Finally!

For the many many of you who had signed up to the mailing list over the past few months, the wait is over. We’re ready to take on testers to help try out the system, give feedback and let us know what you think.

Though we sent the mail to the entire list, it is first come first serve. We’ll only be able to create a accounts for a few hundred of you before we close off until the next phase. But if you didn’t get to sign-up don’t worry, you’ll be notified in the next round should we hit capacity

In case you didn’t get the email and do want to test, send an email to support {at} sugarstats dot com asking for an invite.

So we look forward to everyone and getting your great feedback!

In getting ready for some up coming stuff we thought it be good to get some more screen shots of SugarStats up. We’ve been getting more and more requests so hopefully satisfy for the time being

Also once we get the BETA test launched we’ll be putting up a intro video screen cast for your viewing pleasure Stay tuned.

Checkout the screenshot tour at: http://www.sugarstats.com/tour

I found a nifty little website where you can convert your HbA1c levels to what you’re equivalent average blood glucose level would be in the same time period.

For example: An HbA1c level of 6% would be like having an average 114 mg/dL glucose reading. 8% would be like having an average 180 mg/dL glucose reading.

This will be quite a handy tool especially to help you with keep up with your targets and goals.

Check out the HbA1c converter here

We’re making a few changes for things coming along soon hint hint. So today we’re rolling out a new web page design for sugarstats.com and the blog.

It maybe not be a huge change, but we put in place another clean design that reflects the SugarStats application itself a bit more.

If you encounter any bugs or glitches be sure to let us know.

What is HbA1c?

Put simply, an HbA1c is a blood test which measures the average glucose level in your blood over the past 3 months. It gives a much more accurate reading of how your overall lifestyle has affected your diabetic health and is usually a good starting point for figuring out in which direction you need to go next.

The HbA1c basically drills down to even more detailed and specific sub elements.

HbA1c blood tests are usually taken every 3 months at your doctor or hospital. Normal and frequent blood sugar tests with glucose meters are also very valuable but give a different kind of feedback to you. They give you immediate results of your blood sugar which you can take action on.

What is a normal HbA1c level?

Well, in non-diabetics, a normal HbA1c level is between 3.0% to 7%. But diabetics usually have a more elevated bG (Blood Glucose) level and can go between 7% and 13%+.

For diabetics it is usually aimed for to have your HbA1c levels below 7%.

The dangers of high HbA1c levels

HbA1c levels are very important to keep under control. Having levels greater than 9.0% puts you at a great risk for renal failure, cardiovascular disease, retinopathies, and neuropathies. There are many diabetic who still have no clue what their HbA1c levels are. Even in 2005, public health authorities of New York state that only 10% of people with diabetes in the city are said to actually know their HbA1c levels.

Studies indicate that for every 1% increase there is 35% risk increase for small blood vessel disease. Overtime this can seriously harm your blood circulation and cause major complications in your limbs, eyes and cardiovascular system. Based on the HbA1c levels over several months or years, you can determine how much tissue damage has been sustained.

How to improve your HbA1c levels

Seeing as the actual result is overall average, it gives you really great insight about what type of lifestyle you’ve been leading and what effects the foods you’ve been eating are having on your diabetic health. It doesn’t really matter what you’ve been doing or what you’ve been eating, at the core it boils down to: If you’re HbA1c level is high, you need to make changes now.

You need to implement a good plan of action involving diet, exercise and regulation. For a few simple tips to improve your HbA1c levels, check out our post: 6 tips to improve your HbA1c and blood sugar levels

If you do find you’re HbA1c levels are high, here are some tips:

• Take your diet seriously – Meet with a diabetic dietician to create a meal plan specialized for you and to lower your HbA1c levels. In case you haven’t heard it before, moderation is key.
• Start exercising – Focus especially on cardiovascular activity. If you’ve sustained high HbA1c levels for long periods of time, chances are you’ll have deterioration in your blood vessels and capillaries. Get that blood moving!
• Take more frequent glucose meter readings – (and record them into SugarStats ) In order to keep your sugars balanced in a day-to-day setting, this is important as each day plays its role in the overall picture.
• Implement Limits & Restrictions – If you get a meal plan setup then you’ve got a lot of ground covered. But you still need to be very conscious about everything else. Especially when it comes to snacks and alcohol. Moderation is key.
• Keep medication on hand, always. – In case you don’t already, get into the habit of keeping around medication wherever you go. If you do some research, you’re sure to find a semi-convenient way to carry/store your medication safely wherever you go. Because if you eat a small snack with lots of carbs and sugar, or seriously over-compensate for a low you had and it takes you 1-2 hours to get home then that is not good. Thats 1-2 more hours your glucose levels are going to stay elevated.
• Start making targets and goals – Part of any plan or project is that of setting targets and goals to meet and the project of managing your diabetes is no different. By setting goals for target blood sugars, target meals or meal sizes, target insert anything related to reducing your blood glucose levels here, you’ll have a clear picture of where you want to be and at the same time give yourself motivation to reach those goals.
• Bonus tip: If your’e a diabetic smoker, try to stop – When it comes down to it, everything is a conscious choice. Though some decisions we consciously made long ago and could have been making unconsciously ever since. One for example could be smoking, you decided to try at one point and just kept doing it. Well if you’re a smoker and a diabetic with elevated HbA1c levels then you’re doing a major double whammy to your body, cardiovascular blood circulation and blood vessels. If it is in your decisive will to do, quiting (or at least cutting down) on smoking is something that your body will thank you for.