A1c question

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2007
A1c question
6
Tue, 10-09-2007 - 8:20am

I finally had a chance to call the doctor for the results on my A1c done in September.  It was 6.4 and they are telling me that it is high.  My first in February was 8.5.  I have been rereading info and I see where less than 6.5 is good and elsewhere less than 7.  What in the world is the correct number???


Rita

Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: mattrita2007
Tue, 10-09-2007 - 8:59am

Rita, that is what to me is crazy...


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
In reply to: mattrita2007
Tue, 10-09-2007 - 11:24am

Under 6 is what a 'normal' person's A1C would be. The other numbers (6.5 or 7.0) depend on whether you're looking at things from an endocrinologist's viewpoint (the American Academy of Clinical Endocrinologists) or from the ADA (American Diabetes Association) standpoint, respectively. You've made great strides in improving the values so keep at it, whatever you've been doing. But, from an endo's POV, 6.4 would be the high end of acceptable values for a diabetic.

--Deb

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: mattrita2007
Wed, 10-10-2007 - 12:56am

Rita,


I think you are doing wonderfully well. You are to be congratulated.


Deb has explained to you the different points of view. I try to keep to the goal of the AACE because I will have less chance of developing complications from my diabetes. I have been diabetic 17 years and I don't have any complications and I want it to stay that way as long as possible. It takes work to keep your A1C between 6 and 6.5 but I am willing to try and do that. My last A1C was 6.1.


So I say enjoy where you are and if you are able to get it a little lower, more power to you. Keep up the good work.


I am going to give you one of my ATTA GIRL Awards!


iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2007
In reply to: mattrita2007
Wed, 10-10-2007 - 7:54am

Hi everyone,


Thanks for the encouragement.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
In reply to: mattrita2007
Wed, 10-10-2007 - 9:57am

As with many things about how our complex bodies work, there's an ongoing evolution of (a) accuracy of testing (b) what the results mean. For instance, it wasn't all that long ago that the only way to test blood glucose was a urine test (ack). Not only was that pretty messy and intrusive (and hard to manage when you're at the beach or on a long car ride) but it was also VERY inaccurate since it reported the results of where your blood sugar WAS not where it IS. So, as testing has improved, there's been more research into the effects of very low, very high, etc readings. And, over time, those values that are "best bet to reduce complications" have changed. To pick another area, I'm also hypothyroid (dx 1993 but probably since the 1980s). Up until about 5 years ago maybe (maybe not even that long) the "normal" target range was one thing. That was radically changed, as in going from 7.0 being okay to 3.0 being okay - don't remember the exact numbers but that gives you the feel for how big a jump it was. And, having asked my endo exactly this question "why are the ADA and AACE ranges so different?" the answer was that the ADA agrees with the AACE but since their info has been out there so long, they hesitate to change it (particularly in this litigious climate).

--Deb

Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: mattrita2007
Wed, 10-10-2007 - 10:17am
Along those same lines...