False positive?

[Sharron1]

I wonder if I can draw on all your experience wrt my diabetes. Can the Hba1c give a false positive? Since my first Hba1c test two years ago, which itself was lost and then found.It was done at a private clinic because my GP wouldn't let me have a test as I had none of the usual symptoms (which I know does happen). I have finger pricked (after all my meals- it was early days, not so much now) regularly since July 2018 I have had one at 10 (October 2018) and that was because I tested quite soon after I had eaten. My diet hasn't changed that much, porridge for breakfast, toast at lunchtime. I didn't ever eat spuds and cake. I rarely ate pasta. So my diet is pretty much the same. I take metformin am and pm x2). I don't know how much the Met has contributed to my readings. I have looked back in my food diary and even with 'new' foods the readings are consistently between 5.5-6.5. The other two Hba1c results as you can see are in the non diabetic range. I tentatively tried to ask my GP a question, she wouldn't t let me finish and simply told me it is too early to come off Metformin, not what I had even asked. I know I have mentioned this before, but everytime I finger prick test it is always 5.5-6.5. It bothers me. At the time I didn't even think of asking for a 2nd Hba1c, i had torn a ligament and was in soooo much pain. I wasn't thinking straight.While i am on a moan, a different GP misdiagnoised my torn ligament 'wear and tear', age etc... Again, went privately had an MRI and found out what the problem was and had some physio. To add to my joy at my surgery, i couldn't get to see the GO once my Hba1c results were found. So the receptionist explained them to me...Sorry about this rant, everynow and then it comes back to 'haunt' me. I know I can't turn the clock back, would be nice sometimes

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[Bruce Stephens]

Can the Hba1c give a false positive?

Yes. It's known not to work well for some people (I'm not sure why).

It's also known that anaemia can cause a high reading. (So if the first one's a little bit high, your GP might try another one in a few months before recommending any treatment.)

 

[Sharron1]

Yes. It's known not to work well for some people (I'm not sure why).

It's also known that anaemia can cause a high reading. (So if the first one's a little bit high, your GP might try another one in a few months before recommending any treatment.)

Ah... well I am stuck with this now. Just one of those things that niggles and then some more. Especially as prior to the first Hba1c, i went to a local chemist for an overnight fast finger prick the following day and that was 5.5. While I know the finger pricking is a snap shot. I just look at the food diary and they are consistently in non diabetic range.Going to have to learn to live with this.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Going to have to learn to live with this.

You should get an HbA1c test every six months (I think) and may get one more often. If they become routinely below 42 it's quite possible they'll try dropping the metformin. You might still be stuck with the label (and the regular check ups and things), but I'm not sure even that's certain.

 

[Sharron1]

Time will tell!

 

[Ralph-YK]

You should get an HbA1c test every six months (I think) and may get one more often.

Might be 3 months when you're first diagnosed. Then 6. For me quickly went to yearly. So, in two (full) years, you should have had at least three (the first being the one that gave the diagnoses), and reasonably 4 or 5.
Prepare what you want to say. Since you get more time with the "diabetic" nurse (as well as diabetes being passed to the practice nurse straight off & Dr not dealing with it), it might be worth taking it up with them. Or maybe send a letter, addressed specifically to the person who deals with you for the diabetes.

 

[Sharron1]

Might be 3 months when you're first diagnosed. Then 6. For me quickly went to yearly. So, in two (full) years, you should have had at least three (the first being the one that gave the diagnoses), and reasonably 4 or 5.
Prepare what you want to say. Since you get more time with the "diabetic" nurse (as well as diabetes being passed to the practice nurse straight off & Dr not dealing with it), it might be worth taking it up with them. Or maybe send a letter, addressed specifically to the person who deals with you for the diabetes.

Thanks for that. I think that is best for me to have a chat with the nurse. As for Hba1c tests, the last one I had was February 2020 and my GP insisited I have one in September, which is fine by me.

 

[Eddy Edson]

What's your main concern? Looked at one way, you had one HbA1c result in the diabetic range and no apparent signs of diabetes apart from that, while you haven't changed your diet etc very much.

So just keep doing what you do and forget about the D thing except for checking yr HbA1c from time to time, which probably isn't a bad thing to do for everybody as they get a bit older.

But maybe that misses the mark?

 

[Sharron1]

What's your main concern? Looked at one way, you had one HbA1c result in the diabetic range and no apparent signs of diabetes apart from that, while you haven't changed your diet etc very much.

So just keep doing what you do and forget about the D thing except for checking yr HbA1c from time to time, which probably isn't a bad thing to do for everybody as they get a bit older.

But maybe that misses the mark?

Hi,

No, you are absolutely correct. There is no major concern, just a faint niggle at the way I was treated which in time should diminish. Probably to be replaced by a different niggle.