Is HbA1c scientific or magical

[magical]

Tried to get an answer from my GP about this but he didn't seem to know. On DiabetesUK it says that its a test that gives average blood sugar for the last 2 or 3 months. Does the test travel back 2 or 3 months in time??? And 2 or 3 months that doesn't sound scientific. If it was scientific it would either be 2 months or 3 months, not a vague 2 or 3 months.

 

[adrian1der]

It measures glucose bound to red blood cells and the average life span of a red blood cell is two to three months.

 

[magical]

Thanks for confirming that its magical. I'm assuming that if there is an element of randomness in the life span of a red blood cell, then its impossible for it to be completely scientific.

 

[Eddy Edson]

So the answer is that it's not magical but also it's not totally precise. You'll see comments like "an HbA1c of 42 corresponds to avg BG of 7 mmol/L" etc etc but there's a lot of variability, depending mainly on the avg age of yr blood cells, something which varies quite a lot from person to person.

 

[adrian1der]

I'm afraid you have lost me. It is scientific and measures the amount of glucose bound to red blood cells

 

[Eddy Edson]

Thanks for confirming that its magical. I'm assuming that if there is an element of randomness in the life span of a red blood cell, then its impossible for it to be completely scientific.

Well, no - scientifically every measure comes with a +/-.

 

[magical]

Thanks guys, you should become doctors

 

[adrian1der]

I already am - Although a PhD rather than an MD

 

[Eddy Edson]

I already am - Although a PhD rather than an MD

Me too.

Which makes us *real* doctors 🙂