A1C

A closer look at how diabetes is diagnosed and tracked.

A1C: A Closer Look

The A1C test can be used to diagnose diabetes or help you know how your treatment plan is working by giving you a picture of your average blood glucose (blood sugar) over the past two to three months.

It can identify prediabetes, which raises your risk for diabetes. It can be used to diagnose diabetes. And it's used to monitor how well your diabetes treatment is working over time. It's also a critical step in forming your game plan to manage diabetes with your diabetes care team.
Information from American DIabetes Association

Understanding A1C Test Results and Their Significance

The A1C test shows your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. Your doctor will set an A1C goal based on things like your age. For most adults with diabetes, the goal is to keep the A1C below 7%. Your goal might be different from other people's.

Normal A1C Range

>5.7%

Pre-Diabetes

5.7%-6.4%

Diabetes

6.5+

How an A1C Test Helps Manage Diabetes

- Confirms blood test or self-test results.
- Let's you know if the treatment plan chosen by your doctor is working.
- Shows you the difference that healthy choices can make when helping to control your diabetes

A1C: Another Name for eAG

As you learn about your A1C levels, you might see the term "eAG." The eAG is like the blood sugar measurements from your home meter. Your home meter readings may often show lower levels than your eAG because you usually test your blood sugar in the morning or before meals.

How Does A1C Work

Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. When blood sugar is high, glucose sticks to hemoglobin. The amount of glucose stuck to hemoglobin (A1C) shows your average blood sugar over time. Checking your A1C helps you see how well your body has been handling blood sugar levels.

Glossary

Get to know some of the terms you might hear when discussing diabetes with your healthcare providers.

Hemoglobin A1C Test is the measure of a person’s average blood glucose level over the past 2 to 3 months. Hemoglobin is the part of a red blood cell that carries oxygen to the cells and sometimes joins with the glucose in the bloodstream. The test shows the amount of glucose that sticks to the red blood cell, which is proportional to the amount of glucose in the blood. Results are given as a percentage or as an average glucose value.

A procedure to cut off a limb, such as a foot, from the body.

A cell located in the pancreas that makes insulin.

A type of fat produced by the liver and found in the blood. Cholesterol is also found in some foods. The body uses cholesterol to make hormones and build cell walls.

The main sugar found in the blood and the body’s main source of energy.

The force of blood exerted on the inside walls of blood vessels. Blood pressure is expressed as two numbers with units of millimeters of mercury (mmHg). For example, a blood pressure result of 120/80 mmHg is said as “120 over 80.” The first number is the systolic pressure, or the pressure when the heart pushes blood into the arteries. The second number is the diastolic pressure, or the pressure when the heart rests.

A measure used to evaluate body weight relative to a person’s height. BMI is used to find out if a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.

Disease of the heart and blood vessels (arteries, capillaries, and veins).

Any condition that causes reduced kidney function over a period of time. CKD is present when a patient’s glomerular filtration rate remains below 60 milliliters per minute for more than 3 months. CKD may develop over many years and lead to end-stage renal disease. Also see End-Stage Renal Disease.

Heart disease caused by narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. If the blood supply is cut off the result is a heart attack.

A condition characterized by hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) resulting from the body’s inability to use blood glucose for energy. Also see Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.

An emergency condition in which extremely high blood glucose levels, along with a severe lack of insulin, result in the breakdown of body fat for energy and an accumulation of ketones in the blood and urine. Signs of DKA are nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, fruity breath odor, and rapid breathing. Untreated DKA can lead to coma and death.

Causes vision damage to the small blood vessels in the retina. Loss of vision may result, and is also called diabetic eye disease.

The process of cleaning wastes from the blood artificially. This job is normally done by the kidneys. If the kidneys fail, the blood must be cleaned artificially with special equipment. The two major forms of dialysis are hemodialysis (using a machine to clean wastes from the blood after the kidneys have failed) and peritoneal dialysis (using the lining of the abdominal cavity, or belly, as a filter to clean the blood).

Total and permanent kidney failure. When the kidneys fail, the body retains fluid. Harmful wastes build up. A person with ESRD needs treatment to replace the work of the failed kidneys.

Also called impotence, is the inability to get or maintain an erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse.

A type of diabetes that only develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after delivery. It increases the mother’s risk of developing diabetes later in life. GDM is managed with meal planning, physical activity, and, in some cases, medication.

