Hba1c

Hemoglobin A1c Levels and Ranges • The higher the level of glucose in the blood, the higher the level of hemoglobin A1c is detectable on red blood cells. • Hemoglobin A1c levels correlate with average levels of glucose in the blood over an approximately three-month time. • Normal ranges for hemoglobin A1c in people without • Hemoglobin A1c levels are routinely used to determine blood sugar control over time in people with • Decreasing hemoglobin A1c levels by 1% may decrease the risk of microvascular complications (for example, the diabetic eye, nerve, or • Hemoglobin A1c levels should be checked, according to the American Diabetic Association, every six months in individuals with stable blood sugar control, and every three months if the person is trying to establish stable blood sugar control. • Hemoglobin A1c has many other names such as glycohemoglobin, glycated hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, and HbA1c. What is hemoglobin A1c? To explain what hemoglobin A1c is, think in simple terms. Sugar sticks to things, and when it has been stuck to something for a long time, it's harder to get the sugar (glucose) off. In the body, sugar sticks too, particularly to proteins. The red blood cells that circulate in the body live for about three months before they die. When sugar (glucose) sticks to these red blood cells by binding to hemoglobin A1c, it gives the doctor an idea of how much glucose has been around in the blood for the preceding three months. Hemoglobin A1c is a min...

Have you recently had an HbA1c blood test? It is quite likely that at least once a year you will have one. It’s a common and important test that can measure your long-term average blood sugar levels. This guide will help you interpret your HbA1c results, and explain why HbA1c is an important way to measure metabolic health. We’ll also explain reasons for occasional unexpected variations in HbA1c results and the strengths and weaknesses of the test. What is HbA1c and why does it matter? Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c, or sometimes just called an A1c) is a way to assess your average blood glucose levels. It differs from a fasting glucose measurement in that fasting glucose is a snapshot of your blood glucose level at that one moment in time, when you first wake up in the morning before eating. The HbA1c, however, is a longer-term measurement that reflects your average blood sugar over the previous three months. 1 It can measure this longer time frame because hemoglobin, which transports oxygen in your blood, is a protein that glucose sticks to over time. The more sugar in your blood, the more it sticks to the hemoglobin. When any protein becomes sticky with sugar in this way it’s called glycation or glycosylation. So rather than measuring the amount of glucose in a drop of blood, HbA1c measures the percentage of glucose stuck to the hemoglobin in your blood, or in medical terms, the percentage of glycation of the hemoglobin. How do you interpret HbA1c numbers? HbA1c is an important m...

Overview The A1C test is a common blood test used to diagnose type 1 and type 2 diabetes. If you're living with diabetes, the test is also used to monitor how well you're managing blood sugar levels. The A1C test is also called the glycated hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c test. An A1C test result reflects your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. Specifically, the A1C test measures what percentage of hemoglobin proteins in your blood are coated with sugar (glycated). Hemoglobin proteins in red blood cells transport oxygen. The higher your A1C level is, the poorer your blood sugar control and the higher your risk of diabetes complications. Why it's done The results of an A1C test can help your doctor or other health care provider: • Diagnose prediabetes. If you have prediabetes, you have a higher risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. • Diagnose type 1 and type 2 diabetes. To confirm a diabetes diagnosis, your doctor will likely look at the results of two blood tests given on different days — either two A1C tests or the A1C test plus another test, such as a fasting or random blood sugar test. • Monitor your diabetes treatment plan. The result of an initial A1C test also helps establish your baseline A1C level. The test is then repeated regularly to monitor your diabetes treatment plan. How often you need the A1C test depends on the type of diabetes, your treatment plan, how well you're meeting treatment go...