HbA1c levels

[Aubrey45]

Hi, looking for advice on HbA1c levels. Sorry this is so long.
For the past 4 years I’ve had readings of 47/48 and was told I was glucose intolerant. My test in November it had risen to 53 and I was told I was in the diabetic range and would be tested again in 6 months so I adjusted my diet to try & get it back down. The past few months I’ve had a few health issues along with the typical symptoms of type 2 diabetes. An eye test has shown bleeding behind my eyes which the optician put down to diabetes or high blood pressure and requested I get another blood test. My BP was monitored for 2 weeks & came back fine (I’m already on medication for it). My HbA1c came back as 52 and the Dr has told me that’s fine. But everything I’ve read says if it’s over 48 it’s diabetes. I’ve got 4 sisters that have it so I know I’m at risk of getting it. Should I just assume I have it and make any necessary changes to my lifestyle or am I panicking over nothing?

 

[Bruce Stephens]

But everything I’ve read says if it’s over 48 it’s diabetes.

That's correct in that it is the cutoff.

There are some things which can (temporarily) raise HbA1c, which is part of why it's normal to repeat at least borderline test results after a few months.

Bleeding behind your eyes sounds like it's something that should be taken seriously. (I confess I'm not exactly sure what it means, so perhaps it's not as urgent as it sounds.)

What is HbA1c?

HbA1c is your average blood glucose (sugar) levels for the last two to three months. If you have diabetes, an ideal HbA1c level is 48mmol/mol (6.5%) or below. If you're at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, your target HbA1c level should be below 42mmol/mol (6%).

www.diabetes.org.uk

 

[Lucyr]

My test in November it had risen to 53 and I was told I was in the diabetic range

It sounds like you’ve already been told you have diabetes but if you’re unsure make an appt with your GP to ask

 

[Aubrey45]

It sounds like you’ve already been told you have diabetes but if you’re unsure make an appt with your GP to ask

Hi Lucy, I was told I was in the range but they don’t give an official diagnosis until 2 blood tests have been done. After the 2nd test with a reading of 52 I was told by my GP don’t have diabetes & everything was fine. I’m so confused by it all, it’s stressing me out but I don’t know if I’m just being neurotic.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

After the 2nd test with a reading of 52 I was told by my GP don’t have diabetes & everything was fine.

I'd query that, since as you say it's in the range for diabetes. It may be that your GP has some other test indicating that the HbA1c is higher than it should be but they ought to be able to give an explanation.

 

[Leadinglights]

, Hi Lucy, I was told I was in the range but they don’t give an official diagnosis until 2 blood tests have been done. After the 2nd test with a reading of 52 I was told by my GP don’t have diabetes & everything was fine. I’m so confused by it all, it’s stressing me out but I don’t know if I’m just being neurotic.

I'm afraid your GP is incorrect as the threshold for a diabetic diagnosis is anything over 47mmol/mol, in fact had you been aware over the last 4 years that you were so close to a diabetes diagnosis you could perhaps have avoided symptoms by making some dietary changes. The level you are it should be perfectly possible to reduce your blood glucose without medication but it certainly should be taken seriously.
Many find a low carb approach successful and this link may give you some ideas for modifying your diet. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com.
Once you have had a test that shows you are over the threshold especially if you have symptoms that is usually sufficient as it is unlikely to change much in even a couple of weeks as the HbA1C is a 3 month average.

 

[Lucyr]

Hi Lucy, I was told I was in the range but they don’t give an official diagnosis until 2 blood tests have been done. After the 2nd test with a reading of 52 I was told by my GP don’t have diabetes & everything was fine. I’m so confused by it all, it’s stressing me out but I don’t know if I’m just being neurotic.

Make an appt with GP or request a phone call to discuss then

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

How confusing for you @Aubrey45

Was it the same GP you saw both times?

Did they literally say, “That’s fine” (as in, thats a reasonable HbA1c for someone with diabetes and you are doing well)

or did the GP specifically say that you don’t have diabetes (which would be odd).

The second HbA1c was to confirm the diagnosis, and both results came back over 48mmol/mol, which would usually be enough to confirm a diagnosis.

It’s a very confusing situation for you! Unfortunately you wouldn’t be the first member here to have a confirmed diagnosis noted on their records, but not to have that clearly explained to them.

It does sound like you need to discuss your results again, to getvto the bottom of this!

 

[AndBreathe]

I have read that an HbA1c test should not be done if the person is unwell (presumably unwell with something not diabetes symptoms/related). That may be why your GP is not making an immediate diagnosis.

When are you scheduled for another test?

In the meantime, in your shoes, I'd definitely try to take some steps to mitigate what may or not be going on. If you need to, perhaps trim up a bit, and cut back on the sweet and starchy stuff in your diet.

 

[Maz2]

I would make an appointment to discuss this with the GP. As someone has already said if you were ill it could affect the hba1c. 52 is definitely in the diabetic range as I thought it was diagnosed at 47. My GPs started bringing it up at pre-diabetes levels of 42 plus. I had a reading of 42 and was called in to see them. It got back to normal for a few years but has now gone back to 42. They think it may be age related insulin resistance and they are going to repeat it again next year.

Definitely make an appointment to go through the results with the GP. They know more than I do and there may be a reason why they have said what they have said.

Is there a GP who specialises in diabetes at your surgery? We have one but not every surgery does. I live in a busy urban area though with a very high incidence of diabetes. In fact, I think we have one of the highest levels in the country.