What is the HbA1c test?
What is the HbA1c test?
For someone who has diabetes or has high blood sugar might be knowing about the HbA1c test.
What exactly is this test and how can it help in controlling diabetes? What is the frequency in which this test should be repeated?
Read more to find the test.
HbA1c Test
HbA1c, also widely known as hemoglobin A1c or A1c, is a term widely related to diabetes. This test depicts the average blood sugar level in the past week/month and is also used for diagnosing diabetes. For diabetics patients HbA1c is recommended on a regular basis, and helps in planning your diabetes medications.
HbA1c is glycated hemoglobin, which is glucose joined with hemoglobin present in the red blood cells.
Haemoglobin is a protein present in RBCs (Red Blood Cell).
The HbA1c level is crucial to monitor for diabetics patients, as the higher HbA1c level is greater is the risk of diabetic complications.
How does it work?
Glucose is the level of sugar in your blood cells, which tens to join the hemoglobin present in the blood cells. The level of glucose dilation with hemoglobin is measured by HbA1c test.
Since, the life of a Red Blood Cell is around three months, so the HbA1c test measures the average glucose level of the previous three months.
HbA1c will be greater, in case the level of glucose in your blood cells has been higher over the past weeks/month.
How is this test useful?
Over the period of past two to three months, the average plasma glucose in your blood stream is determined by the Haemoglobin A1c test, it also depicts the glucose stuck onto your red blood cells for that amount of time.
The test usually does not require any pre requisites or fasting and can be performed at any time of the day.
In recent times this test is one of the most preferred for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes and due to its reliability is also preferred by all leading doctors.
The usual display of you as diabetic, pre-diabetic or normal falls under the given levels:
| HbA1c | Mmol/mol | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | Below or up to 40 mmol/mol | ≤ 6% |
| Prediabetic | Between 42 to 47 mmol/mol | 6% to 6.4% |
| Diabetic | 50 mmol/mol or above | ≥ 6.5% |
Normal: 4% to 5.6% is considered normal
Pre-Diabetic: 5.7% to 6.4% indicates a high risk of diabetes, and
Diabetic: Above 6.5% or above, it indicates that the person has diabetes
Normal H1bA1c test level for a diabetic
For someone with diabetes below 53 mmol/mol is considered healthy and controlled
Glycated hemoglobin between 53 mmol/mol to 63 mmol/mol is considered decent however certainly needs improvement
Between 64 mmol/mol to 86 mmol/mol can be taken as an alarm and he/she needs to change their lifestyle and take timely medication.
Above 86 mmol/mol shows an extremely high-level glycated hemoglobin and needs urgent help for medical professionals.
Changes in sedentary lifestyle by including 30-40 min of exercise in the daily routine and proper timely medication can help one control diabetes.
The test should be repeated every three months for anyone with diabetes to regularly monitor their sugar level.
Diabetes can be controlled by maintaining a well balanced diet, increasing physical activity and timely medication.
In case that you are above the recommended weight range and have type 2 diabetes, losing the weight slowly can gradually improve your blood sugar level. People have been able to control their diabetes by weight management and opting for healthier and balanced diets.
In case that you are taking insulin, screening and regular monitoring is advisable.
Choose Sanket Diagnostics for an accurate and precise screening of your H1bAc1 level. Get a detailed report with all the necessary details, within an ideal time. Visit the nearest Sanket Diagnostic lab near you to know more about the test.