Everyday Health: Pros and Cons of At-Home A1C Testing for Type 2 Diabetes
Everyday Health recently interviewed endocrinologist Ruchi Mathur, MD, director of the Diabetes Outpatient Treatment and Education Center at Cedars-Sinai, about the advantages and drawbacks of at-home hemoglobin A1C testing for people managing Type 2 diabetes.
The A1C test measures a person’s average blood sugar over the past two to three months. For people with Type 2 diabetes, it is usually repeated every three to six months. Although testing typically requires a lab blood draw, home kits sold online and in pharmacies provide another option.
Mathur told Everyday Health speed makes home testing appealing.
“Some tests provide results right away,” she said, adding that other kits must be sent to a laboratory for processing, with results taking several days or even weeks.
Mathur told Everyday Health that another benefit of home testing is that it helps patients stay engaged in their own care.
“Having a recent A1C result can help patients and healthcare professionals decide whether diabetes treatment may need to be adjusted, including during video visits,” she said. She added that “seeing A1C results at home may help people better understand how medications, eating habits, physical activity and other choices affect their blood sugar over time.”
Still, Mathur cautioned, home tests have limitations.
“Home A1C tests may not be as accurate as a lab test for A1C measurements, and results can vary between products,” she said. Accuracy can be further reduced in people with conditions that affect hemoglobin or red blood cell turnover, such as certain forms of anemia and chronic kidney disease.
Because of those accuracy concerns, Mathur emphasized that diagnoses and medication decisions should not be based on home-test results alone.
“If a home result is unexpected or could lead to a major change in treatment, your healthcare professional may recommend confirming it with a laboratory A1C test,” she said.
Read the complete article from Everyday Health.