6.7 A1c Equals

The Normal A1c Level

You want to control your diabetes as much as possible. You wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t. So you regularly check your A1C level. This is the best measurement of our blood glucose control that we have now. It tells us what percentage of our hemoglobin – the protein in our red blood cells that carry oxygen – has glucose sticking to it. The less glucose that remains in our bloodstream rather than going to work in the cells that need it the better we feel now and the better our health will continue to be. Less glucose in the bloodstream over time leads to lower A1C values. As we are able to control our diabetes better and better, the reasonable goal is to bring our A1C levels down to normal – the A1C level that people who don’t have diabetes have. But before we can even set that goal, we have to know what the target is. The trouble with setting that target is that different experts tell us that quite different A1C levels are “normal.” They tell us that different levels are normal – but I have never heard of actual studies of normal A1C levels among people without diabetes – until now. The major laboratories that test our levels often say that the normal range is 4.0 to 6.0. They base that range on an old standard chemistry text, Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry. The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial or DCCT, one of the two largest and most important studies of people with diabetes, said that 6.0 was a normal level. But the other key study, the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study or UKPDS, which compared conventional and intensive therapy in more than 5,000 newly diagnosed people with type 2 diabetes, said that 6.2 is the normal level. Those levels, while unsubstantiated, are close. But then comes along one of my heroes, Dr. Continue reading >>

Patent Us6265223 - Diagnostic Assay - Google Patents

This application claims priority from provisional patent application, Ser. No. 60/047,983, filed May 28, 1997. This invention relates to the general area of remote site blood sample collection for medical diagnostic tests. More specifically, the invention relates to medical diagnostic tests using filter paper to collect the blood sample. Historically, blood samples have been drawn from a patient in a hospital or physician's office using an evacuated test-tube to collect blood from a venipuncture by a physician, nurse, or other medical professional. Alternatively, a method for sampling of blood at a site remote from the hospital, physician's office, or laboratory has developed over the years where a small amount of blood may be obtained from a fingerstick and the blood can be absorbed onto filter paper to collect the sample. This is known in the art as a dry technique, as opposed to a wet remote site sampling technique that involves collection of a blood sample in a capillary tube. Dry remote site blood spot sampling had its beginning in the 1960's with the use of filter paper to gather blood spot samples from neonates for use in the determination of the presence of phenylketones (Guthrie, et al., [1963] Pediatrics 32(3): 338-343). Since that time, a number of products have been introduced that are designed to facilitate remote site sample collection and transport of the sample to a laboratory for analysis. The availability of remote site blood collection such that the collected sample can be transported to a laboratory for analysis has been very successful in monitoring blood components of diabetics. Diabetes is a chronic and serious disease which affects over 100 million individuals worldwide. In the United States, there are 8 million diagnosed cases of diabetes, with

A1c Test

Print Overview The A1C test is a common blood test used to diagnose type 1 and type 2 diabetes and then to gauge how well you're managing your diabetes. The A1C test goes by many other names, including glycated hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1C and HbA1c. The A1C test result reflects your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. Specifically, the A1C test measures what percentage of your hemoglobin — a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen — is coated with sugar (glycated). The higher your A1C level, the poorer your blood sugar control and the higher your risk of diabetes complications. Why it's done An international committee of experts from the American Diabetes Association, the European Association for the Study of Diabetes and the International Diabetes Federation, recommend that the A1C test be the primary test used to diagnose prediabetes, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. After a diabetes diagnosis, the A1C test is used to monitor your diabetes treatment plan. Since the A1C test measures your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months instead of your blood sugar level at a specific point in time, it is a better reflection of how well your diabetes treatment plan is working overall. Your doctor will likely use the A1C test when you're first diagnosed with diabetes. This also helps establish a baseline A1C level. The test may then need to be repeated while you're learning to control your blood sugar. Later, how often you need the A1C test depends on the type of diabetes you have, your treatment plan and how well you're managing your blood sugar. For example, the A1C test may be recommended: Once every year if you have prediabetes, which indicates a high risk of developing diabetes Twice a year if Continue reading >>

