Metrika A1C now

[Cyndi]

I am thinking about purchasing the Metrika A1C now for Mackenzie. Our endo's office does the blood draw through the arm at every visit. They don't have the finger stick A1C. I talked to the endo. and she said we could buy the over the counter test and do it and she will do the blood draw yearly. Have any of you had any experience with this? It is pretty expensive so I want to make sure it is accurate before purchasing it.

[Kaylee's Mommy]

our endo told us not to bother because it was expensive.. I don't understand why your endo's office doesn't have the finger stick one..

I suppose to save my daughter the hassle of having a full blood draw for a simple finger poke test every three months I'd probaby buy one as well and do it on the day of her appointments.. so the endo knows what her A1c is and your saving your daughter from some grief of a full blood draw.

[Cyndi]

I am not sure of the details of why they don't have the finger stick test but we go to a state hospital and it is a funding issue. This is the only endo. in our area.

The test is expensive but it is 10 test so if you break it down it isn't too bad.

She cries with the arm blood draw and it just breaks my heart. It makes her scared to go to the doctor and since she has to go every three months this makes it pretty difficult. I hate seeing her being held down screaming for me to make them stop.

[payam7777777]

a1cnow is not reliale for kids.

[selketine]

I'm in the same boat as our HMO only does the arm draw - no finger poke A1c.

Sadly the A1c Now might not be reliable for kids - this is a research study done on it: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/30/1/135

[kevin@diabetech.net]

Here's a very recent update on the clinical review of the A1cNow+ (http://www.consultantlive.com/topic/Diabetes/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=NQVWVTEPP1YGYQSNDLQSK IKCJUNN2JVN?articleID=201200255&topic=Diabetes) w comments from Larry Deeb (past president of ADA), a few CDEs and Endos. Note that both the A1cNow+ and the DCA2000 are off by more than 0.5 a significant percent of the time.

My takeaway from all of this is how accurate do you want to be? In discussing the study with one of its authors from CHOC, their dilemma was finding a way to save money vs. lab fees for venipuncture to simply understand if a patient was over 10 or under 10 more than determining if the patient has an A1c of 7.6 this time vs 8.0 at their last visit.

I was also looking at the A1cNow+ professional use product insert (http://www.chirus.com/download_files/a1cnow+_90704_rev_a.pdf) and it states:

Kit Storage and Stability
•Pouched Test Cartridges, A1CNow+ Monitors, and Sample Dilution Kits may be stored at room temperature (18-28°C) for up to three
months prior to use. Monitors, Test Cartridges, and Dilution Kits must be thrown away if not used within the three months.
• The Monitors, Test Cartridges, and Sample Dilution Kits may be used until the expiration date printed on the box and pouches when stored refrigerated (2-8°C). Monitors, Test Cartridges, and Sample Dilution Kits must be thrown away if not used by the expiration date.
• Leave all components in their sealed pouches until use. If refrigerated, ensure pouches are at room temperature before use.
•Do not mix pouches and Monitors from different lots.

So not sure if that means that you have to use all 10 kits within 3 months or not. You might check on that.

All that said, you should check out HomeCheck (http://healthcordia.com) as it is the most accurate A1c available, performed at home via fingerstick sample and results available within a few days. We just schedule the kits in advance of your office visit so the A1c result is available to support your quarterly visit. Also, HomeCheck results are always within 0.1 of the True A1c and it screens for abnormal hemoglobins which cause large errors in reported A1c levels - no other A1c test does that. This method is primarily utilized in clinical trials where every 0.1 is critical and with HomeCheck everyone has access to high quality A1c checks (via fingerstick at home).

[Cyndi]

Thanks for the link for HomeCheck. That is probably the route we will go. I thought I heard something about the Metrika not being reliable. It would just be a waste of money if I can't be sure of the results.