Do I need urgent medication?

[cr7lv]

Hello. I got my results for HbA1c at 86mmol/mol last Tuesday. Called my gp and was given a phone appointment for 21 of February.
People tell me my result is really high and I should be seen urgently. There are no appointments at my practice sooner than that.
Can I go to A&E? I tried NHS 111 and they said I need to speak to my nurse.
What can I do meanwhile? I feel tiered and have a tingle on my left arm on and off.
I was also diagnosed a few months ago with Haemochromatosis.
Should I wait for the phone appointment? I haven't even been"officially" diagnosed with Diabetes as yet. Thanks

 

[Lucyr]

86 sounds like a fairly normal diagnosis hba1c and the 21st is only a week away. If you’re T2 then diet and exercise changes are the place to start, you’ll likely be given medication too to help alongside that but if they give you metformin then that takes a few weeks to build up anyway.

 

[Eddy Edson]

Hello. I got my results for HbA1c at 86mmol/mol last Tuesday. Called my gp and was given a phone appointment for 21 of February.
People tell me my result is really high and I should be seen urgently. There are no appointments at my practice sooner than that.
Can I go to A&E? I tried NHS 111 and they said I need to speak to my nurse.
What can I do meanwhile? I feel tiered and have a tingle on my left arm on and off.
I was also diagnosed a few months ago with Haemochromatosis.
Should I wait for the phone appointment? I haven't even been"officially" diagnosed with Diabetes as yet. Thanks

It's pretty high but not panic-mode high. I was 89 mmol/mol at diagnosis and am now "normal" & plenty of people around here started at 100+ and also got down to "normal".

I found this pic useful when I was getting a handle on things.



You're up in the orangey too-high zone but below the red maybe-start-to-panic-a-bit-now zone 🙂

You have plenty of time to work out a strategy, appropriate for you, in consultation with your docs and nurses and guidance from the NHS and Diabetes UK, and maybe some input from people on message boards like this once you've learned enough from the professional guidance to sort between the good, the bad & the deranged when it comes to the Internet.

Good luck!

 

[EmmaL76]

Hi, Has the link with Haemochromatosis and diabetes been discussed with you?

Please try not to panic, I know a new diagnosis can be really overwhelming and sometimes it’s hard to see the way out, but you can always see your next step, just keep taking those xx

 

[Leadinglights]

Hello. I got my results for HbA1c at 86mmol/mol last Tuesday. Called my gp and was given a phone appointment for 21 of February.
People tell me my result is really high and I should be seen urgently. There are no appointments at my practice sooner than that.
Can I go to A&E? I tried NHS 111 and they said I need to speak to my nurse.
What can I do meanwhile? I feel tiered and have a tingle on my left arm on and off.
I was also diagnosed a few months ago with Haemochromatosis.
Should I wait for the phone appointment? I haven't even been"officially" diagnosed with Diabetes as yet. Thanks

As you have mentioned haemochromatosis which could affect the normal test HbA1C for diabetes then it would be worth asking for a different test which is a Fructosamine test which would be more accurate as the HbA1C is not reliable if people have blood disorders
In the meantime you should be looking to reduce your intake of high carbohydrate foods particularly cakes, biscuits, sugary drinks, potatoes, rice, bread and pasta which are the big hitters in their effect on blood glucose.
You might want to look at this link which has good explanation and meal ideas.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk

The Learning Zone here is also full of information and links.

 

[cr7lv]

Hi, Has the link with Haemochromatosis and diabetes been discussed with you?

Please try not to panic, I know a new diagnosis can be really overwhelming and sometimes it’s hard to see the way out, but you can always see your next step, just keep taking those xx

Hi, no.it hasn't because I haven't even had my phone consultation, but I will make sure to mention it. Thanks

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry you’ve been having such a worrying and stressful time @cr7lv

Hope next week’s appointment puts your mind at rest, and gives you a positive and practical way forward.

It might be helpful to take a notepad with you. Note down all the questions and worries you have over the next few days, and things you’d like to check, then leave a gap between them so you can make notes.

As a person with diabetes your check-ups and appointments will become more collaborative and making sure you remember all the things you meant to ask can be important - especially once the conversation starts flowing, and the Dr or nurse starts asking you questions in turn!

