Diabetes Test - A1C At-Home(R)

Kit: Mailed to you with everything you need

Wash hands and then place two drops of blood on the test strip located at the bottom of the form, let dry overnight and then mail the kit back to FlexSite

FlexSite measures the hemoglobin from the drop of blood using state-of-the-art analyzers to measure A1c.
Results: Mailed to you or just Call

Let us get the scientific stuff explained and out of the way.

Hemoglobin is a protein found within red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. The sugar in your blood that powers your body called glucose. When glucose in your blood combines with hemoglobin called hemoglobin A1C, (other names are glycosylated hemoglobin or glycosylated hemoglobin). The higher the concentration of glucose you have, the higher resulting concentration of hemoglobin A1C. Healthy, non-diabetic adults will have a hemoglobin A1C concentration of less than 6%. Unlike your blood sugar concentration, which changes constantly (for example with diet and stress), the concentration of hemoglobin A1C changes slowly, increasing when your blood sugar level is high. Remove the reason why hemoglobin A1C does not fluctuate as if blood sugar is that glucose removed once it is bound to hemoglobin and can only when the body replaces the red blood cell every 90 - 120 days. This is why hemoglobin A1C reflects the average glucose level within your body for the past 6 to 8 weeks.

Your Hemoglobin A1c test result is your body's glucose report card for the past 8 weeks, which takes into account you are good and bad days. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) says, "It’s like getting your blood's batting average."

Knowing your hemoglobin A1C?

Being educated about diabetes is the most important thing a person living with diabetes can do for himself or herself. There is good evidence that controlling glucose levels reduces the incidences of complications with diabetes. A single point reduction in hemoglobin A1C can reduce the risks of cardiovascular accidents by about 30 to 35 percent. The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial conducted by the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Disease (NIDDK) demonstrated equally substantial reductions in risk of eye, kidney, and nerve disease with lower blood glucose levels.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why test for A1C?

Because you want to avoid IMPOTENCE, AMPUTATION, BLINDNESS, KIDNEY FAILURE, HEART ATTACK, ALZHEIMERS, AND OBESITY.

The HbA1c, A1C, or Glycohemoglobin test reveals the rate of blood sugar attachment to the hemoglobin molecules in red blood cells and provides a measure of average blood sugar control. In other words, a report card tells the patient how well they have managed their diabetes over the last 90 days. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) says “it’s like getting your blood’s batting average.”

Medical Doctors agree that the normal A1C range is 4 - 6 percent in people without diabetes. However, the typical level in people with diabetes is around 8 - 9 percent depending on what patient group you are looking, but studies have shown that keeping your A1C level below seven is ideal. (The American Diabetes Association also recommends an A1C level of seven or less). You and your health care provider will set an A1C level and develop an action plan that is suitable for you to reach your personal goal. The chart below translates your A1C percentage level into your average daily blood sugar.

Why do diabetics need to know their A1C percentage?

Reaching an A1C goal of 7% or less is essential, since every 1% increase above 6% raises the risk of diabetes-related problems, like IMPOTENCE, STROKE, HEART ATTACK, and BLINDNESS AND AMPUTATION. If patients know their HbA1c percentage, they will know if their blood sugar is under control. An A1C number above 8%, is a sign that the patient should work with the health care provider to change the treatment plan. Seven% or lower is a sign that the treatment plan is working and blood sugar is under control.

Why do I need to do a blood glucose test and HbA1c testing?

The American Diabetes Association recommends both blood glucose testing and HbA1c testing. The blood glucose test tells you your glucose level at that point in time, while the HbA1c shows the average glucose level in the patient's blood over 90 days.

What is the proof that lowering the HbA1c number can reduce the chances of getting diabetes related complications?

Two large government sponsored studies, the DCCT and UKPDS studies, have shown that lowering your HbA1c number will slow or prevent the development of serious eye, kidney, and nerve disease.

How does FlexSite's A1c At-Home(R) test kit work.

Our A1C test kit requires two small drops of blood applied to the Test Request Form. You can add the drops right after checking your blood glucose so there is no additional "stick" and can be done anytime during the day (No FASTING necessary, convenient). Once you let the Test Request Form dry overnight, you MAIL the Test Request Form, with your dried blood spots, in the enclosed envelope back to us for testing. Your result (A1C percentage level) will be available 7-8 business days after we received your sample.

How will I know my results are accurate?

FlexSite's A1c At-Home(R) Laboratory performs its analyses on clinical analyzers from Roche Diagnostics, certified by the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program http://www.missouri.edu/~diabetes/ngsp/index.html The FlexSite A1c

At Home(R) Laboratory regulated under federal guidelines established by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA). Additionally, licensed in the states of New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

How well is my privacy protected?

FlexSite complies with the privacy requirements regarding private health information (PHI) as determined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) of 1996. FlexSite at all times maintained your test results on a confidential basis. Results reported to you and/or a healthcare provider that you approve. If you do not want, the results sent to a healthcare provider DO NOT complete the Doctors' Information section.

How safe is my online purchase and is my identity protected?

FlexSite contracts with Chase Paymentech Solutions, LLC ("Chase Paymentech") and we are committed to safeguarding the privacy and security of the information we collect.

Links to more information about why A1C testing is so important.

- American Diabetes Association - Diabetes.org - article on A1c testing- Control-Diabetes.com - Other links to Diabetes information

- National Institute of Health PDF on A1C Testing

- Diabetes.com - Testing your A1C.

- Diabetes.com - Diabetes Treatment Tips.

- BDiabetes.com - Information regarding Blood Glucose testing, Insulin Therapies, and Understanding Diabetes.