Subscribe Now

[hb-subscribe]

Trending News

T1D Exchange T1D Exchange T1D Exchange
  • Activity
    • 8 hours, 11 minutes ago
      Lee Tincher likes your comment at
      When you change your insulin pump site, do you tend to notice a spike in your blood glucose levels afterward?
      I oftentimes give myself a little insulin for when I go unplugged while changing pods, depending on what my current sensor reading is.
    • 8 hours, 12 minutes ago
      Lee Tincher likes your comment at
      When you change your insulin pump site, do you tend to notice a spike in your blood glucose levels afterward?
      Always, until I began to increase the "cannula fill" amount. I found I need a good bit more than the (1.3u) to "prime the site" to have the next blood sugars be in goal. Just remember "every body is different". Darn than OmniPod does not let you change that amount, have to use "fake carbs". Something to consider.....
    • 8 hours, 12 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How well do you understand the details of your health insurance coverage?
      They change all the time. Generally not in a direction to improve my health, but to increase the money in their wallet.
    • 8 hours, 12 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How well do you understand the details of your health insurance coverage?
      "Slightly," I think, maybe. Insurance companies change their policies, constantly. Prescription coverage changes every time I look at it. Medicare is a huge question mark. Honestly, Health insurance has become a big money making business, for them. I get different answers every time I call, depending upon whom I am talking with. I say it's time for socialized medicine.
    • 8 hours, 12 minutes ago
      Lee Tincher likes your comment at
      When you change your insulin pump site, do you tend to notice a spike in your blood glucose levels afterward?
      Sometimes, which makes sense to me. It seems like it takes a while til the new insulin is absorbed.
    • 12 hours, 27 minutes ago
      KSannie likes your comment at
      When you change your insulin pump site, do you tend to notice a spike in your blood glucose levels afterward?
      **cannula
    • 18 hours, 45 minutes ago
      Kathleen Juzenas likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      I find a using the T-Connect app I have the main features needed, CMG, bolus, battery level and remaining insulin.
    • 19 hours, 38 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      When you change your insulin pump site, do you tend to notice a spike in your blood glucose levels afterward?
      There are certain areas on my body where the insulin is more effective than others.
    • 22 hours, 39 minutes ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      When you change your insulin pump site, do you tend to notice a spike in your blood glucose levels afterward?
      There are certain areas on my body where the insulin is more effective than others.
    • 22 hours, 39 minutes ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      When you change your insulin pump site, do you tend to notice a spike in your blood glucose levels afterward?
      Sometimes, which makes sense to me. It seems like it takes a while til the new insulin is absorbed.
    • 22 hours, 48 minutes ago
      atr likes your comment at
      When you change your insulin pump site, do you tend to notice a spike in your blood glucose levels afterward?
      There are certain areas on my body where the insulin is more effective than others.
    • 22 hours, 49 minutes ago
      atr likes your comment at
      When you change your insulin pump site, do you tend to notice a spike in your blood glucose levels afterward?
      Usually the opposite. Fresh insulin sometimes sends me low.
    • 23 hours, 2 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      Mostly pump because I want to quickly see insulin on board. Tandem on IPhone when holding my great-niece while she sleeps since getting my pump out of my pocket always wakes her ☺️. Dexcom app if not in need of insulin.
    • 23 hours, 2 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      usually the pump; sometimes my phone.
    • 23 hours, 2 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      My pump (Tandem X2). Since I have to carry a work phone close to 247, I don't want to deal with two phones (device overload!). As I go about my day, looking at my pump meets my needs, I can decide to bolus etc - and edit the bolus. For more in depth data review and analysis, I use the TConnect.
    • 23 hours, 2 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      I read it from my pump.
    • 23 hours, 2 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      On my insulin pump
    • 23 hours, 3 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      My pump. Keep it simple.
    • 23 hours, 6 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How well do you understand the details of your health insurance coverage?
      How much of this is intentionally misleading? My mail order prescription service says that can’t possibly know the cost of a medication until after it’s been shipped, which is too late to cancel or return, of course, and makes it impossible to comparison shop.
    • 23 hours, 8 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How well do you understand the details of your health insurance coverage?
      I have an MA in writing and lit, but gobbledegook is gobbledegook. The fancy term is obscurantism.
    • 23 hours, 9 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How well do you understand the details of your health insurance coverage?
      They change all the time. Generally not in a direction to improve my health, but to increase the money in their wallet.
    • 23 hours, 23 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      When you change your insulin pump site, do you tend to notice a spike in your blood glucose levels afterward?
      Usually the opposite. Fresh insulin sometimes sends me low.
    • 1 day, 20 hours ago
      Sarah Berry likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      My pump
    • 1 day, 21 hours ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      One nice thing about a watch for readings is that, while it is normally redundant, you can be separated from your phone. For example, when you are in water.
    • 1 day, 21 hours ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      I use both as you can’t do everything you want in one or the other
    Clear All
Pages
    • T1D Exchange T1D Exchange T1D Exchange
    • Articles
    • Community
      • About
      • Insights
      • T1D Screening
        • T1D Screening How-To
        • T1D Screening Results
        • T1D Screening Resources
      • Donate
      • Join the Community
    • Quality Improvement
      • About
      • Collaborative
        • Leadership
        • Committees
      • Centers
      • Meet the Experts
      • Learning Sessions
      • Resources
        • Change Packages
        • Sick Day Guide
        • FOH Screener
        • T1D Care Plans
      • Portal
      • Health Equity
        • Heal Advisors
    • Registry
      • About
      • Recruit for the Registry
    • Research
      • About
      • Publications
      • COVID-19 Research
      • Our Initiatives
    • Partnerships
      • About
      • Industry Partnerships
      • Academic Partnerships
      • Previous Work
    • About
      • Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Culture & Careers
      • Annual Report
    • Join / Login
    • Search
    • Donate

