6.0% = borderline

I was partly devastated this day. I had an opportunity to test my HbA1c levels for free because we had a chance to be trained on how to use the HbA1c machine, (DCA 2000 from Bayer). When the trainor said that I will have the test for free, I didn't hesitate because HbA1c test cost 800 pesos. After 6 minutes, the result came out, 6.0%.

Hemoglobin A1c is a test that measures the glycated hemoglobin in your blood. Glycated is a substance in red blood cells when blood sugar attaches to hemoglobin. ( source: Medline plus, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003640.htm)

The HbA1c test is currently one of the best way to check if diabetes is under control. It is taken every three months because normally our red blood cells lives only 8 to 12 weeks before they are replaced. By measuring your HbA1c levels, it can tell you how HIGH your blood sugar has been in the past three months. The normal levels of HbA1c is less than 6% forInstitute for Studies on Diabetes Foundation, Inc and 7% for  American Diabetes Association (http://www.diabetes.org/).

When I asked Dr. Melanie Duran, a Diabetologist about this matter, she said, I'm on a prediabetes stage. It is a wake up call for me to have an active lifestyle again. Exercise is still the best way to prevent diabetes. walking, jogging, cycling, mountain climbing, basketball, swimming, are the activities I usually do in the last few years. this year, sometimes playing basketball every Saturday, fast foods, late night or inadequate sleep, STRESS,  equals 6% HbA1c levels.