First A1C test on this Monday

[chinku]

hello everyone,

My first A1C test will be this monday and I am wondering if I have to Fast before the actual A1C test.

My Dr is a General Dr not an Endo and he did not mentioned any thing abt fasting.

So far my machine shows

14 day average: 126 mg/dl
30 Day average 134 mg/dl

I have been testing 8 times a day i,e before meal and 2 hrs after meal.

How much can I expect my A1C level?

Can anyone please suggest the precautions or condition I need to be on the day for A1C test (My appointment is at 2pm)

thanks,
Chinku (Type1 Dx 01/01/2007)
Lantus-25 U at night
Humolog- 25 U (total/day)

Appreciate ur help/cpmments

[tanyatype1]

Hi Chinku! I fast for 10 hours minimum, only if I'm getting a complete blood work up done (cholesterol, tryglycerides etc) If I'm going in just for the A1C, then I don't bother fasting. If I'm fasting, I always go first thing in the morning, that way the fasting is easier (because I'm asleep for most of it!) Wow, this sounds confusing when I read it, but it makes sense in my own head! LOL! Good luck to you!:)

[sweetcheeks]

my doc requires me to fast before all blood work, because not do they just test a1c, they test your fasting BG level for that day as well.

[Cia Leah]

My Doc suggested fasting too. Good luck and I'd love to have your averages! :) Mine are: 7 day-160 and 14 day-158.

Cia Leah
Type 2

[chinku]

Hi All, Thanks for the reply's.

If I am fasting, I should not take any food at least 8 hrs before the test right.

Should I take Lantus at Night then? I usually take 1 time at night (25 U).( I know I can split it that up, but it saves me injecting one more time ;) )

I am afraid that if I take lantus and fast in the morining (my appointment is at 2:00 pm), my BG's would be LOW (May be a Hypo).:confused: :confused:

I should I have spoken to Dr Clearly abt this, but I am such a foolosh person, I just realized all this today.
(Big D made me Dumb ????????.... may be I am not as sharp as I was ..........:( :( :( )

Once again, thanks for ur valuable suggestions.....

[panda1076]

It's hard to estimate what your a1c will be just knowing your 14 day and 30 day averages since the a1c measures your bg trend over the past 2-3 months (though it is more weighted towards the past month). So I guess it depends what your bg was when you were first diagnosed and how long ago was that?

When I was first diagnosed, my fasting bg was 242 and my a1c was 8.2. Once I started on insulin, I think my 14 and 30 day averages looked liked yours. After 2 months, my a1c was 5.9 and after another 2 months, my a1c was 5.1.

I was shocked (and excited) that mine went down so much so fast. But keep in mind I started at 8.2 and my bg was 242, which is pretty low at diagnosis. And I kept very tight control in my first few months.

Good luck! Let us know what it is when you know.

[chinku]

It's hard to estimate what your a1c will be just knowing your 14 day and 30 day averages since the a1c measures your bg trend over the past 2-3 months (though it is more weighted towards the past month). So I guess it depends what your bg was when you were first diagnosed and how long ago was that?

When I was first diagnosed, my fasting bg was 242 and my a1c was 8.2. Once I started on insulin, I think my 14 and 30 day averages looked liked yours. After 2 months, my a1c was 5.9 and after another 2 months, my a1c was 5.1.

I was shocked (and excited) that mine went down so much so fast. But keep in mind I started at 8.2 and my bg was 242, which is pretty low at diagnosis. And I kept very tight control in my first few months.

Good luck! Let us know what it is when you know.

I wonder what my A1C would have been when I was Dx'ed.

I was admitted to hospital (ICU 2 days), as I was short of breath and I lost 30-40 lb's over an year or two before Dx.

My BG level was 650 mg/dl (Thats what Dr's said it was, when I was in Hospital)

I asked my Dr, abt A1C test after startin on insulin, but he said, its no use as would be obviously very HIGH.

I had to wait three months for my first A1C, which is on this Monday.

[panda1076]

I see. That's interesting that they didn't do an a1c just as part of the lab work, but I guess there was no need since he's right, it would have been really high!

I think you'll go down a lot if you are averaging 135 and even lower. But I wouldn't want to guess and get your hopes up! But here's a chart to help you guess...

The Bernstein Hb-A1c to Average Blood Glucose Conversion Table, in mg/dl and mmol/l (http://www.rajeun.net/HbA1c_glucose.html)

Keep in mind I found a few different charts, and they had different numbers. But this chart matched up to what my doctor told me.

