HBA1C one day??

[CR741]

Hello,
I know that HBA1C is an average out of all your levels over a few months, but if you get almost a whole odd random day or two of highs or lows how much would it affect it?? :shock:
Just curious.
CR741

 

[borofergie]

Well, if it was a true three month average then each bad day would count about one 90th of the total, or slightly more than 1%. However, BG scores in the month before the test, count more than two months before the test, and much more than 3 months before the test.

I always have something sticky and bad for me straight after my HbA1C, because I know that it won't count towards the next test.

 

[CR741]

Hi,

However, BG scores in the month before the test, count more than two months before the test, and much more than 3 months before the test.

Ahhh yes I was wondering this, thanks!

I always have something sticky and bad for me straight after my HbA1C, because I know that it won't count towards the next test.

Hahahah :lol:

Thanks for replying so quickly :mrgreen:
CR741

 

[borofergie]

The weighting that some people use is 70:20:10, so that your BG readings in the month before the test, have 7 times the influence of those 3 months before.

However, a lot depends on your individual physiology, so that the best comparison is with your previous scores, not with anyone elses.

Some of the geekier members go to extreme measures to predict their next HbA1C result:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=23410

 

[RussG]

Some of the geekier members go to extreme measures to predict their next HbA1C result:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=23410

Hey! I resemble that remark! There is nothing wrong with a man's honest love of spreadsheets and graphs...

 

[Grazer]

Some of the geekier members go to extreme measures to predict their next HbA1C result:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=23410

Me?? A Geek?? How dare you!! I'll hit you with my differential calculator if you say that again!

 

[viviennem]

Don't worry chaps, geeks are the in thing at the moment - Brian Cox, for instance, has apparently increased applications for physics/astronomy courses by 17% (or was it 70%?) :lol:

Viv 8)

 

[Grazer]

Brian Cox, for instance, has apparently increased applications for physics/astronomy courses by 17% (or was it 70%?)

Is that 17% or 70% of the original percentage, or a weighted average compared with the percentages that applied for other courses?

 

[viviennem]

Geek! :wink:

Viv 8)

 

[Sanober]

The weighting that some people use is 70:20:10, so that your BG readings in the month before the test, have 7 times the influence of those 3 months before.

I had no idea of this ratio, this totally backs me up then as I'm in hiding at the mo i.e I'm delaying my Hba1c by 4 weeks. because it's been just over a week since I had an op and my readings have been crazy compared to my usual levels.

p.s I love the odd bit of geekery

 

[borofergie]

I've only had one post diagnosis HbA1C, but I tried to "con" that by ultra low carbing in the week before.

I'm not sure that it has any influence and, even if it does, I know that I'm only cheating myself, but tests are there to be rigged, right?

I've been testing myself using the A1CNow kits every month for the last three, so hopefully I should be able to see if ultra low carbing in the week of the lab test, has any influence.

 

[Energize]

Hi borofergie
Yes, like you say, you are only 'cheating' yourself

"but tests are there to be rigged, right?"
Umm, I don't think I'd go as far as that. However, if you are talking about crazy rules, well, that's a different story :wink:

However, please do post your results, when you get them. It would certainly be interesting to learn how much, if any, the last week's conscientious ultra low carbing does have influence on the result.

Looking forward to learing the outcome ...

 

[CR741]

Hello,

I've been testing myself using the A1CNow kits every month

Oooh, I didn't know these existed! So you can test your Hba1c yourself at home? Is it easy to use?
All the comments are very interesting, especially the 70:20:10, and all of this working out! viewtopic.php?f=1&t=23410 :lol:

because it's been just over a week since I had an op and my readings have been crazy compared to my usual levels

I had a cataract operation last thursday and the last few days i have been going high, could this be because of that op?

Thanks,
CR741

 

[borofergie]

So you can test your Hba1c yourself at home? Is it easy to use?

Yes and no.

I like the kits alot. There is a bit more prep work to do than your regular BG reading. You have to take a bigger dollop of blood, shake it about a bit, and put it in the tester for 5 minutes. This is all very well explained, and adds to the drama.

Some people have questioned just how accurate they are compared with lab tests, but I've found that they match quite well with my lab tests (as has markd):
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=22568&hilit=A1CNOW

The trouble is that they are hard to buy in the UK, someone is selling 10 tests for £120 online, but that is very expensive. I frequently travel to the US, and can get them for about £8 a test (in 2 test boxes).

By testing my HbA1C once a month, I find I can reduce the amount of daily testing that I do (once or twice every couple of days), and therefore can justify the cost in terms of saved test strips
(to be honest, I love wasting money on diabetes kit, so I'm probably kidding myself here).

There is a UK postal HbA1C service for £17 +p&p:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9563&p=90158&hilit=+glucomen+a1c+testing+kit#p90158

 

[borofergie]

I've got a lab HbA1C test coming up in a couple of weeks. I'll do an A1CNow and a Glucomen postal test on the same day, to see how different the results are (if there is enough blood in my veins...).

See Malc and Russ, who is the biggest geek now?

Stephen

 

[Grazer]

See Malc and Russ, who is the biggest geek now?

Ah, but when you get your results, will you put them on an excel spreadsheet and extrapolate your potential for future reductions, as well as converting to the new IFCC units?
Malc

 

[ladybird64]

Erm..

I think I'll leave this to the gee..experts. :wink:

 

[CR741]

Hello,

So you can test your Hba1c yourself at home? Is it easy to use?

Yes and no.

I like the kits alot. There is a bit more prep work to do than your regular BG reading. You have to take a bigger dollop of blood, shake it about a bit, and put it in the tester for 5 minutes. This is all very well explained, and adds to the drama.

Some people have questioned just how accurate they are compared with lab tests, but I've found that they match quite well with my lab tests (as has markd):
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=22568&hilit=A1CNOW

The trouble is that they are hard to buy in the UK, someone is selling 10 tests for £120 online, but that is very expensive. I frequently travel to the US, and can get them for about £8 a test (in 2 test boxes).

By testing my HbA1C once a month, I find I can reduce the amount of daily testing that I do (once or twice every couple of days), and therefore can justify the cost in terms of saved test strips
(to be honest, I love wasting money on diabetes kit, so I'm probably kidding myself here).

There is a UK postal HbA1C service for £17 +p&p:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9563&p=90158&hilit=+glucomen+a1c+testing+kit#p90158

Thank you for letting me know, that was interesting info!

I've got a lab HbA1C test coming up in a couple of weeks. I'll do an A1CNow and a Glucomen postal test on the same day, to see how different the results are (if there is enough blood in my veins...).

Oooh do let us know if the results are the same! 8)

as well as converting to the new IFCC units?
Malc

You can actually convert from DCCT and IFCC using this equation: IFCC-HbA1c (mmol/mol) = [DCCT-HbA1c (%) - 2.15] × 10.929 :idea:

CR741 :mrgreen:

 

[Snodger]

I thought I'd revive this thread because I've just used the Glucomen test (the UK £17 quid one) and was really pleased with it. For someone like me who is always anxious about bg results but also very doctor-phobic, it's perfect; I don't have to discuss the result with anyone else but myself.
Borofergie, are you still around and did the test match your hospital Hba1c? certainly the glucomen one was pretty similar to my last hospital one so I feel quite confident in it.

 

[borofergie]

The great news Snodger.

Yes I'm still here, but I haven't got round to going for my blood test yet. I have a Glucomen kit, and a pile of A1CNows, so I'll try and get the threeway test done next week.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Stephen