What is the difference between A1C and glucometer readings. How does A1C reflect average blood glucose levels. What factors can affect A1C test accuracy. How to interpret eAG values.

The Basics of A1C and Blood Glucose Measurements

Blood glucose monitoring is a crucial aspect of diabetes management. Two primary methods are used to measure blood sugar levels: A1C tests and glucometer readings. Understanding the difference between these measurements is essential for effectively managing diabetes and prediabetes.

What is A1C?

A1C, also known as HbA1c or glycated hemoglobin, is a blood test that measures the average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months. It’s expressed as a percentage and provides a long-term view of blood sugar control.

How does A1C differ from glucometer readings?

While A1C gives an average over time, glucometer readings provide instant snapshots of blood glucose levels. Glucometer results are typically expressed in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L).

Interpreting A1C Results

A1C results are crucial for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes. Here’s how to interpret the numbers:

• Below 5.7%: Normal range
• 5.7% – 6.4%: Prediabetes
• 6.5% or higher: Diabetes (if confirmed by a second test)

For most adults with diabetes, the target A1C range is between 5.7% and 7%, although individual goals may vary based on factors such as age and overall health.

Why is A1C important?

A1C provides valuable insights into long-term blood glucose control. It helps healthcare providers assess the effectiveness of diabetes management strategies and adjust treatment plans as needed.

Understanding Glucometer Readings

Glucometer readings offer immediate feedback on blood glucose levels, allowing individuals to make real-time decisions about diet, exercise, and medication.

What are normal glucometer readings?

Generally, target ranges for glucometer readings are:

• Before meals: 80-130 mg/dL
• Two hours after meals: Less than 180 mg/dL

However, these targets may vary based on individual circumstances and should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

The Science Behind A1C Measurements

Understanding the science behind A1C measurements can help explain why this test is so valuable for diabetes management.

How does A1C measure blood glucose?

A1C measures the percentage of hemoglobin molecules in red blood cells that have glucose attached to them. As blood glucose levels rise, more hemoglobin becomes glycated, resulting in a higher A1C percentage.

Why does A1C reflect a 2-3 month average?

Red blood cells have a lifespan of approximately 120 days. The A1C test captures the average glucose exposure of these cells over their lifetime, providing a broader picture of blood sugar control.

Factors Affecting A1C Accuracy

While A1C is generally reliable, certain factors can influence its accuracy:

• Hemoglobin variants
• Certain anemias
• Recent blood transfusions
• Pregnancy
• Certain medications

Healthcare providers should be aware of these potential influences when interpreting A1C results.

Are there alternatives for people with hemoglobin variants?

For individuals with hemoglobin variants, such as those of African, Mediterranean, or Southeast Asian descent, alternative tests may be necessary. The National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP) provides guidance on appropriate testing methods for these populations.

Estimated Average Glucose (eAG): Bridging A1C and Daily Readings

Estimated Average Glucose (eAG) is a concept that helps translate A1C results into the same units used in daily blood glucose monitoring.

How is eAG calculated?

eAG is derived directly from A1C results using a mathematical formula. It’s reported in mg/dL or mmol/L, making it easier for patients to relate their A1C to their daily glucose readings.

What’s the benefit of using eAG?

By providing A1C results in familiar units, eAG helps patients better understand their long-term blood glucose control in relation to their daily monitoring efforts.

Developing a Comprehensive Diabetes Management Plan

Effective diabetes management involves more than just monitoring blood glucose levels. It requires a holistic approach that includes:

• Regular A1C testing
• Daily blood glucose monitoring
• Healthy diet and exercise
• Medication management
• Regular check-ups with healthcare providers

By combining these elements, individuals with diabetes can work towards optimal blood glucose control and reduce the risk of complications.

How often should A1C be tested?

For most people with diabetes, A1C should be tested at least twice a year. Those who have recently changed their treatment plan or are not meeting their target goals may need more frequent testing.

Leveraging Technology for Better Diabetes Management

Advancements in technology have revolutionized diabetes care, offering new tools for monitoring and managing blood glucose levels.

What are continuous glucose monitors (CGMs)?

Continuous glucose monitors are devices that measure glucose levels in real-time throughout the day and night. They provide a more comprehensive picture of glucose trends compared to traditional finger-stick tests.

How do CGMs complement A1C testing?

