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HbA1c puzzle

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MargB

MargB

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Well, just before going away I went for a blood test thinking it was only for my thyroid but nurse said she would HbA1C as well. Went in this evening and asked for my results to be told "normal - stay on current medication". So, I smiled and said there should be a HbA1C result too and receptionist said "yes, it is normal". Explained there is a level and I would like to know what it is so she investigated a bit more and the nurse has just put on the computer "normal".

Erm, should I send a note in to my doctor saying how fantastic it is that I am no longer diabetic but back to being normal?

What do you reckon? 🙂 :D :D
 
Oh and when I was in for the blood test she took my BP which was 97/64. Said it was a bit low but OK as long as I was not feeling faint when I stood up, etc. Gulp! Actually, sometimes I do feel faint so I told her and she didn't want to know.

Yours, ever so fed up,
Margaret
 
Definitely! Write to the National Enquirer as well.
 
Eee! I would be so vexed! They must have a record of the number somewhere Marg, unless they have misinterpreted the new units the HbA1c is being expressed in, and decided that 'normal' and 'not really that bad, considering' and 'a bit higher than we'd like' is how patients should be told 🙂 I'd ask the doctor next time you go.
 
So all this was told to you by the receptionist? It happened to me about a year or so ago I went to get my hbA to be told by the receptionist oh its very high you need to see the doctor, sent me into panic overdrive and found out from the doc it was 7.6 not what I would call totally fatel but i made sure my doctor knew that her receptionist was clearly more knowledgeble then her.

I would certainly if not phone then write a letter of complaint x
 
I feel annoyed that I have put in so much effort and feel patronised by "normal". I learnt through the thyroid problem that "normal" has quite a wide range so am I near the top of "normal"?

The last few months I have relaxed and really want to know what difference that has made to my levels, especially as they don't want me testing. I shall phone my doctor tomorrow (she only works Mondays and Tuesday mornings) and see if she will call me back but then I feel that would be wasting her time.

I need a holiday.
 
Well, I phoned the practice, made an appointment to see my gp and then asked that a note be sent through to the practice nurse asking her to put the full results onto the computer. Stressed that I was not having a go at Reception, I think they do a great job but I have put a lot of work into controlling my diabetes, the practice do not want me to test so my only way of knowing if my efforts are worth it are via the HbA1c results. Also said I would phone later in the week and ask for those results. Said "normal" is not the right response.

That was yesterday and the practice is only open in the mornings on a Wednesday so I will phone tomorrow - if I remember!

Wish me luck.
 
Hi Marg has they been any further developments ?
 
MargB said:
Well, I phoned the practice, made an appointment to see my gp and then asked that a note be sent through to the practice nurse asking her to put the full results onto the computer. Stressed that I was not having a go at Reception, I think they do a great job but I have put a lot of work into controlling my diabetes, the practice do not want me to test so my only way of knowing if my efforts are worth it are via the HbA1c results. Also said I would phone later in the week and ask for those results. Said "normal" is not the right response.

That was yesterday and the practice is only open in the mornings on a Wednesday so I will phone tomorrow - if I remember!

Wish me luck.
Click to expand...

The same thing happened to me last month when I rang for my result. I was told by the receptionist that it was normal, no further treatment. The result was 52. I told her there should be a percent figure for the result and she said they must have given you the wrong blood test. I realised later that it was the new way of giving the result and 52 was 6.9% which was later confirmed by my DN. You can find the conversion table on the Diabetic uk site. Hope this helps.
 
Hi, they have always given me the number numbers and I have converted but this time it just said "normal".
 
Have just been back in to pick up a repeat prescription and the HbA1C is .... 38.

I convert that is 5.6 which is exactly the same as it was in December which is brilliant news as I know I am more relaxed and having a slice of cake, 2 or 3 biccies.

But - have they read the recent results or are they exactly the same because they are the results from December?

Horrible when your confidence is knocked.
 
That's terrific Marg. I have had results that match previous ones in the past, so I would think it's correct 🙂
 
MargB said:
Have just been back in to pick up a repeat prescription and the HbA1C is .... 38.

I convert that is 5.6 which is exactly the same as it was in December which is brilliant news as I know I am more relaxed and having a slice of cake, 2 or 3 biccies.

But - have they read the recent results or are they exactly the same because they are the results from December?

Horrible when your confidence is knocked.
Click to expand...

Oh no Marg whats supposed to be a happy occasion has turned into a load of confusion, I do hope your hbA has stayed at 5.6% as that is brilliant ones things for sure you need to be certain
 
Congratulations on the HbA, I think? It might be worth making sure they gave you the latest results, mind you, it would be great if it hasn't changed.
 
I am seeing my GP early September so I will ask her to check they are the latest results.

Going off on holidays soon so not going to worry about it It could be right, although I have reached my target weight I have not lost much since December.
 
I hope the results are the right ones and that you have maintained that fantastic number. It's horrid when you lose confidence in people.

I remember when I was first diagnosed and no matter what I did I still felt really ill. I have a history of kidney desease and the symptoms are very similar to very high BG's. I asked at the surgery if my kidney function was okay and was told it was so I blamed the diabetes and was just about starving myself. Of course I wasn't self testing then because I didn't need to did I? I was just feeling worse and worse so made an appointment with the GP and was told my kidney function was much worse and had been since diagnosis with D. I was so angry and insisted on getting ALL my results in writing every time from then on. A lot of huffing and puffing from the receptionist but it's now practice policy to make a follow up appointment to discuss our results when we have our bood tests done. See, I lead and others follow! 🙂 XXXXX
 
MargB said:
I am seeing my GP early September so I will ask her to check they are the latest results.

Going off on holidays soon so not going to worry about it It could be right, although I have reached my target weight I have not lost much since December.
Click to expand...

Marg have a lovely time and dont let it spoil your hols x

YOU yourself know how well you have done and so do all your freinds in here
 
Thanks Steff. I do feel I have friends on here so it was lovely of you to write that.
 
i have decided after the **** up over the last few weeks and repeeting bloods, that when ever i have my Hba done i will make an appointment to see the nurse, as i did last week!!! even though the receptionist kept asking me why i wanted to see the nurse!!! i said to discuss my diabetes!!

makes me soooo angry!!!!

great results marge well done i think lol xxx
 
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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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