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Posted 9/10/2010 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone,

I am confused by A1c test. My endo told me that the normal range in his lab (on-site) is up to 5.7%.

But my family doctor told me if it is under 6.5%, it is normal. He did not mention any specific lab.

I am confused! please help!

thank you!

mip

Posted 9/10/2010 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi mip, I know we've talked about the discrepancies before as to what 'normal' is on blood sugar tests, so here it is again:  different labs and different doctors and different medical associations have different parameters for blood sugar tests.  Some of them say an A1c should be under 6; some say it should be under 6.5.  From everything I've read, I believe we are better off having an A1c under 6.  I feel an endo would have a better grasp on the meaning of an A1c than a family doctor since he works as a specialist in this field everyday and might have more access to the latest studies.  That's my opinion. 
Posted 9/20/2010 10:44 AM (GMT 0)
6.2 is the OFFICIAL mark if you are diabetic or not. 6.2 or above = diabetc under 6.2 = not diabetc (Hope Lanie will forgive me, but that is off my medical training lol) BUT every year the american diabetes association likes to change it lol.Currently it is 6.2

ANyhow, those numbers made sense to me. You are either diabetic or pre diabetic. How could you be diabetic if you arent above that range? Simple, do you have symptoms? You are at the position of turning it around by better healthier choices. (Lanie, this is now my personal experience)

How I know? Well, on PERSONAL note. I was diagnosed at 5.8 even though the offical term is 6.2 because I had symptoms. I demanded a dietician class, applied what I learned. Took my darn pill and the symptoms went away. I even got so good that was able to get off the metformin. There is a small percentage of people who will experience symptoms before that level, and I happened to be one of them.
Posted 9/20/2010 4:25 PM (GMT 0)

I have a strong family history from my mom's side.

Currently I don't have any symptoms. My fasting was around 90, A1C was 5.5% last time from Quest, which told me that A1C's upper normal is 6.0%.

Test from my Endo's onsite lab -  A1C was 5.6%. And he told me his lab, the upper normal is 5.7%.

And then, from my family doctor, he threw out another number: 6.5%

I am doing everything I can to stay on the track now. Low-card diet and exercise. I am actually almost underweight so losing-weight does not work for me. I guess I actually need to gain weight by gaining more muscle, through strength training. 

thanks for all the replies.

mip

Posted 9/20/2010 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
mip, you're doing everything right and you're keeping yourself informed.  This is the best way to take care of yourself.  As you see there is a lot of discrepancy among health professionals as to what parameters should be used to diagnose diabetes.   The best test is the GTT, the Glucose Tolerance Test.   I also have type 2 on my mother's side but nowadays we have more resources for the common folk to learn from, whereas in my mother's generation (and before that) they didn't even have glucose test meters for patients.  They used the test strips for urine.  A1c tells us our average but it is not a good dianostic tool since it does not tell us our highs or lows.  Someone with critcally high blood sugar who also has critcally low blood sugar during about 3 months may average out to a normal A1c.  Doing some strength training is really good for you for lots of reasons.  It helps your muscles to be stronger which helps them use blood sugar more efficiently.  It also helps your heart and blood pressure - but be sure your doctor approves of this.  Well, I guess you're not lifting weights like a body builder!  tongue
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