Questions about a1c...

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Questions about a1c...
4
Thu, 08-09-2007 - 2:40pm

Hi All! I hope you all will be able to help me get something straight, I'm a little confused right now.

Just a little background on me...first of all, I've been in this prediabetic limbo for many years. One of my doctors got upset about a 145 reading during a 3 hour glucose test (I think it was the 1-hour result) and said she felt I was leaning more towards being diabetic. From what I've read on the internet, I think she's over reacting. I think she was concerned because I'm already taking metformin for PCOS. Anyhow, I went to my pcp and my fasting was 121. Again, doesn't seem that bad to me. That was two months ago and yesterday i went for a follow up fasting glucose. It was 133 and now my pcp is wanting me to go for an a1c. Again, I'm not too worried for a few reasons. For the past few days I've had an upset stomach and I've backed off of the met a little bit since that upsets my stomach anyway. I hadn't taken my full dose of met for a few days before I went for that fasting yesterday. I'm sure that is why it was a little high. Prior to that I was diligent about taking it, so I think my a1c will be fine. Now my a1c question. The bloodwork slip and the nurse said to go fasting. I'm a teacher and we're returned to school already so I won't be able to go until after school for my bloodwork. That means I would be going at 2pm. That's a long time to be fasting. I also did some research on the internet and it doesn't appear that I really do need to be fasting.

Whew...I hope that all made sense and I didn't sound like an idiot.

Thanks!

Laura

Laura, mom to B & E
Avatar for grammyellen
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2007
Thu, 08-09-2007 - 2:58pm
hi laura,

i'm no doctor or nurse, maybe mary frances can address this. but, i do know that i have never had to fast to have my a1c done.

have a great day,






Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photobucket

Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 08-09-2007 - 3:41pm

Hi Laura and welcome to the board!


Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 08-10-2007 - 1:05am

Hey Laura,


Nice to see meet you on the board!


If the lab slip is only for an A1C test you do not need to be fasting. But if it is for other tests, and you will need to tell me what those are, then perhaps you need to be fasting. Under no circumstances would I recommend that you fast until 2pm.


Your numbers certainly are indicative of pre-diabetes and you may be newly diagnosed as diabetic. Your A1C will probably be the deciding factor. If it is above 6 you will rate a diagnosis of diabetes.


Questions are just fine and you absolutely don't sound like an idiot.


Based on your signature I am wondering if you are pregnant.


What grade do you teach? Cheryl is a teacher and I am a nurse. But after all this time I still don't know what grade or grades Cheryl teaches!! I know she substitutes as a teacher.


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 08-10-2007 - 8:18am

Hi Mary Frances! Yes, the a1c is the only test on the lab slip. I think I'm just going to go after school today and do it non fasting. I'm pretty sure they'll ask me if I'm fasting, though since the doctor checked off that box.

And NO I am not pregnant. Aaaak! I'd freak out if I was. I had gestational diabetes both of my pregnancies and I'm sorry to say I hated being pregnant. I love my kiddos, but pregnancy was hard on me. And since DH had a vasectomy, I'd have some explaining to do ;o).

I really think my a1c # will be non diabetic range. Like I said, I backed off the met due to my upset stomach and when I don't take the met my #s are higher. Other than the past few days I'm sure my numbers have been in the normal range.

I can't believe we're back to school already. I teach 1st grade, but prior to that I taught kindergarten for many years. My husband said I have finally graduated to 1st grade!

Thanks again!

Laura

Laura, mom to B & E