November Is Diabetes Awareness Month- What Is The Difference Between Glucose Level and Hemoglobin A1C?

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. It can cause heart disease, stroke, eye problems, nerve damage, kidney disease and other health problems if not controlled. The most common types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2. If you have type 1, your body does not make insulin. If you have type 2, your body does not make or use insulin well.

Diabetes affects one in four people over the age of 65 and millions more are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You can lower your risk of type 2 diabetes through diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyle changes. For more information click here.

Early detection and prevention are important. During your annual exams we perform two diabetic screening tests in your fasting lab work. The first is a fasting glucose level. This tells us what your blood sugar is that morning before you eat. We also test a Hemoglobin A1C level. This tests your average blood sugar level over the past three months and results in a range of normal, pre-diabetic, and diabetic. Please do not forget to schedule your annual exam and fasting lab work around the time of your membership renewal.