General Question

srmorgan's avatar

Based on another question, why would an a1c test change in about four weeks?

Asked by srmorgan (6773points) September 23rd, 2013
6 responses
“Great Question” (0points)

I had an a1c test done on August 9th, the result was 6.1
For my employee health assessment had a test on 9/13. It was 6.4.

For the record over the last few years my results have been in the 5.9 to 6.1 range. One reading was taken at a physician’s office and the other was done at the local hospital where I work.

Isn’t this kind of a big swing in such a short period of time?

SRM

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Answers

JLeslie's avatar

I know nothing about this test, but I sent your Q to some doctors. One thing that might apply, I don’t know, is some labs use different nornal ranges or testing methods are different. You might want to see if the nornal ranges are different?

drhat77's avatar

I think that’s a fairly normal swing. This could be within lab variability or personal metabolism and dietary preferences variability. Diabetics who are controlled shoot for an a1c of about 7 (not too much lower, otherwise they get hypoglycemia). Diabetics who are NOT controlled can easily have a1cs of 14. So that should give you a context, and your numbers, from 5.9–6.4 are quite normal.

Rarebear's avatar

^^^^ What he said.

marinelife's avatar

A1c tests measure over three months. So if you think about it like that one third of the test period changed. It sounds like your sugar had risen a little over the last month. Were you stressed? Did you get less exercise?

dgee's avatar

I don’t believe that is a large swing. Assuming you are trying to control the blood sugar with good eating habits, that could occur. I am a suspected diabetic [ my term ] and four tests in sequence were 7.0; 5.9; 6.1; and 6.8. I work at the sugar control, but apparently not too perfect. BTW I am 87, so it is harder to keep the numbers down.

srmorgan's avatar

thanks for all of the comments,
I have been diabetic for about 8 years. My biggest problem historically has been hard, sudden crashes in the afternoon and evening. My endocrinologist is satisfied that if my a1c stays where it is, then it is ok to run morning glucose levels at 125–135 and avoid spiking above 180 after meals if I can.
My levels really haven’t increased noticeably in the last month or so which is why the bump concerns me. I see the diabetes doc in November.

Thanks to all

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