New recommendations by ADA to use HbA1c for diagnosis of DM

The ADA just revised the diagnosis by recommending the use of HbA1c. The statement said:

“A1C is measured in terms of percentages. The test measures a person’s average blood glucose levels over a period of up to three months and previously had been used only to determine how well people were maintaining control of their diabetes over time. A person without diabetes would have an A1C of about 5 percent.

Under the new recommendations, which are revised every year to reflect the most current available scientific research, an A1C of 5.7 – 6.4 percent would indicate that blood glucose levels were in the prediabetic range, meaning higher than normal but not yet high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. That diagnosis would occur once levels rose to an A1C of 6.5 percent or higher.

The American Diabetes Association recommends that most people with diabetes maintain a goal of keeping A1C levels at or below 7 percent in order to properly manage their disease.”

They have also updated the recommendation on Aspirin for primary prevention, to be prescribed for those over 40 with diabetes, plus one additional risk factor