A proper Hemoglobin A1c determination should always include the evaluation of the individuals Red Blood Cells at the time of A1c measurement. The Diabetes Technologies AccuBase multi-method analysis does this and more.

While the normal range of a non-diabetic individual is in this range, individuals with diabetes should use extreme caution when maintaining A1c levels below 5.0% as this may represent a significant opportunity for hypoglycemia (especially in individuals that present with hypoglycemia unawareness).

The DCCT and other diabetes studies have concluded that there is an direct association with the risk for the possible development of complications with increasing levels of A1c.

Any elevation in mean blood glucose concentration above 5.5% (108 mg/dl) should be explained by a physician. A1c level of 5.6 - 5.9%: The individual level of mean blood glucose has exceeded the normal upper limit of the assay range, indicating an abnormality in the expected normal human range. While this level is not recognized by the ADA as diagnostic of diabetes, it does signal a level that may be indicative of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and/or pre-diabetes.

Anyone with an A1c in this range should seek medical attention to determine the cause of the elevation in mean blood glucose. This is an important early warning sign that could prevent an individual from becoming diabetic if caught early. Often, diet and/or exercise may reverse and/or reduce the A1c level back to within normal range.

Other important diagnostic tests, examinations and evalu ations include: an annual dilated retinal examination, microalbumin, monitoring for ketones, foot examination, thyroid evaluation, and other tests as recommended by your physician, the American Diabetes Association and/or your health care plan provider.

A1c testing should not replace or be a substitute for daily blood glucose monitoring or routine visits to the physician and/or diabetes health care team. Testing should not replace or be a substitute for daily blood glucose monitoring or routine visits to the physician and/or diabetes health care team. The AccuBase A1c Test Kit is designed to provide the physician and patient with an accurate and convenient method for the assessment of the average glucose concentration (mean blood glucose) in the body during the past 90 days.