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Hba1c vs BG

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guybrush

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Hi, I've got my hba1c test coming in 8 weeks time. Hoping to have a drastic drop from 75 where I was a couple of weeks ago.

I know hba1c is a 3 month average of my blood sugar level over that time.

In terms of my everyday BG numbers what should it be if I wanted to get the hba1c down to 48 or below?
 
My basic understanding is there is no direct comparison, but there are a couple of rough guides.
I've seen this one a few times, see attached.
The HbA1c measures summit slightly different to the finger prick BG test, eg: the amount of glucose stuck to blood cells, and the blood cells last three months, hence the 3 monthly HbA1c blood test, so it gives an "average", but I may be wrong. Or something similar.... someone will be along to give the correct answer I'm sure... 😎

Also bear in mind your daily BG levels will vary all day, depending what time it is, what you have eaten, how active you've been, whether you are ill or not, how stressed you are, etc, etc, (Theres a list somewhere that shows 40+ things that can affect your BG levels).
Hence the 3 monthly HbA1c test is more accurate, I think.
 

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guybrush said:
Hi, I've got my hba1c test coming in 8 weeks time. Hoping to have a drastic drop from 75 where I was a couple of weeks ago.

I know hba1c is a 3 month average of my blood sugar level over that time.

In terms of my everyday BG numbers what should it be if I wanted to get the hba1c down to 48 or below?
Click to expand...
This is not a direct comparison as the HbA1C ad finger prick tests measure something different but a general guidance is that if your fasting readings are between 4 and 7 mmol/l and 2 hour post meal are below 8-8.5mmol/l for the majority of the preceding 3 months prior to the Hba1C it is likely that it will be below 48mmol/mol. But that is only a guide.
 
42factorsposter.png
EDIT, not sure if this chart is only applicable for T2D or for T1D (and others) as well? Cheers
 
Leadinglights said:
This is not a direct comparison as the HbA1C ad finger prick tests measure something different but a general guidance is that if your fasting readings are between 4 and 7 mmol/l and 2 hour post meal are below 8-8.5mmol/l for the majority of the preceding 3 months prior to the Hba1C it is likely that it will be below 48mmol/mol. But that is only a guide.
Click to expand...
I've only been testing 2 hours post meal and they have been under 7 each time for a couple of weeks now. Need to start testing some fasting numbers
 
guybrush said:
I've only been testing 2 hours post meal and they have been under 7 each time for a couple of weeks now. Need to start testing some fasting numbers
Click to expand...
Sounds like you have cracked your meals then, some people find morning readings are the last to come down so don't get disheartened if they still seem a bit high.
 
@guybrush are you on medication? Mine was 69 end of June my request, shocked at so high. Cut out processed food pastry etc. Cut back bread. Think i cut out potato and rice. I was disappointed when had only dropped to 64. I'm fat and before receiving medication at end of August had lost 10 kg. My next hba1c in September was 58. My testing was a bit variable and I have had a course of oral steroids. My lowest reading was 5.1 and highest after lentil soup and roll 14 but steroids may have contributed. I have been eating chocolate biscuits ( occasionally) and bread ( occasionally) to keep my carbs up as on an SGLT2. Ive also had the stress of very high blood pressure 198 over 103 it appears as a result of one blood pressure tablet being removed when new diabetes med added in September. Have old tablet back blood pressure fine.
I would have thought 5 to 8 would be good. Despite feeling unwell since September possibly related to blood pressure not medicated properly my hba1c last week was 44.
Be kind to yourself.
You want your readings to be gradually reducing and preferably not rising more than 3 mol after food. My 14 was unusual but despite that and a 13 during steroid course last month I've dropped 14
When I had my cataract op end of October I stayed in a hotel in the city where it took place in case I had a crisis ( I didnt) and treated myself to meals I wanted. I had yoghurt and fruit for breakfast First day French restaurant celeriac remoulade followed by steak and frites.
Second day a Spanish tapas bar
Third day a Sunday roast where I ate the Yorkshire pudding and roasties although I chose chicken and it was served with 7 veg.
ive spent the last months watching how dedicated most people were and hoping I'd get a 48 so 44 is a miracle.

Good luck
 
Yes I'm on medication. Started on 1 metformin a day and 2 glicozide. Then increase metformin by 1 a day each week. Started on week 3 today, so 3 metformin for the next week until I reach 4 a day.

Nurse says I will end up coming off the glicozide hopefully soon. I've lost 2st since beginning of November so things are going in right direction.

Initially I cut carbs completely but quickly realised that was silly. I was having half portions of rice or pasta with meal. I tested having a full portion of rice last night with chilli and bloods were fine 2 hours after.

I guess it's difficult to tell how much impact the meds are having and if I wasn't on them would the full portion of rice take me sky high? Guess I'll find out in the future!
 
I started on 1 slow release metformin reaching 4 first week in September, then had the SGLT2 added and metformin reduced to 2. Then 2 weeks later a statin added. Something has been upsetting me. Diarrehea only stopped a week ago. I felt knocked off course when the SGLT2 was added because no one could say how many carbs I needed. I had been eating 80 to 120. I was finding some days I didn't feel hungry enough for supper and was a bit carb light. More recently I've had things like a half portion of cottage pie with extra veg. I only usually have a helping of one carby veg. I was eating loads of fish but have introduced more meat. My weight loss has tailed off a bit because of more carbs. I've lost another half stone.
I say portion control and moving more are best advice.
Good luck.
 
Sounds like you are getting on really well @guybrush

And congrats on the weight loss too 🙂

Hope your follow-up HbA1c gives you an encouraging result that reflects the effort you’ve been putting in 🙂
 
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