Measure of kidney function, the rate at which the kidneys filter wastes and extra fluid from the blood, measured in milliliters per minute.

A fat found in the blood that takes extra cholesterol from the blood to the liver for removal, sometimes called “good” cholesterol. Also see Blood Cholesterol.

An emergency condition in which one’s blood glucose level is very high and ketones are not present in the blood or urine. If not treated, it can lead to coma or death.

Also called high blood pressure, a condition present when blood flows through the blood vessels with a force greater than normal. Hypertension can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney problems, and death.

Also called low blood glucose, a condition that occurs when one’s blood glucose is lower than normal, usually below 70 mg/dL. Signs include hunger, nervousness, shakiness, perspiration, dizziness or light-headedness, sleepiness, and confusion. If left untreated, hypoglycemia may lead to unconsciousness.

A condition in which a fasting blood glucose test shows a level of glucose higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. IFG, also called prediabetes, is a level of 100 to 125 mg/dL. People with prediabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

A condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. IGT, also called prediabetes, is a level of 140 to 199 mg/dL 2 hours after the start of an oral glucose tolerance test. People with prediabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

A hormone that helps the body use glucose for energy. The beta cells of the pancreas make insulin. When the body cannot make enough insulin, insulin is taken by injection or other means.

This insulin-delivering device is about the size of a deck of cards and can be worn on a belt or kept in a pocket. An insulin pump connects to narrow, flexible plastic tubing that ends with a needle inserted just under the skin. Users set the pump to give a steady trickle or basal amount of insulin continuously throughout the day. Pumps release bolus doses of insulin at meals and at times when blood glucose is too high, based on doses set by the user.

The body’s inability to respond to and use the insulin it produces. Insulin resistance may be linked to obesity, hypertension, and high levels of fat in the blood.

A type of diabetes, usually first diagnosed after age 30, in which people show signs of both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Most people with LADA still produce their own insulin when first diagnosed and do not require insulin injections. Some experts believe that LADA is a slowly developing kind of type 1 diabetes because patients have antibodies against the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Several years after diagnosis, people with LADA must take insulin to control blood glucose levels.

A fat found in the blood that takes cholesterol around the body to where it is needed for cell repair and also deposits it on the inside of artery walls; sometimes is called “bad” cholesterol. Also see Blood Cholesterol.

Disease of the large blood vessels such as atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.

Swelling in the macula, the part of the retina in the eye, used for reading and seeing fine detail.

A monogenic (i.e., related to a single gene) form of diabetes that usually first occurs during adolescence or early adulthood.

Disease of the smallest blood vessels, such as those found in the eyes, nerves, and kidneys.

Disease of the kidneys causing damage that allows protein to leak out of the kidneys into the urine. Damaged kidneys can no longer remove wastes and extra fluid from the bloodstream.

Disease of the nervous system that causes muscle weakness, pain, and numbness. The most common form of neuropathy in people with diabetes is peripheral neuropathy, which affects the legs and feet.

Fat in the liver which can lead to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis—a common liver disease that occurs in people who drink little or no alcohol—and chronic liver disease. NAFLD can be a complication of insulin resistance and diabetes.

A procedure to remove through surgery damaged feet or legs, where the injury was not caused by trauma (e.g., the injury was not caused by a car accident).

A condition in which a greater than normal amount of fat is in the body; more severe than overweight; having a body mass index of 30 or more. See Body Mass Index.

Disease of the gums in the mouth.

A condition in which the large blood vessels of the legs are narrowed or blocked by fatty deposits, decreasing blood flow to the legs and feet. Also called peripheral vascular disease, PAD is marked chiefly by cramping pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling in the legs and it increases the chances of amputation, heart attack, and stroke.

A condition classified in people who have blood glucose or hemoglobin A1C levels higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. People with prediabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

A condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by a total lack of insulin. This occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in young people but can appear in adults.

A condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by either a lack of insulin or the body’s inability to use insulin efficiently. Type 2 diabetes develops most often in middle-aged and older adults but can appear in children, teens, and young people.

