HbA1C test
About HbA1C Test
Red blood cells consist of haemoglobin that carries oxygen to the cells of body. Glucose/sugar molecules in the blood get stuck to these haemoglobin molecules making it glycosylated. This newly formed chemical combination of sugar-haemoglobin is referred to as glycosylated haemoglobin.
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The HbA1c test is also called as Haemoglobin A1c test or glycosylated haemoglobin test. It is a blood test that reflects your average blood glucose values over the past 8 to 12 weeks. It is one of the primary tests used to diagnose and manage diabetes. Diabetes complications such as diabetic foot, eye disorders, and heart diseases etc are associated with higher HbA1c levels.
Functions of Heamoglobin:
- Gives red colour to the blood
- Helps in carrying oxygen and other gases helping the respiratory system
- It buffers the blood pH
Symptoms of Diabetes
Feeling thirsty very often
Feeling hungry often
Fatigue
Urinating a lot
Losing weight without efforts
Numbing or tingling of hands and feet
Slow healing of any cuts or wounds
Having infections more than usual
Dry skin
Blurred vision
Who should get tested?
A HbA1c test is recommended to be performed frequently in adults who have risk factors for diabetes. Even for adults with no risk factors, the test is recommended every two to three years.
Risk factors include:
Age over 45 years
Prediabetes
Overweight or obese
Family history of diabetes
High cholesterol
High Blood Pressure
Heart diseases
Gestational diabetes
Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome
Test preparation:
This test requires no special preparation.
Interpretation of results:
|
Test interpretation |
Results |
|
Normal |
Below 5.7% |
|
Prediabetic |
5.7 – 6.4% |
|
Diabetic |
Above 6.5% |
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Test results within the range of 5.7 and 6.4 are considered as prediabetic. The higher your A1C frequency, the greater is the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
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Deviation from the normal levels indicate the following:
- Having higher than normal HbA1c levels indicate that you have too much sugar in your blood. Long-term elevated sugar levels may lead to diabetes complications such as serious health problems like hypertension, eye disorders, diabetic foot etc.
- Having lower than the normal HbA1c levels indicate that you have low sugars in your blood. It may indicate any inflammations or liver function abnormalities etc.
FAQs
How often HbA1c test should be performed?
The HbA1c test should be performed at least twice a year in diabetic patients who are meeting treatment goals (and have stable glycemic control) and quarterly in diabetic patients who has a change in their therapy or who are not meeting their glyceimic goals.. A glycated haemoglobin measurement is not required if a dietary or medical treatment change has been made within the last six weeks.
What is the best time for HbA1c test?
HbA1c is a simple blood test that does not require fasting or any other special preparation and can be performed at any time of day. This is in contrast to other tests that can be used to diagnose diabetes.
Can HbA1c increase suddenly?
A sudden change in HbA1c levels can occur at times. This sudden increase, however, can be attributed to certain medications, such as steroids, or to stress
What are the complications of high HbA1c?
High HbA1c levels can have a negative impact on your health. People who have high levels are more likely to develop dementia, heart disease, kidney disease, mental health issues, fatigue, and bone loss. According to researchers, HbA1c levels may also influence a person's lifespan.
Can diabetics eat rice?
Yes. Diabetics can include rice in their diet. Rice with low glycemic index could be preferred over the other types of rice. Wholegrain Basmati is usually a preferred type of rice for diabetic people due to its low glycemic index
Does consuming white sugar affect my diabetes?
Consuming white sugar does not directly cause diabetes, but because of the excess calories it contains, it may increase your risk of getting other diseases like obesity and cardiovascular disease. A helpful step in the management of diabetes is avoiding added sugars. You can always choose natural sugars, such as fruit sugars
Tests At Lupin Diagnostics
Blood Glucose Fasting (FBS)
₹ 60-
Includes
1 Test Parameter(s)
-
Blood Glucose Fasting, also known as the Fasting Blood Plasma Glucose (FPG) test, measures fasting blood glucose level. Fasting means one should not eat or drink (anything except water) for 8 hours before taking the blood sample. This plasma glucose test helps determine if the body can utilize or store glucose efficiently. FBS plasma test is one of the tests done to evaluate diabetes mellitus and monitor treatment efficacy in patients undergoing diabetes treatment. It also helps to detect diabetes during pregnancy or gestational diabetes.
Blood Glucose Post prandial (PPBS)
₹ 60-
Includes
1 Test Parameter(s)
-
Post-prandial blood glucose is a common test used to measure the level of PP blood sugar present after two hours of a meal. In patients with diabetes, there may be abnormal spikes of blood glucose level after meals; The postprandial blood sugar test indicates how the body responds to the intake of sugar and carbohydrates after a meal and is indicated for monitoring people with pre-diabetes, type-1, and type-2 diabetes