What is A1c?

[Doodle]

I've noticed in a lot of the messages folks are listing that they have an A1c number. What is that and how do I find out what mine is? Is this something my doctor tests for? I will be going back to the doctor on Sept. 4th and I'm sure we will discuss my sugar since I just started having to test it. He has been concentrating on my foot ulcer so far.

[Granny Shanny]

The hemoglobin A1c is a pretty standard part of testing for diabetes. Since hemoglobin survives for 90 days in the blood stream, it's possible to test and see what your average bg levels have been over that period of time. It may not be the definitive factor, but it's a good tool for the docs and us patients.

From MedicineNet.com:To explain what an A1c is, think in simple terms. Sugar sticks, and when it's around for a long time, it's harder to get it off. In the body, sugar sticks too, particularly to proteins. The red blood cells that circulate in the body live for about three months before they die. When sugar sticks to these cells, it gives us an idea of how much sugar has been around for the preceding three months. In most labs, the normal range is 4-5.9 %. In poorly controlled diabetes, its 8.0% or above, and in well controlled patients it's less than 7.0%. The benefits of measuring A1c is that is gives a more reasonable view of what's happening over the course of time (3 months), and the value does not bounce as much as finger stick blood sugar measurements.

[jer.lawrence]

Along those same lines, how do you guys find out what all your numbers are? I know my PCP had my numbers, but I didn't get a copy of them. I'm going back to see him on Tuesday for my followup -- should I just ask for a copy of the results for the bloodwork?

He told me what my A1c and fasting glucose were, but I didn't really find out much else. I've been seeing him for around a year or year and a half now for blood pressure, so I know that wasn't great. He told me my cholesterol wasn't great but wasn't terrible, but didn't specify.

I guess I should just ask?

[sarahspins]

should I just ask for a copy of the results for the bloodwork?

YES! Just ask for a copy of the labwork. You have a legal right to your medical records, and if you are requesting current information relevant to why you are being seen, they should have no problem copying it for free for you.

[Granny Shanny]

Yep, just ask. If I'm at doc's office, I ask for a copy. If I'm not there, I ask them to call if I'm in a hurry. But my doc mails me my results anyhow - it's a form letter & printout from the lab, but he always writes a personal note.

[Doodle]

My bloodwork came back pretty good, but he didn't give me any numbers. He just told me that my bad cholesterol was fine, but my good cholesterol was a little low. He put me on Lovastatin for that. I, also, had high BP (158/90) and he has me on Bystolic for that. I'm retaining water, so I'm on a water pill, (Lisinopril, I think) and I'm taking Furosemide for my kidneys. He said something was high in my kidneys and he wanted me to take it to protect them from the diabetes. And then there's the Actos for my sugar. But he didn't give me any numbers on anything. I go back to see him on September 4th, so I'll ask him for the numbers.

[Granny Shanny]

My guess is the Furosemide is the water pill, and the Lisinopril is to protect your kidneys. Don't quote me, but I know furosemide is a diuretic.

[Doodle]

I thought I might have gotten them mixed up, but wasn't sure. You're probably right. I usually write on the bottle what they're for, but didn't on those 2 for some reason. Probably just forgot.