We had an a1c done when we were first diagnosed. It was 12.1%. A normal test level is 4.5-6%. That is our target. Her blood sugars on average for those months then was 298. Which matches her fasting blood sugar test. But keep in mind that was fasting. The doctor thinks her blood sugars were really in the 400s for a long time before we realized how sick our daughter was!
From the Mayo Clinic website:
The A1C test is a common blood test used to diagnose type 1 and type 2 diabetes and then to gauge how well you're managing your diabetes. The A1C test goes by many other names, including glycated hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1C and HbA1c.
The A1C test result reflects your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. Specifically, the A1C test measures what percentage of your hemoglobin — a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen — is coated with sugar (glycated). The higher your A1C level, the poorer your blood sugar control and the higher your risk of diabetes complications.
We had an a1c done when we were first diagnosed. So why do this test? Because it looks at your blood sugars for the past few months rather than just at a series of daily blood sugar levels. It's a great test to see how well your diabetes plan is working or not working. For type 1 diabetics - she will be tested about 4x a year. Type 2 diabetics should be tested about 1-2 times a year. I remember posting the image of the thermometer of the % of a1c level and Katie's was off the top of the thermometer at 12.1%. It was scary and a good picture that she was seriously ill.....Fast forward to today- they pricked her finger. Katie and I and AnnaGrace waited and worried a bit I think. Katie finally said..I will be happy if it's down 1% to 12. I reply: Hon that's .1% not 1%. We laugh to break the tension. She says ok then if it's 11% I mean. I'm like...I'll be happy if it's down .1%. Everything I read said it takes awhile. The nurse comes in and won't say anything about results. We ask and she says- I'm sorry Dr. Kassar will discuss it with you. I think- oh boy.
Dr. Kassar comes in all smiles...dancing a bit. Says she's a rockstar and the best patient he ever had. He cuts himself off and says..that the change was maybe not the biggest he's seen, maybe there is one other. We have no idea what he is talking about at first. Then he says if her a1c is 10 or 11% they are happy..very very happy. And he says guess what yours was. I'm like 8. He says no I'm sorry you are wrong. I'm like..that's ok..is it 9? he says no- 7.5%.
7.5%!!!!!!!! This is astounding. He's not sure other than one other patient one he has seen that has done as well getting their blood sugars under control so quick. I start tearing up and say it's obvious she has an awesome team who has been instrumental as well as the Dexcom and the pump. But that the true warrior is Katie because she did this. She took it seriously and took her shots and cried through a lot but came out stronger and HEALTHIER. It's obvious. She is tired and exhausted as she finished a straight A semester of HONORS college and working full time but she's not wiped out from the diabetes!
I was telling Kev later and he said...honey she only got the pump in October it obviously was the dexcom. And he's right. That continuous glucose monitor. As bad as the customer service/billing can be and as clunky as it is to insert (not automatic and people hate it because it's painful) it works. It's working and is why she has such tight control now. Does she have highs and lows? yes here and there but overall on average her blood glucose levels are so much better!!!!
Best news ever and reason why we are giving thanks!
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