HBa1c

[Martin62]

So I had my annual checkup last week and got the results today. All was good, although my hba1c levels had crept up and have to arrange a consultation with the doctor to discuss.
I'm a bit confused as to why it has happened as my daily levels glucose levels are all within range.
I'm a bit disappointed because the estimated hba1c on mysugr app says they are much lower.
Got another test booked for 3 months time.

 

[rebrascora]

Sorry to hear you had a bit of a disappointing HbA1c result. Was it up much on your previous one?
Any chance you can use the increase to leverage Libre on prescription? It makes such a huge difference being able to see what your levels are doing all the time, rather than just the odd spot check with a finger prick and having no real idea of what is happening in between. It really helps you to fine tune your diabetes management and optimize results.

 

[Martin62]

Hi Barbara, it has gone from 58 to 61, not a massive increase, but I really was expecting a decrease.
I will ask the Doctor about the libre when I speak with him next week, although my results with the free trial one I had were a bit underwhelming as it failed after only being on for 4 days .

 

[rebrascora]

Hi Barbara, it has gone from 58 to 61, not a massive increase, but I really was expecting a decrease.
I will ask the Doctor about the libre when I speak with him next week, although my results with the free trial one I had were a bit underwhelming as it failed after only being on for 4 days .

Nothing too drastic there and possibly even within the realms of lab error as no result is ever 100% accurate, but I can understand your disappointment if you were hoping for improvement.

Did you contact Abbott to report the faulty sensor and get a replacement?

The big thing with Freestyle Libre is understanding how it works and how to benefit the most from the information it gives you and education is a big thing. Abbott have a Libre academy with webinars and modules to work through. It may just seem like a way of getting more regular BG readings but it is slightly different and learning what to do with that info and when to act and when not to is key.

Unfortunately GPs tend not to be able to prescribe Libre, so you may need to push to be referred to the specialist diabetes clinic. You also need to put together evidence as to why you fit the criteria for getting Libre on prescription and go with details to back up your evidence..... For me it was needing to test more frequently than 8 times a day to manage my levels well and showing how my BG levels spiked on a morning up to 15 and then crashed to 5 within an hour which made me feel rubbish and that testing more frequently could show me the best time to eat my breakfast after injecting.... which turned out to be over an hour after injecting NovoRapid, to prevent that horrid spike and crash. Show that you are knowledgeable and prepared to experiment with finger pricks to fine tune your diabetes or how self funded Libre has helped you to fine tune it. It was my impression that if your consultant feels that you have a vested interest in managing your levels well then they will be more inclined to support you with tech to help you. It also definitely helps to have been on an intensive education course like DAFNE, so ask to be signed up for that or your local equivalent, if you haven't already.

 

[Sharron1]

So I had my annual checkup last week and got the results today. All was good, although my hba1c levels had crept up and have to arrange a consultation with the doctor to discuss.
I'm a bit confused as to why it has happened as my daily levels glucose levels are all within range.
I'm a bit disappointed because the estimated hba1c on mysugr app says they are much lower.
Got another test booked for 3 months time.

I remember being told that mysugr app tends to return a lower estimated Hba1c
Still, your increase although disappointing isn't too much from previous one

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear that your A1c has crept up, when you were expecting it to have fallen - I’ve had that a few times and it can be really quite demoralising and depressing

For what it’s worth I have always found all of those A1c estimators tend to offer slightly low promises from my BG readings - no matter which one I use.

Do you regularly check after meals? It may be that your fingersticks aren’t quite capturing all of your BG ups and downs… or it may simply be the formula itself? There’s no direct conversion possible, so the suggested estimates are always a bit of a fudge.

Hope you can bounce back from the disappointment before long.