What do my results mean?

 

Your diabetes results

This section aims to aid your understanding of your diabetes results. Better understanding can help you to consider what lifestyle changes you would like to make in order to reduce your future chances of complications.

Diabetes Control/HbA1c:  Glucose (sugar) travels around your body in your blood. The levels of blood glucose in your blood over the last few weeks can be measured and can show your future risk of developing complications. This test is called HbA1c. The higher the number, the higher the risk. (This is not the same as your blood glucose finger prick level).

Best levels: Between 48-53 mmol/mol (6.5%-7.0%) is associated with your lowest risks of complications for the future.

You can help reduce your HBA1C by:

  • Taking or adjusting insulin
  • Being more active
  • Eating less fat, (especially saturated fat)
  • Eating smaller portions
  • Taking medication
  • Losing weight
  • Having less sugars

Blood Pressure (BP): Is the pressure of blood that flows through your body. The lower your blood pressure the lower your risk of developing complications like strokes
and heart attacks.

Best levels: You should aim for your blood pressure to be below 130/80, or below 125/75 if you have kidney problems.



You can help reduce your blood pressure by:

  • Being more active
  • Having less salt
  • Losing weight
  • Having less alcohol
  • Eating fruit and veg
  • Taking medication

Cholesterol: Is a blood fat that can block blood vessels. Lowering your cholesterol can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Treatment to lower cholesterol is recommended in diabetes for people over 40. For other people treatment depends on your overall risk.

Best levels: Aim for 4 or less.

To help reduce your cholesterol value you can:

  • Eating less fat, (especially saturated fat)
  • Eating smaller portions
  • Taking medication
  • Losing weight/being more active
  • Eating more fruit and veg
  • Eating oily fish

Smoking: Causes many health problems but is particularly damaging for people with diabetes.
If you smoke it can increase your risk of heart attacks and strokes. You are 9 times more at risk of a heart attack if you have diabetes and smoke than someone who does not smoke.


You can get support to stop smoking from:

  • Your local general practice
  • Smoking cessation advisers
  • Medication
  • Support groups

Weight: Being overweight increases your risk of medical conditions including heart disease, arthritis and earlier death. It can also make your diabetes and blood pressure more difficult to control.
Weight is measured as a Body Mass Index (BMI). It compares your height to your weight and can be a way predicting your risk of developing a heart attack or a stroke.


You can help to lower your weight by:

  • Being more active
  • Having less sugar
  • Eating less fat (especially saturated fat)
  • Attending support sessions
  • Eating smaller portions
  • Having less alcohol
  • Taking medication

Kidneys: Your kidneys filter blood and make urine.
High glucose levels and high blood pressure can damage your kidneys and lead to kidney failure.
You have both urine tests (ACR: Albumin/Creatine Ratio, which checks for protein leaking from your kidneys) and blood tests (EGFR: Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate to check how your kidneys are working).

EGFR (blood test): this monitors kidney function



ACR (urine sample): this checks for protein leaking from
your kidneys



You can help reduce your risk of developing kidney disease by:

  • Reducing your HbA1c
  • Reducing your BP
  • Taking medication
  • Not smoking