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• May 12, 2010 9:00 p.m.

  Gary, A1c can be lowered through diet, exercise and medication.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• April 28, 2010 5:26 p.m.

  Can you lower your A1c? mine is 6.1

  - gary

• March 17, 2010 12:52 p.m.

  What if a 68 year-old patient's fasting blood sugar or glucose lab work has NEVER been over 90 (several readings in the last year), but her A1C is 6.2. Thank you.

  - Deborah

• March 1, 2010 4:17 p.m.

  Patty, the estimated average glucose for an a1c of 12.5 is 309 mg/dl or 17 mmol/L. Have your husband see his health care provider as soon as possible.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• February 22, 2010 1:26 p.m.

  My husband has a a1c of 12.5 How bad is that?

  - Patty

• January 21, 2010 5:54 p.m.

  How bad is a 7.9 reading? I am sick of going back and forth to the doctor. I would like to just ignore the whole thing.

  - Susan

• January 20, 2010 5:24 a.m.

  Hi, I am located in India. I have been a diabetic for the past 6-7 years. I am taking antidiabetic medicines such as Metformin and Daonil (Glibenclamide). Besides I also keep up my physical activities. Three months ago my A1C test result was 5.6% , but when I tested just a couple of days ago, it has risen to 7.6%. I am worried. Although my post prandial glucose levels are well under control, my fasting sugar levels are quite outside the normal range (130-150 mg/dl). What advice do you have for me? Thanks for listening to me.

  - Chandrashekara

• January 6, 2010 8:44 a.m.

  Marie: Normal range for the A1c test is 4-6%.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• January 5, 2010 1:04 p.m.

  What is the normal range for the A1C test?

  - Marie

• December 27, 2009 4:52 p.m.

  Suzanne - 107 sounds more like a regular glucose result, which at 107 is perfectly normal. Better check w/ your doctor again about your symptoms. Even diabetics have normal glucose levels; one random test wouldn't make a diagnosis.

  - Sue

• December 21, 2009 4:31 p.m.

  My A1C test result is 107. does this mean i have diabetes? or am i prediabetic? I have several classic symptoms ie., thirsty, frequent urination, blurry vision, neuropathy in my toes, tired...

  - Suzanne

• December 1, 2009 11:54 a.m.

  Thank you for your very informative answer. I believe, based on what my father told me, he only did the OGTT test. I will ask him about any other tests that were performed and look at his test results (file) when we are there for Christmas. I don't think he has changed his diet or exercise routine much yet he continues to get readings within the acceptable range using his meter....so much so that he doesn't test daily. I understand what you say about age and it makes sense. I also want to see exactly when the original tests were done. He had knee replacement surgery in July so some increase in inactivity before that may have had an effect on his levels if the testing was done prior to or immediately after that. It's something I will include when determining if he should be tested further. I can confirm - he's one of the healthiest, most active 88 year olds you'll find....both in mind and body. We all intend to follow-up on this information so we can keep him that way for many more years.

  - Beth

• November 19, 2009 9:18 p.m.

  Kris: Diabetes is diagnosed in one of three ways: a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test level of 126 mg/dL or above, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) that measures blood glucose after a person fasts at least 8 hours and 2 hours after the person drinks a glucose-containing beverage (A 2-hour glucose level of 200 mg/dL or above can mean the person has diabetes), or a random or casual plasma glucose level of 200 mg/dl or higher. A second test is recommended to confirm diagnosis.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• November 19, 2009 3:04 p.m.

  Beth, diabetes is officially diagnosed by two fasting readings over 126 mg/dl (American Diabetes Association). Self monitoring of blood glucose is just one point in time and generally the A1c is also used to evaluate control. See Peggy's above blog. Many times if diabetes is a new diagnosis and the pancreas is still working pretty well, a small change in diet and activity will get the blood glucoses in normal range. That does not mean the diabetes has gone away but is under control. At 87 years of age, age is a big indicator for developing diabetes. That's because the pancreas wears out in the aging process just like everything else.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• November 19, 2009 8:44 a.m.

  Will our questions ever get answered?

  - Beth

• November 5, 2009 9:47 p.m.

  is the a1c test used for the diagnosis of diabetes? if i failed my 3 hour gtt but passed the a1c test does this mean i am diabetic?

  - kris

• November 3, 2009 3:14 p.m.

  My 87 yr old father was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and given a blood glucose monitor. In the three weeks since he has been testing, his sugar level has never been outside of the normal range. We were shocked at the original diagnosis as he is very healthy and active. Would it help to get this test?

  - Beth

• October 29, 2009 3:31 p.m.

  Eleanor, the A1C test is a nonfasting blood test and eating prior to the test will not effect the results of the test.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• October 28, 2009 2:23 a.m.

  Should you eat before taking the A1C test?

  - Eleanor