Over the years there have been various methods used to measure and evaluate blood glucose for those who live with diabetes. A1C has been the most commonly used indicator for determining blood glucose control among individuals with diabetes since its discovery in the 1960s. A lower A1C is well-known to be associated with fewer long-term complications from diabetes. This is corroborated by two well-known landmark studies, Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and U. K. Prospective Diabetes Study.
The A1C is not a perfect gauge of control, and has known issues. A new term called time in range is emerging as a more useful tool to give a clearer picture of blood glucose control.
Time in range is described by diaTribe | Making Sense of Diabetes, a consumer-facing “online community” that provides valuable insight to consumers with diabetes:
What is Time in Range?
“Time in Range” (TIR) is the percentage of time that a person spends with their blood glucose levels in a target range. The range will vary depending on the person, but general guidelines suggest starting with a range of 70 to 180 mg/dl. (Over time, some people decide to aim for a tighter range, such as 70 to 140 mg/dl.) Time in Range (diatribe.org)
Lisa Thorp, RN, CDCES states, “Monitoring blood glucose is the foundation to successful management of diabetes. Technology is making it easier to do this. Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) remove barriers to testing blood glucose, and really help a person see how their blood sugar is doing throughout the day, and over time.”
To learn more about time in range for healthcare professionals, refer to this article from the American Diabetes Association.