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Lowering A1c levels helps prevent and reduce complications

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A1c directly relates the average glucose concentration (mean blood glucose) in the body over the life span of the circulating red blood cell (RBC).¹ The A1c test (when performed using an analytical method with CV's under 2.0%) is considered a very reliable indicator of the level of individual diabetes control during the past 90 days and can serve as an excellent indicator of the potential risk for developing possible long-term complications typically associated with diabetes mellitus. In addition, the A1c can be useful in identifying un-diagnosed cases of diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

A1c can be monitored and may reflect meaningful glycemic changes during a 30 day period. A1c can be monitored and may reflect meaningful average glucose changes during a 30 day period. 30 day testing frequency may be appropriate during changes in therapy, infrequent BG monitoring or as indicated by your physician. While the A1c reaction is not considered reversible, the measured concentration of glucose bound to hemoglobin within the RBC may change relative to age and volume of the Red Blood Cells (erythrocytes). Kinetics (half-life) of the glycated protein (A1c) and erythrocyte (RBC) should be considered when determining monitoring frequency. The half-life of A1c is approximately +/- 34 days. The half-life of the circulating RBC is approximately 60 days.