Bob,

Unfortunately, your anemia is probably bad enough that it makes the A1c
result (which is a test of red blood cells) invalid.

from a site posted by the University of Missouri:

Factors that interfere with GHB (HbA1c) Test Results
 http://www.missouri.edu/~diabetes/ngsp/factors.htm

"Shortened Erythrocyte Survival: Any condition that shortens erythrocyte
survival or decreases mean erythrocyte age (e.g., recovery from acute
blood loss, hemolytic anemia) will falsely lower GHB test results
regardless of the assay method used (25).  GHB results from patients
with HbSS, HbCC, and HbSC must be interpreted with caution given the
pathological processes, including *******anemia******** [emphasis mine],
increased red cell turnover, transfusion requirements, that adversely
impact GHB as a marker of long-term glycemic control.  Alternative forms
of testing such as glycated serum protein (fructosamine) should be
considered for these patients."

Using the DCCT-derived formula for relating a1c to average blood sugar,
an a1c of 5.1% would translate into an average glucose of 104 mg/dl.

Your fasting blood sugar is probably your lowest blood sugar of the day
and using the same formula it would map down to at least an A1c of 7.3%.

Your doctor sounds like he's doing his job and following up to find out
why you have a low red blood cell count. Make sure you keep seeing him
until this problem is dealt with!

--Jenny

http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes  Diabetes Info

http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/newlydiagnosed.htm Get Your Blood
Sugar Under Control

5.1=104

what I dont understand is with the 183 fbg all the time is how you
attained a 5.1,  Is that just your fbg when you get up in the morning.

Loretta

--
In tribute to the United States of America and the State
of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and
terrorism.

Bob,

I'm assuming the anemia test was in fact a test for hemoglobin.  The
fact that you are functioning with a hemoglobin of 7 shows that the
change from a normal value (12) to the low one (7) occurred slowly over
time.  If a person changes suddenly from the normal value of 12 to 7,
he/she would probably go into shock.

Either you are slowly losing blood or your body isn't making as much as
it should.  The tests will reveal what's going on.  There are many
possible causes.  But here's a simple one that's often overlooked:  Do
you take aspirin on a daily basis?  This can cause slow blood loss
through the GI tract.

Michelle