Meter averages

Back in January I was given a new meterby my diabetes dietician. It’s a one touch verio flex and so far seems to be doing a good job.

After a few months using it, my averages were quite high and my last Hba1c in September was about 4 or 5 points below what my meter was saying for my 90 day average. My HbA1c then was 6.1, my meter was showing 6.5-6.6 (hard to remember.

My 14 and 30 day averages were also almost the same as my 90 day. Fast forward to today. My 90 day is 6.4, my 30 day is 5.9 and my 14 day is 5.3. 2 1/2 weeks ago I did a 7 day fast and then went very low carb <25g/day. 2 days ago my 30 day average was 2 points under my 90 day average. Now it is coming down nicely.

I know my HbA1c number will be different than my meter average as what I saw after my blood work but for me, seeing this downward trend, is reassuring me that my diet is producing results for my bg’s. My weight though isn’t really moving. I’ll have to try focus more on this now.

One thing the averages do for me is motivate me to not waver on my diet and fudge things up. I want it to stay moving in a downward direction.

Bluetit1802 said:

@Troubled1

Your HbA1c is measured in different units from our meters, so you can't compare them the way you were trying to do.

An HbA1c of 6.1 is actually 6.1%.
Our meters measure in mmol/l

There is a converter here. http://www.diabetes.co.uk/hba1c-to-blood-sugar-level-converter.html
You can see that your HbA1c was equal to 7.1mmol/l

Getting averages from meters to estimate an HbA1c is unreliable because you have no idea what your levels are in between tests. If you don't catch your post meal peaks, and don't know how long you stay up there, your averages won't be at all comparable to an HbA1c.

However, very well done on your progress and this brilliant downward trend. I wish you luck with your next HbA1c.
I also find my averages motivate me, so I understand exactly how you feel.

Click to expand...

The 6.1 was my actual A1c taken in September. My meter was showing 90 day averages of 6.5-6.6

@Bluetit1802 sorry, I misread your post. You are correct. I will assume though that since my averages are now lower, my next Hba1c test should also be a little lower as well.
Anyway you look at it though, the lower averages do provide plenty of motivation to keep dialing in my diet and avoid being RX’d meds.

@chrisvw70 those numbers aren’t all that bad. What you should do is check you blood glucose 2 hours after taking your first bite. Ideally they shouldn’t go up more than 2 mmol/dl. If they are, check the amount of carbohydrates are in your meal and try switching them to something lower in carbs or just lessen your portion size of that particular thing. If you are not on meds like myself, blood glucose control can be rather easy. Just keep a food diary of what you eat and how much your blood glucose rises after eating. You will soon see what foods give you the biggest rise and you can then either cut back, not eat it or substitute something in its place.
My diabetes dietician told me to try keep my post meal numbers under 8 mmol/dl. You seem to be doing that.
Keep reading around here and you’ll learn what other have/are doing to lower their numbers.
Good luck.