A1c
 

How can I determine my A1c values?

Generally the A1c values are determined by a laboratory after blood has been drawn during the doctors prescribed "blood work". However, there is an A1c test kit that can be purchased at your local pharmacy, that gives a fair representation. Just be advised that it will not be as accurate as the one done by the laboratory.

If you are talking about the GB A1c data, calculated by your previous 90 days of data that you have input into the GB App, this can be done from the website. Just be advised that it will not be as accurate as the one done by the laboratory either.

Ok, thanks for info. Can you comment on the best test kit for home use?

No I am sorry that I can not. I have never used one. However, I am sure that there would be several reviews on the web, if you want to Google them, or you could ask your pharmacist.

I understand, and I did that. Discovered that the home tests are not very accurate and likely not worth the money. Thanks anyway!

yep - that's what I was going to say - they're not very accurate at all. I would urge you to see your Dr to get it tested - better to know the number than not no matter what it is, right?

Only one thing matters...
 

My doctor was totally UNimpressed with all my daily readings and such. Not that he disapproved me of monitoring myself, he was glad I did. It was just that so far as HE was concerned there is only one thing that matters - a laboratory A1C. The "truth test" as he called it. No hiding from your activities for the past 90 days! You can heavily bias your average readings depending on when you take them and how often so the A1C calculation on the site is at best a wild estimate. As for home kits - he didn't think any were worth the cost and recommended I just come in every 3 months which is how often my insurance plan will pay for one.

Update to my last post.... For the past 6 months I'be been on a strict diet and execise program (down 75 pounds!). During that time I've measure my blood sugar before and after every meal as well as before and after exercising so I'd say I have a pretty extensive set of samples for the GB app to use in calculating A1C. Yesterday I had my A1C taken at my doctor's office and it came in at 6.1 (vs 9.8 six months ago) whereas the calculated value in the GB app has been running 5.2. It just demonstrates that while the app calculation is good for tracking trends (it acurately showed my A1C rising slightly after going off Amaryl a few months ago), if you want the TRUE value then nothing substitutes for a lab test.

Please remember that the A1c calculations, in the app / website, are not intended to be a replacement for actual lab test. These calculations are only provided to give you an idea of your progress and are based on the overall average of your blood glucose tests. The calculations, within the app / website, are only as good as the information provided and they most-likely do not take into consideration your blood glucose during the night unless you are up and monitoring it. There is no substitution for the actual laboratory A1c test and there probably will never be a replacement.