The average blood glucose levels in young type 1 diabetes according to age

This study examined the variation in HbA1c with age in young type 1 diabetics.

Managing blood sugar (glucose) levels in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is important to prevent long-term complications such as kidney disease and eye disease. The HbA1c is the average blood glucose levels over 3 months and is used to indicate whether a patient is achieving good control of blood glucose levels. The HbA1c is known to vary depending on the patient’s age. The American Diabetes Association recommends an HbA1c of 8.5% for 2–6-year-olds, 8.0% until age 12, 7.5% until age 18, and 7.0% for young adults.

Only a proportion of children and adolescents with T1D achieve the target HbA1c. Therefore, identifying the average HbA1c for young T1D patients of a certain age can allow the HbA1c from one patient to be compared to those of a similar age. This will indicate whether a patient is on target for achieving an HbA1c which is similar or lower than those of a similar age.

This study aimed to determine the average range of HbA1c levels for various age groups of young T1D patients. This study involved 287 T1D children and adolescents. HbA1c measurements obtained from patients over a 15 year period were analyzed. Ranges of average HbA1c levels were determined for each age.

At age 2, average HbA1c scores ranged from 6.9–8.7%. These averages increased by age 4, when scores ranged from 7.0–9.1%. Average scores increased, and the range broadened, by the teenage years. Average HbA1c scores at age 14 ranged from 6.6–10.1%. The range of average HbA1c then decreased after puberty. By age 25, the range of average scores was 6.3–8.4%, and by age 30 was 5.7–8.1%.

75% of patients aged 2-4 years achieved the recommended HbA1c target. Between 6-13 years of age, the percentage of patients achieving the target decreased to 50%. Between 13-18 years, only 25% achieved the recommended target. After 26 years of age, 50% achieved the recommended target.

This study concluded that the range of HbA1c values for a particular age group is useful in determining whether a patient is achieving the recommended target.

This study did not follow individual patients as they aged. It would have been ideal to obtain the HbA1c value for each patient at each age. Factors other than age which can influence HbA1c, such as insulin treatment, were not taken into account.

Consult your physician to determine whether you are achieving your target HbA1c and the steps which can be taken to improve on this.