The Hemoglobin A1c
(HbA1c) Test for Diabetes
Importance of Hemoglobin A1c Test
The hemoglobin A1c test - also called
HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin test, or
glycohemoglobin -- is an important blood
test used to determine how well your
diabetes is being controlled. Hemoglobin
A1c provides an average of your blood
sugar control over a six to 12 week
period and is used in conjunction with
home blood sugar monitoring to make
adjustments in your diabetes medicines.
Hemoglobin is a substance within red
blood cells that carries oxygen
throughout your body. When your diabetes
is not controlled (meaning that your
blood sugar is too high), sugar builds
up in your blood and combines with your
hemoglobin, becoming "glycated."
Therefore, the average amount of sugar
in your blood can be determined by
measuring a hemoglobin A1c level. If
your glucose levels have been high over
recent weeks, your hemoglobin A1c test
will be higher. The amount of hemoglobin
A1c will reflect the last several weeks
of blood sugar levels, typically
encompassing a period of 120 days.
What's a Normal Hemoglobin A1c Test?
For people without diabetes, the
normal range for the hemoglobin A1c test
is between 4% and 6%. Because studies
have repeatedly shown that
out-of-control diabetes results in
complications from the disease, the goal
for people with diabetes is an
hemoglobin A1c less than 7%. The higher
the hemoglobin A1c, the higher the risks
of developing complications related to
diabetes.
People with diabetes should have this
test every three months to determine
whether their blood sugars have reached
the target level of control. Those who
have their diabetes under good control
may be able to wait longer between the
blood tests, but experts recommend
checking at least 2 times a year.
Patients with diseases affecting
hemoglobin such as anemia may get
abnormal results with this test. Other
abnormalities that can affect the
results of the hemoglobin A1c include
supplements such as vitamins C and E and
high cholesterol levels. Kidney disease
and liver disease may also affect the
result of the hemoglobin A1c test.
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