Hemoglobin & A1c

[skb]

Barb, that's a very good reason to celebrate 
I think I'm going to join you 
@ Wally & Barb, just out of curiosity, how are your hemoglobin levels ?
My FBG was at a 118 today morning.

SKB, I feel kind of dumb, one track mind, and realize that you weren't referring to blood sugar.  I just has a CBC done and it shows my Hgb at 12 G/Dl which is on the low side according to the Lab which shows 13.0-18.0 as normal.  Haven't seen my doctor since the tests yet but she told me she would contact me if anything looked like a problem.  At this point, even it's on the low side, I assume it isn't a major worry but I will discuss it with my doctor at my next appointment.  Just curious but what prompted you to ask ?

I've started this as a new topic as this would require its own space. I asked for hemoglobin levels, because your A1c levels (< 5.0) might indicate lowish hemoglobin levels. My hemoglobin levels from Nov 2011 to June 2016 have wavered between 14.0 - 15.1 & I've always struggled to get my A1c levels ~ 5.5 or below.
Since the A1c cells are a subtype of the hemoglobin cells, the A1c score is directly impacted by the overall levels of hemoglobin. This has been my observation with a multitude of people & I therefore do not pay too much importance to A1c as a measure of BG control.

[walkerwally1]

Thanks SKB, that is an interesting observation and helps to better understand the readings.  I have felt that the last couple of A1c values were lower than I expected but that has been a guess based on my routine testing.  My numbers during the day are good and never over 120, usually not over 110 and often in the 80's but still, an A1c of 4.4 is supposed to be an average of 80 (eAg) and according to my meter my 30 day average is 95.  Not sure if any of that means anything but I agree, I don't try to rely on A1c to show how well I am doing but watch my daily routine testing.  I'm going to have to dig up my old lab tests to see how my hemoglobin was earlier.

[bigskygal]

Interesting topic.  I think I am going to find some old lab tests too and see what my hemoglobin was earlier too.

Another thing that is odd is the "normal" range is different between Wally's lab and mine.  Mine says 12-16.  I am going to have to go and look up Wally's to be sure but I think it was 13-18.

[walkerwally1]

Yeah, my lab lists 13-18 as normal.  Labs do differ often on what they deem as "normal" just to add to the confusion.  I usually depend on my doctor to interpret what is OK and what needs attention.  Of course we don't agree on normal blood sugar.   

[skb]

The normal range is different for men & women. I think that is difference you are seeing in your reports.

Our lab measures hemoglobin in g/dL (grams per decilitre) and the normal ranges are 12-15 for women & 13-17 for men.

[rocky]

by the end of month i shd be headed home
i will get my labwork done then
i need to know what my a1c is at n i will keep a close eye on the haemoglobin as well

[Shanny]

I hope your return home goes off without a hitch this time!

[rocky]

it is confirmed shanny
just waiting for the dates 

[starsign]

This has been my observation with a multitude of people & I therefore do not pay too much importance to A1c as a measure of BG control.

That's quite the fact. AJ happens to be one of the people in that low A1c group (as you know sk). Sometimes his A1c is not able to be measured by the lab. Usually it's pretty low in the 4s, but his BG numbers tell a completely different story.