A1CNOW testing kit at home

[pollensa]

Hello All,

Interested to know if anyof you have and/or use the A1Cnow testing kit that can be used in the comfort of your own home as an extra tool to monitor and/or control ones levels of A1C inbetween standard lab testing?

I have recently purchased the kit and happy to confirm, that on testing it was to my surprise, I have to say was sceptical, and doubts as to the accuracy, this was my experience of the Kit.

My contact is to share the results of this tool.

1.
7.30am Day of official test Doctor/lab I took my own fasting state A1C Now test at home. Result was 5%

2.
8am Surgery lab test fasting state Results received 7 days later 5%

3.
4.15pm same day, curiosity kicked in, as to how the A1C now would result with a NON FASTING STATE A1C now Test. Result 5.3%

Have to say, put my doubts back in the box, can only share and report from this experience, I view the A1CNOW as an excellent tool to have at home as backup and to check now and again as and when you want, with a simple finger prick test, shake the bottle, put it into the monitor, wait 5 mins and bingo, you have your results. Great invention and allows one to get comparisons between home test and lab testing too.

Hope you find this informative or help in some way?

 

[pollensa]

Only informative ifyou are nearly using the same sample at approximately the same time

Best time to use is right before heading into the lab. They stick you, you stick yourself and ask the lab tech to note what you get, because the A1c now tests do not register a permanent result. The lab tech takes yourblood at thesame time from a different hand finger

My test like that was dead on accurate

Interesting, thanks for explaining. I think the system of going for A1C may be slightly different here in spain, based on your information. Here you go to a surgery, 8am, you give blood from the arm. There are no lab tech, its just a doctors nurse, they then send ones samples along with about 60 other people, down to the Main Hospital on the Island for testing, then approx
7 days later, you receive the results. It would not be possible unfortunately to do the A1C at the same time, it may depend as yo explain possible, here in spain the A1C is not done on the spot by the professionals in a surgery, and get results, its send to the Major hospitals. Thanks for advices, and great to hear it was dead on accurate, I do feel they are very accurate based on my numbers and your info as well. So, hands up for the A1C NOW TEST.

 

[Shahnaz2357]

Interesting, thanks for explaining. I think the system of going for A1C may be slightly different here in spain, based on your information. Here you go to a surgery, 8am, you give blood from the arm. There are no lab tech, its just a doctors nurse, they then send ones samples along with about 60 other people, down to the Main Hospital on the Island for testing, then approx
7 days later, you receive the results. It would not be possible unfortunately to do the A1C at the same time, it may depend as yo explain possible, here in spain the A1C is not done on the spot by the professionals in a surgery, and get results, its send to the Major hospitals. Thanks for advices, and great to hear it was dead on accurate, I do feel they are very accurate based on my numbers and your info as well. So, hands up for the A1C NOW TEST.

I want to add to your post that here in Pakistan we get the AIC result always on the third day which I have always thought that they keep it in the lab on purpose to see some action/reaction of the blood.... it is never instant like the fasting test.

 

[Bluetit1802]

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.

 

[Mbaker]

I did 2 tests last week and got a 33 and 32. I am waiting for my lab A1C next month to get a comparison; if it is accurate I will do a test each month (at least for a year).

 

[Bluetit1802]

There is a review of them on our main website

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/hba1c-meters/a1c-now.html

 

[Mr_Pot]

I did 2 tests last week and got a 33 and 32. I am waiting for my lab A1C next month to get a comparison; if it is accurate I will do a test each month (at least for a year).

How will you use this information? Testing before and after meals allows you to vary meals, an annual or 6 monthly HbA1c test checks your average. Monthly HbA1c tests, which are partly influenced by previous months anyway, are not going to add anything new.

 

[Bluetit1802]

How will you use this information? Testing before and after meals allows you to vary meals, an annual or 6 monthly HbA1c test checks your average. Monthly HbA1c tests, which are partly influenced by previous months anyway, are not going to add anything new.

I can see the usefulness for a T2 that no longer feels it is necessary to test several times a day as their eating plan is well established, just as a safety net to keep an eye on matters in between surgery tests, which are only annual for many people.

 

[Deleted member 308541]

The tester seems a bit pricey at $200.00 for the meter and a 20 test pack here in Australia.

I can wait three months for a hba1c test at the pathology shop, which gets bulk billed to Medicare.

https://www.pocd.com.au/Point-of-Care/A1cNow_2

 

[Mbaker]

How will you use this information? Testing before and after meals allows you to vary meals, an annual or 6 monthly HbA1c test checks your average. Monthly HbA1c tests, which are partly influenced by previous months anyway, are not going to add anything new.

As it would for me be a rolling set of tests, I would be able to trend better. I have a perennial issue of HbA1c's much higher than my blood finger pricks suggest. I have 4 meters, 2 of which I know track with NHS calibrated meters. As HbA1c is an average, I know through testing I am in the 4's for well over half the day e.g. it is 06.43 and I am at 4.3, this is a middling fbg for me and most times I do OMAD so will remain under 5 for over 20 hours at least 4 days a week.

