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What Does This HB A1c Level Indicate?
Question: My a1c level is 6.4. One doctor says I am pre-diabetic and wants me to take Metformin. Another doctor says I'm find and just watch what I eat. I'm confused and not sure which doctor to believe?
Brief Answer:
DIABETES ??
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXX
Your HB A1 C level is 6.4% , according to one doctor you are PRE-DIABETIC , while another doctor say NOT PRE-DIABETIC .
Let me explain about DIABETES and its diagnosis .
Sorry in detail but important for you.
1 Fasting blood glucose level >126 mg/dL.
2 Symptoms of diabetes + a random blood glucose concentration >200 mg /dL.
3 Two hour plasma glucose >200 mg /dL
4 HEMOGLOBIN A 1c > 6.5 % ( in your case it is 6.4 % ) it means a near a upper limit i.e. a BORDER LINE CASE of PRE-DIABETES.
These criteria should be confirmed by repeat testing on different days ,unless unequivocal hyperglycemia is present.
Impaired fasting glucose( IFG) 100-125 mg/dL.
Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) 140-199 mg /dL 2 hour after a 75 gram oral glucose load.
So criteria for pre-diabetic and diabetes in asymptomatic individual;
First degree relative with diabetes
physical inactivity
PREVIOUSLY identified IFG, IGT or a HBA 1c of 5.7-6.4%
Hypertension
TRIGLYCERIDE LEVEL >250 mg/dL
POLY CYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME ( as in female and you are)
History of vascular disease.
Read all above mentioned carefully and you will find the answer of your question .
There is not a STRICT line between PRE-DIABETIC or not PRE-DIABETIC .
Hope I have answered your question.
Further any question I will reply in follow up.
Good luck.
DIABETES ??
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXX
Your HB A1 C level is 6.4% , according to one doctor you are PRE-DIABETIC , while another doctor say NOT PRE-DIABETIC .
Let me explain about DIABETES and its diagnosis .
Sorry in detail but important for you.
1 Fasting blood glucose level >126 mg/dL.
2 Symptoms of diabetes + a random blood glucose concentration >200 mg /dL.
3 Two hour plasma glucose >200 mg /dL
4 HEMOGLOBIN A 1c > 6.5 % ( in your case it is 6.4 % ) it means a near a upper limit i.e. a BORDER LINE CASE of PRE-DIABETES.
These criteria should be confirmed by repeat testing on different days ,unless unequivocal hyperglycemia is present.
Impaired fasting glucose( IFG) 100-125 mg/dL.
Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) 140-199 mg /dL 2 hour after a 75 gram oral glucose load.
So criteria for pre-diabetic and diabetes in asymptomatic individual;
First degree relative with diabetes
physical inactivity
PREVIOUSLY identified IFG, IGT or a HBA 1c of 5.7-6.4%
Hypertension
TRIGLYCERIDE LEVEL >250 mg/dL
POLY CYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME ( as in female and you are)
History of vascular disease.
Read all above mentioned carefully and you will find the answer of your question .
There is not a STRICT line between PRE-DIABETIC or not PRE-DIABETIC .
Hope I have answered your question.
Further any question I will reply in follow up.
Good luck.
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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