PAINLESS BLOOD SUGAR TESTING...

We are cared for …

That is the first thought I had once read it and felt “This needs to be shared!” 

After a small gap of 3 months I come back with a good news.

One of the main issues which affect our diabetes treatment is the lethargy in blood sugar testing.

Why patients become lethargic? Well the answer is pain of needle pricks.

There is our good news! Recently Scientists have developed an adhesive patch, which can non-invasively monitor glucose levels in diabetics through the skin. 

Yes you read it right! No more pricks may be a reality soon…

The patch does not pierce the skin, instead it draws glucose out from fluid between cells across hair follicles, which are individually accessed via an array of miniature sensors using a small electric current. The glucose collects in tiny reservoirs and is measured, according to a study published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology. Readings can be taken every 10 to 15 minutes over several hours. This information can be accessed via smart watch. This will give us the much needed info on blood sugar variations. This will eventually translate to better treatment regimens…

More info on this subject can be accessed at

NON INVASIVE BLOOD GLUCOSE TESTING : SOURCE FILE.

My previous posts regarding Painless Blood sugar monitoring 

• NON INVASIVE GLUCOMETER PROTOTYPE 
• KNOW YOUR GLUCOSE LEVELS BY LOOKING INTO THE EYES
• PAIN-FREE BLOOD SUGAR MONITORING 
• GOOGLE SMART LENS
• CAN WE USE SALIVA FOR DIAGNOSIS 
• PAINLESS INSULIN DELIVERY SYSTEM
• ARTIFICIAL PANCREAS IS HERE. NO MORE PRICKS

HBA1C

HbA1c. How many of us know exactly what this means?

Now all standard Diabetes centers, Hospitals and Clinicians have started recommending this test for their Diabetic patients. It would be apt to say that HbA1c is considered a gold standard investigation for diagnosis , Treatment and Followup of Diabetic patients. 

So what is HbA1c? 

It is a blood test which will give you an average sugar control for the past three months. It is otherwise called Glycated Hemoglobin or Glycosylated haemoglobin or glyycohemoglobin. This Glycated Hemoglobin comprises of HbA1c, HbA1a, HbA1b, HbS,HbC and HbF. HbA1c is more specific among the other mentioned components.

HbA1c has been used in many international studies for assessment of risk of developing complications of Diabetes. The normal level of HbA1c in a non-diabetic patient should range between 4.0-6.0%. 

American Diabetes Association  recommended the use of HbA1c as a diagnostic marker for diabetes & prediabetes in 2010. People with HbA1c of 6.5% and above are to be diagnosed as diabetes and HbA1c between 5.7-6.4%  are considered to be at risk of diabetes.

The target HbA1c in a Diabetic patient is <7% 

HbA1c is definitely a very good tool in the hands of the clinicians to provide a better control over diabetes. But, we also need to know factors that can affect this blood test. 

What will show faulty higher HbA1c readings?

HbF and HbG

Uraemia

Lead poisoning

Hypertriglyceridaemia

Alcoholism

Opiate addiction

Iron deficiency state

Postsplenectomy

Hyperbilirubinaemia

Chronic aspirin therapy

What will show faulty lower HbA1c readings?

HbS and HbC

Haemolytic anaemia

Pregnancy

Acute or chronic blood loss

Methods used for estimating HbA1c

Ion exchange chromatography

High-performance liquid chromatography

Isoelectric focusing

Agar gel electrophoresis

How frequent do we need to estimate HbA1c?

Usually, it should be done every 3 months and when controlled after every 6 months. In pregnancy

for tight control, monthly determination is necessary. In pregnancy a better marker of sugar(Glycemic) control is estimation of serum fructosamine.

VOICES FOR PIOGLITAZONE

Pioglitazone finally had some supporters.

Here is an article from HINDU

Govt should reconsider ban on diabetes drug, say doctors | Business Line

INDIAN EXPRESS

Ban on anti-diabetes drug pioglitazone shocks doctors

ZEE NEWS

Doctors flay blanket ban on diabetes drug Pioglitazone

MUMBAI MIRROR

Choice before diabetics: Painful insulin or costly but less-effective drugs

SAKAL TIMES

Diabetes expert demands withdrawal of ban on pioglitazone


with the way our cost of medication is going up drugs like these should not be banned. I sincerely feel Pioglitazone needs a second chance in the Indian market.