[am1977]

I don't think you have to fast for an A1c... Now if you are getting other lab work done, then, it might be necessary.

Also, great job with the testing... I think you will find that the info it give you will really help you in managing your disease. I think you should expect good results :)

[tanyatype1]

I see. That's interesting that they didn't do an a1c just as part of the lab work, but I guess there was no need since he's right, it would have been really high!

I think you'll go down a lot if you are averaging 135 and even lower. But I wouldn't want to guess and get your hopes up! But here's a chart to help you guess...

The Bernstein Hb-A1c to Average Blood Glucose Conversion Table, in mg/dl and mmol/l (http://www.rajeun.net/HbA1c_glucose.html)

Keep in mind I found a few different charts, and they had different numbers. But this chart matched up to what my doctor told me.

Hi Panda! That conversion table says that an A1C of 5.5 is "bad"! Am I reading something wrong here? That's crazy!

[Dervish]

I wonder what my A1C would have been when I was Dx'ed.

I was admitted to hospital (ICU 2 days), as I was short of breath and I lost 30-40 lb's over an year or two before Dx.

My BG level was 650 mg/dl (Thats what Dr's said it was, when I was in Hospital)

I asked my Dr, abt A1C test after startin on insulin, but he said, its no use as would be obviously very HIGH.

I had to wait three months for my first A1C, which is on this Monday.

That sounds rather familiar, although I waited a couple extra days after getting short of breath (I thought it was just a really bad cold) and got a couple extra days in ICU because of it, plus a bonus visit to the ER.

I've got my first A1c coming up on Tuesday, exactly a month after my trip to the ER. I mentioned that I was a little surprised that my PCP was having one done so soon, since it would obviously be pretty high, and he said that he expected it to be around 12 or 13.

[Dervish]

Hi Panda! That conversion table says that an A1C of 5.5 is "bad"! Am I reading something wrong here? That's crazy!

Read the text below the chart. The page's author considers the ADA's recommendation of staying below 7 to border on criminal negligence (complete with a statement which can be read as an implicit accusation that the ADA is conspiring with doctors to create more business for the medical industry by increasing the rate of complications) and that you should be keeping your A1c below 5 instead.

Then he goes off into a discussion of his belief that, by keeping your average BGL below 83 and never allowing it to go over 100, you can slow/halt aging. This discussion also includes recommendations that everyone, even non-diabetics, should check their BGL several times a day and inject insulin if it goes too high. (I didn't read closely enough to catch whether "too high" meant 83 or 100 in this context.)

[chinku]

Hi Panda! That conversion table says that an A1C of 5.5 is "bad"! Am I reading something wrong here? That's crazy!

TanyaType1, I have the same concern, I gave a read abt the "The Bernstein Hb-A1c to Average Blood Glucose Conversion Table, in mg/dl and mmol/l", I see its kind of very hard to maintain A1C of 5 and Under 5, practically, I think its possible if we avoid CARBS all to gether, and stick to a very strict diet...???????, but life does need some enjoyment and I think my aim would be to keep A1C somewhere betweeen 5 and 6 (Close to 6).

And abt aging I dont see a way one would look 16 at age of 60 no matter how one controls the BG.

Dr's say the big D reduces our life by 5-10 years, but who knows how long one will be living?????. (I mean in a positive way)

(Might die in an accident too....;).... who cares)

[tanyatype1]

Chinku, I agree with you 100%. I am DEFINATELY not a follower/believer in Bernstein - he's over the edge in my opinion. (this could get me in trouble around here LOL!) I like moderation in life. Cheers! :)

[Cyborg]

I strive to keep my a1c between 5 and 6. I don't believe that a value in that range is bad, in fact just the opposite. I think that Bernstein has many good ideas, but is too extreme and somewhat biased and opinionated at times.

[Funnygrl]

If you are just getting an a1c, there's no reason to fast, nor any benefit to fasting.

[panda1076]

YIKES--I didn't even read the color key that went along with that Bernstein A1C chart I posted! Sorry for the panic. I was just looking for a chart that correlated BG to A1C, and that one seemed to match what my doctor told me on my lab results.

I think those classifications are crazy. I can't believe he says 4.0-4.4 is optimal. To have an AVERAGE that low, you'd have to have some pretty serious lows!

Sorry for spreading bad propoganda. I promise to read more carefully before posting next time!

[chinku]

Hi Thanks for the Info and all Reply's.

