Should Type 2 Diabetics Test Their HbA1c at Home?
The hemoglobin A1c or HbA1c test is usually done at the lab, but home-testing kits have now been developed. Measuring your HbA1c at home is a great way for you to take control of your health giving you an earlier warning of problems or hopefully, a quicker confirmation that you are on the right track. The hemoglobin A1C test is a standard lab test for measuring long-term control over Type 2 diabetes. Most doctors order it at least every 3 or 4 months. The nurse or phlebotomist draws blood and sends it to a central lab, and the doctor may or may not know the results before the Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic comes in to see him. If the test results are running late, diabetics may not know how their diet, exercise, and medications are working for six months or more. Advances in testing technology have made it possible to do an in-office or at-home HbA1c test for an out-of-pocket cost of under US $10. (Compare this to the charges of up to $250 billed by labs). There are two major advantages to
