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HBA1C Test - Standards?

T

Tac0caT

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi All,

I was under the impression that HBA1C tests were every 3 months - whether I plucked that out of the air because that is the length of time HBA1C measures (Approx) or not I don't know.

Long story short - My doctors surgery has just told me that this an annual test and I will not have one now until December 2025, but I was expecting one around now as it has been 3 months.

How often do you all have yours?
 
HBA1C provides an indication of average BG management over the last 3 months which maybe where you got your 3 months from.
My GP surgery test HBA1c twice per year - on my birthday and 6 months later/earlier. However, my diabetes review is "annually" about every 18 months apart.
 
Again the postcode lottery strikes! I had one 3 months after the initial test in which I was diagnosed, then at 6 months and annually since then, although the rotters have thrown an extra 6 monthly one in for me next month!
 
I see you have done magnificently getting down to 37. I don't know if you have an annual medical at your surgery, I'm now retired and have never had a medical and been told now I'm diabetic I am not eligible. I would expect you to be tested annually but if you have other medical conditions you may persuade them to test you after 6 months. You can ask them they'll say yes or no. I'm still a little aggrieved having been tested 10 years ago with a reading of 40 but I wasn't told, I was only tested 6 months ago at my request. I had a test in December in anticipation of my first diabetes review but assume next test will be in a year.
 
I have been told I only need an annual hba1c - in fact, I had my first, one after 3 months, then another one 3 months later, and then it went to a year.
 
Unfortunately and in agreement with what @Vonny has said, it may well be a postcode lottery.

In my case, I was first tested with an HBA1c of 51 (diabetic), my doc gave me 3 months to sort it out and then have another test, which I did and scored 46 (pre diabetic) he has now given me 6 months until another test, I guess to ensure that I haven't crept back into the diabetic range.

That said, we are all different and it will be the doctors judgement call on how often one gets tested
 
My HbA1C is annual. I wouldn’t expect one every 6 months. The only time I had frequent HbA1Cs was during my pregnancies.
 
It does seem to vary between different surgeries but it is usual to have a test 3 months after diagnosis then after another 6 months to check the treatment is working and if things are heading in the right direction every year after that. Unless of course people are unwell and it could be because something has changed.
 
I seem to get them twice a year at my GP surgery. My review is done by the practice nurse in Feb which s my birth month and I get BP and toe tickles/foot pulses etc and then I get a blood test August/Sept and the nurse usually rings me with the result then although I generally access it online before that. Then I have an appointment with the consultant approx. annually although the new guy is going back to 6 months for some reason. I told him I didn't see the point of having more blood tests when I had them done in Sept and Feb and he has access to the GP results so is happy to go along with that.

I think they are only done after 3 months when first diagnosed to check that medication or lifestyle changes are working and then if things are improved or stable then it may be 6 monthly or annual. Perhaps with your result being in the normal range now, they are happy to just check annually.
 
I had a recent set of tests (feet, BP, HbA1c, etc) which was three months after diagnosis. The nurse advised that they like to do the tests annually around your birthday so I think I will be getting another set of tests in June. However, I also got the feeling that once everything is lined up, I am likely to only get my checks every 12 months unless something materially changes in the meantime.
 
I get mine annually now that I am stable and maintaining the same treatment regime. However when things were more variable I did get a test every 3 months. It makes sense to reduce the number of tests if things are stable and ok, no point in the NHS spending on tests that more than likely would give a similar result.
 
Tac0caT said:
Long story short - My doctors surgery has just told me that this an annual test and I will not have one now until December 2025, but I was expecting one around now as it has been 3 months.
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Mine is annual which is what’s required. You may occasionally have one after 3 months if uncontrolled and changing medication
 
Thanks for your responses.

It's unfortunate that the consensus appears to be annual testing.

I went pedal to the floor with Keto from the start just to get the numbers down, the plan was always to re-introduce carbs to a certain amount just to see what affect it had on my HBA1C, and a test at 3 or even 6 months would have been handy to give me some idea of how that change was properly affecting me.

My 90 day average is 6.6 mmol/L - but obviously that is not a full picture.

Has anyone ever had a private HBA1C test done? I see boots offer one.
 
Tac0caT said:
Has anyone ever had a private HBA1C test done? I see boots offer one.
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I’d just monitor with fingerpricks in between.
 
I agree with @Lucyr - when I am coming up to my annual hba1c I just do some checking with finger pricks to get an idea.
Occasionally I might buy a Libre sensor to get an idea.
 
harbottle said:
I agree with @Lucyr - when I am coming up to my annual hba1c I just do some checking with finger pricks to get an idea.
Occasionally I might buy a Libre sensor to get an idea.
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I agree with Harbottle but I don't like finger pricking. I think buying a Libre sensor is a better idea if and when you are worried about your HbA1c (24 hour data).

My HbA1c history:
Dec 22: 117 - Diagnosis
Mar 23: 39 - Weight loss 15 kg (portion controlled, real food Newcastle diet)
Jul 23: 32; - Weight loss 22 kg (target)
Jun 24: 32 - Weight maintennce (severe Gastroeneritis in Vietnam, April 24)
Sep 24: 39 - Worried about 7 point jump in 3 months !!!
Jan 25: 35* - Relieved, as expected in Jun 24 and Sep 24
Jul 25**: aiming for 34-35, diet and exercise, monitoring only weight and general condition
* result received this morning
** 6 month test booked at my request last week

As my HbA1c back to normal for now, I'll think again about a Libre sensor and dietary changes after the July 25 test result.
 
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