UNIT TWO LESSON 4: A1C

Objectives

At the end of the lesson, participants should be able to:1. State what A1C is2. Describe the relationship between A1C and management of

blood glucose3. Explain the importance of knowing their A1C number4. Describe their role in preventing diabetes complications5. Set goals to maintain blood glucose control6. Describe feelings and experiences about living with diabetes7. Identify ways to modify everyday recipes to fit into the diabetes

meal plan

L-esson

The ABCs of DiabetesPeople with diabetes need to know their:

A1C (average blood glucose over time)Blood pressureCholesterol levels

In this lesson we will focus on A1C

Knowing your A1C or average blood glucose helps you see how well you are managing your diabetes over time

ComplicationsIf you can keep your A1C within the target range set by

your doctor you may reduce the risk for complications, such as:BlindnessStroke Kidney diseaseHeart disease Amputations

What Is A1C?• A1C is also called hemoglobin A1C or glycosylated

hemoglobin

• The A1C test is performed in your doctor’s office but can also be done in your home.

• Your A1C level tells you and your doctor how well your blood glucose was controlled over the past three months

Blood Glucose LevelsChange Often

When you test your blood glucose at home, it shows the glucose level at the time of testing

Because your blood glucose level changes from hour to hour and from day to day, it is sometimes difficult to see how well you are controlling your blood glucose level over time

How Does theA1C Test Work?

Your red blood cells keep a memory of your blood glucose level, whether it is high, normal or low

The memory is kept for the life of the red blood cell, which is about three months

How Is the Memory Made?The memory is made when blood glucose attaches to

the hemoglobin in the red blood cell

The more glucose in your blood, the more glucose is attached to the hemoglobin

The higher the A1C level, the less control you have over your diabetes

Level of ControlLevel of Control A1C Test Result

Normal 6% or lessGoal Less than 7%

Take Action 7% or more

• The A1C goal for many people with diabetes is less than 7%

• You should work with your doctor to decide the A1C goal that is right for you

Comparing A1C and Self-TestBlood Glucose

The higher your A1C level, the less control you have over your blood glucose levels

An A1C test of less than 7% shows that your blood glucose level is around 170 mg/dL

A1C Level (%)

Average self-test plasma glucose

numbers (mg/dL)12 34511 31010 2759 2408 2057 1706 135

Why is A1C important?It is a way to take care of your diabetes

It tells how well you are managing your blood glucose over time

Keeping your blood glucose level close to normal reduces the chances of having eye, kidney, and nerve disease

Things to Rememberabout A1C

The A1C test lets your doctor know how well your treatment plan is working

The higher the amount of glucose, the higher your test result will be

A high test result will increase your chances for diabetes complications

Interact with YourHealth Care Team

Talk to your doctor about your A1C goals and yourself-monitoring blood glucose goals

Ask for an A1C test at least twice per yearYour doctor may recommend you have the test done

more often

Interact with YourHealth Care Team

Ask your doctor about:Your A1C resultWhat it meansWhat it should beWhat you need to do to

reach your A1C goal

E-mpowermentDiabetes Education Series: A1C

Diabetes Education SeriesQuestions

What are some of the benefits of having the A1C test done?

What are some of the risks of not having the A1C test done?

What are some challenges that prevent you from having the A1C test done?

How do you overcome these challenges?

A-ctionDid you accomplish the goal you set last week?

Your goal is to have the A1C test done.

This is a goal on your Diabetes Checklist.

R-eal-Life Problem SolvingJim’s Story

Jim’s Story

Questions about Jim’s StoryWhat is Jim’s problem?

Why is this a problem for Jim?

What are some things that Jim needs to do to solve his problem? (List as many suggestions as possible.)

What might be the best way to solve his problem at this point? Why?

Questions about Jim’s StoryPlease find the Real-Life Problem Solving handout for

this lesson in your folder

These questions will help with your understanding of Jim’s story

N-utritionMenu:

Turkey Chili with Wheat CrackersFruit Kabobs

See you next week!

Topic: Blood Pressure

The

preservation of health is a duty.

– Herbert Spencer

Date:

References:

Margaret E. Cook-Newell, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., CDE Irene Hong-McAtee, MD, MCR

Adrienne Glodt, B.S., Graduate Student Laura Hieronymus, MSEd, APRN, BC-ADM, CDE Cheryl Case, M.S., Harrison County Ann Hollon, M.A., Wolfe County 

Hazel Forsythe, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., CFCS Stephen D. Perry, M.S., R.D., L.D. Pam Sigler, M.S. Lynn Blankenship, M.S., Metcalfe County Theresa Scott, M.A., Floyd County Tamara Thomas, M.S., Franklin County

Rusty Manseau, B.A., Graphic Artist

Author: Ingrid Adams, Ph.D., Assistant Professor , Nutrition and Food Science, University of Kentucky

Other Contributors