A article that I ran across

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Hi, I ran across an article that I thought you all might fine interesting.

Terri

The Number Everyone With Diabetes Should Know. Posted by

McKinney, R.D., C.D.E.

If I had to pick just one thing everyone with diabetes should know, it

would be your A1c number.

A1c, sometimes abbreviated HbA1c and called hemoglobin A1c or

glycosylated hemoglobin, is a blood test your doctor should do at least

twice a year.

This test represents a weighted average of your blood glucose levels

over the past three to four months. With this number you can tell your

average blood glucose level. An A1c of 7 percent is equal to an average

blood glucose level of 170 mg/dL. Each 1 percent increase represents an

increase of 35 mg/dL in blood glucose, so that, for example, an A1c of

8 percent reflects an average blood glucose level of 205 mg/dL

A good goal for your A1c is 7 percent or less. Does this mean that your

blood glucose levels should be 170 mg/dL or less at all times? No, not

really. What the A1c number does is average all of your high and low

blood glucose levels over a span of months. Imagine a tiny computer in

your blood recording your blood glucose levels every few minutes, then

averaging the results.

Why should you care about this number? Because your A1c is a good gauge

of your risk of serious long-term complications. Research has shown

that with an A1c of 7 percent or less, your risk of developing

potentially blinding eye complications goes down 76 percent, the risk

of kidney disease decreases by 56 percent, and your risk of painful

nerve damage is also reduced by 56 percent.

My best advice to you is to know your A1c number. Don't just let your

doctor call and say " everything is fine " or " your A1c is a little

high. " Ask what the number is so you can take action to lower it!

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