Low hba1c : Hi my doctors have called me to have... - Thyroid UK

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Low hba1c

Linklondon profile image
12 Replies

Hi my doctors have called me to have repeat blood test for hbac1 as it's too low at 3.5 should be (5.8 -7.5)

I'm nondiebetic and he says it's unusual to be low could this be related to my thyroid problem.

Hashimotos currently levels are

Tsh 7.7 (0.05- 6.00)

T4 25 (10.00-24.00)

Thanks

Linkslondon

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Linklondon
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12 Replies
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Have you had vitamin D retested since being on loading dose.

With Hashimoto's, you may need to supplement vitamin D mouth spray to avoid poor gut function. Definitely need levels retested

Have you had folate, ferritin and B12 tested, as advised by several replies a month ago?

If so can you add results and ranges

Your FT3 is very low so you are currently a poor converter. Low vitamin D won't be helping, but other low vitamins can be a problem too

As you have Hashimoto's are you on strictly gluten free diet?

Linklondon profile image
Linklondon in reply to SlowDragon

Hi not had vit d retested as yet but have felt i have a bit more energy so hopefully the loading dose has helped. I had folate ferritin and b12 and are apparently normal but not had a print out as yet but will ask gp next week. Could the low hbac1 connected to thyroid problem?

Thanks

linkslondon

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Linklondon

Low vitamin levels are often connected to poor conversion

Essential to get actual results on these and ranges

Also definitely need to know FT3

Likely to have to test privately, need to test FT3 with FT4 and TSH

Gluten free diet is often of huge benefit. You won’t know unless you try it

Linklondon profile image
Linklondon in reply to SlowDragon

Thanks for your reply will look into gluton free diet. I have been referred to endocrinologist for high tsh and t4 appointment is in july so hopefully I will get more blood tests done.

researcherUK profile image
researcherUK

Are your thyroid results accurate? Are you taking any thyroid replacement hormones ie thyroxine, NDT, T3?

Your low Hb1AC suggests non-diabetic hypoglycemia. Are you on any medications? such as diuretics? anti-depressant? antibiotics?

There may be an indirect connection with untreated hypothyroidism whereby your adrenals are now suffering from low cortisol and along with other low levels of growth hormone, glucagon, or epinephrine. This combination can lead to low blood sugar.

Liver and pancreas testing are also required to eliminate any other issues from within each.

Furthermore, a full thyroid function test is required to include T3 and thyroid antibodies, in addition to TSH and T4.

Your T4 levels are above the range and your TSH is high. You may be a non-convertor and/or your low blood sugar has increased your rT3.

I think your GP should refer you to an endocrinologist who can authorise all the required tests and assess whether you have low blood sugar as a reactive condition or just on fasting, to sort your thyroid, address antibodies, and increase your T3 levels.

Separate from doctors, going gluten-free and an addition of 200 mcg/day of selenium daily supplements proven to be successful in reducing Hashimoto's antibodies.

Linklondon profile image
Linklondon in reply to researcherUK

Thanks for your reply I'm taking 175mg daily of levothyroxine my t3 was 3.6 so its in range but on the low side.

I have been referred to endocrinologist in July because of high readings of the and t4 so hopefully I will get some answers.

researcherUK profile image
researcherUK in reply to Linklondon

Good Luck and all the best wishes!

ShootingStars profile image
ShootingStars in reply to Linklondon

Hi Linklondon. Your high FT4, high TSH and low FT3 mean you are probably not converting T4 into T3. Your FT4 should not ever been over range, or even just high in the range like that. In general, when properly medicated, FT4 should be just over 50% of range and never higher than 75% of range. FT3 should be close to but not much over 75% of range. When too high in range, there are symptoms. When too low, there are also symptoms. Your low hba1c could be related to too high FT4.

If you are not converting, it could be due to undiagnosed and untreated Hashimoto's. Have both of your thyroid antibodies been tested recently, TPOab and TGab?

Kalicocat profile image
Kalicocat

I'm diabetic. My glucose, HBA1C, blood pressure and heart rate all become very low when I need an increase in meds (my T4 was low in range and T3 was below range). So yes your low HBA1C could be related to low T3 which your results point to.

Linklondon profile image
Linklondon in reply to Kalicocat

Thanks for your reply.

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62

couple of articles on low HbA1c in non-diabetic adults

care.diabetesjournals.org/c...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

basically looks as if they haven't really managed to suss out what is really going on.

The mention of high MCV in the first article could point to something going on with B12/folate as deficiencies in either of this will cause raised MCV or it could be genetic and to do with how well these two vitamins are being metabolised ... or it could be something completely different.

Please note - higher risk does not mean certainty - especially when the causal factors aren't understood.

Linklondon profile image
Linklondon in reply to Gambit62

Thanks for your reply I will have a read of these articles.

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