Can You Calculate A1c From Average Blood Sugar

Small Changes In Temperature Equipment Or Sample Handling

Even when the same blood sample is repeatedly measured in the same lab, the results may vary because of small changes in temperature, equipment, or sample handling. These factors tend to affect glucose measurementsfasting and OGTTmore than the A1C test.

Health care professionals understand these variations and repeat lab tests for confirmation. Diabetes develops over time, so even with variations in test results, health care professionals can tell when overall blood glucose levels are becoming too high.

Can This Test Be Used During Pregnancy

Although the A1c test can be useful in the early pregnancy to diagnose if improvement has diabetes before pregnancy, A1c testing is typically not very correct during the pregnancy due to changes in hemoglobin and expansion and blood volume. Typically your endocrinologist will use glucose tolerance test and follow you with glucose testing with fingersticks or continuous glucose monitoring systems.

The bottom line

Endocrinologists and primary care doctors, commonly use this test to diagnose and treat and monitor diabetes. It reflects average blood sugars within the last 3 months. This is because the test relies on hemoglobin turnover that is typically 3 months. If there are problems in your red blood cells or hemoglobin due to a variety of situations we have discussed above, the test may not be reliable. There are also many caveats that diabetes specialists, as well as diabetic patients, should be mindful of when interpreting test results.

About the author: Dr. Ergin operates a large diabetes practice mostly in West Palm Beach, FL, and yet can see diabetic patients across the entire state of Florida via a unique telehealth platform which also allows him to track patient progress and be available at all times. Soon to be available in NY and NJ.

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How To Calculate Your A1c

The Hemoglobin A1c test is a blood test used to measure the average blood glucose concentration in your body in the past 1-3 months. For diabetics, this is the standard way of determining how well the diabetes is controlled. An A1c of less than 7% is considered good.

Getting the test every 3 months is usually enough. But sometimes you may want to just estimate your A1c level based on the data from your regular self-tests. The formula below could help in this case.

Accuracy, of course, could vary depending on how often and when you check your blood sugar. I found it pretty accurate last time I used it. My calculation was off only by 0.1%. This is the same formula GlucoseTracker uses in the app’s dashboard.

Glucose in mg/dL:

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Understanding The Range Of A1c

Now that you have an estimate of your A1C, check whether your levels are outside of the normal range by comparing your result to the ranges used by both the American Diabetes Association and the CDC:

If your estimated range falls anywhere above 5.7 percent, you may want to visit your doctor to learn more about the factors that can affect your blood sugar response. One way to detect imbalances and fluctuations in glucose to see its impact on overall wellness is by using a tool such as a continuous glucose monitor.

There are a number of lifestyle changes that may be beneficial as you work to lower your levels over time. Your doctor may also help you set an A1C goal to aim for.

Normal Blood Sugar Levels Chart

Every substance present in our body has an optimum level. Above or below that specific range, that particular substance is harmful to our health. And so is sugar. There is a certain range of blood sugar which is considered as standard for almost all age. However, there might be some changes in the level considering different factors like age and other co-morbidities. Lets look at the chart:

Sometimes, random blood is also taken. In this case, the glucose level of 200 mg/dl is considered a diabetic condition.

Going through the chart you will notice certain terms regarding blood sugar which you need to understand in order to evaluate your own glucose level. So, I will just give a small brief regarding those:

• Fasting blood glucose: Here, blood sugar is tested after abstaining from food and drink for at least 8 hours.
• Postprandial blood sugar:In this case, blood sugar is tested 2 hours after a meal to access if its at the optimum level after having a meal or not.
• Random blood glucose: Blood is tested at any time of the day.
• HbA1c: It refers to a blood test which is done to evaluate the average level of blood glucose over the past 3 months. HbA1c is also known as glycosylated haemoglobin or A1C. Moreover, fasting is not required before carrying out the test.

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The Importance Of A1c

One way to monitor your blood sugar is to extract a little blood with a glucometer device. This gives you a blood sugar reading at that point in time. Your doctor may ask you to do this once a day or several times a day.

