Comments on: Something every 40 something male dreams about: http://challengediabetes.diabetech.net/2007/10/30/something-every-40-something-male-dreams-about/ Thoughts about current approaches to managing diabetes Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:32:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Kevin http://challengediabetes.diabetech.net/2007/10/30/something-every-40-something-male-dreams-about/#comment-12042 Kevin Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:22:59 +0000 http://challengediabetes.diabetech.net/2007/10/30/something-every-40-something-male-dreams-about/#comment-12042 A doctor's office will use either an in-office benchtop A1c analyzer, an eight minute disposable test, an in-office blood draw or refer the patient to a lab for the blood draw. There can be significant errors in the sample depending on how it was taken and also how it was processed. Not all labs are managed well and the accuracy of results depends on high quality laboratorians following strict procedures. HomeCheck is quite different in that first it screens the sample for interference which may be caused by over 600 known conditions known as hemoglobinopathies. Only after we know that the sample is free from interference, then we analyze it for the % A1c using the HPLC-BA method; considered the most clinically appropriate procedure for determining A1c by the Steering Committee Chairman of the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program. No other A1c method performs this hematology screening which means that many patients are receiving bad information with their A1c being off by more than 2 full points (ie-anemia, residual fetal hemoglobin, etc...) Sample processing under this highly accurate method requires a 24 hour incubation period. Therefore, actual timing of results depends on how you mail the sample to healthcordia labs and what day of the week we receive the sample. Typically, results are turned around in 4 - 7 days. Overnights deliveries are processed faster but typically unnecessary. As an added service for our patients who use HomeCheck-A1c with their doctor, we can schedule the sample collection and results to coincide with their scheduled office visit. You should try it! A doctor’s office will use either an in-office benchtop A1c analyzer, an eight minute disposable test, an in-office blood draw or refer the patient to a lab for the blood draw. There can be significant errors in the sample depending on how it was taken and also how it was processed. Not all labs are managed well and the accuracy of results depends on high quality laboratorians following strict procedures.

HomeCheck is quite different in that first it screens the sample for interference which may be caused by over 600 known conditions known as hemoglobinopathies. Only after we know that the sample is free from interference, then we analyze it for the % A1c using the HPLC-BA method; considered the most clinically appropriate procedure for determining A1c by the Steering Committee Chairman of the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program.

No other A1c method performs this hematology screening which means that many patients are receiving bad information with their A1c being off by more than 2 full points (ie-anemia, residual fetal hemoglobin, etc…)

Sample processing under this highly accurate method requires a 24 hour incubation period. Therefore, actual timing of results depends on how you mail the sample to healthcordia labs and what day of the week we receive the sample. Typically, results are turned around in 4 - 7 days. Overnights deliveries are processed faster but typically unnecessary.

As an added service for our patients who use HomeCheck-A1c with their doctor, we can schedule the sample collection and results to coincide with their scheduled office visit.

You should try it!

]]> By: Bernard Farrell http://challengediabetes.diabetech.net/2007/10/30/something-every-40-something-male-dreams-about/#comment-12030 Bernard Farrell Tue, 30 Oct 2007 23:48:36 +0000 http://challengediabetes.diabetech.net/2007/10/30/something-every-40-something-male-dreams-about/#comment-12030 Kevin That's exciting news. I hope the Desert Dingo crowd have a great ride. The HomeCheck program also sounds interesting and fairly cost effective. How long does it take to get results once a sample is submitted? And how can you achieve such high accuracy compared to standard results from the doctor's office. I'd love to know more about that offering. Kevin

That’s exciting news. I hope the Desert Dingo crowd have a great ride.

The HomeCheck program also sounds interesting and fairly cost effective. How long does it take to get results once a sample is submitted? And how can you achieve such high accuracy compared to standard results from the doctor’s office. I’d love to know more about that offering.

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