Below are questions that should have been answered for you already. Make sure you understand everything below and add to your list of questions for your doctor if there's anything you're unsure of.
1. What does A1C mean?A1C is a blood test that provides information about your average blood glucose over the past 3 months. Other names for A1C include hemoglobin A1C, HbA1C, or glycohemoglobin. (Glucose in your bloodstream attaches to a protein called hemoglobin.) A1C measures the percent of hemoglobin molecules that have glucose attached to them. That's why the result is reported as a percentage, such as 6.8 percent. The higher your blood glucose levels over the past 3 months, the higher your A1C.
You can have it tested at any time of day, even right after eating, because your blood glucose level at the moment of testing will not have a significant effect on the A1C. Some doctor's offices are able to measure A1C with a fingerstick instead of drawing blood from a vein. Certain medical conditions other than diabetes can affect your A1C. Talk to your doctor to see if you have any of those conditions.
2. Why does A1C matter?It's easy for patients and doctors to get focused on A1C without taking the time to talk about why it matters. The higher the A1C, the higher the risk for having certain complications of diabetes in your eyes, kidneys, and nerves.
Eyes: Retinopathy is disease of the retina. The retina is a thin layer in the back of your eyes that senses light. Severe, untreated retinopathy can reduce your vision and even cause blindness.
Kidneys: Nephropathy is disease of the kidneys. Signs include high protein levels in the urine and a buildup of waste products in the blood. Severe nephropathy can lead to kidney failure that must be treated with dialysis or kidney transplant.
Nerves: Peripheral neuropathy is disease of the nerves in your feet or hands. Symptoms include tingling, "pins and needles," numbness, and pain.
The good news is that keeping your blood glucose under control will lower your risk of having these complications.
3. When should I check my blood glucose at home?This depends on your individual situation. Some people with diabetes need to check their blood glucose several times a day, while others only need to check once daily or even less often.
If you're checking blood glucose at home, certain times for checking provide the most useful information. Checking blood glucose right before breakfast (i.e., on an empty stomach) is a useful day-to-day measure of how well your diabetes is being controlled.
People taking certain types of insulin might need to check blood glucose before every meal. Another good time to check is 1 to 2 hours after a meal. That number tells you how your body is responding to and processing the rise in blood glucose that occurs after eating. Checking blood glucose at bedtime is also common.
Lastly, if you feel sick, it's a good idea to check your blood glucose. Sometimes symptoms can be caused by very low or high glucose levels. However, it can also work in the other direction. An underlying illness can cause your blood glucose to shoot up.
4. What should my A1C and blood glucose be?When people are treated for diabetes with medications, doctors don't necessarily aim for "normal" A1C or blood glucose numbers. For many people with diabetes, an A1C goal of less than 7 percent is appropriate. Having an A1C under 7 percent lowers your risk of complications of diabetes.
For home blood glucose readings, healthy ranges are 80 to 130 mg/dL before meals and less than 180 mg/dL if measured 1 to 2 hours after meals. However, some older adults and people with chronic diseases are prone to side effects from diabetes medications if the dose is too high. In these situations, doctors may recommend higher target ranges for A1C and blood glucose.
5. What other kinds of tests should I have?The best care for diabetes doesn't focus only on glucose levels. A number of tests are recommended to monitor for complications of diabetes.
These include eye exams, foot exams, and lab tests for urine protein, cholesterol, and kidney function. Measuring and treating blood pressure is also critical because the combination of diabetes and high blood pressure raises the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or kidney disease.
A1C is a blood test that provides information about your average blood glucose over the past 3 months. Other names for A1C include hemoglobin A1C, HbA1C, or glycohemoglobin. (Glucose in your bloodstream attaches to a protein called hemoglobin.) A1C measures the percent of hemoglobin molecules that have glucose attached to them. That's why the result is reported as a percentage, such as 6.8 percent. The higher your blood glucose levels over the past 3 months, the higher your A1C. You can have it tested at any time of day, even right after eating, because your blood glucose level at the moment of testing will not have a significant effect on the A1C. Some doctor's offices are able to measure A1C with a fingerstick instead of drawing blood from a vein. Certain medical conditions other than diabetes can affect your A1C. Talk to your doctor to see if you have any of those conditions.
Retinopathy is disease of the retina. Severe, untreated retinopathy can reduce your vision and even cause blindness.
Nephropathy is disease of the kidneys. Signs include high protein levels in the urine and a buildup of waste products in the blood. Severe nephropathy can lead to kidney failure that must be treated with dialysis or kidney transplant.
Peripheral neuropathy is disease of the nerves in your feet or hands. Symptoms include tingling, "pins and needles," numbness, and pain.
