How can we do a rough estimate of HbA1c from the daily readings of blood sugar?

[Praveen55]

Many of us monitor blood sugar several times in a day. We also get HbA1c done at a lab quarterly or so. It would be useful if we can get a rough estimate of HbA1c from the daily/weekly/monthly readings of blood sugar to understand the overall trend blood sugar is progressing. It would not be a substitute for lab test but will complement it.

[ramana42 Volunteer]

It is not of much use.Divide your sugar level by 21 and you get approximate value in A1c terms.

[Praveen55 Moderator in reply to ramana42]

That will give a value at a particular point in time. What will be useful is - how HbA1c is doing on a daily/weekly/monthly basis. In a day, blood sugar keeps varying, sometimes very widely say between 100 and 200. Is there any method to arrive at a meaningful daily/weekly/monthly HbA1c numbers using say 5 or 6 daily BS readings?

[ramana42 Volunteer in reply to Praveen55]

I do not think it is feasible.

[Praveen55 Moderator]

Could you explain a little bit more? let me give you an example to make it more clear.Let us assume fasting bs is 100 and post meal is 200 and that stays for 2hrs before it comes to 100 again. during the next meal again post-meal bs goes up to 200 again and stays there for two hrs which means in a day bs profile is:

20hrs;

[Praveen55 Moderator in reply to Praveen55]

20hrs 100

4hrs 200

what would be HbA1c for the day. I understand it practice it will be more involved but I would like to know the procedure.

[Praveen55 Moderator]

Thanks.

[Praveen55 Moderator]

I am not interested in 3 months value, that will be coming from lab test anyway. I would like to know how A1c is doing on daily/weekly basis so that any correction required can be implemented sooner.

I am not aware of any A1C meter at a reasonable cost for home use. As the system is based on continuous monitoring for accuracy.

In any case for some time, I will be taking 5 to 6 readings on a day.

[Praveen55 Moderator]

Yesterday for test purpose I consumed regular breakfast which I was used to taking before LCHF, and my bs after90 mts shot up by 80 points. Whereas on lchf with bacon, egg and some green veg it goes up by 15 points only.

[whatsinaname in reply to Praveen55]

Nice to observe that you eat bacon Even better that you have no qualms about stating that openly instead of pandering to bigots

[Praveen55 Moderator in reply to whatsinaname]

It tastes good and has zero carb. I used to eat bacon roll in the past with some guilt because of lack of knowledge. I have now thrown guilt and bread roll and enjoy the bacon and I am doing fine.

[Praveen55 Moderator in reply to Praveen55]

Guilt because I thought it was not good for health.

[whatsinaname in reply to Praveen55]

Yes, its absolutely fine for health. That it is PORK should also not matter. The same goes for BEEF, except for bigots who are plentiful these days under the new dispensation

[Praveen55 Moderator]

Agreed

[ttchati]

Where is A1c meter available in India please. I would like to buy.

[Praveen55 Moderator in reply to ttchati]

Here in the UK, one can buy this meter through Amazon.

amazon.co.uk/A1CNow-Check-A...

It comes with 2 cassettes (what you call strip required for blood glucose measurement).That means you can do two measurements, one every three months. After that, you have to buy a new one, not the cassettes but the whole set. The cost is, as you will see in the above link £70. approx.

They do have a system with 20 cassettes, costing over £700.

I am not aware of any other home monitor for HbA1c. If you come across one, please let me know through the post.

Perhaps it is cheaper to get the lab test done, of course in a reliable lab.