At every visit, patients ask "how did I do?" or "what is the hb A1c result?" High blood pressure and pulse rates are recorded prior to learning the results of the hb A1c. Families are incredibly anxious that the hb A1c will (or will not) accurately reflect the past 3 to 4 months of blood sugar readings. Most view the hb A1c as a grade that determines just how well they have managed their diabetes control between visits. I often hold my breath, hoping that my young patient has improved his/her...