Insulin Therapy For Type 2 Diabetes: Rescue, Augmentation, And Replacement Of Beta-cell Function

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by progressive beta-cell failure. Indications for exogenous insulin therapy in patients with this condition include acute illness or surgery, pregnancy, glucose toxicity, contraindications to or failure to achieve goals with oral antidiabetic medications, and a need for flexible therapy. Augmentation therapy with basal insulin is useful if some beta-cell function remains. Replacement therapy with basal-bolus insulin is required for beta-cell exhaustion. Rescue therapy using replacement regimens for several weeks may reverse glucose toxicity. Replacement insulin therapy should mimic normal release patterns. Basal insulin, using long-acting insulins (i.e., neutral protamine Hagedorn [NPH], ultralente, glargine) is injected once or twice a day and continued on sick days. Bolus (or mealtime) insulin, using short-acting or rapid-acting insulins (i.e., regular, aspart, lispro) covers mealtime carbohydrates and corrects the current glucose level. The starting dose of 0.15 units per kg per day for augmentation or 0.5 units per kg per day for replacement can be increased several times as needed. About 50 to 60 percent of the total daily insulin requirement should be a basal type, and 40 to 50 percent should be a bolus type. The mealtime dose is the sum of the corrective dose plus the anticipated requirements for the meal and exercise. Adjustments should be made systematically, starting with the fasting, then the preprandial and, finally, the postprandial glucose levels. Basal therapy with glargine insulin provides similar to lower A1C levels with less hypoglycemia than NPH insulin. Insulin aspart and insulin lispro provide similar A1C levels and quality of life, but lower postprandial glucose levels than regular insulin. Twenty-seven percent of p Continue reading >>

What’s Normal Blood Sugar?

Thank you for dropping in! If you need help lowering your blood sugar level, check out my books at Amazon or Smashwords. If you’re outside of the U.S., Smashwords may be the best source. —Steve Parker, M.D * * * Physicians focus so much on disease that we sometimes lose sight of what’s healthy and normal. For instance, the American Diabetes Association defines “tight” control of diabetes to include sugar levels as high as 179 mg/dl (9.9 mmol/l) when measured two hours after a meal. In contrast, young adults without diabetes two hours after a meal are usually in the range of 90 to 110 mg/dl (5.0–6.1 mmol/l). What Is a Normal Blood Sugar Level? The following numbers refer to average blood sugar (glucose) levels in venous plasma, as measured in a lab. Portable home glucose meters measure sugar in capillary whole blood. Many, but not all, meters in 2011 are calibrated to compare directly to venous plasma levels. Fasting blood sugar after a night of sleep and before breakfast: 85 mg/dl (4.7 mmol/l) One hour after a meal: 110 mg/dl (6.1 mmol/l) Two hours after a meal: 95 mg/dl (5.3 mmol/l) Five hours after a meal: 85 mg/dl (4.7 mmol/l) (The aforementioned meal derives 50–55% of its energy from carbohydrate) ♦ ♦ ♦ Ranges of blood sugar for young healthy non-diabetic adults: Fasting blood sugar: 70–90 mg/dl (3.9–5.0 mmol/l) One hour after a typical meal: 90–125 mg/dl (5.00–6.9 mmol/l) Two hours after a typical meal: 90–110 mg/dl (5.00–6.1 mmol/l) Five hours after a typical meal: 70–90 mg/dl (3.9–5.00 mmol/l) Blood sugars tend to be a bit lower in pregnant women. ♦ ♦ ♦ What Level of Blood Sugar Defines Diabetes and Prediabetes? According to the 2007 guidelines issued by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists: Prediabetes: Continue reading >>

