You might find this link helpful to read through to give you some ideas although you must have a good idea already with having relatives with Type 2 but there is always something to learn.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk

Hopefully your GP will give you the opportunity to bring your levels down with some lifestyle changes for 3 months before prescribing medication.

 

[Timelordsboots]

Looks like that might just put you in the diabetic zone. Which I know is a bit to take on board but there are positives. You are only just diabetic, it will not take very long at all to get back into normal range, your very lucky you caught it now. When you have spoken to the doctor and have an official diagnosis there will be plenty of advice , tips and moral support here

Thank you for your advice Emma it’s appreciated. 🙂

 

[Timelordsboots]

You might find this link helpful to read through to give you some ideas although you must have a good idea already with having relatives with Type 2 but there is always something to learn.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk

Hopefully your GP will give you the opportunity to bring your levels down with some lifestyle changes for 3 months before prescribing medication.

Thanks for the link Leadinglights it’s appreciated. 🙂

Welcome to the forum @Timelordsboots

Sorry to hear about your elevated HbA1c and increased risk of diabetes.

Have you been making any changes to your menu or levels of activity since January?

Your fingerstick results seem to suggest your meals are suiting your metabolism well - when are you taking the readings?

As @ianf0ster says, it can be helpful to take pairs of readings immediately before eating and again 2hrs after the first bite, which can help you see how your body is responding to particular meals.

There are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you have probably cut right back on already, but you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits.

That’s not to say that you have to avoid all those things entirely - but it can be really helpful to discover the portion sizes, and sources of carbs that are gentlest on your blood glucose levels.

There’s no one approach or menu that works for everyone, so it’s very much a case of trial and error, adjusting and experimenting, to find a way of eating that gets your weight where you want it, and keeps your BG levels in line 🙂

thanks for responding it’s appreciated. It’s all a frightening thing for me at the moment and I just need to educate myself. 🙂