While A1C provides a long-term average, CGMs offer detailed insights into daily glucose fluctuations. This combination allows for more precise diabetes management and can help identify patterns that may be missed with A1C testing alone.

The Role of Diet and Exercise in Blood Glucose Control

Lifestyle factors play a crucial role in managing blood glucose levels and improving A1C results.

How does diet impact blood glucose?

Different foods can affect blood glucose levels in various ways. Carbohydrates have the most significant impact, while proteins and fats have a more moderate effect. Understanding these relationships can help individuals make informed dietary choices.

What types of exercise are beneficial for blood glucose control?

Both aerobic exercise and resistance training can help improve blood glucose control. Regular physical activity increases insulin sensitivity, allowing cells to use glucose more effectively.

A balanced approach that includes both types of exercise, tailored to individual capabilities and preferences, can contribute to better A1C results over time.

Navigating Diabetes Care: Working with Healthcare Providers

Effective diabetes management requires collaboration between patients and healthcare providers. Regular communication and follow-ups are essential for optimizing treatment plans and achieving target A1C levels.

What should be discussed during diabetes check-ups?

During diabetes check-ups, patients should be prepared to discuss:

• Recent A1C results and daily blood glucose patterns
• Any challenges in managing blood sugar levels
• Medication effectiveness and side effects
• Lifestyle changes and their impact on glucose control
• Any diabetes-related concerns or questions

Open and honest communication with healthcare providers can lead to more personalized and effective diabetes management strategies.

How can patients prepare for their diabetes appointments?

To make the most of diabetes check-ups, patients can:

1. Bring recent blood glucose logs or CGM data
2. Prepare a list of questions or concerns
3. Review current medications and note any issues
4. Be ready to discuss lifestyle factors, including diet and exercise habits
5. Share any changes in overall health or new symptoms

By coming prepared, patients can ensure that their appointments are productive and address all aspects of their diabetes care.

The Future of Diabetes Monitoring and Management

As technology continues to advance, the landscape of diabetes care is evolving. New innovations promise to make blood glucose monitoring and management more convenient and accurate.

What emerging technologies are on the horizon for diabetes care?

Several exciting developments are shaping the future of diabetes management:

• Non-invasive glucose monitoring devices
• Artificial intelligence-powered predictive algorithms for glucose trends
• Closed-loop insulin delivery systems (artificial pancreas)
• Smart insulin that responds to blood glucose levels
• Improved data integration between various monitoring devices and healthcare systems

These advancements hold the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with diabetes and enhance the accuracy of blood glucose monitoring.

How might these technologies impact A1C testing and interpretation?

As continuous monitoring becomes more prevalent and accurate, the role of A1C testing may evolve. While A1C will likely remain an important measure of long-term glucose control, real-time data from advanced monitoring systems could provide more nuanced insights into glucose variability and management effectiveness.

The integration of these technologies with A1C testing could lead to more personalized and precise diabetes care strategies, potentially improving outcomes and reducing the burden of diabetes management.

Empowering Patients: Education and Self-Management

Education plays a crucial role in effective diabetes management. Empowering patients with knowledge about A1C, blood glucose monitoring, and self-management techniques can lead to better outcomes and improved quality of life.

What are key components of diabetes education programs?

Comprehensive diabetes education programs typically cover:

• Understanding A1C and blood glucose measurements
• Proper use of monitoring devices
• Nutrition and meal planning
• Physical activity recommendations
• Medication management
• Recognizing and treating hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia
• Long-term complication prevention
• Emotional and psychological aspects of living with diabetes

These programs aim to provide individuals with the tools and knowledge necessary to take an active role in their diabetes care.

How can patients stay motivated in their diabetes management journey?

Maintaining motivation for long-term diabetes management can be challenging. Some strategies that can help include:

1. Setting realistic and achievable goals
2. Celebrating small victories and improvements in A1C or daily glucose readings
3. Joining support groups or online communities for peer encouragement
4. Using digital tools and apps to track progress and set reminders
5. Working with a diabetes educator or coach for personalized support
6. Focusing on the positive impact of good diabetes management on overall health and quality of life

By staying informed, engaged, and motivated, individuals with diabetes can take control of their health and work towards optimal blood glucose management.

What Is the Difference Between My A1c and the Numbers on My Glucometer?

July 10, 2018

When your doctor says you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, it’s usually because of your A1c test result. If your A1c is over 5.7 but below 6.4, you like have prediabetes. If it’s over 6.5 on two or more tests, you likely have type 2 diabetes.

