A1C RESULTS : AT HOME

I am not one to go to the doctor much, except to get my blood work done.  Well, mostly just to get my A1C checked but last year I still had money in my flex budget for healthcare expenses, so I thought I would try an at home A1C kit.  It comes with two tests and I think it was roughly $30, so depending on co-pays and lab fees, it might be well worth doing it at home.  Also, it is only a regular finger stick versus having blood drawn. 

Since I am typically most interested in my A1C, I think this could be a viable option for me to do maybe every other three month cycle.  However, I am not too sure how reliable these are.  I had a 6.9 A1C last year and then a couple weeks later had blood drawn again and had a 7.2 A1C.  Has anyone had any good or bad experiences with these kits?  

I found my kit this weekend in a box of diabetes supplies from our move to Canada and I decided to see how I was doing.  I am kinda bummed and feel a little disappointed.  I really thought I would be below 7.0, but then the reading came back with a 7.2, it was depressing!  I have been really trying hard and I have kept myself to a pretty strict diet (more lately).  I wear my Dexcom and have been having some really steady days.  Overall, it is just frustrating, I'm sure you can understand.