HBA1C -38- what does that mean?

[cherrypiepie]

My hba1c came back as 38mmol which I was told was normal and no further action.

I can only find online that 42 is risk of diabetes and 48 is diabetes.

Do you know your HBa1c and should I be worried with it at 38? Seem quite close to 42.

I have family history of diabetes and have lost 2.5 stone recently.

You're well under the level for a diabetes diagnosis, and below the buffer for pre-diabetes so I'd say nothing to worry about at the moment (I'm T1 diabetic, my hba1c is sadly a lot higher than this!)

I have just been diagnosed with Prediabetes with an hba1c of 43
38 is well within normal range

Yep 38 is fine. Mine is around that and I have normal BMI and no T2 in the family

HbA1c gives a sort of average measurement of your blood sugars over a period of time. Everyone's blood sugar level varies over the day as we eat, but if you have diabetes and your body is producing less insulin or is resistant to insulin, it takes longer for the blood sugar level to go down after eating. These higher blood sugar levels over time can be harmful. HbA1c used to be given as a percentage, now it's a number giving an actual measurement (mmol per mol) of glucose (sugar). So as PP have said, a HbA1c of over 48 mmol/mol indicates persistently high blood sugars over a period, suggesting diabetes. 42-48 mmol/mol, particularly in people who have other risk factors for type 2 diabetes may indicate a prediabetic state. 38 is outside the range showing blood sugars have not been persistently high. So it sounds like in your case they feel there's nothing to worry about at the moment, despite your family history you've had a really positive weight loss so reduced your risk significantly. If you're still concerned, maintaining a healthy weight, keeping active and following a low GI (glycaemic index) way of eating can all help keep your risk low

You’re absolutely fine with that but if you have family history you might want to get tested every so often- annually maybe? And maybe cut down your carb portions.

Ah this is all great explanations and advice thank you. I know there has to be a cut of somewhere just seems somehow brutal.

I will try reducing carbs (although I am mindful I don't actively avoid them) and get tested again jn a year.

The advice years ago was to get tested every 7 years.

My BMI is 29 so still a work in progress.

GP advised cinnamon supplements too as a natural alternative to metformin .

Thanks everyone

When I had Gestational Diabetes about ten years ago a colleague advised me to try cinnamon as she was T2D and used it instead of meds and it worked for her. But by the time I became T2D a couple of years ago she was on the meds as it was no longer fully working for her. But, we age and our bodies react differently. Love a bit of cinnamon, so always have it when I can!

But sounds like you have a plan! So hope all goes well for you xx

The Mayo Clinic has some useful information about type 2 diabetes and how to prevent it:

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-prevention/art-20047639

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371444