Home HbA1c monitor

[Postitnote]

I have been thinking about getting one of these. I have my HbA1c done every three to six months but would like to keep closer track of it. Does anyone have one of these and is it worth it?

 

[ally1]

I have a code free monitor and has been my lifeline

 

[borderter]

Not heard of home monitor for hba1c so is it expensive and who sells them

 

[CollieBoy]

There is the a1CNow from Bayer as sold on Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/A1CNow-Selfcheck-Kit-2-Tests/dp/B004N11OGQ

 

[BeccyB]

I don't think this would really help you to be honest.

If you have this sort of money 'spare' I would recommend getting a Continuous Glucose Monitor as they give a much clearer picture of what is happening with your glucose levels. Knowing your HbA1c will only give you a general picture, whereas a CGM can give you much more information about areas where you could possibly improve control, and if you can see you are keeping within your target ranges you know your HbA1c will be ok too.

 

[Daphne917]

Hib@postitnote I'm not sure if there is a meter but I think that @AndBreathe was looking into getting something similar however I'm not sure whether they did or not!

 

[mrspuddleduck]

I'm sorry if I'm missing the point (which is quite possible. . ) but I don't understand why you would want one. You are already getting you hba1c done at the docs which gives you you're average for approx 3 months so when would you need to use it??

 

[NoCrbs4Me]

Might be a waste of money:

http://diabetesupdate.blogspot.ca/2010/01/study-a1c-now-test-is-****-and-so-are.html

 

[AndBreathe]

I have used the kit @CollieBoy linked to, and it's pretty aligned to lab tests I've had done, which is great. I bought it from BHR Pharmaceuticals who were meaningfully cheaper than Amazon, but I don't see the kits listed at the moment. You could give them a call? They're a lovely business (I have bought from them twice).

I have also used the Abbot Freestyle Libre, but they are still working their way through a waiting list for new people.

 

[mrspuddleduck]

Might be a waste of money:

http://diabetesupdate.blogspot.ca/2010/01/study-a1c-now-test-is-****-and-so-are.html

Good link @NoCrbs4Me !

 

[2131tom]

I'm currently checking to see whether I can use the average of my readings to give me a reasonable indication of ongoing HbA1c, using the calculator at:

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/hba1c-to-blood-sugar-level-converter.html

Not 100% scientific (as the readings can't be regarded as totally representative) but it'll be interesting to see how it compares with my lab results in a fortnight's time.

 

[2131tom]

Not 100% scientific (as the readings can't be regarded as totally representative) but it'll be interesting to see how it compares with my lab results in a fortnight's time.

Well, the results are in and my HbA1c is 42 (6%) compared to the 35 (5.4%) that my average readings suggested it might be. It also represents a leap from 6.0 to 7.0, in what the calculator suggests the average of the readings should be.

A bit disappointing I think, but I shouldn't have been surprised, given the likelihood that my readings were going to be less than representative of a true average.

 

[andcol]

the average is a plain average and doesnt consider how long you were at that reading. You need to take this into account. My programme does just this; see this thread (from page 5 for a few posts) for an explanation http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/writing-bg-management-app.56644/page-5

 

[Sirmione]

It could be a useful tool for parents or many of us who are control freaks or just plain diabetic anoraks Watch the market other devices will become available and the price will come down.
If I bought one I would want to test monthly but the cost per test would need to be in the less than £10 range.

 

[tim2000s]

I'm with @BeccyB - I'd go with a CGM or Libre. Much more useful in every day life and can give you a fairly good estimate of what your Hba1C will be.

 

[PseudoBob77]

It could be a useful tool for parents or many of us who are control freaks or just plain diabetic anoraks Watch the market other devices will become available and the price will come down.
If I bought one I would want to test monthly but the cost per test would need to be in the less than £10 range.

Diabetic anorak, who's that lol. I could be one, I'm a diabetic data junkie anorak.

The best devices are the most accurate or representative of your actual hba1c, I use accu chek aviva. Taking between 5-7 tests daily, i predicted my hba1c as 6.27%, real result 6.2% and mysugr app predicted 6.3%.

When i was prescribed a Carsens meter it was way off by around 0.3%. Do enough blood tests then you can predict quite accurately but that depends on meter accuracy.