"False low results from HbA1C tests, and difficulty getting a proper, timely result"

About 2 years ago my HbA1C result came back as 5. 4%. My new GP practice felt I was over-medicated. My medication at that time 2000mg Metformin + 100mg Sitagliptin per day. The Sitagliptin element was removed.

At the next test, 6 months later, my HbA1C result was still lower than preferred by the practice, so my medication was reduced by 50% to 1000mg Metformin per day.

At the following test my result was still lower than expected, at which time someone (Lab or GP) questioned the results and I was asked to give a second sample - this gave the same result. So, I was asked to give a third sample which was sent to the National Reference Lab in Oxford who confirmed that I had a blood variant which gave a false low reading from the standard test. My HbA1C was now around 12% and had been at that level for possibly 12 months.

By this time, I was found to have additional retinal degradation.

So, it was decided that my blood samples had to be sent to a lab which could handle the variant. Initially, Glasgow Southern General and now Kings Cross.

However, it recently took around 8 weeks to get a result back, and from the most recent test (22/7/16) I was informed today (9/8/16) that the GP practice could not tell me when I might get the result of this test.

My diabetes has been poorly managed for around 2 years now. Initially owing to my GP receiving false lab results, and more recently owing to the unspecified length of time to receive a result.