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• February 11, 2012 1:18 p.m.

  I am a 58 year-old woman and there is a history of diabetes in my family. last A1C was 6.1. I was not technically overweight but have lost 7 lbs since then. Previously, with my weight a little lower, my A1C has been 5.7-5.9. I have a daily vigorous yoga practice, but do better when I also have time to walk or swim. I am trying to see whether I can make a difference in this over a 3-4 month period, but I wonder, will I be able to prevent full-blown diabetes? I have been "pre-diabetic" for about 5 years. I am hoping to forestall or prevent the need for constant taking and balancing of medication. I'm a little afraid. I had one parent with "mild" diabetes that was undetected for a long time and very bad symptoms. Another has never been overweight and tightly managed medication and has no complications. But i am not ready to be old and tied to drugs and doctors.

  - Beth

• February 10, 2012 7:17 p.m.

  I just turn 63 years and diabetes does not run in my family. I recently had blood work done and the A1C came back 6.8 I am very concern. Does this call for a change in diet.

  - Estelle

• November 28, 2011 5:15 p.m.

  My blood test showed a Haemoglobin A1C of 5.9%. The serum glucose was 83 mg/dL. Does this mean I am prediabetic? Marie

  - Marie

• August 27, 2011 1:21 p.m.

  I have just been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I was given a glucose reader to test myself. How do I react to a high reading? Is there something I should do? It was not explained to me.

  - Jonnye

• July 25, 2011 9:51 a.m.

  my dr. said my os should be under 180 whatdoes that mean

  - helen

• July 18, 2011 3:56 p.m.

  Joanie, Prednisone can cause the blood glucoses to rise in some non diabetic people. Hopefully, the Prednisone therapy is short term and after the treatment the blood glucose will return to a normal range.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• July 12, 2011 6:40 p.m.

  I had a nerve in my arm pinched during gynecological surgery. Afterward I was given this AIC test and a thyroid screening. My results were a 5.9 for the AIC. I never had more than an 84 on the fasting glucose test. I was prescribed prednisone a month prior to the test and take multivitamins containing both C and E. Would prednisone and the supplements cause a higher than normal reading? The lab used had a cutoff of 5.6. I'm starting to wonder if this is more junk science to flag people for "treatment" they don't really need. Quite frankly I don't want or need the AMA riding herd over my dietary choices if I'm not actually diabetic. This disease does not run in my family.

  - Joanie

• July 7, 2011 1:10 a.m.

  For over 2 yrs my A1C has been excellent. The reason for the testing is a neurologist said I had diabetic neuropathy in my feet and lower legs. Even 4 months ago my A1C was great. Now 1 week ago glucose tolerance showed diabetes. I am confused. How can I have neuropathy from something I supposedly do not have and the tests backing it up. Now just after great results a glucose tolerance shows diabetes. How does this happen?

  - Kay

• June 24, 2011 12:29 p.m.

  My endocrinologist wants me to have an A1C test again because he suspects I suffer from low blood sugar. What result should I expect from the AIC test if it comes back saying yes, I hve low blood sugar. AIC 3, 4, etc

  - Rusty

• April 28, 2011 8:42 p.m.

  I do not have diabetes. When my doctor went over my blood work today she said my serum glucose was 100 and my A1c was 6.0. My last glusose was 91 and I did not have a A1c test.How bad is this? She is making me feel I now have diabetes. I have gained 12 pounds in one year. I feel if I can lose the weight that I might be in the normal range.

  - Sue

• April 12, 2011 9:33 p.m.

  How about if my A1C is 95mg/dl do I have diabetes and what stage thank you

  - Lesieli

• March 21, 2011 2:42 p.m.

  Charles: Here is a conversion chart from diabeteschart.org that also has a conversion formula you can use if you want to. http://www.diabeteschart.org/bloodsugarchart.html

  - Nancy and Peggy

• March 14, 2011 5:28 a.m.

  Can you provide a conversion chart from home blood testing results to A1c results? I keep track daily of my blood sugar but can not find a conversion chart that gets me close to what my expected A1c results will be. Or can you give us a conversion formula that we can plug in our average home testing for 120 days to an A1c result?

  - Charles

• March 7, 2011 8:57 a.m.

