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HbA1c question.

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
G

Greymouser

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I got the result of my latest blood test today and it was 43, which was good. 🙂 However it raised a question, because I could not get the answer out of the specialist nurse, I came here.

I will not be getting another blood test for six months, which I thought was a little odd, but never mind. I currently have two Metformin a day and would have hoped that medication could be reduced with a decent result like that. My question is: Just how many times will I have to get a decent result like that, before they will consider a reduction? Anyone know? 🙂

Do I need to get pushy yet?
 
Greymouser said:
I got the result of my latest blood test today and it was 43, which was good. 🙂 However it raised a question, because I could not get the answer out of the specialist nurse, I came here.

I will not be getting another blood test for six months, which I thought was a little odd, but never mind. I currently have two Metformin a day and would have hoped that medication could be reduced with a decent result like that. My question is: Just how many times will I have to get a decent result like that, before they will consider a reduction? Anyone know? 🙂

Do I need to get pushy yet?
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Brilliant result Greymouser! There isn’t a prescribed time for medication to change, it’s depends on clinical decisions and the practice of the surgery. I suspect because it’s less than a year since you registered a very high Hba1c, they may be reluctant to reduce your Metformin yet. If it’s as low as that in another 6 months, I’d ask again. I’d want to move to diet control only in your situation but it could be they want to make sure you can maintain those levels (and possibly reduce them) for your next appointment. Important thing is you are now out of diabetic range and just in pre-diabetic 🙂
 
I’ve no direct experience of Metformin, but I have half a memory that there may be some cardio-protective action as well as reducing insulin resistance.

While I can understand you wanting to reduce medication, it might be worth reading around to see if I’ve remembered that right, just in case there are other factors to consider.

Of course if Met is causing you gastric upheaval, that vague possible benefit for the future would be completely outweighed by a medication reduction.

I guess as a T1 I’ve just become pretty immune to the idea of life relying on medication!
 
Oh... I should have echoed @Amigo’s congratulations on your excellent HbA1c. Fantastic work - really pleased that all your effort is paying off.
 
Well done Greymouser,you have obviously worked hard. I refused to start on the medication and have managed to avoid it so far. I agree that they will probably want to see you maintain or improve on your excellent figure. Even if it is more or less the same ask them at your next review. Give yourself a big pat on the back for an excellent result.
 
Well done, and can’t offer any comment as I don’t know
 
Greymouser said:
I got the result of my latest blood test today and it was 43, which was good. 🙂 However it raised a question, because I could not get the answer out of the specialist nurse, I came here.

I will not be getting another blood test for six months, which I thought was a little odd, but never mind. I currently have two Metformin a day and would have hoped that medication could be reduced with a decent result like that. My question is: Just how many times will I have to get a decent result like that, before they will consider a reduction? Anyone know? 🙂

Do I need to get pushy yet?
Click to expand...
Exceptionally well Done Greymouser.
 
Great results.🙂
 
Thanks guys for the congrats, though unneeded, they were still nice. 🙂 Looking closer at my blood tests, ( she printed them off for me, ) it seems they are watching my renal results, because there may be some renal damage, though the previous renal scan showed nothing. I worry way too much I think. 😳

everydayupsanddowns said:
I’ve no direct experience of Metformin, but I have half a memory that there may be some cardio-protective action as well as reducing insulin resistance.

While I can understand you wanting to reduce medication, it might be worth reading around to see if I’ve remembered that right, just in case there are other factors to consider.

Of course if Met is causing you gastric upheaval, that vague possible benefit for the future would be completely outweighed by a medication reduction.

I guess as a T1 I’ve just become pretty immune to the idea of life relying on medication!
Click to expand...

Yes I had read it is used to benefit other things too, but doubt that is part of the reason for the medication as my cardiologist has not said anything about that. 🙂 I see her again in February, though only because she want to play with my blood pressure medication.o_O It seems I am tolerating Metformin really well, apart for the occasional bout of wind...

Edit: Just remembered another question: Will my blood sugars increase rapidly if they do reduce my Metformin, causing me to have to go even lower carbs?
 
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6 months between HbA1c tests is very common from what I can tell. Quite possibly seeing the nurse just once a year. And some only have the test once a year.
 
Hi Greymouser ~ I echo @Amigo's words. Well done for such an excellent result ~ if you can keep your levels in an acceptable range until your next review your Diabetes Specialist Nurse or GP may reduce the Metformin at that time. I can't tolerate Metformin so for the last 16 months I worked diligently to reduce my bgls by managing my diabetes with diet control and exercise only. My last HbA1c result was 32 (Non diabetic) However, each individual is different and my way of doing it may not suit you just yet. I would suggest you hang on until your next see your GP or DSN and in the meantime keep your consumption of carborhydrates to the minimum. Take care & good luck.
 
I stopped taking the tablets as I felt so ill - there was no increase in my blood glucose levels, and once I could go out of the house again my levels dropped quite significantly. Diet and activity are far more effective than Metformin in lowering blood glucose as far as I can tell.
 
Drummer said:
I stopped taking the tablets as I felt so ill - there was no increase in my blood glucose levels, and once I could go out of the house again my levels dropped quite significantly. Diet and activity are far more effective than Metformin in lowering blood glucose as far as I can tell.
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I was in the same position Drummer ~ was very ill and literally housebound with the awful side effects of Metformin. Took myself off this med and when I was able to go out again I saw my GP to tell him. He was ok with this as I had kept my levels in good range. As said above I continued to manage my diabetes with diet control and exercise only. Thus my last HbA1c was 32 (None diabetic) It took me 16 months to achieve this.
 
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