I understand the basic concept that it is a (averaged??) snapshot of prior 90 days of blood glucose levels… but what is the value (% or ppm, etc.) and how is it reached?
With a diabetic, glucose levels aren’t always stable. Let’s say you ranged from 150-350 on a given day…what value is given to that “day” in the 90 day picture?
In: 40
Lots of great responses in what an A1c actually measures in here. Side note: the rise of CGMs (continuous glucose monitors) has also given us a real time “estimated A1c” by actually doing a mathematical average based on measuring a persons blood sugar levels every few minutes.
From a clinical perspective, an A1c gives a general picture of a person’s blood sugar control. For example, a non-diabetic who eats a strict, low carb diet with regular exercise may have a super stable blood sugar that rarely budges out of the 80s. Their A1c will likely be on the super low end. An uncontrolled diabetic with an A1c of 14 has no blood sugar control, and their blood sugars likely range anywhere from 150-400.
There is no value to any given day, as it’s considered just an average over a three month period. You cannot treat a blood sugar based off an A1c, but you can make general treatment decisions based off it, such as needing lifestyle changes or adjusting medication.
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