Another way to monitor your blood sugar is by wearing a continuous glucose monitoring device. This approach has become more popular in recent years, says Carla Cox, PhD, RD, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator in Missoula, Montana, and spokesperson for the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

A third way is to obtain your hemoglobin A1C number regularly when you go for lab work. The A1C, which is given as a percentage, indicates your average blood sugar over a two- to three-month period. This number can help show you and your diabetes team if your current diabetes treatment plan is effective, according to the American Diabetes Association . Most people with diabetes will get their A1C measured at least twice a year.

Sometimes, it’s helpful to convert a series of blood glucose readings into an A1C number. You may do this to further your own understanding of your blood sugar numbers or to share that number with your diabetes care team.

Read more:How to Lower Blood Sugar Levels Fast

How To Do An A1c Conversion

Here’s how to convert your blood sugar readings into an A1C percentage, according to the ADA and diabetes educators:

Step 1. You’ll want to have a substantial number of blood glucose readings ready to analyze. To truly find out your average blood sugar, you should measure it at different times of the day, Cox recommends. For instance, if you always measure your blood sugar in the morning before you eat, you may not know that your blood sugar is going too high or low at other times in the day. Talk to your doctor about how often to measure your blood sugar each day and when.

Step 2. Add up all the readings you’re using for the conversion. Note the resulting number.

Step 3. Divide the number from Step 2 by the total number of readings you took to reach that number. For instance, if your Step 2 total is 18,000 and you had 100 readings, your math is: 18,000 divided by 100 = 180. This is your average glucose level for the 100 readings.

Step 4. Add 46.7 to the average blood glucose reading from Step 3. If your average reading was 180, your math is: 180 + 46.7 = 226.7.

Step 5. Divide your answer from Step 4 by 28.7. Using the same example as above, your math is: 226.7 divided by 28.7 = 7.89. This means you have an average hemoglobin A1C of 7.89 percent.

You can also use the ADA‘s online conversion calculator to do the math for you.

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Why Is My A1c High

As blood sugar level rises, so do A1C levels. A high A1C indicates that blood sugar control is not optimal. This in itself is not an emergency, but it gives your healthcare provider a picture of how blood glucose has, or has not, been controlled, says Dr. Williams.

Poor diabetes control or a need for medication adjustments might cause higher A1C. Diet changes, daily exercise, or medication adjustments might quickly lower A1C. Because Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease, adjustments to ones treatment might be a part of the process of controlling diabetes. Poor diabetes control does not always mean a patient is doing something wrong. But there are other reasons why levels might be high.

As previously mentioned, other health conditions can cause skewed results. These include kidney disease, anemia, liver disease, asplenia, blood loss, hypothyroidism, uremia, and sickle cell anemia. Other factors that might lead to a high A1C level include increased age, pregnancy, and gestational diabetes.

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What Are Foods I Can Eat To Lower My Number

• Monitoring your carbohydrate intake is essential to lowering blood glucose levels and therefore A1C levels. The foods you eat can have a direct impact on your blood glucose. Carbohydrate examples include potatoes, rice, bread, fruit, milk,and other starchy foods. When too many carbs are eaten, the blood sugar may rise too high. Frequent blood sugar spikes will be reflected as a high A1C level.
• Lower carb recipes and diabetes friendly meals will help lower blood sugar levels and therefore be reflected as a lower A1C level. Be careful of hidden sources of carbohydrate. These include breading on meat, sauces, and low fat dressings.

• Label reading is important when grocery shopping. Check the total carbohydrates on the label in order to stay in your ideal carbohydrate range. Try to focus on measuring carbs and eating non-starchy vegetables, lean meats and unsaturated fats. Eating 3 medium size meals each day and 1-2 snacks will also help stabilize blood sugar.
• Be sure to ask your health care provider for individualized advice regarding any changes you would like to make in your eating habits including cooking tips, lower carb snacks and eating out with diabetes. Planning ahead will increase your chances of success regarding your diet and will help you include diabetes friendly comfort foods.

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Target Blood Sugar Levels For Children And Adolescents With Diabetes

Age 6-12 Bedtime 100-180

Kids aged 6 to 12 should have blood sugar levels that range between 80 to 180 mg/dL over the course of a day. Blood sugar levels go up after eating a meal because the body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, which is then distributed throughout the bloodstream. Other macronutrientsprotein and fatturn into glucose as well, but at a slower rate. Many people learn how to use these factors to their advantage. For example, if a childs sugar is trending low, a bedtime snack that includes something with protein and fat, like chocolate milk or peanut butter, will help raise blood sugar levels and help keep blood sugar levels steady through the night.

