David,
You keep your sugar levels in tight control, and I rightly presume tighter than most of us do. Yet, I am surprised that you had a variation of 0.4. What would you attribute this to?
Arun
Good question. I can think of four things that make our A1C levels change. But the two most obvious ones, food and exercise, didn't change that much. Operator error is a possibility, but I think the best explanation is that I had added inflammation at that time, from dental, sinus, and allergy problems.
Namaste,
David
I get my A1c checked 4 times a year because that is what Medicare will pay for. I had a pharmacy do the home check test once the same day I had a lab A1c and the results were almost identical. I had considered using the home checks but wondered if they would be accurate if I did them myself. It seems like it needs to be refrigerated so many hours or days before the test and it needs to be done precisely. Do you think they are now easier to do?
Dear Kirsten,
The A1CNow Self Check isn't difficult when you follow the rather few steps carefully. Actually, you can store it in the fridge for months, but you have to take it out for an hour or so before testing with it. And this test is standardized, and many lab tests are not standardized. So I trust its accuracy more than I would from my doctor or the local hospital lab.
Namaste,
David
David, thank you for your posts. They have helped me tremendously. I am certainly going to check into the home kits; much cheaper than trudging to the doctor every three months.
My question deals with pain - I have been struggling with increasing neck & shoulder pain that was misdiagnosed for over 10 years, and my A1C's have always been in the high 7's or 8's when the pain was the most unbearable (I was under control until about 5 years ago). At this time I am being treated for the pain with success by a chiropractor and now have more good days than bad.
Have you found that pain increases one's A1C? Thank you again for all you do.
I get the pain in my shoulders from carrying a heavy camera and lens on long hikes and get it treated by a chiropracter as you have done. I don't know of a better way. Well, the pain per se may not cause higher blood sugar levels but pain is a symptom of inflammation, and that indeed does cause our levels to rise.
Namaste,
David
I decided to go ahead and try it. The pharmacy I went to actually had a $7.00 off coupon on the 2 test A1cNow test kit so it was only $21.00 instead of $28.00 so $10.50 for the test. They have a 7 minute video on their website to watch on how to do the test. I watched it, then read the instructions, then did the test along with the video. It was much easier than I expected. I am so pleased with this and want to thank you for recommending this. I will be A1c testing monthly from now on.
Two problems though. My eyesight isn't perfect and I had to look really close to make sure I had enough blood in the collector. I didn't and so had to add more. Also, I didn't get the blood collector far enough into the shaker until I looked closer and pushed a little harder.
The directions and video are great and made it very easy.
Thanks again for all your advice!!!!
All home tests aren't the same, just like all homes aren't the same. I haven't studied the other home tests, but I don't think that any of them are standardized in accoradance to the DCCT and therefore approved by the NGSP. The A1C now is: see http://www.ngsp.org/docs/labs.pdf
Not even most hospital labs have that degree of reliability. At this link, check out any test that gives you different results. You will know which one to trust.
Namaste,
David
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Thanks! David,
Certainly insightful and very helpful --- to what do you attribute your A1C jump? diet/exercise changes? variation in the testing protocol? or the testing instrument itself (accuracy/precision issues)?
$13/month is sure cheaper than the doctor's office for a monthly reading -- so quite the bargain.
Good question. I can think of four things that make our A1C levels change. But the two most obvious ones, food and exercise, didn't change that much. Operator error is a possibility, but I think the best explanation is that I had added inflammation at that time, from dental, sinus, and allergy problems.
Namaste,
David