HbA1c Test for Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious problem in today’s times. No matter how much money we have, we cannot buy our health. Health is something that needs to be maintained and requires a proper lifestyle.

Eating healthy food, drinking sufficient water and taking care of ourselves is very important. But sometimes, even after doing everything, we develop some diseases and then we have to deal with them for the rest of our lives.

Diseases can be caused due to touch, due to viruses in the air or bacteria in the water or due to heredity. One such major disease or condition is Diabetes.

Diabetes is a condition when the blood sugar in the body becomes very high. It is to be treated using insulin and other medications.

HbA1c test for diabetes i.e., glycosylated haemoglobin test can be used to find out and maintain the blood sugar levels.

What is a glycosylated haemoglobin test or HbA1c or A1c Test?

A glycosylated haemoglobin test tells us the level of blood sugar in the body. The levels calculated are an average. 

This is a necessary test for all diabetes patients. It is also called A1c.

Haemoglobin is the protein that transports oxygen in the blood. When glucose i.e., sugar joins with Haemoglobin it produces an HbA1c molecule, which is glycosylated haemoglobin.

The life of Red Blood Cells is up to 120 days, so this test allows us to measure blood sugar for the previous 3 to 4 months.

When should you take the HbA1c Test?

Your doctor may prescribe you to take this test to find out your blood sugar level so that you can keep it in control.

You can take this test when you sense or face symptoms of high blood sugar levels.

You can also take the test even if you don’t have diabetes, but you feel that you may develop it in future. Thus, trying to prevent and control borderline diabetes.

Components

Glucose means sugar. Haemoglobin is the protein. When these two combine, they form glycosylated haemoglobin which is HbA1c. When this molecule increases a lot, it indicates a higher extent of blood sugar indicating diabetes. This test will determine what action should be taken further.

Importance

Regular testing of blood sugar post fasting and post meals is not enough, since this shows results based on a very short period of time. The type of food you eat will determine what shows up in the result.

So, to get a better knowledge of the status of your blood sugar, the glycosylated haemoglobin test is important. This test gives better and accurate results as it shows the blood sugar level of the past 3-4 months.

The more the presence of HbA1c detected, the more is the blood sugar, thus higher threat of complications arising from diabetes. And the lesser the presence of HbA1c, the lesser will be the possibility of any complications like heart attacks.

Levels

  • For a person who is healthy and does not have diabetes, the level indicated by this test will be less than 5.7% Whereas a person who receives levels of blood sugar at 6.5% or even more, is likely to have diabetes.
  • Diabetic patients must keep their glucose or sugar level below 7%.
  • While old people are asked to maintain their blood sugar level below 8%.

Results

The results of the test indicate how much the blood sugar level is. 

Normal patients have less glycosylated haemoglobin compared to patients with diabetes.

Results of the Test:

  • Level – Less than 5.7 per cent

Normal or Healthy

  • Level – 5.7 to 6.4 per cent

Pre-Diabetic or Pre-Diabetes or Borderline

  • Level – 6.5 per cent or more

Diabetic or Diabetes

Preparing For The Test

There is as such no preparation for this test like it is for regular tests. You do not need to fast or skip your medicines. Just follow your day normally and just go for the test.

HbA1c And The Pandemic

Covid-19 has become a serious threat, especially to the ones who are having high blood pressure or high blood sugar levels. It leads to further complications which could be even fatal!

So, keeping your blood sugar level and your diabetes in control can also help risks that may come up if you are affected by Covid. Necessary precautions must be taken.

Diabetes is a major issue that has affected many of us. In these pandemic times, it is important to keep our sugar levels in control. The glycosylated haemoglobin test can help us figure out the average and accurate blood sugar level. Based on the results, we can take further medications and precautions. It does not only helps diabetic patients but can also help pre-diabetic patients prevent diabetes. 

This test holds great importance because it shows how prone to further complications you are due to diabetes. This not only imbibes a certain sense of direness in us to take better care of ourselves, but it also helps doctors prescribe the right treatment and measures for you.