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Home A1C Test

If you have diabetes, then you have to regularly have your A1C tested. This is a blood test that measures the level of blood glucose (or blood sugar) you've had over the last three months. Up until this year I always had to depend on the local lab to give me the test, until I found a way online via a video by Beat Diabetes to test it myself using my blood glucose meter and some math.

First, some disclaimers: I have not worked in the medical profession since the 1980's, and I cannot give you medical advice; this is just something I do myself to stay on top of my diabetes. Also, this is an averaged A1C and should not be used as a substitute for a lab test ordered by your physician. Finally, you should compare your results to your lab-tested A1C to assure you're getting the right readings from your meter.

You do five glucose tests in one day to get your averaged A1C. Here's the schedule of when to test:

1. Just after waking up
2. One hour after lunch
3. Three hours after lunch
4. One hour after dinner
5. Just before you go to sleep

Once you have all five numbers, here's the formula to average your blood glucose: Add the five numbers together. Divide the total by 5. Add 46.7. Divide by 28.7, and the answer you get is your home A1C.

Here are the ranges for A1C results:

Normal level: 5.7 or below
Prediabetes: 5.7 to 6.4
Diabetes: 6.5 or above.

As my diabetes is controlled with diet and exercise as well as meds I perform my home A1C test about once a month. My results are almost always on target, but it's simply reasssuring to me to know I'm on track with controlling my blood glucose. Remember to keep a record of your home A1C tests to track how you're doing with managing your diabetes, and give a copy of your results to your physician when you go in for your checkup.

Image credit: Tesa Robbins from Pixabay

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