Does anyone know if illness affects an A1C result? I got the results of my latest A1C which was 7.1% up from 6.2% and I’m really disappointed. I’ve had an ongoing ear infection since October 1st and have had many IV antibiotics to no avail. I’m being sent to UW at Madison to see another specialist there. Needless to say I’m worried a lot, not only about the upcoming Dr. visit but also the increase in my A1C. It has almost always been 6.4% or lower but never in the “5” club :-/
Illness (especially infection) definitely can have an effect on blood sugars. It should not be able to affect the A1C directly (give you an incorrect value) though. But if your sugars have been high because of it then that would explain the A1C. Keep doing lots of testing and work to get yourself level and low all day and your A1C will go back to where you want it. And remember, one higher result is just a piece of information, not a major complication. Work with it and get it back where you want it and it’ll be fie.
Good luck clearing up your ear infection, Mayumi. I hope you have not been in too much discomfort. I’d agree that the ongoing infection is likely messing with your ongoing #'s but not with the test itself. I am kind of in the same place…A1c always hovering in the low to mid 6’s even with seemingly greater control and starting the Opod.
Last year I got attacked by fire ants on both feet & ankles. The bites got infected… My numbers were greatly affected for weeks until the infections were cleared and gone.
I hope you’re not in too much discomfort and the ear problems clear up quickly.
Rebecca is definitely correct about the effect of illness upon BG numbers. I was taught that in a diabetic education class. I also have noticed that consistantly higher than normal numbers have often been a percursor of an impending illness. The last time my numbers skyrocketed was 2 days before I had pneumonia. With an onggoing infection-- since October…it’s no wonder that your A1c reflects the higher BG numbers that you should have seen with your daily test results. Take care and be prayerful.