Hello friends,

I tried the ChoiceDM home HbA1c test last night to see if I could get an idea of how my HbA1c was doing. If it's accurate at all, then I'd like to kick up my heels, because, after the 8 minute countdown and alternating "QCOK" messages, it reported my HbA1c as being 6.4%.

I was just wondering if anyone else has tried the test and if it was comparable to lab tests performed through your doctors' offices. I was thinking that even it it was off by half a percentage point, it would still give me a HbA1c of 6.9%, under the 7.0% recommended limit.

I have a meeting with my MD coming up on the 14th, so I hope it will be comparable. I've got one more of the tests, so I might consider taking the test the same day, to see if there's a real correlation. I'm hoping that I can lower that 6.4 number.

wb

I haven't tried one myself, but I know a few people who have, and their home results matched pretty closely to the lab results.

Good work!!!

I tried it and it was off for me. Home:5.1 Lab:5.8

They are pretty cheap at Rite Aid this week, and there is a coupon kicking around online. But I don't trust it. Maybe I did something wrong.

blondy -

I'm hoping that I'm not off by that much, or I'll be in the seven's. But if it's anywhere near the lab results, I'll get a couple more to use. At my local Walgreen's, the test was around $17 with a coupon.

We'll know next week how decent it was.

wb

Hi WB,
There are two different types of tests; one is the HbA1c, and the other is an A1c, although they both measure the same thing. The results will be slightly different, depending on which test you use.

My doctors office uses one of those monitors, as well as using the lab. (He alternates the tests, as the home monitor is less expensive and that way he can test us every time he sees us). He has told me that the home monitor that he uses tends to run about .5% higher than the whole blood results from the lab.

So, even if the lab were to run higher, as you pointed out you'll probably be at 7 or below, which is excellent! Pat yourself on the back for a good job of self-management!

Ruth

Ruth -

The home test I used was the ChoiceDM. What other brands/tests are out there?

I've been working like a monster to get my A1c reading down. After a recent back surgery, I started feeling 'normal' again and went wild on food. I figure I can't do that any more until I lose at least 100 pounds.

wb

Hi WB,
I don't know the brands of A1c monitors, since I never use them. I get checked at my doctor's office about every 3 months and that's enough. You don't use A1c's like you use regular bg monitoring, as they take an average of the past 8-12 weeks. If you test your A1c too often you are, IMHO, just wasting money.

It sounds like you're really back on track now, and you will most likely see excellent results when your doctor does the A1c.

As far as the weight loss...even if you lose the entire 100 pounds, you may never be able to go "wild" on food, but you might be able to have a few more treats! I've found that for me what works best is to limit myself to no more than one treat a week. So, if I'm really craving something sinful, I have to stick to my meal plan for 6 days and then I can have ONE serving of my sinful food (like ice cream, for example). It's been working pretty well for me...I don't feel deprived, and I am losing weight. Oh, also, on the day I'm having a treat, I skip some other carb (like no cereal in AM, just eggs or cottage cheese or something like that), so I'm not overdoing my carbs either.

Ruth

Can someone explain this test? I understand that it can tell how you are doing over a 3 month period of time. But doesn't it really give you an average so if you were high and low the same day the average could be fine but that would not be a good thing. I just had my first one as they felt I might be pre-diabetic based on a recent blood test. Mine was 5.3 but i am really not sure that says anything. They are still watching the fasting figure, I think. How long should it take for your sugar to return to normal after you eat. In the hospital they were testing me about 2 hours after eating and it was still a little high but they felt it could be the antibiotic I was on(2) and the fact that I was not moving much. Thanks for any help.

I was just wondering if anyone else has tried the test and if it was comparable to lab tests performed through your doctors' offices. I was thinking that even it it was off by half a percentage point, it would still give me a HbA1c of 6.9%, under the 7.0% recommended limit.wb


Did one Tuesday morning with a result of 7.4 % HbA1c from a fingertip sample.

The lab result came back today with a result of 7.3 % from sample taken from my arm.

They seem to be fairly reliable but make sure when you stick yourself that you get a large enough sample for home testing.

Man of Iron -

I posted a followup thread, but even with a week and a half difference in the blood draws, my home test ready matched the doctor's lab test. Your testing gives me a good "warm fuzzy" about the test, so that when my GP is willing to let me go to 6 month appointment intervals, I can do one at 3 months just to be sure I'm following the right path.

Canyondweller-

The HbA1c test is a measure of your blood sugar reading over the previous 3 months. The figure that you are given... 6.5%, 7.2%, represents the average blood glucose levels in your body, but it's a Weighted average. 50% of the number is weighted towards the prior month, and 25% for each of the 2 months prior to that month. For a diabetic, an ideal HbA1c number is under 7.0%.

wb

Hi WhackBacked,

That's exactly my point of view. I'm still scheduled at 3 month intervals but I plan on doing one every six weeks to check my progression. Good Luck!

Just performed my 3rd Choice DM home test since being diagnosed as being diabetic on June 6th.

When diagnosed on 6/6/2005 I was @ 10.3% at the lab.
Then on 6/30/05 tested @ 8.2% at home.
Then on 7/12/05 tested @ 7.4% at home then @ 7.3% at the lab.

Just now tested @ 6.6% HbA1c at home with both a 14 & 30 day blood glucose average of 112 mg/dl.