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What Does This A1C Level For Diabetes Indicate?
My recent blood analysis shows my hemoglobin being 13.9 and my platelets being 83. I understand both are abnormal values. My age is 78. My energy level seems fine. My A1c was 8.7. I realize the A1c indicates being diabetic. I am 5'10" and weight 170. I'm male. I have had good health all my life. My platelets have always been low but generally in the healthy area. What should be my concerns with these analyses results?
Fri, 5 May 2017
Hello and welcome to HealthcareMagic.
Normal Hemogloblin ( Hb) level for males is 14 to 18 g/dl;
Yours is 13.9 which is just minimally below the normal number of 14. This is not significant. Your doctor would most likely just watch this, repeat the test in the future, or compare to the Hg results you had in the past.
Also at your age of 78 some decrease in Hg is allowed, so your number of 13.9 most doctors would consider perfectly OK.
Your number of 83 for platelets (which in fact is 83 thousands) is low, (normal platelet level is from 150,000 to 450,000), but if as you say your platelets have always been low, and you have had good health all your life, then most likely the low platelet number is not significant either.
What is significantly abnormal is A1c of 8.7 and as you realize this indicates that you are diabetic. To be sure this A1c test should be repeated (two readings of 6.5 or higher are required officially to make a diagnosis of diabetes)
In diabetic patients doctors always look to see if patients are overweight or obese.
Fortunately with height of 5'10" and weight 170 your BMI = body mass index is 24.39, which is good, because as long as it is below 25 - it means that you are not overweight/obese.
Even with a normal BMI, good diet and exercise would be helpful and are always recommended in diabetic patients.
But diabetes does not always respond to diet and exercise, so you will need to talk to your doctor about how to best manage this medical condition.
I hope you find my answer helpful.
Regards and wishing you best of health
Normal Hemogloblin ( Hb) level for males is 14 to 18 g/dl;
Yours is 13.9 which is just minimally below the normal number of 14. This is not significant. Your doctor would most likely just watch this, repeat the test in the future, or compare to the Hg results you had in the past.
Also at your age of 78 some decrease in Hg is allowed, so your number of 13.9 most doctors would consider perfectly OK.
Your number of 83 for platelets (which in fact is 83 thousands) is low, (normal platelet level is from 150,000 to 450,000), but if as you say your platelets have always been low, and you have had good health all your life, then most likely the low platelet number is not significant either.
What is significantly abnormal is A1c of 8.7 and as you realize this indicates that you are diabetic. To be sure this A1c test should be repeated (two readings of 6.5 or higher are required officially to make a diagnosis of diabetes)
In diabetic patients doctors always look to see if patients are overweight or obese.
Fortunately with height of 5'10" and weight 170 your BMI = body mass index is 24.39, which is good, because as long as it is below 25 - it means that you are not overweight/obese.
Even with a normal BMI, good diet and exercise would be helpful and are always recommended in diabetic patients.
But diabetes does not always respond to diet and exercise, so you will need to talk to your doctor about how to best manage this medical condition.
I hope you find my answer helpful.
Regards and wishing you best of health
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