Your Average Blood Sugar: Why It Really Matters

If there was a blood test that could give you valuable information about a major, yet reversible risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and age related dementia, would you want to take it? What if that same blood test could also give you information about your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, vision loss, cancer and how fast you can expect your body to age? What if the test was really cheap? Now, what if you knew that what you were going to have to do to reverse your risk of all these conditions was going to be personally challenging, maybe even really hard, would you still want to take the test? Something to think about, isn’t it? The test I’m talking about does exist. It’s a simple little test that’s run all the time. It’s full implications are rarely considered, however. The test It’s called “hemoglobin A1c” and is sometimes referred to simply as the “A1c” test. In essence, it measures the amount of sugar that has become stuck to the hemoglobin in your red blood cells (hemoglobin is the component in blood that carries oxygen). Because red blood cells live for about 3 to 4 months, the test is usually used to estimate an “average blood sugar” for the previous 3 months. The more sugar floating around in your blood on a daily basis, the higher you A1c value will be. In conventional medicine the test is used to diagnose and monitor treatment goals for diabetics. The implications of a person’s A1c value run much deeper, however. Sugar within the body doesn’t just stick to hemoglobin. It sticks to many tissues that are made of proteins and fats (this accounts for most tissues in your body by the way) and can bind directly to DNA. The compounds formed by this process are called advanced glycation end products or “AGEs” for Continue reading >>

My A1c Test Showed My Number At 6.7, Can I Improve My Number With Diet And Exercise? I Do Not Want To Take Medication

Please visit the new WebMD Message Boards to find answers and get support. My A1C test showed my number at 6.7, can I improve my number with diet and exercise? I do not want to take medication For someone who doesn't have diabetes, a normal A1C level can range from 4.5 to 6 percent. Someone who's had uncontrolled diabetes for a long time might have an A1C level above 8 percent. When the A1C test is used to diagnose diabetes, an A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher on two separate tests indicates you have diabetes. A result between 5.7 and 6.4 percent is considered prediabetes, which indicates a high risk of developing diabetes. For most people who have previously diagnosed diabetes, an A1C level of 7 percent or less is a common treatment target. Higher targets may be chosen in some individuals. If your A1C level is above your target, your doctor may recommend a change in your diabetes treatment plan. Remember, the higher your A1C level, the higher your risk of diabetes complications. If this dose not show blue, just copy into google to the www. To open and read. PS yes get exercising and look up what to eat to get back on track, try googling the diabetes diet, you should find all the help you need. Important: The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, blogs, or WebMD Answers are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products th Continue reading >>

5 Simple Ways To Lower Your A1c This Week

The A1C blood test is a simple test that analyzes your glucose (blood sugar) levels by measuring the amount of glycated hemoglobin in your blood. Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells; when glucose enters the blood, it attaches to the hemoglobin. The result is glycated hemoglobin. The more glucose in your blood, the higher your glycated hemoglobin. The A1C is a valuable indicator of how well your diabetes management plan is working. While your individual A1C goal will depend on factors including your age and your personal medical profile, most people with diabetes aim to keep their A1C below 7 percent. By keeping your A1C number within your target range, you can reduce the risk of diabetes complications. While it is important to develop a long-term diabetes management plan with your physician, there are several steps you can take right away to help reduce your A1C. Small changes add up, so consider trying some of these strategies to lower your A1C this week. 1. Try Short Sessions of High Intensity Exercise According to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2015, type 2 diabetes patients who did 10 minutes of exercise three times a day, five days a week at 85 percent of their target heart rate had a twofold improvement in A1C levels compared to patients who exercised for 30 minutes a day at 65 percent of their target heart rate. Be sure to check with your doctor before trying high intensity exercise, and wear a heart rate monitor so you don’t overdo it. 2. Shrink Your Dinner Plate Instead of a large dinner plate for your meals, use a smaller salad plate. This simple swap can trick your eyes and brain into thinking you’re eating more than you really are, and you’ll feel satisfied with less food. It’s especially helpfu Continue reading >>

