What is the Estimated Average Glucose? Why Should You Test For It?

Being watchful of your blood glucose levels shouldn’t be restricted to people with diabetes. Checking up on your sugar levels at regular intervals is a lifestyle routine even the most fit person must have.

For someone who is diabetic, pre-diabetic, or experiencing the symptoms of the same; checking blood sugar levels every day is important but not sufficient. There is something that shows a more clear picture of how the glucose in the body is behaving and helps reach a more accurate conclusion.

That something is the core topic of this blog — estimated average glucose.

What does Estimated Average Glucose mean? 

Estimated average glucose (eAG) is the level of glucose in your hemoglobin calculated for the past 2-3 months. It is expressed either in millimoles per liter or milligrams per deciliter ( mg/dl). 

Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Its prominent role is to supply the lungs and cells of the body with oxygen. 

When glucose enters the bloodstream, it sticks to hemoglobin. And becomes glycated. Your blood glucose level (eAG) directly reflects the amount of hemoglobin that has become glycated.

Doctors usually test for HbA1C levels to calculate the estimated average glucose. A1C is denoted in percentage which can be converted into eAG directly. It is expressed in mg/dL, the same as the daily glucose testing.

Why Should You Test the Estimated Average Glucose? 

“But I test my blood sugar levels daily. Should I still test eAG?”

Yes. You should.

As mentioned in the beginning, eAG presents a better, clear, and more informed picture of your blood sugar levels.

This helps doctors to carry out further treatment or modify it more efficiently. Therefore, doctors usually suggest checking eAG levels every 3 months. 

By analyzing your eAG levels, you and your doctor come to know these things:

• Diagnose if you have diabetes or prediabetes.
• How well the treatment plan is working. After checking your eAG levels, he would decide if medications should be changed.
• Find out if stress and other factors are contributing to your diabetes.
• Evaluate how the diet, lifestyle, and exercise need to be altered according to your glucose levels.
• How effectively the health goals are being achieved?
• Confirm if your blood glucose levels stay in control for an extended period.

If your glucose levels fall in the normal range, your doctor might still ask you to take it every 6 months to confirm it.

Sometimes, eAG is also used along with other tests to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes if the person has a family history of diabetes. 

Difference Between Daily Blood Glucose Testing and Average Blood Glucose Testing

Daily blood glucose testing is just the level of blood sugar at that particular moment. It cannot give you an overview of how your glucose levels stayed or changed over the past 60 to 90 days. 

Though measuring instant blood sugar levels is also necessary, it cannot replace eAG. Both these tests (eAG + daily glucose test) are crucial to managing diabetes in the best way in long run.

The eAG gives you an estimated level of glucose in your blood for every minute of the day. It counts even when you sleep!

How To Calculate The Estimated Average Glucose?

To calculate eAG, you will have to take an A1C test first. And, your A1C would be expressed in percentage in your reports. A1C is the only value you need to calculate the estimated average glucose. 

You can visit the diagnostic lab or consult your doctor to get the A1C test done. 

Additionally, if you want to test it at home to stay updated with your levels for improving your exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle choices, Eyva helps you do it with utmost comfort.

Eyva is a health and wellness gadget that tells you about 6 key body vitals including blood glucose levels — both HbA1C and instantaneous — with just a touch.

Before you wonder about the recent phrase, let’s unveil that you don’t need to prick your fingers or need any blood to test your levels. 

You only need to pause, touch, and breathe. And get your readings displayed in 60 seconds. 

Seems like magic? In a way, it is!

Once you’ve got your A1C levels, proceed further with ADA-approved formula to calculate eAG levels from A1C. 

The formula is:

 28.7 A1C – 46.7 = eAG. 

Here’s an example to understand this clearly.

Assume your A1C value is 7%. Apply this value to the above formula. eAG= 28.7  7 – 46.7 = 154. That’s it. You’ve got your eAG value. 

Apart from this, you can also use an online conversion calculator from the ADA to calculate your eAG levels. It would be very simple and you would only want to enter your A1C levels and you are good to go with your eAG levels. 

What Do The Readings and Range Tell Us? 

When it comes to the ideal eAG range, there is no particular range that best suits everyone. Each individual is unique and so are their bodies.

However, the ADA shares the following levels for general reference:

Your doctor would guide you along your eAG levels and you don’t need to worry if the levels are not according to your expectation. Remember that these levels are just for reference and might vary according to each individual. 

The Wrap-Up Note 

Diabetes needs a proper diagnosis now and then. Daily glucose testing is one way that gives your blood sugar level at that moment.

While current glucose levels help you adjust your sugar intake or insulin dose for the day, eAG tells you the history of blood glucose levels for the past 60-90 days. 

Measuring your eAG levels twice a year is recommended. This helps you diagnose diabetes at the earliest or get the precise treatment modified as per your blood glucose status.

Checking blood sugar levels frequently every day isn’t easy. It drains you both physically and mentally.

With Eyva, you can definitely make blood sugar monitoring easier. It tells your readings with a gentle touch. You don’t have to be hard on yourself. 

Those painful finger pricks can become a thing of the past. And you can look forward to a comfort-optimized lifestyle while taking good care of your blood sugar levels.