A1C diabetes testing is used to measure blood glucose levels over an extended period of time in order to minimize the complications of diabetes related to prolonged periods of high blood sugar. Such complications include progressive damage to organs such as the kidneys eyes, and liver and respiratory and nervous system damage. By checking A1C, diabetic therapy can be adjusted to better address patient needs. Furthermore, A1C diabetes testing is an essential tool for newly diagnosed patients as well as pre diabetics and at risk populations.
In a study led by Dr. Elizabeth Selvin of John Hopkins University the A1C test more accurately identified people who would later develop diabetes. Of particular interest was the finding that A1C was also a predictor of stroke, heart disease, and death from diabetes. Selvin used A1C, FPG, and OGTT a population of 11,092 black and white middle-aged individuals without diabetes, over two years with a follow-up period of 15 years. Of the population, 2,251 were diagnosed with diabetes, 1,198 with heart disease, 358 suffered strokes, and 1,447 died. Selvin found that people with A1C levels between 6 and 6.5% were nine times more likely than those with normal levels to develop diabetes.
Who Should Not Use A1C Diabetes Testing
Those who have suffered recent/severe bleeding, blood transfusions, chronic kidney or liver disease, individuals with blood disorders like iron-deficiency anemia, B-12 anemia, or hemoglobin variants should not use an A1C test as their results may be falsely high or low. There is some conflict on whether A1C testing is accurate for pregnant women. Though testing continues to be done as research shows that high levels of A1C in the first three months of pregnancy are associated with miscarriages and birth defects. Normally A1C is measured every three months during pregnancy in order to maintain levels below 6% with the goal of setting a normal A1C level before pregnancy.
A1C Diabetes Testing Results
Test results are often given as a percentage with goal A1C levels lower than 7%. Beginning in 2009, an estimated Average Glucose (eAG), reflected as mg/dL or mmol/L, began to be used to express A1C test results. eAGs are calculated based on A1C levels and are used to relate A1C results to daily blood glucose testing. When comparing eAG and daily test results it is important to keep in mind that the numbers may not correlate as at home daily testing is often done first thing in the morning or before a meal, yielding lower blood glucose than will be the average. Also of note, because A1C tests do not reflect temporary changes in glucose levels, “brittle” diabetes is not reflected when testing.
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