T2Ds - A1c tests and hemoglobin variants
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RalfLott
Posts: 5,036 Member
Someone trying to nail down her blood glucose levels asked how often to check her BG and what could throw off HbA1c tests.
The answer to the HbA1c question seems to be that there are several factors, including the testing method, that can affect the correspondence of HbA1c levels to actual BG levels.
Here's a summary of the possible effect of hemoglobin variants:
@baconslave for diabetes sticky
The answer to the HbA1c question seems to be that there are several factors, including the testing method, that can affect the correspondence of HbA1c levels to actual BG levels.
Here's a summary of the possible effect of hemoglobin variants:
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/diagnostic-tests/people-african-mediterranean-southeast-asian-heritage-important-information-diabetes-blood-tests/Pages/index.aspxPoints to Remember* If you are of African, Mediterranean, or Southeast Asian heritage, you are at risk for having a hemoglobin variant—a less common form of hemoglobin. * You can have a hemoglobin variant but not know it. * Having a hemoglobin variant does not increase your risk for diabetes, but it can affect your diabetes test results. * A variant form of hemoglobin in your blood can give you false A1C test results. The results might show that your average blood glucose level is higher or lower than the actual level. * Your health care provider can arrange for your A1C test to be done at a lab that gives accurate results for people with a hemoglobin variant. * Your daily blood glucose tests can also show how well controlled your diabetes is, but keep in mind that each blood glucose test gives information for only one point in time.
@baconslave for diabetes sticky
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