    How important is the A1c measurement to you?

    Home > LC Polls > How important is the A1c measurement to you?
    Previous

    If you have been hospitalized for a reason unrelated to T1D and you were conscious during your hospital stay, were you permitted to manage your own insulin dosage?

    Next

    If you have T1D, have you been diagnosed with retinopathy?

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard has worked in the diabetes research field ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.

    Related Stories

    " At T1D Exchange, we’re proud to announce our Medical and Research Advisory Team — an accomplished group of leaders in endocrinology, research, and quality improvement. Together, they are redefining what’s possible in type 1 diabetes (T1D) care through rigorous data analysis, innovative research approaches, and real-world implementation. Their collective expertise is central to our mission of improving outcomes for all people living with T1D.  “We’re excited to be working with our advisors given their deep expertise across a broad range of areas in T1D,” said Dave Walton, CEO of T1D Exchange. “Their involvement magnifies our reach, knowledge, and impact. These advisors are shaping the future of diabetes care — driving innovation across research, clinical practice, and quality improvement.”    Meet the Medical & Research Advisory Team  The T1D Exchange Medical and Research Advisory Team brings together four leading endocrinologists, each offering a unique perspective and shared commitment to advancing T1D care:    Jenise Wong, MD, PhD Pediatric endocrinologist at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco Focus areas: Diabetes technology adoption and usability; health equity and access to care and technology; community-based and peer-support interventions; culturally responsive care          Jennifer Sherr, MD, PhD Pediatric endocrinologist at Yale Medicine and Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut Focus areas: Clinical trials in diabetes technology (CGM and AID systems), disease-modifying treatments and immunotherapies, and emerging technologies and medications, including continuous ketone monitoring and nasal glucagon     Viral Shah, MD Adult endocrinologist at Indiana University Health and Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana Focus areas: Diabetes technology and adjunctive therapy trials; translational and data-driven research; T1D complications and bone health         Nestoras Mathioudakis, MD, MHS Adult endocrinologist at Johns Hopkins Medicine and Associate Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland Focus areas: AI-driven clinical support tools; EMR-based data analytics for clinical decision making; data-driven quality improvement; health equity in T1D care        This accomplished team’s expertise spans adult and pediatric endocrinology, research, and quality improvement affiliated with leading institutions nationwide. Collectively, they have authored over 500 diabetes publications and secured research funding from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, Helmsley Charitable Trust, the American Diabetes Association, and Breakthrough T1D — while remaining actively engaged in both clinical care and research.  “These individuals represent an impressive body of work while remaining deeply involved in the day-to-day realities of diabetes care,” said Walton. Their expertise covers the full spectrum of T1D care — from AI and predictive analytics to complication prevention, automated insulin delivery, continuous glucose and ketone monitoring, GLP-1 treatments, health equity, mental health, autoantibody screening, and disease prevention.    Turning insight into impact  The team’s work goes beyond research, focusing on translating insights into real-world practice. By leveraging data to scale best practices, the goal is to drive meaningful, measurable change across clinics and communities.  “Our advisors will help to extend our impact — whether through QI strategy, research innovation, funding opportunities, or new data-driven solutions,” said Walton. “We want to take what’s working at individual centers and spread that as broadly as possible.”   He added, “As a Collaborative, we’re also focused on advanced population health strategies such as exploring predictive data models to identify risks earlier and intervene before complications even begin to happen.”    The power of the T1D Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative  Central to this work is the T1D Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative (T1DX-QI) — a nationwide network of clinics working together to improve care through shared data, benchmarking, and evidence-based practices.  “I’m thrilled to serve as a Medical Advisor for T1D Exchange, because I’ve seen firsthand the impact this network can have on patient care,” said Dr. Nestoras Mathioudakis. “T1D Exchange is the premier organization for quality improvement in type 1 diabetes, with unparalleled assets like a large EHR database and robust patient registry.”  He added that he is excited to apply his expertise in EHR research and big data analytics to generate real-world evidence across diagnosis, management, and outcomes.  Dr. Viral Shah echoed that perspective, reflecting on T1DX-QI's evolution: “I have been involved with T1D Exchange since its early days and have had the privilege of witnessing how it has transformed the quality of diabetes care across the United States. I’m delighted to return as a Medical Advisor.”  He emphasized the importance of accelerating impact. “I look forward to working closely with the team to accelerate the evidence generation and to help translate these insights to improve patient care.”   Dr. Jenise Wong highlighted the visible impact of T1DX-QI on the delivery of care. "I’m truly honored and grateful to be working with T1D Exchange as a Medical Advisor. T1DX-QI is a remarkable resource for centers that are using continuous process improvement to improve the quality of care for people living with diabetes.”  “Diabetes centers working with T1DX –QI have done amazing work using QI methodology to make care accessible and equitable for all people with diabetes,” she said. “It’s inspiring to be a part of a collaborative in which centers have been creative and thoughtful with initiatives to address individual and systemic challenges to care, improving clinical outcomes as well as the patient experience."  Looking ahead, Dr. Sherr highlighted the opportunity to build on the existing strong foundation. “I’m very excited to be working as a Medical Advisor for T1D Exchange,” she said. “It’s a privilege to help shape what comes next for a group that’s already doing such impactful work.”  “Sharing what’s happening in clinical practice, benchmarking across centers, and understanding outcomes is how we figure out what’s working, what’s not, and where we go next,” she said.      The future of T1D care   With this team’s vision and expertise, T1D Exchange is positioned to accelerate progress in T1D care — bridging research and real-world practice to drive meaningful, measurable impact.  Together, we look forward to advancing innovation and improving outcomes for everyone affected by type 1 diabetes.   "

    6 days ago  
    Meet the Expert

    Meet the Expert: Improving Diabetes Care Through Precision Medicine 

    Jewels Doskicz, 2 weeks ago 8 min read  
    Meet the Expert

    Meet the Expert: Bridging Research, Technology, and Real-World Care 

    Jewels Doskicz, 2 weeks ago 9 min read  
    Insulin & Meds

    Ask the Expert: Diana Isaacs on Benefits, Risks, and Real-World Use of GLP-1s in T1D 

    Jewels Doskicz, 3 weeks ago 6 min read  
    Meet the Expert

    Meet the Expert: Advancing Equity, Improving Outcomes, and Reducing the Burden of T1D 

    Jewels Doskicz, 1 month ago 8 min read  
    Our team

    Spotlight on T1DX-QI: Clinical Leadership Committee 

    Jewels Doskicz, 2 months ago 6 min read  

    40 Comments

    1. Janice B

      Time in range is much more important to me. A1C is not complete indicator of blood sugar management

      6
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Kathleen Juzenas

      I marked important. Also important is time in range.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Stephen Woodward

      With tge fact that A1c is an antiquated, subject , and unreliable lab test, with a CGM the data I have access to not make the A1c test irrelevant when assessing daily management.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Molly Jones

      I was wavering between important and very important, but then thought that I have never had an A1C above the 7 something. That would be very impacting and tell me something was very wrong.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Ahh Life

      Television destroys nuance. You see so many ads for CGM’s touting “good A1c’s, good A1c’s” when in fact the CGM benefits of time in range and standard deviation make for very poor marketing phrases. Pity! The latter two push A1c down to “somewhat important” on my list. ( ͡❛ ‿‿ ͡❛)

      6
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Bonnie kenney

      My endo is more concerned with my Time in Range.

