What is considered an “excellent” glycohemoglobin for a 14 year old boy, diagnosed two years ago? His doctors gave the number and then rated it either excellent, good, fair, needs improvement. Last time it was 7.9%, and rated “excellent” now it’s 10% still rated “excellent”, though it’s above normal.

The following is an explanation of glycohemoglobin testing published in the Diabetes Monitor in July 1998:
The glycohemoglobin test was developed in the late 1970s. Other names that have been used to describe the same test are glycosylated hemoglobin, and hemoglobin A1c. This test gives information about your average blood sugar level during the past two or three months. The normal values for this test vary depending upon the lab, and you must look at the “normal range” or “reference range” that the lab uses to make sense of your result. If your glycohemoglobin value is higher than the normal range, then we know that your average blood sugar has been elevated during the past two months. More importantly, if your recent glycohemoglobin is lower than your previous value, then we know that you are now doing better than before!

Check with your lab for your normal ranges, and review that with your diabetes team. They can instruct you in ways of lowering the glycohemoglobin to a normal range. Just as a footnote, I prefer to call it high or low glycohemoglobin rather than good and bad glycohemoglobin. All too often, kids will hear “bad” glycohemoglobin and think “bad” kid or “bad” diabetic–which is not anyone’s intention.

MSB

[Editor’s comment: According to most authorities, the goal should be to keep the glycohemoglobin less than 1% above the upper limit of normal for the lab, without significant or frequent episodes of hypoglycemia.

SS]