Is it worth doing another A1c test one month later?

[duck]

I did my last (home) A1c test 11/14 for a result of 7.7. I've been pretty aggressive in correcting highs/higher than normals and monitoring my BSLs this last month--I'd like to take another test to see where I am, knowing full well that I basically have two months that were not as tightly controlled as the last. Is it worth it you think? I can afford these tests, for about $20 a month I won't hurt.

[Ashtur]

Though the A1C is weighted to the last 30 days, I don't see alot of point in doing more than about once every 60 days or so. If you've been keeping good tab on it with BG tests (and recording them) that should give you the info you need, and save you the $20.

[notme]

Duck, have you thought about maybe purchasing a meter that calculates your A1c?? I know the Ultra Smart will do this for you. I know there are a few others. For the cost of the tests, you could get a meter that calculates your A1c.

[Belinda]

Duck if you can afford the 20 bucks then I would do it...since I don't like waiting :whistling . It may not show you a big improvement but hey information is knowledge... :thumbsup:

[duck]

Ashtur, I have been keeping good records...But there's all those times in between; Isn't that what the A1c is helpful for? (On a side note, I cannot wait for a monitor that allows realtime, constant monitoring).

Notme, I am very vested in my Freestyle. I love this thing! I own at least five right now (you all will laugh, I have one for each of my cars, one for work, one that "travels" with me, one in my bedroom and one in my home office--I bought them all). I know that there are meters that "calculate" A1c, but don't those just use the average of your collective blood sugar readings? So if I only did twenty checks a month, wouldn't that make it less accurate? If I am wrong, I may reconsider.

Belinda is egging me on! LOL. I'm going to do it montly probably, as you say, information is pretty critical to us. At worst, I am wasting $20, right? I have certainly wasted $20 in worse ways in my lifetime. :whistling

[Belinda]

Notme, I am very vested in my Freestyle. I love this thing! I own at least five right now (you all will laugh, I have one for each of my cars, one for work, one that "travels" with me, one in my bedroom and one in my home office--I bought them all).


Belinda is egging me on! LOL. I'm going to do it montly probably, as you say, information is pretty critical to us. At worst, I am wasting $20, right? I have certainly wasted $20 in worse ways in my lifetime. :whistling


Not laughing here have 4 meters of the One touch myself..they are everywhere

NO I am not :whistling

[bac4uw]

I did my last (home) A1c test 11/14 for a result of 7.7. I've been pretty aggressive in correcting highs/higher than normals and monitoring my BSLs this last month--I'd like to take another test to see where I am, knowing full well that I basically have two months that were not as tightly controlled as the last. Is it worth it you think? I can afford these tests, for about $20 a month I won't hurt.

At the risk of sounding redundant, I'm going to beg you (or anyone else!) to try one of those Choice DM Home HbA1C home test kits (at Costco, Rite Aid, etc. for $15.00.. hey you save five bucks!). I posted something like this a week or two ago about checking the accuracy of the home test kit... but didn't get any feedback. I'm just curious about whether or not the home test matches the doctor's office test... It might save me/us a trip to the doctor's office if that is all you are going in for!

Bryan

[Belinda]

Nope my visit to the doctor consist of more than the A1C...I go for the newest updates in diabetic care, to chat with my doctor (whom I adore) and the #1 reason......is I always go on a Monday to extend my weekend (which means I don't go to work....easiest day to plan for a Sub....) :whistling

[MarkMunday]

Duck,

I also find that 3 months is far too long to wait for feedback on changes to the control modus operandi. Apparently, 50% of the HBA1c test result is determined by blood glucose levels during the last month. Which makes it a reasonably sensitive performance indicator. So if you have made changes you think should improve your control, do the test. You won't see the full result yet. But you will know if you are on the right track.

I tested monthly over a period in which I switched from NPH to Lantus and reduced the carbs in my diet. The readings are as follows:

Jun-04 7.7
Jul-04 7.6
Aug-04 7.1
Sep-04 6.7
Oct-04 6.2
Nov-04 6.2

My goal was to get it down to 6.0 by Xmas. Things are getting harder but I think I can still do it. I found the feedback helped keep me focused on the process of continual improvement. And I wouldn't have got this far without it. When I have achieved my objective, I will probably revert to having the HBA1c done every three months.

Cheers,

Mark

[duck]

Wow. Thanks Mark, I am now bound and determined!

bac4uw, I am using a home test kit, Choice A1C Home Test. I bought the one I used last month at CVS Pharmacy, then I saw them on eBay from somehting someone posted on this forum, and I figured for $13 shipped it was a good deal.

I had used one other before, about five or six weeks before an endo appt: From what I read from Mark and Ashtur, this could be skewed since more than a month passed, but both results had me at 7.1 (home) and 7.0 (endo). If I recall, though, I was again doing well in taking care of myself at that time. So I trust these things.