      3
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Nevin Bowman

      Important, but time in range and standard deviation are more important. That being said, if it came back over 6, I would make changes based on the other 2 criteria.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. Clare Fishman

      It is not as important as time in range to me or my endo. A1C can be manipulated by donating blood. Time in range cannot.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Jane Cerullo

      Have always had A1c below 6 but now more interested in TIR. I have it set between 70-150 and mostly stay in the 90 -100 percentile. It is a struggle. The older I get the more complications I get. Not sure if all diabetes related. But life goes on.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Rob Smith

      Used to be very important. Now somewhat. A good a1c keeps my endo happy but I’m relying more on TIR and std dev now.

      6
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Larry Martin

      Time in range means much more than A1C but I use a CGM so I know what my true time in range is. Checking your glucose once a day is not time in range. I run numbers weekly also so I pay attention to all the detail.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Lawrence S.

      I am currently struggling with very high blood sugar levels after meals. I just got done with my Endo visit. She wants me to add proteins to my meals, and make some adjustments to carb ratios, correction factors, and basal rates. When I saw that my A1c is currently 5.9, I find it hard to believe, given all of my high BG’s. But, I still consider the A1c to be “very important”. But, it doesn’t tell the whole story. I don’t believe my control is as good as it should be right now.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Marty

      My CGM data is far more informative about my glucose control because measurements actual blood glucose values every 5 min. Also, I have a blood condition that makes my red blood cells “younger” than average so they don’t accumulate glycosylation normally, which makes my A1c lower than it should be.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. connie ker

      I follow all of the numbers because it is not a competition. I think all of the testing is important and it all helps patients and Drs understand what is happening which continually changes moment by moment. Happy 100th Birthday to Insulin!!!!! That’s the most important research that became a gift to all T1Ds.

      6
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. TEH

      As others have said CGI and TIR are more important than A1C. All A1C gives you is a long term average, a macro view. It cant tell you where the trouble areas are. As other have indicated, CGI show you each response to each meal, a micro view. From that Carb ratios can be fine tuned. TIR tells you how well you stayed “in-bounds”. From that you can review what other outside influences are affecting you BG levels. I have good days and bad days I can see that with TIR.

      Tell that to you GP next time they don’t understand CGI and TIR.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Brett Jorgensen

      Time in range has become most important to me since getting a cam.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Brett Jorgensen

        CGM

        1
        4 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Annie Simon

      My endocrinologist would like to see it ar 7 or lower do that is my goal as I’m now ranging between 7.2-7.5….getting there🙏

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. George Lovelace

      TIR which I found is dependent on SD

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Edward Geary

      Pretty useful and, in my experience, correlates strongly with time in range.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. TomH

      I put “somewhat” because I put equal, if not more, value in GMI and TIR. All three together serve as a verification check and balance to ensure an accurate perspective.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. Mary Dexter

      I use a CGM. Anyone who wishes to know what my blood sugar has been for the past 3 months can look at each of the thousands of readings taken every 5 minutes during that time.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. Dave Akers

      If I’m showing ~80% TIR and less than 2%… I’m not worried about A1c… it will be under 6.5%.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    23. Carol Meares

      If I keep my A1c between 5 and 6, I am good. The actual number beyond that is not important. My variability is very important to me. A1c would be very important to me if it went above 6 as I would know that my management was starting to falter a bit. Ha, I think I should have checked important. I have just had it between 5 and 6 for so long that I am working more on variability to make my days go better.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    24. kflying1@yahoo.com

      What I’ve learned from experience is that I need to keep a higher than recommended BS level if I exercise, to prevent. going hypo.

