[Larry H.]

After much prodding I have now the results of an AC1 test. Not exactly sure how it relates to my numbers I had been seeing with the meter, but the nurse felt it was within reason. It was a 5.8. That included a pretty good stretch where I was probably getting higher after meal numbers than I was during the summer period, so I would expect it could have been somewhat lower had I had one done then.
Anyway for all those that have prodded me those were the results.

[Evermont]

Here's a chart that shows the relationship between A1c and your glucometer tests.

A1c chart

[princesslinda]

Here's the conversion chart I like to use, as it breaks down the numbers more. I have a copy on my bulletin board, and I highlight my A1C results on it.

For some reason, this link won't post.... but I go under yahoo and type in printable A1C conversion chart and go under the geocities one.

Larry, 5.8 is a good A1C, esp. for someone NOT on meds. My doc encourages patients to begin meds if the A1C stays 6 or over.

[moorejames]

Here's the link:

geocities.com/diabeteschart/bloodsugarchart.html

And here's a few more:

elviradarknight.com/diabetes/a1cnumbers.html

diabetestoolbox.com/HbA1c-convert.asp

[weird, the board doesn't seem to want to post the links - I'll try them without the www. at the beginning]

[Evermont]

I can do it.

http://geocities.com/diabeteschart/bloodsugarchart.html

Just un-check the "Automatically retrieve titles from external links" option. Perhaps Tony could change the default.

[Ronin]

Hi Larry!

As the "Chief Prodder" I am glad you had the test done. Knowledge is a wonderful thing. Now, what does that number actually mean?

Depending on which chart you use (why they are all different still baffles me) it tells you what your average BG levels have been for the past 90 days (actually, it is a weighted average with emphasis on the past 4 to 6 weeks).

An HbA1c of 5.8 is acceptable and not indicative of diabetes according to the various people, organizations, and agencies who make the dignosis criteria. That being said, you are getting close to the upper limit. That explains why the ADA says your numbers are in the Pre-Diabetc range.

What do you do with this bit of information? First of all, take a deep breath and recognize that you are not diabetic right now. Next you have to make a decision about how you are going to live the rest of your life. Most of us know that you can bring down this number by further modifications of your diet and exercise patterns. I brought mine down to my current levels (see bottom of my signature block). Yeah, I do this test monthly because I find this to be more significant than the daily testing which I only do once or twice a day at maximum (FBG with the occasional post-breakfast check).

December increased my HbA1c numbers a bit (one tenth) largely due to reduced exercise levels influnced by family issues and lousy weather as well as too many parties where I'll admit I strayed from the narrow path. Since I'm over 60 I'm not in a panic and I am in control. Will I become a diabetic? Yeah, it may happen, my father was an undiagnosed diabetic for years (also a functioning alcoholic and heavy smoker). On the other hand, when my father was my age he was dead for over seven years. The thing that I do know, based on the fasting C-Peptide test, is that my pancreas is not producing a lot of insulin as I'm on the low end of normal. Therefore, it takes my body longer to use glucose, therefore I must make sure that I don't put too much in at any given time.

You are doing okay Larry. If you like what your results were, then keep on with the program. If you don't like the results -- modify your program and test again (FWIW: I use the Biosafe home test kit which is available from Amazon for about $20/test if you buy a bunch of them as save shipping costs)

[Larry H.]

All your post are rather timely. I just got the printed version from the lab of my results today. As one Ronin Just mentioned they do indeed seem to vary.
I looked at it and see they show a "Mean Blood Glucose" of 117.8. According to one of the above charts that comes in at 5.4. However the doctors office called and told me it was a 5.8 reading? I think another member mentioned it was an average in the mid 130's. That was too high for comfort for me.
What surprises me is the notes on the test that say;

"Hemoglobin AC1 5.8
Arbitrary guideline:
Near Normal 6.5 to 7.0
Good Control 7.0 to 9.0
Fair 9.0 to 10.0
Poor 10.0

These appear to be higher than most I read on this site or other charts?


I will most definitely normally be watching what I have eaten. Thats the worst part, I have done better than nearly anyone around here I have met with the way I eat. Most just eat what they want and take a pill. What the outcome of that may end up being I am not sure? I usually keep the carbs down best I can. I too though fall short once in a while. Yesterday we had lunch out and I had a spinach salad with a oil dressing. Then I had a very slim slice of chocolate cheese cake.. After a pretty low carb meal last night I tested and at two hours was at 178. A pretty high number for me. Towards bedtime it had dropped to 138. This morning I slept a bit later, which sometimes can be worse or better depending on who knows what.. But I got a 98, so that didn't seem too bad.

I am sure I am on my way to type two maybe even if I watch fairly well. But I can't afford to think its ok to go on as before, I tried a modified amount of that after the doctor gave me the "your ok" kind of talk, and my numbers reflected it..

