14 day average???Is it worth messing with? - Diabetes Message Board

lookin4aclue · 07-03-2006, 08:00 AM

My monitor has a button that gives you a 14 day average, and I was wondering if it was really worth messing with, or if it is just something that should be left alone. I don't know what this average would be called for? Can anyone explain it to me please.

Cora1003 · 07-03-2006, 09:08 AM

A HbA1c test will give you an average over the last 6 weeks to 2 months. The 14 day average on your meter will give you a better idea of how you are doing in the short term. For example, if you had a high A1c and started working harder on maintaining proper levels, you would see within a couple of weeks how much better you are doing.

I use my 14 day average a lot to get a ball park idea of how things are going. That way I won't have to wait for a blood test every 3 months.

Cora

SamQKitty · 07-04-2006, 10:28 AM

Just a reminder....

The 14 day average on your bg monitor ONLY averages the tests you've done, while the A1c is an average of your constant bg levels, 24/7.

Ruth

rickst29 · 07-04-2006, 05:33 PM

Ruth and Cora have it right on the money: Yeah, it gives you a general indication, but of course excludes all the time you DON'T run tests (sleeping), and over-emphasizes those times when you run EXTRA tests.

Back in the days I depended on a regular bG meter (I'm now a CGMS user), my "averages" were always much less than my A1c tests indicated my true average to be... because I'd do a LOT more tests during Hypo epsiodes, to see whether I was crawling out of them OK.

lookin4aclue · 07-05-2006, 09:34 AM

Thanks for the info, maybe you can clue me in here, what is an A1c test? I'm not sure as to what you all were referring to with that, as I am new to this. How often does the doctors check with testing and what tests are they? I know I have to see my doctor in another three weeks, and I just saw her a week ago. I have done well though from the 14 day average is 131, and I test before and after lunch, or before and after dinner, and once in the am before eating(doc said that I should watch the am BGL as it will tell if I need less meds, she doesn't want me to go into a hypo state)And so far I haven't had anything less than 80.