I am trying to understand why my A1C is not say 30, by tweaking areas.

 

[pollensa]

I want to add to your post that here in Pakistan we get the AIC result always on the third day which I have always thought that they keep it in the lab on purpose to see some action/reaction of the blood.... it is never instant like the fasting test.

Thank you for sharing how things work in Pakistan, I feel its such valuable and worthwhile knowledge to allow us all to know how testings, systems and diagnosing takes place, you never now one day, we may be a different country, although you get your tests earlier here than Mallorca, as I do feel 7 days is a very long time to wait for results, I have to agree with you, it has crossed my mind of keeping it in the lab, and my other area of concern is, timings?! to my understanding, the results of this are vitally important, time it takes after drawing blood from the vein/arm when tested, temperatures en route and in the lab itself, I dont know why in this day and age, one cannot go to a hospital and or appointed surgery that specializes in just doing A1C, blood taken, tests say takes 1 hour while you wait, and that for me would be ideal instead of waiting as Pakistan 3 days and Mallorca 7 for results, with ? doubts as within. Great post and information, valuable info. thank you!

 

[pollensa]

Most labs do the A1C from crook of the arm blood samples but one recent endo of mine did just A1Cs, couple other things and cholesterol tests from machines in his office. Actually prefer they take sample from regular blooddraw since those pricker things that come with the test hurt, are deeper and take too much blood


While I wait for Dr. Bernsein's lecture to start, let me say that Dr. Bernstein himself suggests these tests and sells them at discount in quantity from his online store.

Lecture tonight I am awaiting 8 PM east coast time to start: https://instantteleseminar.com/Events/107896791

Interesting. It may be of assistance to know, as although my A1CNOW test does not come with pricker, this is where if anyone is lucky enough to use the GENTEEL lancing device, which I have and do, its great for the A1CNow as one has the choice of 6 grades for testing anywhere on the body "all grades are painless, you just hear a click", and further bonus as the system is suction i.e. not squeezing for MORE blood as you say required for A1Cnow home or cholesterol testing, it brings up sufficient blood that actually fills the test tube for A1CNOW home test, without a second go. The Genteel testing is great for both normal finger tests, and A1CNOW. Hope this info is helpful too.

 

[Deleted member 308541]

I do feel 7 days is a very long time to wait for results,

I have a hba1c and several other blood tests that I have to fast for tomorrow, I will be at the pathology shop at the private hospital near where I live at 7:30 am as the 7:00 am rush will have subsided by the time my number is called.

My GP will have the results back by Monday morning, it's normally a two to three day turn around depending if the blood test went to Brisbane and not done locally in Bundaberg.

 

[pollensa]

As it would for me be a rolling set of tests, I would be able to trend better. I have a perennial issue of HbA1c's much higher than my blood finger pricks suggest. I have 4 meters, 2 of which I know track with NHS calibrated meters. As HbA1c is an average, I know through testing I am in the 4's for well over half the day e.g. it is 06.43 and I am at 4.3, this is a middling fbg for me and most times I do OMAD so will remain under 5 for over 20 hours at least 4 days a week.

I am trying to understand why my A1C is not say 30, by tweaking areas.

Yes I too suffer same situation A1C higher than average blood finger pricks i.e. Fasting, 2 hr after eat and Random anytime after eat breakfast, all normal ranges, x 1 year, and even when taken with a 3 month interval, again, all normal and similar to the three months previous, i.e. indicating, its not just a good day or lucky day, it speaks volumes that results are consistently the same, yet A1C indicates different, I am advised asking this situation, "its called discordant A1C test". Normally requires 2nd testing, however, if it proves that the MAJORITY i.e. all finger testings are normal especially fasting and random, the majority of any reading is the final figure based, whether this is correct or not, but as Doctor informed in Spain. I have decided to use common sense gut feeling at the end of the day if my A1C is normal range, but if it results higher equivalent to my lower normal range finger testing, I dont worry at all, a number here or there, one up or down, I feel life is too short to worry about what they refer discordant results. If all were abnormal range, thats a different situation, but if I have an odd higher here and there, i.e. if fasting was little high, BUT THE 2HR AFTER EAT AND RANDOM perfect normal range, I dont even worry that the fasting is high, as I base it on WHAT IS THE MAJORITY, may be wrong in that thinking, to allow a happy day, I take this view right or wrong.

 

[pollensa]

There is a review of them on our main website

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/hba1c-meters/a1c-now.html

Thank you for sharing the link info on A1CNOW test, VALUABLE. Especially as it seems in UK the tests you have over there come with a lancing device, here in spain the one I have does not have this, hence I use my Genteel lancing device, but it was interesting to note that the link indicated confirmation i.e.
Summary
Overall, the user was very impressed with the product and would have no hesitation using it again.

