A1c Testing – A Revolutionary Step Towards Diabetes Management – Part II

The characteristic complications of diabetes are effectively averted by long term monitoring of individuals using the A1c testing technique. The test is quite basic and swiftly done, with all credit to the NGSP that are responsible for greater than 90% of standardisation of all A1c tests. This equates to the fact that outcomes from diverse laboratories should be analogous. The American Diabetes Association has on the basis of existing evidence advocated getting A1c testing done two to four times annually.

Experts concur that the A1c level for those not diabetic would be in the range of four to six percent. If the A1c reading is above this range then it is an indicator of diabetes. The approval for target A1c levels fluctuate with the American Diabetes Association lately altering its proposed A1c levels from under eight percent to seven percent or lower. In the mean time, the AACE or the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists have suggested a further dip, recommending a number lesser than 6.5%.

The thumb rule is that ideally it is better to have an A1c level that lies closer to the normal level. However, the glucose control must not be that stringent that it leads to hypoglycaemia – a condition when the blood glucose levels plummet. The generalised line of treatment imbibes behavioural practices like weight reduction, exercising and including medications for lowering blood glucose levels.

Though it is always desirable to have A1c levels in the below 6% bracket, however, those with fluctuating blood glucose levels, even lying between the range of 7.2%-7.4% is commendable as that’s the best one can derive out of such situations.

Individuals must constantly endeavour to attain the lowest possible levels of A1c, but majority of patient fail to attain either the ADA or the AACE targets with existent treatments as they are quite low. The key factor here is that realistic goals need to be set that are within people’s reach.
So, the conclusion derived herewith is regular A1c testing and seeking medical advice regarding what goal one must set. Generally, targeting a level that lies below 6.5% to 7% must be the aspiration, though it might mostly be attainable.

With many at- home A1c testing kits present and many more in the pipeline, it often becomes an expedient option than traipsing to the doctor’s clinic. However, sceptics believe that as A1c tests need to done every couple of months as opposed to every few days, they must rather get the A1c test done in the doctor’s office where other important indications like blood pressure, cholesterol and weight can also be diagnosed alongside. Experts believe that as an ideal practice, diabetics must anyway be visiting the doctor on a regular basis.

The home-detection A1c tests are useful for those that have not been detected with diabetes and are apprehensive regarding if they have got the disease.

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