Just pondering my recent Blood test results

[K9ndo]

As I understand it HBA1C results provide an average of blood sugar levels over a three month or so period.

When blood tests are done to check lipid levels, HDL LDL TRIGLYCERIDES ETC. are these also an average over a similar period or only reflective of the last few days or weeks??

Just wondering 🤔

[Goonerboy6661]

Unlike HbA1c, which shows an average of blood sugar over the past 2–3 months, lipid panels (LDL, HDL, triglycerides, etc.) reflect your levels at the time of the test — they’re not an average over time.

LDL and HDL are fairly stable, while triglycerides can fluctuate more depending on recent meals, sugar, alcohol, or stress. For most people, lipid levels don’t change dramatically day to day, but they can shift over weeks/months with lifestyle or meds. That’s why repeat tests are often done after 3 months to assess progress.

[K9ndo in reply to Goonerboy6661]

Thanks

[BlueDays24]

HbA1c is a measure of the glucose attached to haemoglobin in red blood cells, and as red blood cells have an average life span of 120 days, they will have been accumulating glucose throughout that time. The measure is skewed by blood glucose levels in the last 6 weeks of the 3 months due to the ages in the ‘population’ of red blood cells.

[Silvermedal]

Interesting question. I asked the BHF nurse and she said this is still a matter of debate among health professionals, so basically, nobody knows.

[K9ndo in reply to Silvermedal]

😲😲that’s set me wondering

[Pundit999]

HbA1C is a measure of average glucose in the last 3 months, yes. Due to the red blood cells lasting 120 days, as mentioned by others.

Cholesterol can change quickly. If you take a statin, for example, total as well as LDP cholesterol can go down by 50% ore more in a few short days/weeks. Some may experience the same with a whole plants only diet with little added fat.

I wonder why you are asking. You have had an NSTEMI (from your profile) so must be on statins. Note that statins may increase A1C by 0.5% or so (if your values before were around 5.6, they my go up to 6.1, for example)

If your A1C has been going up, you may want to get an CGM (continuous glucose monitor)for a few weeks and monitor your diet/exercise and how they affect your personal numbers. I did that and found that if I finish dinner by 6, it helps to lower the value. Ad short walks after meals.

[K9ndo in reply to Pundit999]

Thanks Pundit999, I’m on statins A1C has dropped over the last few months. My lipid levels have dropped over the last few months even though I have slightly relaxed my low saturated fat intake. Currently running park runs weekly and walking up to 20 miles a week. I wasn’t expecting a further drop in lipids, given slight relaxation of saturated fat intake.