A1C Test Results

[RichieC]

Good Morning,
I have always had good check ups. During my last check up where blood was taken at a local VA outpatient clinic I was told the very next day that I could be pre diabetic. Hit me like a ton of bricks because I do watch what I eat , have plenty of whole wheat oatmeal , try to stay low carg etc etc.
They told me to fast after midnight and all I had before that was some popcorn as a sanck and abit earlier a slice of ham. During the day before the test I remember drinking a lot of Diet Coke which I usually do not have and when I do it is caffeine free.
Just thought I would mention that.
They called the next day to tell me that everything was great fine except they did not like my hemoglobin readings which where 6.2. As they have made errors on tests with me in the past I thought I may ask you what you think of this reading. Now they are scheduling an appointment for me with a counselor / nutritionist but that was my decision when they ask me if I would like that.
Please let me know what you think about this reading. Does what you ate the day before have an effect on reading ? Is there a margin of error as well with such test ?  Do you think I should request another test ?
Truthfully I am a bit nervous and worried now > No one in my immediate family to my knowledge has ever had diabetes.
Thank you so much
RichieC

[WaveRider]

Your HbA1c results of 6.2% is just over the high water mark, that is, if the testing was performed correctly and the lab did their job correctly. You can obtain a home test kit to verify. Here are a bunch I found http://tinyurl.com/3vhd22

[RichieC]

Thanks so much. I am almost thinking the results may have been something I ate the day before the test if that is possible. I had a large bottle of Diet Coke and a PIZZA !!  Then later that night I had two big bowls of popcorn (micro ) and a slice of ham.
Just before the test  had a vitamin pill aspirin and an Aleve for my back.
This is all quite new to me as I have had no experience at all with people who have had diabetes.
I do appreciate your advice and would like to check out one of those home testing kits but I am thinking a second opinion from another source may be well in order first.
What do you think ? I would value knwing your opinion.
Thanks again RichieC

[WaveRider]

I understand your concern and questioning because this all new to you. OK, let me try to define the glucose tests for you. First you MUST inform the doctor's office of any medication you're taking even OTC (over the counter). Aspirin is a blood thinner and can alter your lab results.  Some labs need to adjust the test some do not. Its still good practice to inform your doctor of EVERY medication you're taking, including Aleve. This way the lab knows ahead of time if they need to make proper adjustments.

You must not consuming any food or "colored" liquids for at least 8-10 hours prior to taking a fasting glucose test. Some doctor's prefer 10-12 hours. Clarify the fasting  time amount required by the attending doctor. Do not assume anything. The test will only measure the amount of glucose in your blood at the time of the test. What it does is give an indication to whether you are pre-diabetic or diabetic. If you're determined to be borderline diabetic most doctors then order an HgbA1c (A1c) hemoglobin test.

The A1c, on the other hand, doesn't care what you consumed the day before, the night before or the week before the test. It measures your glucose over the past three months then gives an average. This helps the doctor determine how your body adjusts to producing insulin as needed. For an explanation of the test go here
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003640.htm

Every lab may have different readings for "normal." Some may be below 5%, others 6%. On the national average its 6%. Get copies of your lab results (they're free for the asking) and see for yourself where you fall with your specific lab.

As far as a second opinion, it doesn't hurt as long as the lab is different than one you just used. Call your doctor's office and ask what lab they use and then call the new doctor's office and ask what lab they intend to use. Having two results from the same lab doesn't make sense for you're not really getting two opinions, per say.

A good source of information on Diabetes - Type I & II, Diabetes prevention, and nutrition is the ADA web site. http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp

Good luck and good health.

[WaveRider]

Forgot to post, on the ADA site is a Diabetes Risk Test. Its free to take.
http://www.diabetes.org/risk-test.jsp

[Sisteranita3]

My A1C readings had always been in the 6 range until this past March.  I suppose I lost my mind one day & ate Girl Scout Cookies (a weakness) and then Chinese Food for dinner.  Had to go to emergency (meter level simply said "HI") where I received 2 insulin shots.  In any case, I had always thought that any reading in the 6 range was a good one.  After my stupid episode my level went up to 10.6 and I am working to bring it down.  Take the other comments to heart, but it is my belief that anything in the 6 range is good.  Definetely check with your physician on this or perhaps a Diabetic nurse.

Anita

[Pointman]

Hi Richie,  what si your ageand are  yuo a vite  NAm vet? I go to Va hospititial allso,
you ddi amke a wise discison to see teh counsler and dietician,I woudl sugest going to a pvt Dr and a anothe hospititial if yuo ahev insurance to cover  or the money to afoord it, as  iam sure you know teh VA isnt allways the best palce to get medicial care.Wave rider expained these test yuo way better than me , she gaace you soem good info.
I would get rechecked. be sure and fast before testing, also if yuo are aViet NAm vet, and do become dibetic, yuo are entitled to a monthey ckeck from the good ol VA
only two requriments to get it Have been in country, and ahve type two dibetic.hope this helps, hey pass this info on to other vets esp if they are Vietnam vets about the comsenation. it from the agent orange we wjere exposed two.
takercare.

Pointman

[RichieC]

Well in answer to some of your remarks I am pre diabetic I guess at this point . I also take aleve and an aspirin every morning. Aspirin is on the adice of the VA nothing at all to do with being a diabetice. They just told me it is a good thing to do. ALEVE I take daily for early morning back pain sometimes I even been taking two and that has been going on for months now. How can this effect my results ?
I usually eat a low carb diet for the most part and I was doing some jucing as well for quite a while. The dietician thinks that may have actually added to the problem and with all this business about aspirin and aleve maybe that made things even worse yet ?
No history of diabetics in my immediate family at all. I always had good to great check ups and all I was ever told is I could use to lose a few pounds and to stop smoking.
I realy do appreciate all your comments and welcome any more you may have.
Seems to be a GREAT bunch of people here as well.
Again ALL  thanks
RichieC

[Sisteranita3]

What the dietician said makes perfect sense.  My Diabetes nurse has said from the beginning that drinking the fruit juice can make the problem worse.  Simply says that if you want/need the fruit, just do that - eat it.  At least that way you know how much fruit you had.  Drinking the juice you do not know just how many are in that glass.

Don't know about the aspirin & aleve but I know I could stand to lose quite a few pounds and quit smoking.  Just know, none of us are perfect and there is always something out there.

Keep coming back to this site - you never know just what info you may find.  I luckily found this site & have had great info, not only in answer to my questions but also checking out the answers for others.

Take Care - Anita