Bg readings ?

[Karen999]

Can someone help please I am so confused with all the different blood readings . Some people put down 5-10s then others put down 50 or even 100 but most say there Ac1 I don't get it. Is it different in UK and America. My reading was 53 now 48 but how does that relate to the single digit readings?

 

[Inka]

Your 53 and 48 are HbA1C results - basically an idea of your blood sugar over the last 3 months. The 5s 8s 10s, etc that you see are finger prick readings using a blood glucose meter. They use a different scale.

If you’re testing your own blood sugar at home, then it’s the latter figures you’ll be getting. When your GP tests your blood they’ll usually do an HbA1C so you’ll be told the former higher numbers.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/hba1c

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/testing

 

[Kaylz]

But also yes America do use a different format for finger prick BG test results xx

 

[Ralph-YK]

There is the finger prick/spot ("smaller"? numbers) check and the HbA1c (bigger numbers).
There is also a different scale for HbA1c, just to make sure things are confused. This gives numbers a bit like the finger prick test, though they are completely different. Sometimes people use this (older) scale.
I wish people would always say which test they're talking about.

others put down 50 or even 100 but most say there Ac1

Those sorts of numbers you can take being the HbA1c.

My reading was 53 now 48 but how does that relate to the single digit readings?

That sounds like the HbA1c. It doesn't relate directly to finger prick tests. The HbA1c is an average for the last 8-12 weeks. It makes no difference what time of day the blood is taken, nor if it was taken the day before or after.
The finger prick gives you your level at that moment; and this will vary throughout the day, and from day to day.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

We do try to encourage folks to include the units in any numbers they are quoting, but units like mmol/L and mmol/mol are a bit of a hassle to type!

The old way of stating HbA1c in % was much easier (but confusing in its own way!).

And yes some countries use mg/dl for spot-checks with a home meter, which is doubly doubly confusing 😱😱