You will get a glucometer with your first prescription of test strips and fingersticks. The doctor will tell you to aim for readings between 80 and 130 before a meal and under 180 after a meal. And if you are like most people, you will wonder how to make sense of all this new information.

Why the Two Measures of Blood Sugar?

Blood sugar, or glucose, is generally measured in two ways. The first way is usually done in a lab and tells your doctor about your HbA1c, or often just referred to as A1c. This measurement is a percentage of hemoglobin that is bound with glucose in your blood.

Hemoglobin, abbreviated as Hb, is the part of the red blood cell that carries oxygen to your cells. Glucose, which is also used by cells for energy, hitches a ride on the hemoglobin, and with the help of insulin gets into your cells, where it is used for energy or stored.

The more hemoglobin with glucose attached, also called glycated hemoglobin, circulating in your blood, the higher the percentage of these glucose-bound red blood cells. Thus, your HbA1c is a measure of the percentage of these glycated hemoglobin cells in the blood.

The second way blood sugar levels are measured is in terms of weight per volume. A gram is equal to the weight of 16 drops of water and a milligram is one-thousandths of a gram. A deciliter is one-tenth of a liter. Thus, glucose reading on your glucometer of 100 is 100 milligrams of glucose per deciliter of plasma.

What Does A1c Tell Me About Blood Glucose?

Your doctor is interested in your A1c, or the amount of glycated hemoglobin in your blood, because it reflects your average blood glucose levels over the past three months. The normal average range for A1c varies with age and many other factors, but in general, for most otherwise healthy adults, the range is below 5. 7 percent, and for people with diabetes it is between 5.7 percent and 7 percent.

What Does My Glucometer Tell Me About Blood Glucose?

Your glucose meter will show you how much glucose is in your blood at the moment you prick your finger and sample the drop of blood. Using a glucose meter is a way to see the effects of the foods you eat, the amount of exercise you do, and the medications you take to manage your blood sugar.

Many people with diabetes aim to keep their blood sugar levels as close to the normal range as possible, which is around 80 milligrams per deciliter before a meal and less than 180 mg per deciliter two hours after a meal. You and your doctor will determine the best target range for you.

If you are of African, Mediterranean, or Southeast Asian descent, you may have what is called a hemoglobin variant, which can make the A1c test unreliable for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes. Likewise, people with sickle cell anemia or thalassemia may not get accurate results from the A1c test. The National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP) has developed information for diabetes healthcare providers about which hemoglobin tests to use for patients with such variants.

Resources for Understanding Blood Glucose

If you would like more information about measuring and monitoring your blood sugar, here are three useful resources:

• The A1c Test & Diabetes, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
• Managing Diabetes (NIDDK)
• What is Insulin, Endocrineweb

At Healthcare Associates of Texas, we work with you to find the optimal treatment needed for your health. We offer an integrated approach to your care with primary care and diabetes specialists working together to ensure that you stay on track to reach your A1c goals while enjoying your life. Call our Appointment Line at (972) 258-7499 or contact us by email.

Posted in: Diabetes

Estimated average glucose (eAG): MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

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Estimated average glucose (eAG) is an estimated average of your blood sugar (glucose) levels over a period of 2 to 3 months. It is based on your A1C blood test results.

Knowing your eAG helps you predict your blood sugar levels over time. It shows how well you are controlling your diabetes.

Glycated hemoglobin or A1C is a blood test that shows the average level of blood sugar over the previous 2 to 3 months. A1C is reported as a percent.

eAG is reported in mg/dL (mmol/L). This is the same measurement used in home blood sugar meters.

eAG is calculated directly from your A1C results. Because it uses the same units as home meters, eAG makes it easier for people to understand their A1C values relative to their home blood sugar readings. Health care providers now use eAG to talk with their patients about A1C results.

Knowing your eAg can help you:

• Understand the value of tracking your blood glucose levels over time
• Relate to your self-test blood glucose readings
• Better manage diabetes by seeing how your lifestyle and medicine choices affect blood sugar;

You and your provider can see how well your diabetes care plan is working by looking at your eAG readings.

The normal value for eAG is between 70 mg/dl and 126 mg/dl (A1C: 4% to 6%). A person with diabetes should aim for an eAG less than 154 mg/dl (A1C < 7%) to lower the risk for diabetes complications.

