What's New? |
Introduction |
Changes in HbA1c Units - Information for Diabetic Patients | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) This measures blood glucose control over the twelve weeks before the blood sample is taken. Treatment aims to lower your HbA1c to below a target level, which is usually agreed between you and your nurse or doctor. The target level is usually somewhere between 6.5% and 7.5% (in pregnancy it is 6 to 6.5%). It should be measured twice a year and more often in certain patient groups, for example in pregnancy. Change to reporting of patients' HbA1c levels. From 1 June 2009, the way in which HbA1c results are expressed in the UK has changed. Until May 2011 HbA1c levels will be reported in the old % unit and the new unit of mmol/mol. From June 2011 HbA1c levels will be reported in the new unit of mmol/mol only. How do the old and new units relate?
What are the recommended targets for people with diabetes in the new units? The equivalent of the current HbA1c targets of 6.5% and 7.5% are 48 mmol/mol and 59 mmol/mol in the new units, with the non-diabetic reference range of 4.0% to 6.0% being 20 mmol/mol to 42 mmol/mol. For further information follow these links: HbA1c Patient Information from Lab Tests Online: (http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/a1c/glance.html) Factsheet on HbA1c Changes - Diabetes UK & Association for Clinical Biochemistry: (http://www.acb.org.uk/docs/HbA1cPatientsWithDiabetes.pdf) HbA1c Standardisation for Clinical Care Professionals: (http://www.acb.org.uk/docs/HbA1cHealthcareProfessional.pdf) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medical conditions that could affect your driving | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The law requires you to tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about any condition that may affect your ability to drive safely. If you are involved in an accident and it is found that your health condition was a contributing factor, you may be prosecuted and your insurance may not be valid.
Use the medical A to Z to see if you need to notify DVLA about your medical condition: Medical A to Z (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/MedicalRulesForDrivers/MedicalA-Z/index.htm) The Alzheimer's Society website also has a useful factsheet for patients and their carers who have concerns about driving: Driving and Dementia- Alzheimers Society Factsheet (http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/factsheet/439) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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