Hacking Diabetes

NOTE: The top part of this post is background and basics. If you are a diabetic who wants the advanced techniques, they are further down a bit. Being a Type 1 diabetic sucks. But, if you know anyone who is diabetic then you likely already know that. Over the last twenty years I've tried many different drugs, diets, techniques, and hacks all meant to keep me alive as long as possible. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, liver failure, kidney failure and a bunch of other stuff that also sucks. It would be really awesome to die of regular old age rather than some complication of diabetes. Every few months a diabetic should get a blood test call an hA1c that is a measure of long term blood sugar control. A normal person's A1C is between 4% and 6% which roughly corresponds to a 3 month average blood sugar of between 70 and 120mg/dl, which is great. My A1c has been around 6.0 to 6.7 which is under the American Diabetes Association's recommendation for Type 1 diabetics of 7.0, but not as low as I'd like it. Related Reading I recently redoubled my efforts and lost about 30lbs, started working out more and removed more carbohydrates by implementing a relaxed paleo diet. This, combined with some medical equipment changes that I discuss below have resulted in my latest A1c - just in last week - of 5.7%. That means for the first time in nearly 20 years I have maintained near-normal blood sugar for at least 3 months. Basics A Type 1 diabetic doesn't produce any insulin, and insulin is required to process sugar and deliver it to the cells. Without insulin, you'd die rather quickly. There's no diet, no amount of yoga, green tea or black, herbs or spices that will keep a Type 1 diabetic alive and healthy. Type 1 diabetes is NOT Type 2 diabetes, so I'm not interested in your jui Continue reading >>

Convert Hba1c To Average Blood Sugar Level

Tweet Use this calculator to convert HbA1c to Average Blood Sugar Level. The HbA1c level in your blood indicates what your average blood glucose level has been in the past 2 to 3 months. Everyone, whether non-diabetic, pre-diabetic, type 1 diabetic or type 2 diabetic has some degree of sugar in their blood. To convert between mg/dl and mmol/L, use our blood sugar converter. You can then convert average blood glucose levels back to HbA1c units with the calculator below. mmol/L Recommended HbA1c ranges The recommended HbA1c range for most with diabetes is to keep the value under 48 mmols/mol (under 6.5% in the old percentage units). People at risk of hypoglycemia, or for whom such tight blood glucose regulation is not advised, may be advised to keep their HbA1c below 59 mmols/mol (under 7.5% in the old percentage units). Because the two tests measure two different things, the calculator can only give an estimate and therefore there will always be some discrepancy between the value provided by the calculator and actual lab test results. How accurate are the results? The calculator looks to provide an estimate of what your HbA1c value may be based upon your average blood glucose results and vice versa. It’s important to note that HbA1c and blood glucose tests measure different things. Blood glucose tests measure the concentration of glucose molecules in the blood at a single point in time. The HbA1c test measures the proportion of haemoglobin molecules in the blood that have become chemically bonded with glucose over a period of up to 3 months. However, the calculator serves as a useful guide which can give you a close indication of what your HbA1c result might be based on your blood glucose results? What can I learn from converting my average blood glucose level to HbA1c Continue reading >>

The Abcs Of Diabetes: A1c, Blood Pressure, And Cholesterol

Three important diabetes measures There is so much to think about when you have diabetes, but this easy-to-remember acronym will help you focus on what’s important and take control of your health. Read our breakdown and talk to your doctor about what’s right for you. A = AIC What is it? An A1C blood test measures the percentage of hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein in your red blood cells) coated with sugar. It measures your average blood glucose (sugar) level over the past two to three months. The A1C test gives you and your health care provider a measure of your progress. Most people with diabetes should have an A1C test every three to six months; people who are meeting their treatment goals may need the test only twice a year. Why is it important? The A1C test is a good measure of how well your glucose is under control. It can also be a good tool for determining if someone with prediabetes is progressing toward or has developed type 2 diabetes. Adults over age 45 with hypertension, obesity, or a family history of diabetes also are advised to get an A1C test because they have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Finding out you have an elevated A1C is a cue to make positive changes to your lifestyle. What do the numbers mean? 5.7% or lower = normal blood glucose levels 5.8–6.4% = elevated blood glucose levels (prediabetes) 6.5% or higher = diabetes What should my numbers be? For years, people with type 2 were told to strive for an A1C of 7 percent or less, but new research indicates that one level doesn’t fit all. Based on your health status, age, and risk factors, you and your health care provider should determine an A1C goal for you. Here are the American Diabetes Association’s new general guidelines: Person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabet Continue reading >>