[ladytaz]

Well, 5.8 is a good number, Larry! Just remember, Diabetes is a progressive disease. You may be able to stave it off for a time, but eventually, you will "cross that line". Know that it is nothing you did to cause that crossing, that's just the way it is! And know that you DID do all you could to stave it off, as long as possible! You deserve MUCH credit for that! When the time comes, and you can no longer keep it at bay, with diet and exercise. Don't hesitate to start on the meds! They're there to help! Just do as you said, keep a good watch on it, and press on with the doc, if neccessary, when that time for meds comes. If he doesn't see things your way, then find yourself a new doc, who is as concerned with your health, as you are!

[Real4]

Originally Posted by Larry H.

What surprises me is the notes on the test that say;

"Hemoglobin AC1 5.8
Arbitrary guideline:
Near Normal 6.5 to 7.0
Good Control 7.0 to 9.0
Fair 9.0 to 10.0
Poor 10.0

These appear to be higher than most I read on this site or other charts?

Those "notes" are for the garbage can. Normal, non-diabetic A1C is under 5.0. 5.8 is decent control for a DIABETIC, it is not normal and it is not even "good control".
There is one major study where they divided the results into over and under 7.0, SURPRISE under 7.0% had much better long term outlook. So since then 7.0 has been a mantra for certain people including some doctors.
The numbers shown have to go back a long way to a time with only primitive insulins and insulin regimes and before oral meds for type 2. They reflect a treatment program centered around keeping a patient alive in the short term, not long-term freedom from complications.

[Larry H.]

Must be a Southern Illinois thing.. My old doctor still thinks 200 after meals is fine.. I thought you all would find those numbers as faulty. The doctors office who quoted these numbers the health department puts out is in yet another small town near. He treated my dad when he was basically dying of pulmonary heart failure and never figured it out.. Funny part is he is a pulmonary specialist.. I am afraid there must be a lot of mis-information out here. It may be why so many just keep eating way too many things they shouldn't and take there little pill.

And yes I will most likely face that too. In the year and 4 months I have been around here I can see where my numbers are not as easy kept down as they were after my first weight loss and exercise routines began. No doubt though if my fastings were higher and my after meals were higher when I got here that may have been going on for quite some time and didn't realize it. So getting them down to where they are, even if not the best control, is probably at least a slow down in the progression. Doing pretty good, just not perfect.

[ladytaz]

Nobody's perfect! You can only do, the best you can do! And that you are!

I just posted on another thread about the Medical Community's general lack of knowledge. It is something that irks me to no end, and I find NO excuse for it! Those doctors and such, that you just described, are doing nothing more than guaranteeing thier diabetic patients early deaths ... for no more reason than they refuse to educate themselves. People in general, tend to do as thier docs say. Take their docs word, as if it's the last and final word. Instead of going out and educating themselves. I, personally, never take a docs word as final. I MUST educate myself on things! Which is what lead me to this fine place! :0)

[wiseguy]

Originally Posted by Ronin

An HbA1c of 5.8 is acceptable and not indicative of diabetes according to the various people, organizations, and agencies who make the dignosis criteria. That being said, you are getting close to the upper limit. That explains why the ADA says your numbers are in the Pre-Diabetc range.

What do you do with this bit of information? First of all, take a deep breath and recognize that you are not diabetic right now.

My recent A1c was 5.7. Does that mean I am not diabetic right now?

[dar917]

Originally Posted by Evermont

Here's a chart that shows the relationship between A1c and your glucometer tests.

A1c chart

Holy cow! I finally have an appointment on Wednesday; I'm going to guess mine is going to be between 7 and 8....but then my dad often goes into 300s and 400s and his last one was 7.6 so maybe it won't be quite that bad....

[BlueSky]

Originally Posted by Ronin

..... An HbA1c of 5.8 is acceptable and not indicative of diabetes according to the various people, organizations, and agencies who make the dignosis criteria. .....

Mmmm ..... HBA1c is not usually used to diagnose diabetes. But an HBA1c of 5.8% corresponds to average blood glucose of 129 mg/dl. This is higher than the fasting diagnostic benchmark of 125 mg/dl. And blood glucose is usually lower in the morning than it is during the rest of the day, unless of course if you are a diabetic with a strong DP. I know doctors consider an HBA1c of over 6% as diabetic, but I think it would be a mistake to say that an HBA1c of 5.8% doesn't indicate diabetes.

[Larry H.]

Originally Posted by BlueSky

Mmmm ..... HBA1c is not usually used to diagnose diabetes. But an HBA1c of 5.8% corresponds to average blood glucose of 129 mg/dl. This is higher than the fasting diagnostic benchmark of 125 mg/dl. And blood glucose is usually lower in the morning than it is during the rest of the day, unless of course if you are a diabetic with a strong DP. I know doctors consider an HBA1c of over 6% as diabetic, but I think it would be a mistake to say that an HBA1c of 5.8% doesn't indicate diabetes.

I am getting more confused by the moment. What does the Mean Blood Glucose mean on my Test? It says 117.8. They listed the AC1 as you say at 5.8. A chart I down loaded says that 117 range is 5.4. I am totally confused by the numbers, but I agree that it is a Diabetic reading and prone to get worse.