# Lowest A1C in 13 years?

**URL:** <https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/lowest-a1c-in-13-years/12007>\
**Category:** Type 1 & LADA\
**Created:** [November 5, 2021, 10:25pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/lowest-a1c-in-13-years/12007 "2021-11-05T22:25:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 17\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jim26](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/jim26/32/9780_2.png) [@jim26](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/jim26)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 10:25pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/lowest-a1c-in-13-years/12007/1 "2021-11-05T22:25:05Z")

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This isn’t a woo-hoo look at my low A1C post. This is a I so don’t get my A1C results.

I got my A1C today and received a result of 5.0. The lowest in the 13 years I’ve been keeping record and maybe my lowest ever. From a control standpoint(as you can see) it’s OK, but I’m also not killing myself for the perfect sub 100 BS.

I understand that my Dexcom GMI (6.3) will be different than my A1C, but 1.3% seems extreme. But it seems to be a trend as I’ve previously posted about this.

The joy is now I get to have the “your having too many lows” conversation with my doctor, which isn’t the case.

 ![Screenshot_20211105-165146_CLARITY](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/fudiabetes/original/2X/7/786823a272c8242f73ea83b0eda60a65caae5e9e.jpeg)

> [@A1C and average BG](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a1c-and-average-bg/11356):
>
> The past year I’ve taken a step back from “Tight Control” I used to shoot for. Meaning if I’m running in the 120 range I’m not too concerned about trying to get below 100 and will just ride it out. The primary reason is letting ControlIQ do its thing and less focus on “perfect” control. Anyway with my most recent A1C I was fully expecting a 6+ A1C, but to my surprise it came back at 5.4. My clarity shows my 90 day GMI at 6.3, my average as 123 and SD is 33. My previous A1C was 5.7 had simil…

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**Author:** ![Beacher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a6a055/32.png) [@Beacher](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Beacher)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 10:32pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/lowest-a1c-in-13-years/12007/2 "2021-11-05T22:32:52Z")

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Amazing numbers! Well done you.

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**Author:** ![jim26](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/jim26/32/9780_2.png) [@jim26](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/jim26)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 11:16pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/lowest-a1c-in-13-years/12007/3 "2021-11-05T23:16:25Z")

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Can alcohol impact A1C? I had about 2 oz of whiskey last night?🥃🥃

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**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/eric/32/9209_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 11:52pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/lowest-a1c-in-13-years/12007/4 "2021-11-05T23:52:16Z")

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Congrats!

The biggest impact is your recent BG numbers, compared to the ones from weeks or months ago.

Also, the lifespan of your red blood cells (RBC) can impact your numbers. A shorter RBC lifespan will mean a lower A1C.

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**Author:** ![jim26](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/jim26/32/9780_2.png) [@jim26](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/jim26)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2021, 1:16am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/lowest-a1c-in-13-years/12007/5 "2021-11-06T01:16:47Z")

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My 7 day wasn’t much better. Maybe my red blood cells don’t have a long life span🥳.

 ![Screenshot_20211105-192622_CLARITY](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/fudiabetes/original/2X/1/1e58c3c59bd1d99d5ffee02314669463c2f25c3f.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![MM2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/mm2/32/3032_2.png) [@MM2](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/MM2)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2021, 3:31am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/lowest-a1c-in-13-years/12007/6 "2021-11-06T03:31:49Z")

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> [@jim26](#):
>
> I got my A1C today and received a result of 5.0.

Was this from a lab draw or a fingerstick in local doctor visit ?  
I think the in-office or OTC A1C meters are less accurate.

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**Author:** ![Beacher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a6a055/32.png) [@Beacher](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Beacher)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2021, 2:19pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/lowest-a1c-in-13-years/12007/7 "2021-11-06T14:19:17Z")

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> [@jim26](#):
>
> I understand that my Dexcom GMI (6.3) will be different than my A1C, but 1.3% seems extreme.

Until very recently, Clarity in Canada still showed a predicted A1c, and the prediction was _always_ at least 1% lower than my actual blood test.

Recently it switched to GMI, and the blood draw A1C I had a couple of weeks ago matched the GMI exactly.

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**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/eric/32/9209_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2021, 4:18pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/lowest-a1c-in-13-years/12007/8 "2021-11-06T16:18:36Z")

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> [@Beacher](#):
>
> Clarity in Canada still showed a predicted A1c, and the prediction was _always_ at least 1% lower than my actual blood test.
> 
> Recently it switched to GMI, and the blood draw A1C I had a couple of weeks ago matched the GMI exactly.

I am not sure about this, but I _think_ they started using GMI (Glucose Management Indicator) instead of “predicted A1C” because that way it was not necessarily supposed to be the same as A1C.

So a user would not be upset if their GMI didn’t match their A1C, because it was not really the same thing.

So the irony of it is that once they started using a different name, for you it matched exactly. 😀

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**Author:** ![jim26](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/jim26/32/9780_2.png) [@jim26](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/jim26)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2021, 5:25pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/lowest-a1c-in-13-years/12007/9 "2021-11-06T17:25:31Z")

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It was a lab draw.

