Confused about fructosamine values

[Christina & King Chuck]

Chuck is seeing a new vet who actually seems interested in our at home BG values and is slowly decreasing his insulin. Since the beginning of July we're down a whole unit! I'm a little confused about the fructosamine values though. I understand normal is about 180-350, but what is the correlation to BG and the goal for a diabetic cat?

3 weeks ago Chuck's fructosamine was 220 and the vet suggested taking him down a 1/2 unit, which I'm aligned with because we were seeing numbers below 80 on his pet meter. We had fructosamine rechecked on Monday 7/24 and he's at 280, at which point the vet recommended another reduction. I'm aligned since that day he was <70, but is the fructosamine every 10 days necessary? It's expensive and while I have no issue paying for the test if it's necessary, the vet asks if I'm seeing Chuck's BG drop below 80 before confirming a reduction.

I guess I'm wondering what a normal cat fructosamine is and if it's necessary to test frequently if we're testing glucose at home.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

The fructosamine value is an average of BGs so with a high or low fruct the BG at lowest point can be too low. The fruct should not be used for dose changes if one is regularly testing BG at home like shows in your SS. Based on your SS I would not reduce from 4.5 units.
Also see:
https://www.idexx.no/nb/veterinary/...-and-feline-fructosamine-reference-intervals/

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

As Larry said, the fructosamine is a 3-week average and it’s important to diagnose the diabetes, but after that you don’t need to do it again. Home testing is how you figure out dosing.

 

[Christina & King Chuck]

The fructosamine value is an average of BGs so with a high or low fruct the BG at lowest point can be too low. The fruct should not be used for dose changes if one is regularly testing BG at home like shows in your SS. Based on your SS I would not reduce from 4.5 units.
Also see:
https://www.idexx.no/nb/veterinary/...-and-feline-fructosamine-reference-intervals/

Thank you! I feel better adjusting based off of our actual numbers. At times it seems like I’m feeding Chuck to keep up with the insulin though, I’ve been giving snacks throughout the day but without he usually dips below 80 on a pet meter. We’re due for a glucose curve

 

[Christina & King Chuck]

As Larry said, the fructosamine is a 3-week average and it’s important to diagnose the diabetes, but after that you don’t need to do it again. Home testing is how you figure out dosing.

Thanks! I’m going to pass on the vets Fructosamine test next week and do a curve this weekend

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

Thank you! I feel better adjusting based off of our actual numbers. At times it seems like I’m feeding Chuck to keep up with the insulin though, I’ve been giving snacks throughout the day but without he usually dips below 80 on a pet meter. We’re due for a glucose curve

You’re following TR?

 

[Christina & King Chuck]

You’re following TR?

Yes