  Kathy: If your A1c is 6.9% and your blood sugars as stated, you have diabetes. We recommend that you see your provider for treatment.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• March 4, 2011 1:21 p.m.

  hi i'm concerned about my blood sugar levels. Last year's blood panel indicated possible diabetes. I don't remember what my a1c was, but was told that I was prediabetic. I occasionally tested, took alot of things out of my pantry, switched to good fats, got rid of all saturated and trans fats. Well I've recently tested for about 2 weeks, high levels even after having a chicken sandwich on low carb bread and a cup of tomato soup. fasting level was 134 Wed and A1C was 6.9. The nurse told me i was prediabetic, she wouldn't even look at my diary with what i ate and blood sugar readings. I think I need to get a second opinion. One night it was 339 after dinner. I don't have health insurance, so where I go is limited. i went to the low cost clinic. i hate going there, the people are rude, don't listen to you, nad rush you out before you get your needs addressed!!!

  - Kathy

• January 22, 2011 1:46 p.m.

  Extensive blood work and urinalysis 1/17/2011, fasting showed: A1c at 5.7, blood glucose 87, Insulin level 27... 71 yrs female. slight hypertension, lipid panel all in range. Normal weight, normal BMI as per charts. Concerned about high insulin level. What can cause the high insulin level? thanks for your comments.

  - Maria

• September 13, 2010 5:15 p.m.

  I recently was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy had 1 surgery in 08 for tarsal tunnel on 1 foot now also my sugar level is elevated and diabetes runs in the family (5) cannot work due to the neuropathy.trying to get free info on the diabetes factor.....its a one day at at time for me i have a good neurologist and pain meds of course....i miss working but cannot...just hang in there....i have family friends and my faith in god.

  - sarah

• September 9, 2010 10:48 a.m.

  Cindy, you are correct, the A1C test is a weighed mean, meaning the last month of bg's does impact the reading more. There is a fructosamine test that reflects a couple weeks of glucose control.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• September 3, 2010 10:28 a.m.

  My understanding is that the A1C test gives an indication of average blood glucose levels over past 3 months. But that it is weighted to the most recent weeks. So doesn't it make sense to test A1C more often than every 3 months. If I test each month, won't I have better view of how my diabetes management is going?

  - Cindy

• September 2, 2010 1:51 p.m.

  I recently received my blood test results of which I never saw before. I am a 59 year old female with RA controled with Remicade and Methotrexate. I have family history (maternal grandmother). My A1C was 6.0 and Mean Plasma Glucose 135. My physician has not spoke to me about these results. Should I be worried. I recently quit smoking after 40 years and have gained about 20 lbs. I am 5'10" and weigh 163?

  - Arlene

• July 15, 2010 8:58 a.m.

  Donna: There are 2 tests used to diagnose prediabetes: •The fasting blood glucose – a glucose blood test measured first thing in the morning before you eat. A normal fasting blood glucose is between 70 – 100 mg/dL (3.8-5.5 mmol). You have pre-diabetes if your fasting blood sugar is 101-125 mg/dL (5.6-6.9 mmol) •Oral glucose tolerance test – a person's blood glucose is checked after fasting and again 2 hours after drinking a glucose-rich drink. Normal blood glucose is below 140 mg/dl(7.7) 2 hours after the drink. In pre-diabetes, the 2-hour blood glucose is 140 (7.7) to 199 mg/dl (11.0). If the 2-hour blood glucose rises to 200 mg/dl (11 mmol) or above, a person has diabetes.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• July 9, 2010 12:21 p.m.

  Is a value of 5.7 on the A1c indicative of prediabetes? Does that mean my pancreas is not functioning normally and I will be prediabetic or diabetic for the rest of my life? Or could that be a fluke and I might be normal?

  - Donna

• June 5, 2010 1:32 p.m.

  My A1C test was 6.9. I'm self testing for the past few days and my scores vary from 104 to 149 using a blood glucose monitoring device-sticking myself. What is considered safe or normal?

  - Elaine

• May 26, 2010 6:18 p.m.

  Dear Mayo Nurses: My last A1c was performed in the Dr's office and was a rapid result test. Is this finger stick test just as accurate as a blood draw at a hospital lab??? By the way, my last result was 6.8, down from riding in the 7's. I have had IDDM for 20+ years, and I am beginning to experience some negative complications. Diabetes is no fun, and only for the strong at heart. I must rise each day to face new challenges. Thanks. Keep up the great work at MAYO.

  - Kentucky gentleman

• May 13, 2010 8:15 p.m.

  My doctor doesn't think I need an A1C level taken. I dont want to be a hypochondriac but if I have a family history of diabetes, a glucose level of 111 and a raise in my AST to 64 and ALT to 78 wouldn't it be a good idea to check it out? I have also been having pains in my extremities that I forgot to tell her about. Be honest, am I trying to find a problem that isn't there?

  - Linda