Discussion Board

Hey Jeff,

What is the ideal A1c number for a non diabetic. Mine just came back at 5.4% (out of a range of 4.5-6.0) and I thought that was a little high considering the following studies:


Association of Hemoglobin A1c with Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality in Adults: The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer in Norfolk. Kay-Tee Khaw, MBBChir FRCP; Nicholas Wareham, MBBS, FRCP; Sheila Bingham, PhD; Robert Luben, BSc; Ailsa Welch, BSc; and Nicholas Day, PhD. Annals of Internal Medicine, 9/21/2004, Vol 141, no 6, 413-420

http://annals.org/article.aspx?volume=1 ... 6&page=413
Here's the summary from that paper's conclusions:
In men and women, the relationship between hemoglobin A1c and cardiovascular disease (806 events) and between hemoglobin A1c and all-cause mortality (521 deaths) was continuous and significant throughout the whole distribution. The relationship was apparent in persons without known diabetes. Persons with hemoglobin A1c concentrations less than 5% had the lowest rates of cardiovascular disease and mortality. An increase in hemoglobin A1c of 1 percentage point was associated with a relative risk for death from any cause of 1.24 (95% CI, 1.14 to 1.34; P < 0.001) in men and with a relative risk of 1.28 (CI, 1.06 to 1.32; P < 0.001) in women. These relative risks were independent of age, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, serum cholesterol concentration, cigarette smoking, and history of cardiovascular disease.

Another study which drew similar conclusions discovered an even tighter correlation between A1c and heart disease risk that began as A1c rose above 4.6%, a level that corresponds to a blood sugar level of 86 mg/dl (4.8 mmol/l).

Glycemic Control and Coronary Heart Disease Risk in Persons With and Without Diabetes. The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Elizabeth Selvin,et. al. Arch Intern Med. 2005;165:1910-1916.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1615 ... t=Abstract
To quote what that study found:
In nondiabetic adults, HbA1c level was not related to CHD risk below a level of 4.6% but was significantly related to risk above that level (P<.001). In diabetic adults, the risk of CHD increased throughout the range of HbA1c levels. In the adjusted model, the Risk Ratio of CHD for a 1 percentage point increase in HbA1c level was 2.36 (95% CI, 1.43-3.90) in persons without diabetes but with an HbA1c level greater than 4.6%. In diabetic adults, the Risk Ratio was 1.14 (95% CI, 1.07-1.21) per 1 percentage point increase in HbA1c across the full range of HbA1c values.


With a BMI of 18.5 and exercising regularly, I'm not sure what else to do. I successfully gave up sugar about 8 weeks ago, so maybe I just need to have it tested again at a later date since I probably ate too many Mcdougall friendly sweet treats that first month and it is a test of three month values.

Any insight would be helpful!

Thanks!

Numbers are only risk factors and markers of disease and not the disease itself. Perfect numbers (if they exist) do not represent perfect health.

Also, studies help us determine ranges and values of numbers for populations but do not always apply 100% to any one single individual.

A1c is also only one risk factor and as such, an average of the last 3 months. The past eight weeks will influence it but it may not be truly reflective of current efforts as it still includes 4 other weeks in the average.

For more on the issue with "numbers" see this thread

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=21177


In Health
Jeff

Thanks for the perspective Jeff. I just get frustrated when my numbers aren't inline with the "CRON ideal" since I'm obviously doing some extent of CR with my BMI of 18.5. Most of my numbers are right inline, but a few are not, so I will just stay the course and continue to focus on the "plate test."

The only info you have presented is your A1c and your BMI so from that, there is no way to tell if there is "more" you can do in regard to your overall lifestyle and diet. In regard to diet, dried fruits, fruit juices, (and for some who are highly sensitive, even too much fruit), coconut water, processed grains (including processed whole grains), smoothies (even green smoothies), etc, can all impact blood sugars and hence, A1c.

I do not know of any CRON or any other "ideal" numbers (as the link explained) though I do know of some CRONies who think they know such "ideals."

Wait at least the full 3 months before really evaluating the impact of your new lifestyle on your A1c.

In Health
Jeff

Thanks for the insight and suggestions. I'll just keep going. Thanks again for all you do!