My OH and I were talking/discussing about Hba1c tests, and I remarked it goes back an approx 3 months as blood cells die after 2-3,months so the test covers that period. He said no the actual test can only really cover approx the 6 weeks before test as it isn't that sophisticated to go back nearly three months. Hmm. I am sure someone will know if that is correct?
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I think I might be wrong... noooo
- Thread starter Sharron1
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Leadinglights
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This link to the page o the main site explains the principal.
What is HbA1c?
HbA1c is your average blood glucose (sugar) levels for the last two to three months. If you have diabetes, an ideal HbA1c level is 48mmol/mol (6.5%) or below. If you're at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, your target HbA1c level should be below 42mmol/mol (6%).
Robin
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It’s not a sophisticated test, true. BUT. It merely counts how much glucose is stuck to the red blood cells that are present in the sample of blood taken. It counts them, whether or not they were made three months ago and are about to die off, or whether they were made yesterday.
I read that it is skewed to the last ten days. I also read that Some blood cells that were glycosulated at birth lose it and some that weren't acquire it in the course of their lives.
Ok, I think in the interest of living in harmony (and picking my battles) I will tell OH we are both correct.
Ohh, I prefer this response I can say I was more correct
Thank you, it addresses my argument therefore I am once again more correct.This link to the page o the main site explains the principal.
What is HbA1c?
HbA1c is your average blood glucose (sugar) levels for the last two to three months. If you have diabetes, an ideal HbA1c level is 48mmol/mol (6.5%) or below. If you're at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, your target HbA1c level should be below 42mmol/mol (6%).www.diabetes.org.uk
Martin.A
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I also understood that more weight is given to the more recent part of the 3-month life cycle of red blood cells, but the piece I read said it was the most recent 30 days and so before my last HbA1c I spent the whole month prior to my test avoiding anything that might skew my result.
Martin.A
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Well my HbA1c was in normal range so I assume it did.
Well Martin.A I am planning to do the same and really avoid anything that will affect my results in the 30 days prior to my test . Trouble is my blood test is due early January a few weeks after Christmas. Although I have really cut down on everything and following a low carb diet. Picking up lots of tips from this forum , some from you yourself, I do feel it’s going to make it more of a challenge but am determined to do it as I’ve spent a year cutting down and making changes and don’t want to undo all my hard work . Have tried twice asking for the test before Christmas but have been told January will be soon enough so can’t do anymore.
Probably a reading of 46 isn’t classed as needing more regular testing than yearly.
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Probably a reading of 46 isn’t classed as needing more regular testing than yearly.
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