      Of course, I could choose to be a couch potato with a great A1C.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    25. Brad Cohen

      Totally unimportant. The new standard is Time in Range!

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    26. Becky Hertz

      I think time range is equally if not slightly more important

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    27. Janis Senungetuk

      A1c is important, but definitely not as important as TIR and Standard Deviation. Of utmost importance is QoL, quality of life.

      7
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. ConnieT1D62

        I agree with you and say Amen to that!!!

        1
        4 years ago Log in to Reply
      2. KarenM6

        Janis and Connie –
        I agree wholeheartedly and unreservedly!! 🙂

        4 years ago Log in to Reply
    28. Cheryl Seibert

      A1C is important but a measurement that is losing it’s purpose with the ability to monitor Time In Range(TIR). I did not choose Very Important. Very Important is Time in Range. A1C is more or less and average, so if I am wildly swinging between lows and highs with more lows, my A1C would look very good <6.5. But you can have a very good Time in Range, but always run on the high side of normal range so A1C would be higher indicating a great TIR is not reflecting the optimal BG levels.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    29. ConnieT1D62

      Not as important as it once was since TIR became the cutting edge and preferred method for assessing BG control. I still pay attention to A1c since most HCPs, insurance companies, and many PWDs still use it as their standard measure of understanding overall BG control. However, you don’t really get a picture of day to day TIR if you are not using a CGM.

      Diabetes science and technology has grown and changed by leaps and bounds since the discovery of how to use insulin as a hormone replacement for people with beta cell destruction and resultant insulin deficiency. However, not everyone uses a CGM to track BGs and TIR, so for the time being the two measurements of A1c and TIR can work alone and apart, as well as in tandem with each other.

      4
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    30. KarenM6

      I only put “important” because the A1c is still being used as the gold standard and demarcation line for certain other medical services… despite the A1c needing to be customized to the patient and its known reliability problems.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    31. MARIE

      Very important… as one indicator.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    32. LizB

      I put somewhat important. I think TIR is a better indication. My A1c has been in the same range for years but in the past I had so many serious lows and highs. Now I often have daily TIR of 100% or close to it and still have the same A1c as before.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    33. AnitaS

      I put important. I follow time-in-range all the time, but lets face it, if the time-in-range is always hovering around 165, the A1c isn’t going to be below 7. My A1cs typically are around 5.6-5.7, and if my time-in-ranges are typically around 92-95%, then I feel like I am handling my diabetes pretty well.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    34. Jodi Greenfield

      It helps me to keep track of how I’m doing. If it’s 7.5 or lower I’m happy. Right now it is 8.1, so I have to get back on track.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. TEH

        It took learning my TIR before I could get my A1C below 7.5. Im now at 6.9. Keep going. You can make it there!

        4 years ago Log in to Reply
    35. Savanna Vance

      I have my a1c checked at every endo appointment. However, my endo wants me to focus more on my time in range and what is going on in my life rather than my a1c because you can have a perfect a1c but low blood sugars all the time. Time in range is a better tool.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    36. Jane Cerullo

      Started with 4 day surgeries on my hands. Managed my pump and made sure anesthesiologist knew to keep eye on my numbers. Then had hip replaced. Stayed overnight and no problems managing my own blood sugars. I make sure to let everybody know just in case I have a problem.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply

    How important is the A1c measurement to you? Cancel reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.




    101 Federal Street, Suite 440
    Boston, MA 02110
    Phone: 617-892-6100
    Email: admin@t1dexchange.org

    Privacy Policy

    Terms of Use

    Follow Us

    • facebook
    • twitter
    • linkedin
    • instagram

    © 2024 T1D Exchange.
    All Rights Reserved.

    © 2023 T1D Exchange. All Rights Reserved.
    • Login
    • Register

    Forgot Password

    Registration confirmation will be emailed to you.

    Skip Next Finish

    Account successfully created.

    Please check your inbox and verify your email in the next 24 hours.

    Your Account Type

    Please select all that apply.

    I have type 1 diabetes

    I'm a parent/guardian of a person with type 1 diabetes

    I'm interested in the diabetes community or industry

    Select Topics

    We will customize your stories feed based on what you select here.

    [userselectcat]

    We're preparing your personalized page.

    This will only take a second...

    Search and filter

    [searchandfilter slug="sort-filter-post"]