Home A1c test kits

[mariwood]

Has anyone used the home testing kit for A1c and is it easy to use and accurate if so?

[Deager]

Jack used one and got a 7.1 reading. One week later one was done at the doctors office and it came back 7.3, so pretty close. We've only done the one but will do more. He isn't due for another for a month and we are hoping it will be a good one since he's been on the pump for almost 2 months now.

Diane

[KLD]

Several people on my other diabetes forum have used them on the same day as they went for a regular A1C test, and found the results to be very close to the lab result. I had intended to order one myself but, when I went to the website, I noticed a warning that people on blood thinners shouldn't use them so I changed my mind. So note that - anyone who is also on blood thinners.

Karen

[glero]

Where can you find one of these home testing kits?

[KLD]

I live in Canada, and I've never looked into where they can be purchased here, but the brand name is A1CNow by Metrika and I understand that Walgreens carries them in the USA.

You used to be able to order them online at www.a1cnow.net but I just checked that site and found that they no longer sell them individually, just in sets of 10 which makes it unrealistic for most of us. But you might want to check out that site for information about them.

Karen

[statdeac]

For those of you who have purchased or used the home A1c test, I am wondering how this fits into your plan. How often do you use it and how often do you have get results at the doctors office for the same thing?

If I were not already getting this test at the doctor's office every 3-4 months, I might see value in knowing how things are going beyond bg trends. However, this interval is sufficient for me.

[KLD]

The reason I was interested is that my family doctor wouldn't order an A1C for me more often than once a year. He said that my blood sugar levels were so good that doing an A1C every three months was "overkill." My endo has now given me a standing order to have one every three months.

Karen

[hermitladee]

Karen, is the warning about being on blood thinners due to the medication will give false results, or is it just a precautionary warning about blood thinners could make it harder to clot after doing the test? I could not find any info saying the blood thinners or anticoagulants would interfere with testing.

[KLD]

I just rechecked and it doesn't say not to use it, just not to use it without checking with your doctor. Some of the people on the other site that have used it said you have to draw a larger blood sample than for regular BG testing, so I assumed it was because of a risk of bleeding, not because the test wouldn't be accurate.

Karen

[BeadieJay]

please excuse my ignorance, but I'm new to this.

What is the A1C test?

thanks, from a newbie ;)

[Ashtur]

Beadie: The A1C (or HbA1c) is a test that measures how good your control has been over the last three months or so.

In short form, if you keep your sugar at an average of 170, it converts into a 7.0 A1C... I believe 135 converts to 6.0 (don't have the chart at hand)

It's highly suggested that you keep your A1C at or below 6.5 to minimize the risks of complications.

Note, this is average, not average fasting, so that average would include even the time an hour after a meal when everything is at it's highest.

[BeadieJay]

thanks Ashtur :)

one more question (sorry!!)....is it a basic blood test (not the finger prick) or is there more to it?

thanks from BJ (who has an inherent fear of needles, but is trying hard to get used to them aaaaaaaaaaaargh!!)

[Ashtur]

Beadie: I'm not sure about the home test (never used it) but I normally get one done at my regular Doc's appointment, and so they just use part of the blood they draw for everything else (vampires!)

[BeadieJay]

Originally posted by Ashtur
(vampires!)

LOL, thanks again Ashtur :)

[PepsiLvr]

glero,

You can purchase them over the web as mentioned in the above posts or I'm sure you have a Wallgreens near you (they're everywhere) Here's the link to the product on the Wallgreens website but they are out of stock. Your local Wallgreens will probably have them in stock though. (You'll have to ask the pharmacist because they are kept in the fridge)

On a side note, I've never used them but I'm glad to hear others say that they are pretty accurate.

Wallgreens - A1Cnow (http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jhtml?id=prod393251&CATID=100284&navAction=push&navCount=0)

[Pelp]

Hi everybody! I was just wondering what brand of test those of you who found them to be accurate are using? I've just started a new job and will no doubt have a waiting period before my insurance will cover that type of thing, so I'd like to be able to do one myself every now and then.

Leesa

[KLD]

Originally posted by KLD
...but the brand name is A1CNow by Metrika and I understand that Walgreens carries them in the USA...
That's the only brand I know of.

Karen

[SunniD]

I participated in a study and we had an A1C done by OTC brand (sorry don't remember name of it) and also by a Bayer A1C machine and also had one done where I work as a lab tech or one of those "Vampires".lol They all checked within 0.1 so the precision and accuracy are great on the OTC brands or health Canada wouldn't have allowed them for sale.<smile>

There might be issues if you were using it at different temps as the study was all done at room temp. I just find them too expensive here in Canada to bother with. Our testing is free so just need to get doc to order it done and every 3 mos. is what is suggested here also.

SunniD

[Pelp]

Thanks Karen! I ordered one of the Metrika kits online this morning. We shall see!

Leesa

[KLD]

That's great, Leesa. Let us know what you think after you've used it.

Karen

[lgvincent]

I'd like to give them a try.