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Understanding Hemoglobin A1c as a predictive blood test
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If you have blood sugar issues then you are likely to be familiar with the Hgb A1c blood test. Did you know that the higher your Hgb A1c, the lower your odds of living for another 10 years? Higher A1c values are predictive of future health challenges and even longevity.
In this interview, Dr. Russell Jaffe will introduce the concept of ‘predictive biomarkers’. Dr. Jaffe strongly suggests we could all know much more about our health status and future with 8 lab tests that serve as important predictive biomarkers. These tests provide a snapshot of your current health status which can guide your choice for therapy or preventive actions. You can
research these further by visiting PERQUE.com. The tests are A1c, CrP, Homocysteine, LRA, 1st AM Urine pH, Vitamin D, Omega-3 index and 8 oxo-guanine.
I have long been an advocate for benchmark blood testing. Dr. Jaffe points the way for using these predictive biomarkers as guide for moving us closer to optimal health. Spend a little time learning about the importance of these tests and how you can use to make better choices. You can view Dr. Jaffe’s presentation to the International Academy of Oral Medicine on YouTube. I recommend it.
This is our first interview is a series that will cover each one of the eight predictive biomarkers in detail.
Hgb A1c Basics:
Excerpt from PERQUE.com “Hgb A1c is the test most often used to evaluate blood sugar, diabetic risk, and insulin resistance. A routine blood glucose test measures the amount of glucose in the blood on a given day, at a given time. Blood glucose level reflects only activity over the previous 12 to 18 hours. In contrast, Hgb A1c indicates the average blood sugar level for the previous three months.
This is important because frequently patients have normal blood glucose on the particular day the test is run, but their Hgb A1c could be elevated. Day-to-day blood glucose levels can be distorted by exercise, meal timings, or other medications. More importantly, we do not see high blood glucose levels routinely until prediabetes is quite far advanced. Hgb A1c gives us a much more reliable indication of actual, immediate risk.
The least-risk goal for this marker is Hgb A1c <5 %.
hsHgb A1c is a marker of insulin resistance and when it is elevated, that means the body is no longer properly managing blood sugar levels. When this number is elevated, that also strongly suggests a tendency toward higher inflammation throughout the body. The graph below represents the correlation between Hgb A1c levels, blood glucose levels, and 10 year survival probability.
Research has shown that insulin resistance and prediabetes can frequently be improved with diet and exercise. Hgb A1C provides a reliable test to evaluate the effects of dietary and nutritional support programs.
Better Lab Tests Now
Better Lab Tests Now offers only the highest quality lab tests available and works exclusively with highly decorated labs that have been awarded in their field. All of the necessary research has been done for you. Their clear and straightforward system allows you to choose the tests you need without the hassle of dealing with insurance companies. They offer food intolerance tests, hormone tests, and more. Please note that testing cannot be ordered from the states of New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maryland due to those states’ laws prohibiting direct access testing for their residents. We hope this will change in the future. If you live in one of these states, contact your legislators and express your opinion about these restrictions on your access to these life enhancing tests.
Contact PERQUE Integrative Health – PERQUE.com – 800.525.7372. Here you can learn more about finding a PERQUE trained practitioner, research the 8 Predictive Biomarkers and research PERQUE products.
About Dr. Jaffe
Dr. Russell M. Jaffe received his BS, MD and Ph.D from the Boston University School of Medicine in 1972. He completed residency training in clinical chemistry at the National Institutes of Health (1973 – 1976), remaining on the permanent senior staff until 1979. He is board certified in Clinical Pathology and in Chemical Pathology. On leaving NIH Dr. Jaffe began a journey that sought to support the emerging field of Integrative and Regenerative Medicine.
Dr. Jaffe is CEO and Chairman of PERQUE Integrative Health (PIH). His dedication to the application of primary prevention and his commitment to providing superior nutraceuticals and autoimmune testing with clinical evidence of superior efficacy has made him a sought after speaker and leader in his chosen field. You can learn more about Dr. Jaffe and read some of his work here.
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