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HbA1c going up…

S

Sussexmax

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Just had my latest HbA1c test result and my score has gone up to 42. Fair to say that I’m feeling disheartened and upset to be back at pre-diabetic levels despite being on three different medications. I know type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition and I’ve been diabetic for nearly five years, but I really hope this isn’t the start of an uphill struggle!
 
Hi @Sussexmax, welcome to the forum. The increase in HbA1c is not helpful I am sure but you are still at the lower end of the pre-diabetic range so you are still doing well. In fact if you look at this from the other perspective, keeping your HbA1c so low over a period of years is actually an impressive feat.
The medication can help but like any thing that you take continuously, it may be that the medication is becoming less effective in your body. If that is the case, then changes to the medication or trying new approaches in other areas may help you to push back the increase. For example you could review your diet and lifestyle to see if there are any changes you could make there that might help. E.g. increasing exercise or adjusting the levels of carbs in the diet.
If not already proposed, I would ask for a chat with the Diabetes Nurse to discuss options and ideas. The fact that it is only 42 may mean that there are no concerns on their side as you are still not in the dangerous range, but if you ask to chat about it they may engage with you to discuss the options.
 
evening @Sussexmax, you have previously done ever so well, and reduced your HbA1c down
I see you are currently taking Mounjaro, is this a recent addition to your medication, Is it as part of your Diabetes medication ? - or do you take it for weight loss reasons (hope you didn’t mind me asking)
 
JimmyBlue said:
Hi @Sussexmax, welcome to the forum. The increase in HbA1c is not helpful I am sure but you are still at the lower end of the pre-diabetic range so you are still doing well. In fact if you look at this from the other perspective, keeping your HbA1c so low over a period of years is actually an impressive feat.
The medication can help but like any thing that you take continuously, it may be that the medication is becoming less effective in your body. If that is the case, then changes to the medication or trying new approaches in other areas may help you to push back the increase. For example you could review your diet and lifestyle to see if there are any changes you could make there that might help. E.g. increasing exercise or adjusting the levels of carbs in the diet.
If not already proposed, I would ask for a chat with the Diabetes Nurse to discuss options and ideas. The fact that it is only 42 may mean that there are no concerns on their side as you are still not in the dangerous range, but if you ask to chat about it they may engage with you to discuss the options.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your kind reply and suggestions! I know that I’m only just back in pre-diabetes numbers, but I’m already on three different medications for it - and this is a 20% increase on a few months ago.
When I was first diagnosed I managed to bring my HbA1c down to the mid 30s with initially one and then two meds. At that time it was my hope to stay low and get into remission by getting off the meds altogether. That’s clearly not going to happen now, and I’m coming to terms with always being diabetic!
 
goodybags said:
evening @Sussexmax, you have previously done ever so well, and reduced your HbA1c down
I see you are currently taking Mounjaro, is this a recent addition to your medication, Is it as part of your Diabetes medication ? - or do you take it for weight loss reasons (hope you didn’t mind me asking)
Click to expand...
Thanks for your message! I’m taking mounjaro for both weight loss and for my diabetes. I’m on 5mg at the moment and would prefer not to take any more. Maybe they will increase my metformin or dapagliflozin?
 
Or Max, perhaps you could reduce the amount of carbohydrate you're consuming and check the portion sizes of all of your food and drinks?
 
trophywench said:
Or Max, perhaps you could reduce the amount of carbohydrate you're consuming and check the portion sizes of all of your food and drinks?
Click to expand...
I try to eat pretty healthily! Obviously I didn’t before my diagnosis, but in recent times I keep an eye on carb and sugar quantities - which is what makes me a bit concerned about the increase. I’ve lost over 6 stone compared to my weight in 2020!
 
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