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**Author:** ![jim26](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/jim26/32/9780_2.png) [@jim26](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/jim26)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2021, 5:35pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/lowest-a1c-in-13-years/12007/10 "2021-11-06T17:35:41Z")

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My last one was .9 lower and this one 1.3.

There has always been some difference for me, but the gap seems to be more now.

For this A1C I’m thinking the lab result is inaccurate because it just doesn’t match up with what I’ve been seeing.

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**Author:** ![TomH](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/tomh/32/9063_2.png) [@TomH](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/TomH)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2021, 5:38pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/lowest-a1c-in-13-years/12007/11 "2021-11-06T17:38:22Z")

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@jim26 I had a similar experience. 5 months ago, my GMI was 6.3 and I was surprised when my lab A1C came back at 5.4. I told my Endo it had to be a lab fluke as CGM/BGM data didn’t support the 5.4. Sure enough, 3 months later my CGM/BGM numbers were about the same, but the lab A1C came back 6.4. While counter-intuitive (I tend to trust science and lab results), I trust the CGM/BGM GMI calculations more than the labs unless I’m there watching the lab test or conducting it myself.

Of note, since dx, I’ve always heard/read the push for A1C \<7% for all T1s/T2s, but recently read an article (Wash Post series) that the push for this level based on and pushed by big pharma and ADA (funded primarily by big pharma at the time) about a decade or so ago was opposed by many well respected docs who pushed for 8% and individualization based on concerns of hypo’s. The article related how hypo deaths skyrocketed after the \<7% goal was established and years later the ADA admitted the push for \<7 didn’t push the “without hypos” part enough. Yet today, we still see the \<7 push still without much emphasis on the “without hypos” part. It sounds suspiciously similar to how Oxy got started by big pharma (with pharma backed studies and gov approval). I say this not to ridicule the \<7 push or anyone that makes that a goal (I like my GMI and A1C to be close to “normal” too!), but to emphasize the second half of the equation: don’t do it at the cost of frequent hypos! Comments and education from others that know the history and facts more than I are welcome!

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**Author:** ![jim26](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/jim26/32/9780_2.png) [@jim26](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/jim26)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2021, 5:50pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/lowest-a1c-in-13-years/12007/12 "2021-11-06T17:50:05Z")

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> [@TomH](#):
>
> don’t do it at the cost of frequent hypos! Comments and education from others that know the history and facts more than I are welcome!

Yeah, I suspect mine is a lab error. It just doesn’t historically match what my A1C is.

I agree with your comments on hypos. I spent many years chasing the perfect BS along with more hypos. It just seemed I was constantly chasing a low.

When I switched to Control IQ, I said I would let it do its thing and see where my A1C landed. My average BG went up, my lows went down, and really little impact to my A1C.

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**Author:** ![MM2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/mm2/32/3032_2.png) [@MM2](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/MM2)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2021, 9:04pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/lowest-a1c-in-13-years/12007/13 "2021-11-06T21:04:49Z")

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> [@Eric](#):
>
> Also, the lifespan of your red blood cells (RBC) can impact your numbers. A shorter RBC lifespan will mean a lower A1C.

I experienced this when on chemo, which killed off many RBCs early. Best A1C was done, amazed to get a 4.6.

Diet and Vitamin B can influence RBC life.

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**Author:** ![Jim\_YYC](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/jim_yyc/32/9553_2.png) [@Jim\_YYC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Jim_YYC)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2021, 11:37pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/lowest-a1c-in-13-years/12007/14 "2021-11-06T23:37:21Z")

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> [@Beacher](#):
>
> Until very recently, Clarity in Canada still showed a predicted A1c, and the prediction was _always_ at least 1% lower than my actual blood test.

I’m also in Canada, where until last month Dexcom’s Clarity showed both an eA1C and a GMI.

For me, Dexcom’s eA1C was virtually the same as lab draws. Their GMI values always are 0.5-0.6 higher than my lab A1C’s.

Full disclosure: I am for the most part on a low carb diet, with a 90 day mean glucose of 4.6-4.9.

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**Author:** ![Marie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Marie](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Marie)\
**Post date:** [November 7, 2021, 6:56am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/lowest-a1c-in-13-years/12007/15 "2021-11-07T06:56:47Z")

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My GMI has always been higher by about .6-,8 points than my actual A1c.

The lecture you are worried about might not happen. My A1c has always been 5.1-5.3% and my doctor doesn’t say anything bad about it.She actually is complementary. She can see my clarity report and knows I am less than 1% very low and 1% low. So she knows I don’t drop “too low”.

I always judge what my A1c is by my average glucose. But 125 is higher than the 5% A1c so you could calibrate it closer to accuracy if you wanted to. I always calibrate mine to stay within 5 points of my actual BG number.

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**Author:** ![Chris](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/chris/32/382_2.png) [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 6:34pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/lowest-a1c-in-13-years/12007/16 "2021-11-08T18:34:09Z")

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Great Job!

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**Author:** ![Dxin1955](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecd19e/32.png) [@Dxin1955](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Dxin1955)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2021, 4:40pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/lowest-a1c-in-13-years/12007/17 "2021-11-09T16:40:43Z")

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I, also, regularly have an A1c about a percentage point lower than GMI, but has been more.