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Back to Basics: Your A1c
Back to Basics: Your A1c -- Posted by Gumbo on 12-24-04 06:12
Back to Basics: Your A1c
What Is A1C?
Two tests are often used to measure glucose (a kind of sugar) in your blood.
The blood glucose test tells how much glucose is in your blood at one
particular time. Your blood glucose meter does this kind of test.
AlC is another kind of blood test. It measures the amount of glucose that
has bonded with the hemoglobin in your red blood cells. AlC reveals your
average blood glucose levels over the past two to three months. (Red blood
cells, on average, survive for only 120 days.) The more glucose you've had
in your blood, the more glucose molecules will have glommed onto the
hemoglobin in your red blood cells, and the higher your A1C number will be.
People are usually tested for A1C in their doctor's office.
AlC has other names. Your doctor may call it HbAlC, hemoglobin AlC, glycated
hemoglobin, glycohemoglobin, or some other name.
Why Is A1C Important?
Your body needs glucose to survive. Cells use glucose for energy. The brain
requires large amounts of glucose to think well. In people without diabetes,
the body keeps blood glucose at the right level-not too high, not too low.
In people with diabetes, this control system breaks down. Blood glucose
levels rise too high. Over time, high levels can damage eyes, nerves, and
kidneys and lead to gum disease. This damage is called "complications."
People with diabetes have an extra-high risk of heart disease. High glucose
levels probably play a role in this as well.
Glucose gets into the blood in two ways. First, carbohydrates in the food
you eat break down into glucose in the body. second, your liver makes
glucose.
Diabetes treatment focuses on keeping blood glucose levels as close to
normal as possible. Treatment always includes a special meal plan and an
exercise program. Some people may also need one or more diabetes pills,
insulin shots, or some combination of the two.
AlC is important because it can tell you and your doctor how well your
treatment program is working. If your Al C level is high, you know that you
need to take steps to improve your blood glucose levels. Also, if your A1C
level is out of whack with your home blood glucose test results, your
glucose meter may not be working right or you may need more training in
using your meter.
The American Diabetes Association recommends that most people keep their AlC
below 7.0 percent. (A person without diabetes has an AlC of 4.0 to 6.0
percent.) Your doctor should tell you what your own goal should be. Your
doctor should also measure your AlC at least twice a year-more often if your
AlC is over 7.0 percent or you change treatment plans.
How Can I Improve My Al C?
Now that you have diabetes, you probably see many doctors and other health
care professionals. Even so, you are the most important person in your
diabetes care. You are the one who makes decisions every day that affect
your blood glucose levels. There are many choices you can make and steps you
can take that will help you reach your AlC goal.
* Know what your AlC target is.
* If your diabetes doctor doesn't do an AlC test at least twice a year, ask
why not.
* Check your blood glucose at home regularly. Your doctor or diabetes
educator can help you decide how often and when to test. Keep a record of
your results to share with your doctor and to help you track how you're
doing.
* Know your blood glucose target.
* Follow your diabetes meal plan. Work with a dietitian to devise one that
meshes with your schedule, aids your diabetes goals, and includes foods you
like. No single "diabetes diet" fits everyone.
* Work with your doctor or diabetes educator to come up with an exercise
program. Most people should get 30 to 60 minutes of activity on most days of
the week. But never start any kind of exercise without talking to your
doctor. Some exercises are not good for people with some medical conditions.
* Avoid weight gain. Excess weight makes it harder for the body to control
blood glucose levels. If you weigh too much, try to lose some weight. Losing
just 10 to 20 pounds may make it easier to manage your blood glucose levels.
* Take your drugs as prescribed. If for some reason you can't (for example,
you can't afford a drug or it causes bad side effects), talk to your doctor
about it.
* see your diabetes doctor regularly, not just when you have problems.
* Read, read, read. Ask your health care providers questions. The more you
know about diabetes, the easier it will be to make healthful choices.
Re: Back to Basics: Your A1c -- Posted by golamuh on 01-03-05 17:17
What is a A1C and without a long answer please. How do you do it.
Re: Back to Basics: Your A1c -- Posted by Lonewolf on 01-03-05 19:02
Real simple. It's a blood test the doctor does to see what your BG history
has been for the past two to three months.
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