 

[cr7lv]

86 sounds like a fairly normal diagnosis hba1c and the 21st is only a week away. If you’re T2 then diet and exercise changes are the place to start, you’ll likely be given medication too to help alongside that but if they give you metformin then that takes a few weeks to build up anyway.

Hi Lucy, thanks so much for your reply. I feel a bit more "relaxed" and only 2 days to go for my phone appointment. thanks so much.

 

[cr7lv]

It's pretty high but not panic-mode high. I was 89 mmol/mol at diagnosis and am now "normal" & plenty of people around here started at 100+ and also got down to "normal".

I found this pic useful when I was getting a handle on things.

View attachment 24236

You're up in the orangey too-high zone but below the red maybe-start-to-panic-a-bit-now zone 🙂

You have plenty of time to work out a strategy, appropriate for you, in consultation with your docs and nurses and guidance from the NHS and Diabetes UK, and maybe some input from people on message boards like this once you've learned enough from the professional guidance to sort between the good, the bad & the deranged when it comes to the Internet.

Good luck!

Hi Eddy, thank you so much for the advise and the chart. It brought me peace of mind. Will the nurse give me a diet plan or do I need to search for that myself? I am not overweight, but it seems I need to reduce carbs in my diet. I love those cakes and chocolates.

 

[cr7lv]

Hi, Has the link with Haemochromatosis and diabetes been discussed with you?

Please try not to panic, I know a new diagnosis can be really overwhelming and sometimes it’s hard to see the way out, but you can always see your next step, just keep taking those xx

Hi Emma, no, I still have not had my diagnosis or phone appointment. I was only diagnosed haemochromatosis less than a year ago and I don't take any medication or have any special plan to manage this condition. The only thing I have done voluntarily is to give blood twice. I will mention this condition when I speak to the nurse. thanks.

 

[cr7lv]

As you have mentioned haemochromatosis which could affect the normal test HbA1C for diabetes then it would be worth asking for a different test which is a Fructosamine test which would be more accurate as the HbA1C is not reliable if people have blood disorders
In the meantime you should be looking to reduce your intake of high carbohydrate foods particularly cakes, biscuits, sugary drinks, potatoes, rice, bread and pasta which are the big hitters in their effect on blood glucose.
You might want to look at this link which has good explanation and meal ideas.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk

The Learning Zone here is also full of information and links.

Dear Leadinglights, thank you so much for your advise about the alternative test. I will mention this to my nurse. I am starting to get familiar with this website, so will check the Learning Zone. Thanks so much.

 

[cr7lv]

Sorry you’ve been having such a worrying and stressful time @cr7lv

Hope next week’s appointment puts your mind at rest, and gives you a positive and practical way forward.

It might be helpful to take a notepad with you. Note down all the questions and worries you have over the next few days, and things you’d like to check, then leave a gap between them so you can make notes.

As a person with diabetes your check-ups and appointments will become more collaborative and making sure you remember all the things you meant to ask can be important - especially once the conversation starts flowing, and the Dr or nurse starts asking you questions in turn!

Thanks everydayupsanddowns, my appointment is via telephone and I am preparing my list of questions etc. Nowadays this is how they do this, everything over the phone. If I need medication I hope that they can prescribe it over the phone. Is it true that people with diabetes don't have to pay for prescriptions? thanks

 

[grovesy]

Prescriptions are only free if you are onmedication, and you need to apply for an exemption certificate.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Is it true that people with diabetes don't have to pay for prescriptions? thanks

Yes if you need to take medication to help with your diabetes management, then any prescriptions (whether or not they are directly related to your diabetes) are covered by a medical exemption.

Ask your pharmacist for a form (which your Dr needs to sign I think?). You’ll then have a medical exemption card which you’ll need to renew every few years if you stay on diabetes meds.

If you pay for prescriptions in the meantime you can claim that back once your form has been assessed. 🙂

 

[Tdm]

Yes, needs to be signed by dr or someone else who is authorised by the dr
until you get it, make sure you ask for the fp57 prescription refund receipt Afrom tbe pharmacy when you pay for prescription.
If you are sucessful in getting the 5 year medical exemption cert it will be backdated for one month
Provided the medical ex cert covers the date on the fp57 refund receipt, and its within 3 months if the date you paid for the prescription, you can get a refund over the counter from the pharmacy