HBA1C Results

[Miemie]

If I convert my HBA1C % to glood glucose, do I look at whole blood or plasma?

[ShottleBop]

Generally, plasma, which is how the labs measure it. My understanding is that virtually all of the newer blood sugar meters are programmed to give "plasma" numbers, even though they work off of whole blood. See this discussion over at Diabetic Mommy (http://www.diabeticmommy.com/24-hba1c-conversion-chart.html): Whole blood is whenyou obtain a measurement from whole blood. Just like when you prick your finger and put a drop of whole blood on the strip. Plasma is when the red blood cells are removed and the glucose measurement is taken from your plasma. This is the measurement you get from the lab.

So...that means your home meter gives the whole blood measurement right? Not necessarily. Many blood glucose meters are programmed to convert your whole blood measurement to a plasma measurement. Most of the new meters are now doing this because most doctor's offices use the plasma measurement.

Neither one of these methods is better or more accurate than the other. They are just different ways to measure the same thing. Kind of like how you can express the temperature in both Celsius and Fahrenheit.

The moral of the story? Know what type of reading you are getting from your meter and whether your doctor is talking whole blood or plasma AND that he knows what kind of reading your meter is spitting out.

If your doctor is giving you different goals than the ones mentioned here, remember we are all different people and sometimes require individual treatment. Follow your health care team's recommendations. And, don't be afraid to ask why!

The manual that came with your meter should tell you whether it gives a whole blood reading or a plasma reading. My Aviva, for instance, gives a plasma reading.

[Miemie]

Hi Shottlebop, thanks for the info, I think I also came across this website when I was looking for an answer. There's quite a big difference between whole blood and plasma. If I take my A1C of 5.8% and convert it, whole blood is about 5.9 mmol and plasma is about 7.2 mmol. (Blood Sugar Conversion (Blood Sugar Converter, Convert mmol/L to mg/dl, convert hba1c to average blood glucose, Convert UK to US) -- e-Tools Age (http://www.etoolsage.com/converter/blood_sugar_conversion.asp)) I found this to be a very helpful site to convert.