Pre diabetes

[Ezra]

Hi all I’m just after some advice. Due to Covid I decided to purchase a test to check the HbA1c (Not diabetic as far as I’m aware). I have had my results which are 5.7% and 39. I’ve just had a conversation with a nurse from the place I sent the test to and she said I am pre diabetic. Yet checking on the Diabetes.org.uk website my results seem to be in the normal range ie below 6/42. So I’m left a little confused. Any views on the above. Cheers

 

[Toucan]

Hello @Mogley and welcome to our forum.

The table below shows the generally accepted ranges, although some tables show pre-diabetes as starting at 42.
But either way, you are on the right side of the pre-diabetes range.

HbAIc normal		Normal <40 mmmol/mol (5.5%)
HbAIc pre diabetes		Prediabetes 40 to 47 mmmol/mol ( to 6.4%)
HbAIc Diabetic		Diabetic Over 48mmmol/mol (6.5%)

 

[Ezra]

Hi thank you for the reply. I was below 40 but it also said 5.7%. So is above 5.5% a concern?
Thank you

 

[Eddy Edson]

Seems a bit odd, if you're in the UK.

In the US, however, the "prediabetic" HbA1c range is 5.7% - 6.4%, so maybe that's what the nurse is thinking of?

Prediabetes - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic

www.mayoclinic.org

In any case, it's not a very big deal - "prediabetes" is a fairly iffy concept and certainly not an indication that you're certain to develop full-blown diabetes; and by itself doesn't carry very much risk of developing complications.

But maybe worth thinking about some lifestyle tweaks & rechecking yr HbA1c every few months.

 

[grovesy]

Could the company wanting to you to purchase more tests. They should only been using the number as the percentage numbers were phased out a number of years ago.

 

[Ezra]

Could the company wanting to you to purchase more tests. They should only been using the number as the percentage numbers were phased out a number of years ago.

I suppose it could be or that they want yo show they’ve detected ex amount of conditions each month/year etc

 

[SB2015]

Hi all I’m just after some advice. Due to Covid I decided to purchase a test to check the HbA1c (Not diabetic as far as I’m aware). I have had my results which are 5.7% and 39. I’ve just had a conversation with a nurse from the place I sent the test to and she said I am pre diabetic. Yet checking on the Diabetes.org.uk website my results seem to be in the normal range ie below 6/42. So I’m left a little confused. Any views on the above. Cheers

Welcome to the forum @Mogley

Your levels is at the top end of normal, so it would be good to consider some changes to diet and lifestyle to avoid developing any further issues regarding Diabetes. It would be worth you becoming familiar with the amounts of carb that you are currently eating. Your pancreas is just about managing to deliver enough insulin for the amount you are eating. Perhaps try to reduce the number of carbs by diong some swaps away from the higher carb parts, and/or increase your exercise levels.

Keep in touch and keep questions coming.

 

[Ezra]

Thank you. I’m def going to cut down on sweet things ie biscuits and cakes etc as I’ve definitely eaten more of these during lockdown. Time to start my exercise regime again. I’m gonna take this blood test result as a warning shot across the bows. I’m already dealing with cancer and another health issue so didnt really want something else to deal with.

 

[Docb]

Eddy Edson is quite right.

If you want an analogy, the pre-diabetes thing is a bit like when you are happily driving in a 40 mph limit and glance at your speedometer only to find you are doing 42 mph. Not going to get pulled over for speeding, no need to slam on the brakes but maybe a good idea to ease off on the accelerator a bit and keep a watchful eye on your speed because if it creeps up to 48 ..............

 

[trophywench]

Absolutely the right thing to do Mogley. If you should get diagnosed with diabetes then that really doesn't help your body fight anything else - so you're going to make sure that diagnosis doesn't happen.