What is A1C Test? Is it an Accurate Blood Test? – Dr.Berg

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In this video, we’re going to talk about A1C. Is the A1C test accurate?

The A1C test is a great test to do as part of your evaluation, but don’t completely rely on it. 

What is the A1C test?
If you have high sugar in your blood, and it combines with the red blood cell, it can be measured by the A1C test. If your A1C level is 6.5 or more that would be diabetes. If the A1C test score is this high, there is also a correlation with increased retinopathy. 

If you decrease this number by 1%:

• Your death rate from diabetes goes down 27%
• Microvascular complications go down 37%
• Myocardial Infarction goes down 14%

However, about 30% of the population is anemic. If you’re anemic, the A1C test will be invalid. 

Other things that could make the test invalid are:

• Sickle cell
• Iron disease 

Red blood cells die a lot sooner in a diabetic than they do in a healthy person. If you measure the red blood cells with a short period of exposure to glucose, it can dramatically affect what shows up on the A1C results. This is because the test is all about how long the red blood cells are exposed to glucose.

Better tests would be:

• Fasting glucose
• Post-meal glucose 
• HOMA-IR

If you have both high blood sugar and ketones in the morning, it could be because of the dawn phenomenon. The dawn phenomenon is due to gluconeogenesis, which means you’re making glucose from fat, ketones, and protein. This is happening because you’ve had insulin resistance for a long time. 

You don’t really need to be concerned about this. It’s just a part of the transition phase if you have had chronic insulin resistance.

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, 56 years of age is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of The New Body Type Guide and other books published by KB Publishing. He has taught students nutrition as an adjunct professor at Howard University. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

[lisadipasquale]

I'm doing intermittent fasting, cut out carbs and sugar, had my liver checked, (normal), fasted the night before and morning of blood test, had my A1C and blood glucose checked, numbers were off the charts. A1C was at 7.5, glucose was at 195 at fasting. Meanwhile, kidneys are fine, liver is fine, eye sight is getting better, thyroid is healing. Now it makes sense why. Thank you Dr. Berg. I usually get my blood work in the mornings.

[elosogonzalez]

Changed the way I've eaten and lost almost 50lbz. so far. I was at 257lbs in June and had to do something. My A1C was at 11.4 now after 6 months, last week it was 6.6! A good start my doctor said. I'd like to get to 190lbs eventually. Walking, excercise more and "eating clean". I've eliminated Rice, Potatoes, Pasta and very little bread. I love Sour Dough bread and really don't want to stop. Now I eat it only in rare occasion. The elimination of fried foods has helped too.
I'm not where I want to be just yet, but I'm well on the way to get off those medications my doctor said I needed to. It's a huge lifestyle change and after the time i've been doing this it' s a good start.

[meandmy]

This is the best explanation of insulin resistance and gluconeogenesis cause in the cell ever.

[JP-royi]

I'm an MLT (AMT) and after hearing everything you teach, I'm really blown away that I wasnt taught any of this or some other things you speak of.

[howtomedicate]

It is important to understand, that not all test are very accurate! Great video 👍

[ttdat]

Another great video. I definitely have the dawn phenomenon. I’ve been testing morning glucose for about a year now and following your keto recommendations. I am just starting to see the dawn phenomenon go away. Thanks.

[wearashirt]

high FBS is a phenomenon among ketogenic dieters. Some have theorized it's a glucose-preserving homeostasis, even though tissues and organs might already be using ketones.

[drlatharaj]

Dr berg trust me u have changed my life. I have been following your if related videos and I see results. Just a thanks wouldn't be enough but still thank you so much. Love from India.

[Mimibudgets]

I watched this video twice. Once for the actual information and again for the aesthetic purposes of that pen gliding on that board.

[allhimwithme]

Dr. Berg, I've been *IF and prolonged fasting* (monthly) for 2 years. I healed an asthmatic histamine intolerance by doing this and eating a low carb diet with only whole, mostly organic food including our organic home-grown fermented veggies and grass-fed beef. *Just got my A1C and was shocked and dismayed to find it 6.0!* What gives?! I'm diligent with my fasting and diet. 52, female, 5'2", 110 lbs, muscular and active. Thank you!!!

[Total_Body_Fitness_USA]

Excellent video! Testing fasting insulin is another good option as well in conjunction with A1c and fasting glucose. I recommend all my clients test their blood sugars before meals, 1 hour after meals, and again 2 hours after meals and keep testing until sugars return to baseline. Keep a food diary and eliminate offending foods from your diet. Basically your blood sugars should not spike and remain spiked if you are eating the right foods for YOU. That's key! What food is offending to you might be fine for someone else. The glucose meter and a food diary should be your best friend. Also, make sure your state of mind is healthy when you test. For example, if you eat a certain food and blood sugars remain good and then a week later you are stressed out about something and then you eat that same food again, but this time your blood sugars are elevated. Why? Because cortisol caused an increase in blood sugar due to the fight or flight response, NOT the food! Much more to this and it's not all about diet.

[SuperHayden]

One of the only videos explaining high morning glucose related to trying to fix it .

[rochellestevenson]

Excellent information, Thank you Dr Berg, I had this problem for a while didn’t understand it now thanks to you I understand it, you’re amazing educator

[crism]

Dr Berg I hope what you’re saying is correct. I just had my a1c levels rechecked after being on 3 months of strict keto and IF and I was so disappointed that my results were 5.7. They were 5.6 right before I started keto and IF so I was shocked and didn’t know what to make of it :(

[ButterflyVan]

Dr Berg YOUR THE MAN!!! THANK YOUR MOMMA!💝

[markandannette]

Thank you for the explanation of higher blood glucose in the morning, I have been experiencing this and it is comforting to know that I just need to stay the course and in time it should improve.

[samteugels]

I learn more from you than from 10 years of medical school. Thank you so much !

[tomcondon]

Video Suggestion: a video that discusses all the lab work necessary for one to monitor their health. I don't go to doctors. I was fully covered, and with Obama care, the flood of new patients, my doctor bounced me. I intend to educate myself. I want to find medical students who quit, and buy their books. A comprehensive understanding of lab work would be immensely helpful.

[edwinjustiniano]

For the last 2 years always between 3.8 and 4.1 just got the results today

[faustusmd]

Thank you for being an amazing advocate for health. You have done a great service to humanity in sharing your deep knowledge with the world for free. You deserve every penny you make from your business because you do it with true generosity. I am you biggest fan! Michael