The results of an eAG test may not match your average of day-to-day blood sugar tests you have been taking at home on your glucose meter. This is because you are likely to check your sugar levels before meals or when your blood sugar levels are low. But it does not show your blood sugar at other times of the day. So, the average of your results on your meter may be different than your eAG.

Your doctor should never tell you what your blood sugar values are based on the eAG because the range of average blood glucose for any individual person is very broad for each A1c level.  The value is only an estimate.

There are many medical conditions and medicines that change the relationship between A1c and eAG. Do not use eAG to evaluate your diabetes control if you:

• Have conditions such as kidney disease, sickle cell disease, anemia, or thalassemia
• Are taking certain medicines, such as dapsone, erythropoietin, or iron

American Diabetes Association. 6. Glycemic targets: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2021. Diabetes Care. 2021;44(Suppl 1):S73-S84. PMID: 33298417 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33298417/.

American Diabetes Association website. All about blood glucose. professional.diabetes.org/pel/all-about-blood-glucose-english. Accessed April 5, 2023.

American Diabetes Association website. Diabetes overview. A1C and eAG. www.diabetes.org/diabetes/a1c-test-meaning/a1c-and-eag. Accessed July 6, 2021.

Updated by: Brent Wisse, MD, Board Certified in Metabolism/Endocrinology, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A. D.A.M. Editorial team.

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Speed ​​Reading | AYK Obninsk

Speed ​​reading is the ability to quickly perceive textual information when using special reading methods. The usual reading speed in Russian in an adult is in the range of 120-180 words per minute, according to experimental studies, the average speed is 201 words per minute (with a range of values ​​​​from 60 to 378) with an average mastering percentage of 52. Speed ​​reading is understood as the ability to read in 3-4 times faster than average speed, up to a maximum of about 600 words per minute. There are speed reading methods that allow you to achieve even higher speeds, more than 1000 words per minute, but this causes a very significant decrease in understanding of the material and is more likely to be called “browsing” than “reading”. However, for many types of literature that do not require the assimilation of details, speed reading is quite suitable. Speed ​​reading also plays an important role in increasing productivity in some industries, such as for management personnel.

It is believed that some people can master the ability to speed read without special training, having mastered the ways of speed reading intuitively.

Historical reference:

Speed ​​reading is based, in particular, on the research of the French ophthalmologist Emile Javal. In 1878, he discovered that the eyes make short movements (jumps) with short stops (fixations). While reading one line, the eyes stop 3-4 times, and not on each sign. The study showed that the field of view of a person is wider than previously thought. At 1894 in the press appeared articles about the benefits of speed reading. With the spread of mass education, interest intensified.

The first speed reading course was organized at Syracuse University in the USA in 1925.

In the 1940s, hardware methods for increasing reading speed were popular, in particular with the help of a tachistoscope. Reading speed increased significantly, but the results were unstable.

In 1958, the “Dynamic Reading” method developed by teacher Evelyn Wood appeared.

Basic speed reading skills:

1) Suppression of subvocalization – internal pronunciation of the text being read; developing the skill of recognizing words directly from their visual typographic image, bypassing internal sound recognition. To suppress subvocalization, techniques are usually used to distract attention during reading.

2) Elimination of “regressions” – recurrent eye movements when reading, rereading sentences and paragraphs. This skill is closely related to the development of memory.

3) Expansion of the field of visual perception. There are special exercises (for example, with Schulte tables) aimed at improving peripheral visual perception. Thanks to this skill, a trained reader can cover more words, up to a whole line, in one stop of his eyes. The fewer translations of the gaze along the line the reader makes, the higher the speed of reading and the less fatigue. When training reading speed, it is necessary to learn to perceive a line of text in fewer and fewer glance translations. At first, it is convenient to learn this on newspapers with narrow columns of text.

4) Concentration of attention – keeping attention on reading. To enhance concentration, reading is accompanied by the suppression of internal dialogue and a decrease in response to external stimuli.

5) Superficial reading, skimming is the ability to quickly find keywords and theses in a text with low informative density. To develop this skill, notes are used, drawing up flowcharts, memory cards, as well as exercises to understand the meaning of the entire sentence when reading only part of it. This skill is the most difficult to master, as it affects many cognitive processes at once.

Education in the city of Obninsk:

— School of speed reading and intelligence development “IQ007”

— School of speed reading according to Shamil Akhmadullin’s method

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