Recently had my bloodtest done. As part of the tests, hbA1c was taken - however, it came back with a value of 44 mmol/mol or 7.25 mmol/L. So, in the prediabetic range. However, I also monitor every other day my fasting blood glucose too. Usually it is around 5.3 to 5.6, but never higher than 6.5. Just a bit confused why the hba1c is saying one thing, while fasting glucose prick another. Also, I have checked my blood sugars after having food too and it drops very quickly within normal range.
I am pretty sure, confident that the hba1c is an outlier. I will do a retest to confirm, but if anyone can shed light on this appreciated.
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TasteLessFood4Life
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Hba1c is the result that represents about the last 3 months. ( I was going to say average but it is not!) So is the more accurate result. Finger prick results are simply the reading at that second, it is difficult to compare the two different readings. My GP is only interested in the Hba1c, not my finger prick results. Finger prick tests are good for finding out what spikes your BGs , best atken 2 hours after eating. Diabetes UK is a good site to look through. G
As a diabetic my finger prick test is always before eating even when in hospital that is when they take it too . They go round all the diabetics before meals taking finger tip bloods .
The HeartStar MichaelJH has been diabetic for decades and is a bit of a guru on diabetes, PAD and many aspects of heart disease. Including his name in this post will flag your query up to him
Thank you to Mike4550 for flagging this up to me. @Motorman has really given the answer. It is based on the BG over the past three months but weighted towards the last one because of cell lifespan. Measuring only in the morning on waking can almost always confirm full blown diabetes but yoiu need to check before main meals and two hours afterwards to get a picture of what is happening during the day. If you can afford it using a Libre sensor connected to an iPhone or Android phone could be very beneficial. Your HbA1c of 7.25% suggests an average BG of 9.0mmol/L so you need to get on top of things.
My husband who has been told is prediabetic has been given the new Libre 3 to trial for two weeks (which is connected to his phone). His sugars have been particularly high when waking before food. What would be considered diabetic or prediabetic based on waking sugars in mmols? Thanks for your advice
Thanks for your reply. Just to clarify, hba1c is measured in many units and % - all of which give very different results. There is a handy online calculator to convert to whichever mode you need. My measurement of 44 mmol/mol translates into 6.2% or 7.25 mmol/L or 130.73 mg/DL. You probably need a phd in Chem to know all this stuff 😂.
So, it is all still prediabetic - but worth a deepdive as I am already leading a very healthy lifestyle (no refined carbs) with a bmi of 22. I do measure my blood sugars in the morning (fasting) and 2 hour after meals (from time to time) and it never spikes to levels above 6.5 mmol/L. So, just a bit surprised why the average is higher than 7 mmol/L.
I will re-do a test in one month, but will keep an eye out and measure my blood sugars more frequently to see if I can spot anything of interest. Cheers again!
In the UK for the past few decades the stabdard has been BG in mmol/L and HbA1c in mmol/mol. It's best to stick to these to avoid confusion. The GP practice I had some years ago stayed with % for HbA1c for a long time but then they recorded your height in feet and inches and weight in kg. One nurse said she did not know if 1.87m was tall!
my doctor does that as well as A1C, and fasting glucose and also a c-peptide test (to check if a person still makes insulin).
should be done with a 12-14 hour fast (only water is allowed and probably your necessary pills).
To be done first thing in the morning.
you can find info on it on youtube or online, to explain more. (I would of provided some respected doctor’s names but unsure if allowed on here, so left that out).
I agree with this but only thing I would add if your c peptide is high then your pancreas is creating to much insulin to combat poor blood sugar control.
With fasting insulin and fasting glucose this will tell you what your HOMA IR score and if you are metabolically healthy.
I by no means am an expert here but I’ve always followed the hba1c scores much more so than finger prick. An example being, I am 2 weeks out of hospital after a double CABG and each day, in fact every 4 hours, including 10 pm, 2 am and 6 am I’d have the finger test in hospital and they were very reticent to let me discharge with a blood sugar of around 16, taken just after my breakfast, when my average hba1c was a much more settled 44, I am a 15 years type 2 diabetic. So although there is benefit for many in the finger test, for me the 3 month average serves me better and as I said it was actually giving a false sense of my long term score. I hope I’ve explained my thought process clearly there though. Thank you
Hi, TasteLessFood4Life, my finger prick test is always normal. Since my heart problems they automatically gave me a finger prick machine and my HbA1c tests were normal and only once in pre diabetes! I was shocked so have had private tests from Thriva. Has it got to do with the heart condition perhaps and the tablets? I cut out sugar and sweet foods and carbs and only treat myself when I go out for a meal or on holiday. The HbA1c test yo yo’s when I do that. If I cut all out and no processed foods and only wholemeal bread and sweet potatoes not white ones and I don’t eat pasta or rice because of the carbs and wholemeal baps 2 times a week. For 2 to 3 weeks then take a HbA1 c test it goes right down. I know it’s over 3 months but I can get it down in a few weeks I only eat the same as my husband and his yearly test is 39! I’m really confused about it but will look into the test that involves the pancreas as someone has mentioned in one of your replies I didn’t know that as it might not be working as good now. I’m so glad you put this on here as it is helping me too. Hope you get it sorted soon whatever the reason is and will look out for more about it from you. Joy x
Could this difference be attributable to the different data being measured? The A1c test provides a snapshot of the average amount of glucose in the bloodstream over a 2-3 month time period.
The daily fasting glucose represents one point in time—a specific day. That number could vary greatly day-to-day depending upon diet, stress levels, and other factors.
I’m thinking that the average amount of glucose present in the bloodstream over an extended period of 2-3 months might be a better indicator of whether one is pre-diabetic or diabetic. The A1c test provides this number.
In the other hand, if the goal is to obtain the level of glucose in one’s bloodstream at a particular point-in-time, then the finger stick would work best. I have noticed that blood sugar levels are measured this way prior to and following certain surgeries such as a colonoscopy or cataract surgery.
This information is only my belief. You would need to discuss your question with your doctor in order to obtain a professional and fully accurate answer. Best wishes to you! 😊
In my opinion, a more relevant test for diabetes or pre diabetes is an insulin sensitivity test. This test measures how quickly insulin returns your blood sugar levels to normal, after being given a very sweet drink. I think this test shows, after a 2 hour and then 4 hour check, if your blood sugar has returned to normal. If it hasn't l assume that means your insulin is not functioning sufficiently to remove the sugar from the blood and it then shows up in blood tests as prediabetes. A1c is good, but it is an average. The reading is dependent on how slowly or quickly your red blood cells turn over, the average is 3 months. A1c will not tell the true story if your cell turnover is faster or slower than the average. This is my understanding and getting an insulin test is time consuming and most doctors will not order one, unless your pregnant in which case they will order a 2 hour test.
thanks for sharing, my A1c has been stuck at 43 for a decade despite adopting all exercise and dietary advice (low carb whole food ) I have had a mild anaemia for the entire period too with low RBC so maybe a link. Will talk to GP although primed to a standard 43 is ok response 😡 having had a stent I would like it much lower, I feel like reminding him 43 is a pre diabetes limit not a target!
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