A1c

From what I have heard, they're fairly accurate within a few 0.1s. It gives a good baromoter as to how you are doing but should never replace a regular A1C in the office. Since this is not what you're planning, as you will still go in twice a year, I see no problem trying one of these out. If you have an extra $30, I would do one on the day you get your lab work done, too. That way you can compare the results.

I have found the Bayer ones pretty darn reliable. I've used one almost monthly since last July other than when my doctor did one on me and the #'s have been very close. I watch for them on sale at CVS and you can really save on them that way.

Patdart said:

I have found the Bayer ones pretty darn reliable. I've used one almost monthly since last July other than when my doctor did one on me and the #'s have been very close. I watch for them on sale at CVS and you can really save on them that way.

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Just a question but why do you feel the need to do them monthly?

I have used A1cNOW and it seemed to be within 0.5 % but my daily average readings can tell me that so it is just an expensive curiosity to me.

My ACCU-CHEK average for 30 days is 102 mg/dl and I am very happy with that so I feel A1cNOW is just a waste of $30 and I am broke. And the doctor's arrogant/ignorant attitude ticks me off greatly so I have not gone in for my $10 office call with free to me lab tests for 5 months. The only tests that I am even interested in are my eGRF and triglycerides but they are still hung up on Cholesterol which i find irrelevant, but at 202 they want to put me on statins which I consider nothing but poison.

ColaJim

Joshua, I was eating the Atkins diet to lose weight and wanted confirmation that my daily readings were on top of things. I'm on no meds and so the declining A1C acted for me as a spur. It worked for me. My last one was a 5.2 down from the starting one of 6.9 last end of June. So, I'm where I need to be for now and much more confident that for now, I can manage with diet alone.

If it worked, that's great!! I'm happy to hear that. I never thought about those declining numbers maybe helping someone out. I just didn't know if they changed that much from month to month as they are supposed to be more of a 3 month thing. I'm so glad to hear it worked!! Congratulations. That is an impressive A1C.

If your doctor is doing one in his office, it is probably from a kit. I recently did an HbA1c at home and it came out 5.3. It matched pretty close to my daily average bgs of 103.

Patdart said:

I have found the Bayer ones pretty darn reliable.... I watch for them on sale at CVS and you can really save on them that way.

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What is the name of the Bayer one, and approximately how much do you pay for them when they're on sale and the regular price? Where do you find them in the store?

I think the last one I bought was on sale at Walgreens for $19.99 for a 2 test kit. I also had a $5 coupon that Bayer sent me. It is called A1c Now. If you check the Sunday flyers usually one of the drug stores has them on sale. Just a FYI, check out the expiration date on the kit, especially since they are 2 test kits on the same meter.