HbA1c

[Ophipity]

Hi!
I have no idea what my number is but need to ask my GP when I see her next. What range is normal? Sorry for such a dull question but I am getting little help from the NHS!!

 

[LeeLee]

I don't know why they don't volunteer the information. My last one was 5.9, just in non-diabetic range. I'll try to find the relevant link on the DUK website for you (I'll need it for myself as well, I'm getting my result 4.30pm today!).

 

[jalapino]

For people with diabetes, an HbA1c level of 48 mmol/mol
(6.5% ) is considered good control 🙂

 

[jalapino]

By the way not a dull question 😉

 

[jalapino]

I don't know why they don't volunteer the information. My last one was 5.9, just in non-diabetic range. I'll try to find the relevant link on the DUK website for you (I'll need it for myself as well, I'm getting my result 4.30pm today!).

Good luck leelee 🙂

 

[LeeLee]

Here's the link to the DUK HbA1C page, including a converter:
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to.../Glycated_haemoglobin_HbA1c_and_fructosamine/

Here's a link to the self-test targets:
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Monitoring/Blood_glucose/Blood_glucose_targets/

 

[DeusXM]

A non-diabetic A1c is 4.5-6% (26-42).

Ideally, this is the range that people with diabetes should be aiming for*, provided they're not having lots of hypos. I think WHO guidelines call for less than 6.5% (48) as the reality is once you get below this, the overall improvement in your prognosis is minimal ie. getting a reading of 5.9 doesn't dramatically improve your prospects over a 6.5% in the same way that a 6.5 does over a 7%.

*Yes, I know this is hard to do. No, I haven't personally achieved it, ever. No, I'm not criticising your control if you don't reach this point. The sad fact is, if you want to minimise the likelihood of complications, that means minimising how far you deviate from the norm. Just because something's hard to do doesn't mean it's not worth trying. The NHS considers an A1C of under 7.5 'good' and anything under 6.5 as dangerously low...and look how much it's still having to spend on treating complications. Still think they know what they're doing?

 

[Redkite]

A non-diabetic A1c is 4.5-6% (26-42).

Ideally, this is the range that people with diabetes should be aiming for*, provided they're not having lots of hypos. I think WHO guidelines call for less than 6.5% (48) as the reality is once you get below this, the overall improvement in your prognosis is minimal ie. getting a reading of 5.9 doesn't dramatically improve your prospects over a 6.5% in the same way that a 6.5 does over a 7%.

*Yes, I know this is hard to do. No, I haven't personally achieved it, ever. No, I'm not criticising your control if you don't reach this point. The sad fact is, if you want to minimise the likelihood of complications, that means minimising how far you deviate from the norm. Just because something's hard to do doesn't mean it's not worth trying. The NHS considers an A1C of under 7.5 'good' and anything under 6.5 as dangerously low...and look how much it's still having to spend on treating complications. Still think they know what they're doing?

Lol at your small print! We have never achieved this either, in fact I am only too happy on the rare occasions that we get less than 7, but it's always worth aiming for. The NHS target is much too lax, and only 16% of children manage an Hba1c under 7.5. But those who have been lucky enough to secure funding for CGMS are able to achieve consistent a1c's in the 6's. I'd love CGMS for my son.....