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention Diabetes Glossary
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About Nicholas

For the last 10 years, Nicholas Reiter has been working with companies, both large and small, to create and implement systems, processes and training modules throughout their organizations in order to eliminate redundancy and inefficiencies within their companies. Prior to opening his own consulting company, he spent 2 years working with a large construction company that specialized in the building and development (and training) of restaurant franchises. While there, Nick worked as a project manager and other facets of the organization where he was able to fine tune his interpersonal and problem solving skills. He was able to perform macro strategy building while bridging the communication gaps between contractors, laborers and other project managers to create a more efficient process resulting in achieving goals and staying on track with deadlines.

In 2016, he created his own consulting company where he began working with a local hospitals to improve efficiencies within order sets and pre/post-operative communication between staff and physicians, implement standardized order sets to reduce medical errors through communication inefficiencies, improve systemic flow, and create new processes that promote proper patient care techniques. As he continued to grow the company, he was selected to create professional development models, onboarding and training material for all new hires. He helped general contractors and franchises to create new operational efficiencies to lower costs, increase sales and successfully grow their businesses. It is through implementing new company leadership structure, company culture and collaboration skills that he was able to help reduce spending, raise productivity and improve customer satisfaction within each of his clients.

About Raleigh Williams

Raleigh Williams is the marketing coordinator for the Restor Metabolix corporate team. She graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2021 with a major in marketing and minors in sports and engagement marketing. While at Kennesaw State, Raleigh played on the softball team. She was named an All-America Scholar Athlete in 2018 and an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar in 2021. In college, Raleigh interned for the Minnesota Vikings in a public relations role for summer training camp. Raleigh began working for RMX in August of 2021, and has worked to grow the clinics’ social media pages, along with provide marketing support. In her free time, Raleigh is a volunteer coach for the Lovett High School softball team.

About Jeffrey Smith

Jeffrey A. Smith was named President and CEO of One Direct Health Network, Inc. and T-Rex Investment, Inc. in April of 2017. Under his leadership, the company has more than doubled its revenues and were EBITDA positive in 2018.  The company is building out a post-operative care “Platform to improve patient outcomes, while reducing cost in the Workers Comp and VA arena.  Prior to accepting this position, he briefly acting as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of Amendia from June, 2016 to January, 2017. As Chairman, Jeff’s responsibilities include mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, and investing in new IP.  Mr. Smith held the title of Amendia CEO and Director for seven years. Under Jeff’s leadership, Amendia was recognized by multiple awards from Atlanta’s Best And Brightest Companies to Work For, 2016, Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Fast 40 Companies in Atlanta, 2012 and 2013, Deloitte’s Tech Fast 500, 2014 and 2015, and Georgia Manufacturers of the Year, 2014. Under his guidance, Amendia grew from $2.9 million in Revenue to over $82.5 million in seven years and was instrumental in spinning off a biologics company in 2012, Vivex Biomedical, Inc., that will have Revenues in excess of $65 million in 2019. He has held several board seats over the last 8 years which include such companies as Amendia, Inc., Vivex Biomedical, Inc., Valeris Medical, Inc., One Direct Healthcare Services, Inc., DSS, Funding, LLC, Phalanx Technologies, LLC and POE Management, LLC. He is currently acting as Chairman of United in Gaming, Inc. a new E-Sport Gaming Platform “Gather.gg” with a focus on the casual gamers.

 

Before Amendia, Mr. Smith held an Executive Vice President position at Synovus Securities, Inc., which is affiliated with Synovus Financial Corporation (Ticker Symbol on NYSE – SNV), a $30 billion financial institution. Mr. Smith was also a Senior Vice President at Morgan Keegan, Inc., which was owned by the $80 billion Regions Bank (Ticker Symbol on NYSE -RF). His experience included managing the Investment Portfolio, Funding Solutions and interest rate risk in the balance sheets of small to mid-sized financial institutions throughout the U.S. as well as sitting on Synovus Financial Corporation’s Asset/Liability Committee, which oversaw the funding of the balance sheet and the management of their $3 billion fixed income portfolio. Before serving as CEO, Jeff advised over 30 community banks with total fixed income portfolio assets of more than $1.5 billion and provided investment banking services to community banks and their clients. In addition, he has an extensive background in providing alternative funding solutions for small to mid-sized companies and community bank clients throughout the Southeast.

 

Jeff is a graduate of the Georgia Banking School and the University of Georgia, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a Major in Finance. Jeff has been married to Amy for 32 years and they have two boys and a daughter-in-law. 

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