If you are someone that wants to obtain an HbA1c reading in between your official HbA1c tests, the A1cNow presents a good option.

From personal experience, I can only support and back up the advices recommendations given by Diabetes co.uk, and its a great tool for INBETWEEN official tests, not every week, but perhaps if you have a yearly you can do it every 6 months for example will give you an idea how your efforts, motivation are taking place.

 

[pollensa]

There is a review of them on our main website

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/hba1c-meters/a1c-now.html

Thank you for sharing the link info on A1CNOW test, VALUABLE. Especially as it seems in UK the tests you have over there come with a lancing device, here in spain the one I have does not have this, hence I use my Genteel lancing device, but it was interesting to note that the link indicated confirmation i.e.
Summary
Overall, the user was very impressed with the product and would have no hesitation using it again.

If you are someone that wants to obtain an HbA1c reading in between your official HbA1c tests, the A1cNow presents a good option.

From personal experience, I can only support and back up the advices recommendations given by Diabetes co.uk, and its a great tool for INBETWEEN official tests, not every week, but perhaps if you have a yearly you can do it every 6 months for example will give you an idea how your efforts, motivation are taking place.

 

[pollensa]

There is a review of them on our main website

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/hba1c-meters/a1c-now.html

Thank you for sharing the link info on A1CNOW test, VALUABLE. Especially as it seems in UK the tests you have over there come with a lancing device, here in spain the one I have does not have this, hence I use my Genteel lancing device, but it was interesting to note that the link indicated confirmation i.e.
Summary
Overall, the user was very impressed with the product and would have no hesitation using it again.

If you are someone that wants to obtain an HbA1c reading in between your official HbA1c tests, the A1cNow presents a good option.

From personal experience, I can only support and back up the advices recommendations given by Diabetes co.uk, and its a great tool for INBETWEEN official tests, not every week, but perhaps if you have a yearly you can do it every 6 months for example will give you an idea how your efforts, motivation are taking place.

 

[pollensa]

I have a hba1c and several other blood tests that I have to fast for tomorrow, I will be at the pathology shop at the private hospital near where I live at 7:30 am as the 7:00 am rush will have subsided by the time my number is called.

My GP will have the results back by Monday morning, it's normally a two to three day turn around depending if the blood test went to Brisbane and not done locally in Bundaberg.

Hello down under, I give a Hug, as from Byron Bay, thanks for sharing time schedules on tests, great to hear you get results in 2 or 3 days compared to 7 day wait and sometimes longer here in Mallorca, everyone is always anxious arnt they waiting results no matter what they are been tested for, I feel for the benefit of the recipient waiting, to save anxiety and stress, wondering, the SOONER the test results come back the better, so your lucky down under to get them within couple days.
Wishing beautiful Australia a beaut day, from a beautiful Pollensa Mallorca. Happy Testing and good luck always.

 

[Mbaker]

Yes I too suffer same situation A1C higher than average blood finger pricks i.e. Fasting, 2 hr after eat and Random anytime after eat breakfast, all normal ranges, x 1 year, and even when taken with a 3 month interval, again, all normal and similar to the three months previous, i.e. indicating, its not just a good day or lucky day, it speaks volumes that results are consistently the same, yet A1C indicates different, I am advised asking this situation, "its called discordant A1C test". Normally requires 2nd testing, however, if it proves that the MAJORITY i.e. all finger testings are normal especially fasting and random, the majority of any reading is the final figure based, whether this is correct or not, but as Doctor informed in Spain. I have decided to use common sense gut feeling at the end of the day if my A1C is normal range, but if it results higher equivalent to my lower normal range finger testing, I dont worry at all, a number here or there, one up or down, I feel life is too short to worry about what they refer discordant results. If all were abnormal range, thats a different situation, but if I have an odd higher here and there, i.e. if fasting was little high, BUT THE 2HR AFTER EAT AND RANDOM perfect normal range, I dont even worry that the fasting is high, as I base it on WHAT IS THE MAJORITY, may be wrong in that thinking, to allow a happy day, I take this view right or wrong.

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.

 

[Mr_Pot]

As it would for me be a rolling set of tests, I would be able to trend better. I have a perennial issue of HbA1c's much higher than my blood finger pricks suggest. I have 4 meters, 2 of which I know track with NHS calibrated meters. As HbA1c is an average, I know through testing I am in the 4's for well over half the day e.g. it is 06.43 and I am at 4.3, this is a middling fbg for me and most times I do OMAD so will remain under 5 for over 20 hours at least 4 days a week.

I am trying to understand why my A1C is not say 30, by tweaking areas.

HbA1c is not an average but the effect of an average BG. There are several reasons why HbA1c does not provide an accurate measure in some people, notably the lifetime of their red blood cells is not the average 100 days. I can't see that testing HbA1c more often will help with that or why with BG under 5 you are bothered anyway but let us know.
Edited: obviously our posts crossed.