Association Between Preoperative Hemoglobin A1c Levels, Postoperative Hyperglycemia, And Readmissions Following Gastrointestinal Surgery

Association Between Preoperative Hemoglobin A1c Levels, Postoperative Hyperglycemia, And Readmissions Following Gastrointestinal Surgery Association Between Preoperative Hemoglobin A1c Levels, Postoperative Hyperglycemia, And Readmissions Following Gastrointestinal Surgery Association Between Preoperative Hemoglobin A1c Le... Master your semester with Scribd & The New York Times Special offer for students: Only $4.99/month. levelswereexaminedasacontinuousandcategoricalvariable(<5.7%,5.7%-6.5%,and>6.5%).AlogisticregressionmodeledpostoperativecomplicationsandreadmissionswiththeclosestpreoperativeHbA UniversityofAlabamaBirmingham,DepartmentofSurgery;BirminghamVeteransAdministrationHospital,Birmingham(Jones,Graham,Morris,Richman,Hollis,Wahl);CentralTexasVeteransHealthCareSystem,Temple(Copeland);ClementJ.ZablockiVeteransAffairsMedicalCenter,Milwaukee,Wisconsin(Burns);VeteranAffairsBostonHealthCareSystemandTuftsUniversitySchoolofMedicine,DepartmentofSurgery,Boston,Massachusetts(Itani);StanfordUniversity,DepartmentofSurgery;VeteranAffairsPaloAltoHealthCareSystem,PaloAlto,California(Hawn). 2017 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Downloaded From: by a Columbia University User on 07/27/2017 erioperative hyperglycemia is common among surgi-cal patients and has been associated with adverseoutcomes. Chronic hyperglycemia causes hemoglo-binglycationandcanbemeasuredbyhemoglobinA ),which reflects the mean glucose level for the previous days. levelsof.%to.%andmorethan.%fordiagnosingprediabetesand diabetes, respectively. ex-perienced more postoperative infections and longer hospitalstays. canalsobeusedtoidentifypatientswho are at an increased risk for developing acute postopera-tive hyperglycemia, which has also been linked to postop-erativecomplications,includingsurgica Continue reading >>

Prevalence And Risk Factors Hemoglobin A1c, Serum Magnesium, Lipids, And Microalbuminuria For Diabetic Retinopathy: A Rural Hospital-based Study Phadnis P, Kamble Ma, Daigavane S, Tidke P, Gautam S - J Datta Meghe Inst Med Sci Univ

Objective: To study the risk factors responsible for diabetic retinopathy (DR). Material and Methods: One hundred and six cases of DR were included for the study. Detailed history including age and sex of the patient, duration of diabetes, anterior segment, and detailed fundus examination was carried out. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), postmeal blood sugar (PMBS), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), serum magnesium, lipid profile, and microalbuminuria were performed. Results: Of 106 patients of DR, 69.81% were males and 30.18% females. Average duration of diabetes was 7.67 years. Average age was 57.16 years. Nonproliferative DR (NPDR) was present in 87.73% and proliferative DR (PDR) in 12.26%. Raised FBS was present in 78.30%, raised PMBS in 69.81%, raised HbA1c in 77.35%, hypomagnesemia in 22.64%, and microalbuminuria in 7.55% patients. Raised low-density lipoprotein was present in 32.11% NPDR, 3.67% PDR, 19.81% clinically significant macular edema (CSME). Raised triglycerides were present in 37.74% NPDR, 1.88% PDR, and 21.70% CSME. Raised total cholesterol was present in 28.30% NPDR, 1.88% PDR, and 18.87% CSME. Conclusion: Risk factors for developing DR were duration of diabetes, uncontrolled blood sugar, raised HbA1c, hypomagnesemia, presence of microalbuminuria, and raised serum lipids. Therefore, good glycemic control with early diagnosis and management is required to prevent DR. Keywords:Diabetic retinopathy, hypomagnesemia, microalbuminuria, serum lipids Phadnis P, Kamble MA, Daigavane S, Tidke P, Gautam S. Prevalence and risk factors Hemoglobin A1c, serum magnesium, lipids, and microalbuminuria for diabetic retinopathy: A rural Hospital-based study. J Datta Meghe Inst Med Sci Univ 2017;12:121-32 Phadnis P, Kamble MA, Daigavane S, Tidke P, Gautam S. Prevalence and risk factors Continue reading >>

