A1C Screening vs. Diabetes Diagnosis: What’s the Difference?
Key takeaways A1C is accepted for both screening and diagnosis. What differs is what happens after the result. Diabetes is generally confirmed with two abnormal results, either from two different tests drawn together or the same test on two occasions. Some conditions make A1C unreliable, so a normal or high result doesn’t always tell the […]
Family History of Heart Disease: Do You Need Lp(a) Testing?
Key takeaways Lp(a) is an inherited, cholesterol-carrying particle. Your level is mostly set by genetics and stays fairly stable throughout adulthood. A parent or sibling with heart disease before age 55 (men) or 65 (women) is a classic reason to test. Normal LDL cholesterol doesn’t rule out a high Lp(a). A high result is a […]
48 Flu Hospitalizations in Clark County: What Las Vegas Families Should Know
Clark County recorded 48 flu-associated hospitalizations between October 4 and October 17, 2026, according to figures reported by FOX5 Vegas on October 27. The Southern Nevada Health District also reported zero flu-associated deaths within the new season’s tracking period. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) described overall influenza activity nationally as low, […]
Is Diabetes Screening Covered by Insurance? 2026 Guide
Diabetes Screening Coverage at a Glance Your situation Is screening usually covered? What to confirm Private or employer plan (ACA-compliant) Usually, with no cost sharing, if you meet the screening criteria and use an in-network provider That it’s billed as preventive, not diagnostic Marketplace plan Usually, under the same preventive rules Network and your eligibility […]
A1C Test vs. Fasting Blood Sugar: What’s the Difference?
Key Takeaways A1C = a three-month average. No fasting needed, and you can test any time of day. Fasting blood sugar = a single-moment snapshot. It requires an overnight-style fast. Both use different cutoffs, so you can’t directly convert one result into the other. It’s possible for one test to look normal while the other […]
What Drinks Should Diabetics Avoid?
People with diabetes should avoid beverages containing high amounts of added sugar, fast-absorbing carbohydrates, or hidden sweet syrups that trigger sharp, immediate blood sugar spikes. Unlike solid whole foods, liquid carbohydrates lack dietary fiber, healthy fats, or protein to slow down digestion. This allows glucose to rapidly flood your bloodstream, making it significantly harder to […]
What Are 5 Signs That Blood Sugar Is Too High?
Five primary signs that your blood sugar is too high (hyperglycemia) include increased thirst (polydipsia), frequent urination (polyuria), extreme fatigue, blurred vision, and unexplained weight loss. These classic symptoms occur when excess glucose builds up in your bloodstream because your body lacks enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. When your blood […]
What Not to Do Before an A1C Test?
You do not need to fast, skip meals, or make last-minute dietary changes before an A1C test, because the exam measures your average blood glucose over the past 2 to 3 months rather than what you ate or drank on the day of testing. However, you should avoid sudden “crash dieting” right before the exam […]
What Is the Fastest Way to Lower My A1C?
Lowering your A1C takes time because glycated hemoglobin measures average blood glucose attached to red blood cells over their natural 2 to 3-month lifespan. However, the fastest and most effective way to lower your A1C relies on a dual strategy: combining targeted medical interventions with immediate, high-impact lifestyle modifications. By taking your prescribed glucose-lowering medications […]
What Is a Normal A1C by Age?
Standard diagnostic thresholds define a normal A1C as below 5.7% for all adults, regardless of age. However, baseline glucose levels naturally rise slightly as we age, and clinical management targets often shift for older adults. While a younger adult with diabetes typically aims for an A1C target under 7.0%, guidelines from the American Diabetes Association […]