A1CNOW testing kit at home

[pollensa]

By trade I am an IT guy, and basically my disposition follows a technical path, like an engineer, so have been problem solving in my career for over 30 years - this explains why I am like a dog with a bone on this anomaly. My wife is a HCP so getting the A1CNow+ testing is easy for me, my numbers on the same 20 test kit are the same as my wife's (and lower than several others in my family and my wife's patients) indicating that the kit is accurate-ish), but I am interested to see what the lab says in comparison. I am not worried as my control is good, but this is an itch. I know there are some for whom an A1C is not as reliable due to the variables of the length of time the red cells which are glycated live.

Excellent information, as you was interested in comparisons, hence I did my own A1Cnow as previously informed which was fasting state 5%, the actual lab test was ABSOLUTELY the same 5%, and same day/afternoon, I did my own A1Cnow NON FASTING STATE, was 5.3%, two tests lab and A1CNow same, and non fasting 5.3% not much off the marker as you say the latter accurate/ish.

I agree also with your comments for some A1C is not reliable due to variables due to life span of red cells, I truly believe this is the case and find it an area of concern if I have to be honest, and I quote from reliable sources that support your comments and my own personal thinking on this,

1.
A1C not so black and white? although its viewed gold standard re majority of countries for testing, there is a valid quesitno mark, re wide variation how long red cells survive in "different" people. i.e. diabetics may turn over in few s 81 days,while non diabetics can live as long as 146 days, indicates assumption A1C testing format everyones red blood cells live three months may/may not be case? person with normal blood sugar hemoglobic candy around on the cells for the longer period, may accumulate more sugar. Result of this, may upt the A1C test, has to be takenon board may not mean the person has too much sugar in their blood, instead, means their candy lived longer and thus, accummulated more sugar. The result is that people with normal blood sugar may experience unexpectedly high A1C levels. Whether this is the case, I have asked my doctor outright, and although got a positive response, this cannot be denied in, part, followed by words, "just remember, A1C is ONLY indicator of average, my thoughts on this, if this is the case, why is it viewed, as the MAIN TEST to have, over and above any other?

2.
American diabetes Association care, guidelines, indicate A1C is to be used as diagnostic tool alternative, but NOT superior to blood glucose, as such allowing doctor health care to have decision which test to use, A1C or finger testing.

3.
Australia use as tool and NOT main form of diagnosing, it is finger testing along with A1C.

There are Pros and Cons as with many areas.

Again, not a doctor, information viewed, but my own personal opinion is to take approach, many factors can contribute to the results of A1C, any medications taken, or other, and of course, possible variations of life cell life, whatever the result I always ask the Doctor to give an indeth explanation generally covering all factors that finally give the final result.

 

[pollensa]

In my surgery (England) I get my results within 24 hours, on-line. and that includes all the tests, cholesterol, liver & kidney functions, full blood counts, and anything else they throw in.

I do believe others on the forum have used the A1c Now with great success.

Wish we had on line availability re tests, perhaps one day it will come, but at the moment its a case of Manana Manana, I have pleaded with my Doc who is very interested in diabetes, thankfully, and has a very pragmatic approach as well, listens, and shows you when he is happy with results, by opening arms, for congratulations! not many around, so I am going to hang onto him, even wrote him a letter to thank for his approach to Diabetes and the approach he takes so uptodate, I wonder how many of us actually tell our Doctors and thank them everyone needs to hear or have a pat on the back, getting back to my plea with him that he and others if have jurisdiction should try and raise to attention to the Diabetes world here in Mallorca it is trailing behind the rest of world on some areas, this department, including results A1C on line for example, and more support and info to be given time of diagnosis, the reply.........."this can be tried, but is highly unlikely, as the medical industry generally here is more interested in all Doctors speaking the local lingo "Mallorcan" as well as castelleano" I got the point he made, always one to live in hope....once the issue to argument the language doctors are to speak here on the Island, perhaps a more important issue like Diabetes can be put high on the agenda! for review and revaluation, that would be so wonderful.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I have a perennial issue of HbA1c's much higher than my blood finger pricks suggest.

Join my club! My HbA1c has always been at least 5 points higher than my finger prick testing and Libre data indicate, and very few people test more than I do on a daily basis. Several reasons this could happen. I have eliminated all of them except long-lived red blood cells., and there are no tests for this outside research labs. However, I don't see how a home A1c will vary from a lab HbA1c?

 

[Bluetit1802]

I have a perennial issue of HbA1c's much higher than my blood finger pricks suggest.

Join my club! My HbA1c has always been at least 5 points higher than my finger prick testing and Libre data indicate, and very few people test more than I do on a daily basis. Several reasons this could happen. I have eliminated all of them except long-lived red blood cells., and there are no tests for this outside research labs. However, I don't see how a home A1c will vary from a lab HbA1c?

I ordered an A1cNow. It arrived this morning and I have done a test.

All I can say is either it is inaccurate or the tests done at my surgery or the lab that processes them are to ****.

I just cannot believe what it is telling me. It says it is 33 (5.2%) This is almost in accordance with my own stats (32.4) and the Libre that ended a week ago (31). My last HbA1c was in November and was 43 when all my own data indicated in the 30's. Same with all previous official tests. There has been no change to routine or diet. Maybe my red blood cells have regenerated, like Dr. Who, and become normal. Or maybe I have suddenly become very anaemic. My next HbA1c is due this month. It will be interesting.