Decoding Hba1c Test For Blood Sugar

Defining “HbA1c” The HbA1c assay is the gold-standard measurement of chronic glycemia and measures the amount of glucose that binds to hemoglobin over a period of 3 months. The HbA1c Test is often prescribed as a must-do blood test for pre-diabetic, type 1 diabetic or type 2 diabetic or even non-diabetics. So what exactly is HbA1c? How does this measure work? How will it help you manage your diabetes better? All this and more info on the HbA1c counter and teach yourself how best you can interpret your blood test results. In the abbreviation “HbA1c”, ‘Hb’ refers to hemoglobin while 'A1c' is a specific subtype of hemoglobin. Also called the Glycated/ Glycosylated Hemoglobin A Protein test, the HbA1c test gives the level of blood glucose estimated over a period of time (ideally 3 months or 8-10 weeks), The correct format of HbA1c is HbA1c but for convenience it is mentioned as HbA1c. Unlike the customary finger-prick blood test which reads blood glucose at a specific point in time, the HbA1c gives us a long range value. This reading of blood glucose is unaffected by immediate or short-term fluctuations in blood sugar and reflects how well glucose levels have been maintained over the specific period. HbA1c test improves the effectiveness of diabetes treatment by tablets or insulin injection or both. It is a good guiding test by which the patient can understand how best he has controlled his condition and take further necessary corrective action. The HbA1c test range should be as follows - • A non-diabetic should have an A1c result between 4% and 6%. • In Diabetics - A1c level should be 6.5% (47 mmol/mol) or higher. • In Pre-diabetes (increased risk of developing diabetes in the future): A1c is 5.7% to 6.4% (39 - 46 mmol/mol) In most diabetic individuals th Continue reading >>

Differential Effect Of Initiating Moderate Red Wine Consumption On 24-h Blood Pressure By Alcohol Dehydrogenase Genotypes: Randomized Trial In Type 2 Diabetes

Received 2015 February 25; Revised 2015 April 12; Accepted 2015 July 13. Copyright American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2015. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: [email protected] This article has been cited by other articles in PMC. Observational studies report inconsistent associations between moderate alcohol intake and blood pressure (BP). In a sub-study of a larger randomized controlled trial, we assessed the effect of initiating moderate red wine consumption on 24-h BP recordings and the effect of a common genetic variant of alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH) among patients with type 2 diabetes. Fifty-four type 2 diabetes, alcohol abstainers were randomized to consume 150ml/dinner dry red wine or mineral water. Both groups were guided to adhere to a Mediterranean diet, without caloric restriction. We measured 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) at baseline and after 6 months. Participants (age = 57 years; 85% men; mean 24-h BP = 129/77mm Hg) had 92% 6-month retention. After 6 months of intervention, the average 24-h BP did not differ between the wine and water groups. A transient decrease in BP was observed in the red wine group at midnight (34 hours after wine intake: systolic BP: red wine = 10.6mm Hg vs. mineral water = +2.3mm Hg; P = 0.031) and the following morning at 79 am (red wine: 6.2mm Hg vs. mineral water: +5.6mm Hg; P = 0.014). In a second post hoc sub-analysis among the red wine consumers, individuals who were homozygous for the gene encoding ADH1B*2 variant (Arg48His; rs1229984, TT, fast ethanol metabolizers), exhibited a reduction in mean 24-h systolic BP (8.0mm Hg vs. +3.7mm Hg; P = 0.002) and pulse pressure (3.8mm Hg vs. +1.2mm Hg; P = 0.032) compared to heterozygotes and those homozygous for the ADH1B*1 variant (CC, slow me Continue reading >>