Surprised I'm here!

[Trev]

Hi folks, just saying hello.
I'm not sure I should be here, but I'm sure you'll tell me.
After having a series of blood tests for a reoccuring bladder issue, all came back negative apart from the HbA1c, for which the Doc called me in for a talk. He said I am at risk of T2 and offerd me tablets or a visit to the dietician, I've chosen the dietician for now.
Now this is where I am confused.
I am 67 and retired, 5ft 6in, waist size 31", weight 10s 2lb, BMI 23, Cholestrol 5.1, walk my dog a couple of miles twice a day and shoot archery twice a week, so I think pretty fit for my age. Even been known for breaking out into a run occasionally. Don't take sugar, nor have I for about ten years, and don't have any of the classic symptoms.
Being new to all this, I've been researching what I can on t'interweb and according to that(???), my HbA1c of <48mmol/mol is normal (less than 4 percent).
So here I am, confused and a little concerned.

Your sage words would be welcome.

Cheers, Trev.

 

[Andy HB]

Hello Trev,

Diabetes is not just about sugar. It is any form of carbohydrate. Potatoes, bread and rice can be particularly bad.

The sad news is that anyone, irrespective of their weight and levels of exercise can develop high blood glucose levels because it does have a genetic component to it. Also, your recurring bladder issue (especially if we're talking about some form of infection) may have elevated your BG levels as well. That is worth raising with your GP as a possibility.

Hopefully this was just a little blip and your BG levels will behave themselves in future. 🙂

 

[Andy HB]

Oh, by the way, on the archery front, this was my Dad in 1954! I still have the bow, quiver and arrows. 🙂

 

[Drummer]

The usual rule is that under 41 is normal Hba1c, and 42 to 47 prediabetic - so there could be some issue with glucose control.

 

[Trev]

The usual rule is that under 41 is normal Hba1c, and 42 to 47 prediabetic - so there could be some issue with glucose control.

Thank you, is there a website where that is shown please? The site I saw was an American one, they maybe have different parameters from NHS?

 

[Drummer]

Thank you, is there a website where that is shown please? The site I saw was an American one, they maybe have different parameters from NHS?

Ah - I am not really up on websites - though this one might be adequate for that sort of information, now I think about it.
Other than what could have been symptoms of old age, I was only diagnosed by accident - I was supposed to have my annual thyroid check and was puzzled by the number of vials filled. I think someone must have ticked the wrong box.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Thank you, is there a website where that is shown please? The site I saw was an American one, they maybe have different parameters from NHS?

48 (for the cutoff for diabetes (or at least, probably diabetes)) is easy enough, https://www.diabetes.org.uk/profess...nitoring/new_diagnostic_criteria_for_diabetes

The prediabetes thing is more complex and (I think) a bit more controversial (in that it's not that clear how useful it is). See https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/prediabetes-whats-it-all-about

But there's also https://www.nhs.uk/news/diabetes/one-in-three-adults-in-england-has-prediabetes/ (the units have changed, but 6.0% is 42 in new money). (I guess that's consistent, in that if 1 in 3 adults have prediabetes and far fewer end up with diabetes, that suggests maybe you're catching too many people, or at least you shouldn't regard "prediabetes" as meaning "likely to end up with diabetes".)

 

[SueEK]

Hi Trev and welcome to the forum. I always understood 48 was diabetic. A lot of us are slim diabetics. I am 5ft 9, bang on 10 stone, don’t take sugar and haven’t for years, don’t have a sweet tooth and no-one in my family has T2 and also had no symptoms that I was aware of. I was diagnosed with an HbA1c of 90 so huge shock, felt sure a big mistake had been made. Obviously the docs will monitor you but it can happen to anyone at all. I’m sure you will have another test in the coming months and that should confirm one way or the other but it won’t do you any harm in the meantime seeing a dietician and altering your diet. As @Andy HB says it is the carbs that cause a problem and anything you can do to reduce those will really help. Do ask any questions you may have as we are a friendly bunch and happy to help. Sue x

 

[Ljc]

Hello Trev, welcome to the forum.
The Hb1ac for a diagnosis of pre diabetes otherwise known as glucose intolerance is
42 to 47 mmol/mol
Diabetes is diagnosed when 48 mmol/mol or over

Not everyone has symptoms , I was diagnosed by accident really. I had absolutely no symptoms of diabetes yet my first Hb1ac was very high 115 mmol/mol.

I am a little confused by two things

1) Ive been researching what I can on t'interweb and according to that(???), my HbA1c of <48mmol/mol is normal (less than 4 percent).

This conversion chart shows the old % and the not so new mmol/mol
http://baspath.co.uk/Hba1c_table.pdf

2) You were told you were at risk of diabetes , which to me means in the pre diabetic range 42 to 47 mmol/mol but the doc gave you a choice of medication or seeing dietician. Meds are not normally prescribed for pre diabetes.
Personally I think if you are in the pre diabetes range a diabetes prevention course would be best
But if you do have diabetes , 48 mmol/mol or more then their are other courses available, each area has different names for them.