Yes I did not Fast when I gave the blood test and Dr too said Fasting is not necessary for A1C.:D :D

Iam waiting for the result, for which I had to wait until this Friday or Monday (02/04/07)

This would be my first A1C and I am really excited to know it ASAP.

Thank you all........:) :) :) :)

[chinku]

YIKES--I didn't even read the color key that went along with that Bernstein A1C chart I posted! Sorry for the panic. I was just looking for a chart that correlated BG to A1C, and that one seemed to match what my doctor told me on my lab results.

I think those classifications are crazy. I can't believe he says 4.0-4.4 is optimal. To have an AVERAGE that low, you'd have to have some pretty serious lows!

Sorry for spreading bad propoganda. I promise to read more carefully before posting next time!

We know that you were just trying to be helpful.... you need not be sorry..... but I agree that to have the A1C 4.0-4.4 one should go through many Insulin shocks or LOWS I guess.

Any way I would be happy If I am able to get my A1C between 5 and 6 and I agree with Cyborg.

BTW today I am experimenting on getting drunk and BG levels.... will post you soon with my experiences.

cath u all soon........
:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

[panda1076]

Chinku--how did you do on your first a1c?

And how did your alcohol experiments go? I often drink a glass or wine or 2 with pasta/italian dinners... it usually helps keep the BG down :)

[ladytaz]

I wonder what my A1C would have been when I was Dx'ed.

I was admitted to hospital (ICU 2 days), as I was short of breath and I lost 30-40 lb's over an year or two before Dx.

My BG level was 650 mg/dl (Thats what Dr's said it was, when I was in Hospital)

I asked my Dr, abt A1C test after startin on insulin, but he said, its no use as would be obviously very HIGH.

I had to wait three months for my first A1C, which is on this Monday.


I wish my first doc would have done one on me too!! Sure, we all know our first one will most likely be high, BUT, at least we'd know exactly how far we've come!!

I can only 'guestimate' what mine was .... which is somewhere between 10 and 13 or so! It was a year and a half before I FINALLY got my first one which was 6.9 and I was pleased with that, knowing at the time, that my BG averages had been on the rise for the previous few months. If I'd had the test done say last Sept. I think it would have been closer to 6.

I wonder if I had not changed docs, if my previous one would have EVER done an A1c on me! I saw him for 3 months, then wasn't able to go for over a year because of financial reasons.

*shrugs* Oh well, nothing I can do about it now, but still bothers me that it wasn't even brought up, and of course then, in the beginning, I didn't even know about it! My new doc, first appointment, he had me take an A1c!

Knowing what I know now, I think it should be standard procedure to have the A1c upon diagnosis!

[chinku]

Chinku--how did you do on your first a1c?

And how did your alcohol experiments go? I often drink a glass or wine or 2 with pasta/italian dinners... it usually helps keep the BG down

Hi Panda1076,
My first A1C is 5.9 :)
I am kind of kool with that and my experiments were with alcohol wasnt good at all, I was drunk and went to bed :D :D
Did not feel like testing at all.

What kind of wine you drink, can please name the company and some specifics abt it?.

Cath u later.....

[chinku]

Hi Ladytaz,
I thought abt getting the A1C immediately after being dx'ed too, I knew it (abt A1C) as soon as I was out of hospital, and when I searched abt the Diabetes.

But I was still feeling the shock, and was unable to think anything clearly.

Anyhow I think it would not make much difference, as it would be obviously very high.

:o :o :o

Later....

Chinku Type1 dxed 01/01/2007

[Dan Gato]

You don't need to fast, Good luck.

Your 14 days averages look good so far.

[panda1076]

Hi Panda1076,
My first A1C is 5.9 :)
I am kind of kool with that and my experiments were with alcohol wasnt good at all, I was drunk and went to bed :D :D
Did not feel like testing at all.

What kind of wine you drink, can please name the company and some specifics abt it?.

Cath u later.....

5.9 is awesome! That's what I went down to after getting onto insulin too. Keep up the good work!

I don't know much about wine. So I just drink whatever I feel like on that day and whatever looks reasonably priced! So I couldn't begin to tell you names of wines I like...

I haven't noticed different types of wines acting differently in me, but I am not that observant in that way. And I know that alcohol can have a lingering affect over a 24 hr or longer period in terms of bringing down your BG. But I never notice effects like that. I do try not t have more than 1 or 2 glasses at a time. I haven't experimented beyound that amount yet.