Have you had an A1C

[princesslinda]

I'm wondering if the majority of the pre-D's are being diagnosed by GTT (glucose tolerance test) alone or are you also having an A1C? Also, when you follow-up, how often do you get a repeat A1C? My doc said he diagnoses diabetes by A1C...if one is only a little higher than normal, he gets a 2nd (unfortunately my first was so high there was no question of pre vs T2), but I do see where several of you have had the GTT.

[shockme]

hi linda!i was dx'd pre-d in sept of 06.my fbs was 126 or 127-don't recall.i was told to lose weight and watch what i eat.no dieatary guidelines,no referral to a dietician.found out[by a urine dipstick]in nov.that i had "alot"of sugar in my urine.this was an ob-gyn nurse practictioner.she asked if i'd had any sugar b4 coming in.yeah-in tea.she said''that must be why"i KNEW that wasn't normal to spill glucose into your urine-but i just went along with it...then she suggests a glucose tolerance test.called my pcp-said it "wasn't necessary"said he's do another fbs in feb.new insurance starting jan-dx type 2 1-25.i know that was more than you asked-but i also wanted to show the stupidity of some health care providers!sorry for the babble!trish

[Ronin]

Hi Linda!

My health care comes from the Veterans Administration. My primary care did an HbA1c when repeated FBG's were above 100 and going up from test-to-test. All of these have been between 5.2 - 5.4%. I get two a year from the VA and do a home test in-between from Biosafe (FWIW: I did one Biosafe from the same blood sample that the VA drew to check accuracy -- the results were identical).

Based on this my primary care said -- "You're not diabetic --YET" but unless I modify my diet it is likely that I will develop Type-II. (See the current post under "Aarugh" for my latest supositions).

Personally, unlike Dr. Bernstein, I think that the A1c is a very good test and can, in conjunction with regular daily testing, tell anyone if they are going in the right direction.

I now do an A1c monthly to get the sense of a moving average (or in my case, not moving as the most recent tests are all 5.2%).

[princesslinda]

I, too, agree that the A1C is a great monitor of how we're doing. I was just curious as to how the pre-D was determined, esp. if the A1Cs are actually within the normal limits (4-6) on the Pre-D's...guess that's why the GTT is often done, as it would probably pick up sensitivies more quickly than an A1C...your's are great though...took metformin AND lifestyle changes for me to get at my last A1C...I applaud your results!