Is A1c the right test for you?

Your A1c has huge implications on your health, but it can be inaccurate in many people and lots of doctors are not aware of it.
In this video, I will tell you if you are one of those people that can't rely on A1c and what other alternatives to A1c are available. I will also discuss the controversy surrounding the use of A1c to diagnose prediabetes.

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Dr Kim is a physician, board-certified in Internal and Obesity Medicine, with a passion for preventive health, weight loss, metabolic health, and longevity.

DISCLAIMER:
This video is for general information and educational purposes only and does NOT constitute the practice of medicine or other professional health services, including giving of a medical advice. NO doctor-patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and the materials provided in the video is at user’s own risk. The contents of the video are NOT intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and are NOT intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent disease. You should NOT delay or disregard obtaining medical advice for any medical condition you have and you should first seek the assistance of your healthcare professional(s) for any such condition(s). You should NOT make any changes in your health regime, diet, medications, or supplements, before first consulting your physician or healthcare provider and before first obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and prescription/recommendation from your physician or healthcare provider. Leonid Kim MD will not assume any liability for any direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from use of the information contained in this video, including but not limited to, economic loss, injury, illness, or death. Furthermore, all content in the video is subject to change without notice, so the content creator assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information contained. Please review all information regarding any medical condition or use of medications and/or supplements with your physician or healthcare provider.

The contents of this video are my personal opinion and do not represent that of my employer(s).

[karimaogden]

New subscriber here! This is the best video I have ever seen about the A1C and its limitations.

[finiteloops]

Thanks for providing your well researched perspective on A1C. Much appreciated.

[steshaw]

HOMA-IR seems to be a good screen for insulin resistance. The Kraft test will catch more than a regular glucose tolerance test.

[stevewhalen]

Education is enlightenment for the opportunity to execute proper procedures for optimal health . Thank You for this as well as all of your other very important and helpful video forums .👍

[sarikadatta]

What an amazing explanation
You’re my new favourite

[yplotni]

Very informative. Thank you! Most physicians, unfortunately, wont bother with the glucose test alternatives

[tomjones]

First timer to your channel. Well written, well narrated (with clear articulation). I taking note of your recommendation of the CGM. Over the past 3+ years, my opinion of the FDA as a public health guardian has dropped to zero. They are nothing more than a clearing house for big pharma. (read Karen Eban's two books including "Bottle of Lies").

[kimmylex_]

Our doctors here have no idea what fasting insulin test is and their only marker is either FBS or HbA1c

[asalahud]

Really helpful Dr. limo, thanks for this gr8 vid! ❤️❤️❤️

[fbs]

You don't have to be obese to have diabetes. I don't understand why doctors do not discuss Metabolic Syndrome & tell patients they need to lose weigh but Healthcare will not provide that coverage. I don't agree with the scale used here in the US this is the way big Pharma keeps making $$. Thank you for sharing. Great video.

[joeshmoe]

My fasting glucose in August was 87, in February of this year it was 89. Both times my a1c was 5.7 and it really confuses me. I’m changing my diet and cutting out junk food and sugar stuff. Doctor told me to do that, exercise & check my blood again in 6 months.

[NatarajanGanesan]

Wonderful review of the methods and basis behind A1C estimation

[OTatime]

You mentioned that blood transfusions can influence HbA1c test results. Blood donation can also lower A12 test results as the donated red blood cells are replaced with new non-glycated blood cells. It may result in an inaccurate measure of one’s health.

[peterz]

OGGT - A cheap easy version is to test your glucose (glucometers from pharmacy are cheap) at home every 15 minutes for 2 hours after your main meal. Do this several times to collect good data, especially when eating higher levels of carbs like potatoes. Your should peak at about 1 hour and be back to normal at 2 hours if healthy. If peak is over 140 mg/dL try to modify diet. If it takes loner than 2 hours also try to tweak diet. Bad actors are likely simple carbs.

[johngrosariu]

Very well explained. However the continuous monitoring is not a good solution. I had 4 monitors G7, and almost always was a big difference between my blood sugar tester and G7.

[thaliad]

Dr Kim, I am wondering where you place the importance of a c-peptide test to determine insulin resistance? Maybe it is in video and I did not catch it. Great video. I look forward to your future content! Thank-you.

[pankajbishnoi]

Nice description to the challange..no doc in India is thinking outside Hba1c

[Knowledge-bo]

My glucose is always low. My A1C says 6.0, which is impossible!! They said my average glucose was 122. I’ve been monitoring my glucose daily, 10 times a day, and it is never over 85. There is no way my A1C or average glucose is accurate!!!!

[rdbm-uozt]

I have a rather unusual blood glucose profile. I have mildly impaired fasting glucose (due to a fatty liver), but my glucose tolerance test was golden (due to a large muscle mass from exercise: have 66 cm thighs with a cycling FTP of 400+ watts). My HbA1C ranges from 5.6 to 6.0. My fasting glucose was about 5.9 on the glucose tolerance test, it never got above 8.0 during the test, and it was back down to 6.1 after two hours.

[FranklinSchwenk]

Dr. Kim, could you cover CGM in more detail please.