what is the average uk HbA1c??

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Permalink Reply by Tim Brown on July 29, 2009 at 4:51am

Damn! I wanted a competition ;-)

Anyway, my last A1C was 6.5% - using MDI with a combination of lantus and humalog. I was diagnosed with Type One at 28 (for years ago) so I was quite late to the party.

I think coverage for education in the UK is certainly patchy; but I've found the support in Edinburgh to be pretty good. As always with the NHS you generally have to take it on yourself to shout a bit if you want something, but if you do you generally get it.

-------------------------
Blogging @ www.shootuporputup.co.uk

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Permalink Reply by Sharon Jones on July 29, 2009 at 8:37am

hi tim,
i do agree with you in that you have to stand up and be counted on the subject. sadly lots of uk diabetics are left to fend for themselves with just the standard "you need to get those blood sugars better managed" and "try not to test quite so often".

i'm happy for you that you get the support that you want. i manage myself and tell the health care team what i want and when i want it. thats how i ended up with a pump ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Alexandra on July 30, 2009 at 4:07am

I was diagnosed 18 years ago, aged 11. I have Type 1 diabetes, on MDI's. My last HbA1c was 9.3, my lowest ever was previous to that at 8.6.
I am very unimpressed by diabetes care in Northern Ireland, my dad has had type 1 for 52 years and he gets on a lot better than me (HbA1c is 6.7). I have fought for over a year to get a pump which I'm getting in 3 weeks time, however, I have basically been told that it probably won't help and that there is nothing more they can do - if I had have given up, I wouldn't be getting the pump!! My husband and I want to start a family, so this is my main reason for pushing so much!!
All-in-all, diabetes care certainly leaves a lot to be desired in my circles!!!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Alison Finney on July 30, 2009 at 8:21am

I think education is very patchy, as is people's approach to their diabetes - whether they take control or believe the Dr should do it all for them etc. I suspect the responses on a site like this won't be particularly representative - people using a site like this tend to be more motivated and engaged in their own diabetes, it's working out how to engage everyone else that's the real challenge.

I was diagnosed aged 4, 26 years ago

I use a Medtronic Paradigm pump and CGMS

My last HbA1c was 5.7%

Alexandra - congratulations on pushing so hard for the pump and good luck with it. I found Pumping Insulin by John Walsh a real help when I started pumping - you can get it on Amazon.

Blogging about diabetes @ www.shootuporputup.co.uk

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Permalink Reply by Abby on August 27, 2009 at 4:45pm

I have been diagnosed 9.5 years, since I was 7, I'm type 1 Diabetic, and have been using a pump for nearly 2 years now.
My highest HbA1c was only 8.6% and that was the first proper one they did, after I was first diagnosed. My most recent is 7.0%, which is quite high for me.
I haven't had a problem with any health care, our local Children's Hospital have been great and I've recently been transferred to the Adolesence clinic, which I was really worried about, but they have been brilliant!
I couldn't have asked for more education, other than maybe to other people without Diabetes so they understand what it involves.

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Permalink Reply by margaret armstrong on October 6, 2009 at 3:50am

hi i was diagnosed in 2005 i'm a type 2 in may my HbA1c was 9.5 this last test i managed to get it down to 7.4 they put me on byette but its also going without fruit and anything that is sweet or starchy. i know what there "diet" is but i love my food I have tried to cut out processed foods and i have more energy and feel better for it. as for education it is very bad the doctors i've seen have all summised that as both my father and my sister where diabetics that i should know all there is to know.

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Permalink Reply by Dee on October 22, 2009 at 8:43am

Hi,
I was diagnosed Type 1 in 1987, and I use a pump. My last HbA1c was 10.4 but I am really frightened of hypos, so run high most of the time. I am working on it though!!
Dee

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Permalink Reply by Catherine on October 25, 2009 at 5:11pm

how long have you been diagnosed? I was diagnosed almost 17 years ago when I was 27

which type of Diabetes are you? Type 1

what treatment are you on? mdi/pump/meds etc MDI: Novarapid, Levemir, Byetta, Metformin + about 15 tablets a day

what was you last HbA1c? My last two HBA1c results were 6.8%

I'm a bit weird for a Type 1, for years I was quite brittle with HBA1c's of 11+ % but I've worked hard at my control which is usually pretty good although I am quite worried about my next one - bloods are being taken tomorrow - as life has been very stressful and I've been quite ill recently...

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Permalink Reply by Samantha Morris on November 4, 2009 at 2:57pm

here we go :)

how long have you been diagnosed?
14 years on 14th February :)

which type of Diabetes are you?
type 1

what treatment are you on? mdi/pump/meds etc
MDI - Novorapid and Lantus

what was you last HbA1c?
6.5% OH YEAH

Blogging at http://talkingbloodglucose.blogspot.com

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Permalink Reply by Graham Scott on November 21, 2009 at 3:34pm

Hi Sharon I am 63 type 1 and I have had Diabetes for 10 years my last HBA was 8.2 but the time before it was 11.4. I find it very hard to stay on my diet,but I am working on it now, I am on insulin four times a day. In Chester information is very good, as Doctors and Nurses come to our meeting every quarter to talk on each part of our treatment.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Collington on November 22, 2009 at 2:58pm

Hi,

Diagnosed three months ago with type II. Currently diet managed. Last A1C was 8.4.

Education seems variable - I've been surprised at how willing NHS doctors are to say do 'exercise' and 'manage blood sugar' without offering any idea on how but I'm lucky that I have a wonderful diabetic nurse who's bothered. Nottingham doesn't have a support group as such I've found but between the NHS, family, friends and the Internet I get by. :)

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