When you wake up in the morning, your fasting blood sugar is generally at its lowest because you havent consumed food for about eight hours. However, many people experience an increase in blood sugar levels in the early morning hours. If youre an adult and struggling with glucose control, your healthcare provider can help you develop a treatment plan to manage your blood sugar better.

Blood glucose levels outside the ranges listed above are categorized as either high or low blood sugar. For example, according to this chart, blood sugar levels are considered high if theyre over 130 mg/dL before a meal or 180 mg/dL within one to two hours after a meal. Many people wont start to experience symptoms from high blood sugar until their levels are at 250 mg/dL or higher. .

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How To Access Your Personal A1c Calculator

We made it super easy. Simply go into your One Drop app Settings , then scroll down and tap on Health Goals.

On the Health Goals screen, you’ll see your estimated A1c ready & waiting in the magenta box.

You will also see blood pressure tracking, right beneath your estimated A1c.

The steps for getting A1c are: One Drop Settings > Health Goals

That’s it!

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Im Discouraged About My Results

Dont be. My first test rang in at a whopping 13%. My next test was 10%. Both were dangerous, but I still gave myself a pat on the back for lowering my A1C. With gradual changes and tracking, youll find that each A1C test gets better and better.

If your number isnt getting better, and youre doing all you can, be honest with your doctor about what youre doing, and let them help you.

I hope this A1C calculator helps you understand a little more about your results.

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Your feedback is more helpful than you know it’s thanks to you taking the time to write in that we are able to make changes and updates like these. These two major updates are now available for both iOS and Android!

So take a look, compare with your actual A1c lab results, and let us know what you think! Happy A1c tracking, from all of us at One Drop.

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Determining The Right A1c Goal For You

Just because a normal blood sugar range of 70 to 130 mg/dL is considered the healthiest doesnt necessarily mean thats the appropriate goal range for you especially if you have type 1 diabetes, or take insulin as a person with type 2 diabetes.

The reason this may not be the right goal for you is that extremely tight blood sugar management in people taking insulin can potentially lead to frequent low blood sugars which can be dangerous.

Achieving extremely tight blood sugar management, like a range of 70 to 130 mg/dL, also often requires a strict nutrition plan, more frequent than usual blood sugar monitoring, precise medication management, and most importantly, years of experience studying your own blood sugar levels.

How Does A1c Associate With Glucose Averages

Even though an A1C level provides a sense of average sugar levels over the previous few months, an individual having either type 1 or type 2 diabetes must have a blood glucose meter so that he or she can check their blood glucose levels and adopt proper treatment choices on daily basis.

If a person tests frequently during the day, just like prior to and post-meals and other times that the blood glucose value may differ and utilize a precise glucose meter, this provides valuable info on daily differences in the levels of blood glucose. The majority of blood glucose meters are also equipped to deliver 7, 14, 30, or 90-day averages. A 90-day average on the glucose meter can help estimate how it may associate with an A1C.

Glucose meter averages depend upon the rate that a person tests per day, hence if a person does not have many data points or a person is incapable of testing at certain times , it perhaps wont provide a complete picture of the glucose levels and might slant lower as compared to an A1C test result.

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How To Lower A1c Level

Your doctor will tell you to lower your A1C levels if your test shows they are too high. Here are a few pointers to get you started:

• Consult your doctor about medicine. Make sure youre following the doctors instructions when taking them. Mention any other medications youre taking for different ailments, as they could interact.
• Check your blood sugar levels more frequently and make sure youre using the suitable treatments . If you believe this is a problem for you, seek professional treatment.
• Increase your physical activity. You dont have to train to be an Olympic athlete, but you should strive to include a few short walks in your daily routine. Every step is crucial!
• Attempt to reach and maintain a healthy BMI .
• The BMI is the most fundamental indicator, but you should also consider your waist-hip ratio. A large amount of visceral fat has been related to an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.
• Maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet. If youre overweight, dont go over your daily calorie restriction, and attempt to eat even less. Say goodbye to processed meals and sweets.

If you follow those recommendations, your hemoglobin A1C levels will almost certainly improve.