A blood test called a hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) test reveals your average blood sugar (glucose) level over the previous two to three months.
Your blood contains glucose, a form of sugar that is obtained from the food you consume. Glucose provides energy to your cells. The hormone insulin aids in the uptake of glucose by your cells. If you have diabetes, your body either produces insufficient insulin or your cells don’t properly use it. Because of the inability of glucose to enter your cells, your blood sugar levels rise.
Hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells, binds to glucose in your blood. Your hemoglobin will become increasingly glucose-coated as your blood glucose levels rise. The proportion of your red blood cells with hemoglobin coated in glucose is determined by an A1C test.
An A1C test may reveal your three-month average blood glucose level because:
Hemoglobin and glucose remain bound for the duration of the life of the red blood cells.
A red blood cell has a three-month lifespan.
Diabetes-related elevated blood glucose is indicated by high A1C values. Diabetes may lead to major health issues such nerve damage, renal damage, and heart disease. However, you may regulate your blood sugar levels with therapy and lifestyle modifications.
HbA1C, A1C, glycohemoglobin, glycated hemoglobin, and glycosylated hemoglobin are some of its alternate names.
What does it serve?
An A1C test may be used to check for or identify:
Diabetes type 2. Because your body doesn’t produce enough insulin to transport blood sugar from your circulation into your cells or because your cells stop reacting to insulin, type 2 diabetes causes your blood glucose to become too high.
Prediabetes. Your blood glucose levels are above average but not high enough to be labeled as prediabetes. Healthy nutrition and exercise are two lifestyle modifications that may help postpone or stop the progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes.
An A1C test helps monitor your health and determine how well you’ve been able to regulate your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes or prediabetes.
Why is a HbA1C test necessary?
A1C testing for diabetes and prediabetes is advised by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) if:
You’re older than 45.
Every three years, you should retake the exam if your findings are normal.
You will often need to be tested every one to two years if your findings indicate you have prediabetes. Inquire with your doctor about how often you should be tested and what you may do to lower your chances of getting diabetes.
You should undergo an A1C test at least twice a year if your findings indicate you have diabetes in order to monitor your health and course of therapy.
You have a higher risk of developing diabetes if you’re under 45 because:
I am prediabetic.
have obesity or are overweight.
type 2 diabetes in a parent or sibling.
possess excessive cholesterol or blood pressure.
either have heart disease or a stroke.
are inactive more than 3 times every week.
have given birth to a kid who weighs more than 9 pounds or had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy).
Are American Indian, Alaska Native, Hispanic or Latino, or African American. Additionally, certain Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are more likely to acquire diabetes.
possess PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome.
If you have any of these diabetic symptoms, you may also need an A1C test:
I’m quite thirsty.
excessive urination (peeing)
shedding pounds without trying
I’m quite hungry.
distorted vision
Hands or feet that are numb or tingly
Fatigue
arid skin
Slowly healing sores
being sick more often than normal
What transpires during an A1C test?
A tiny needle will be used by a medical practitioner to draw blood from a vein in your arm. A tiny quantity of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial once the needle has been placed. The needle may hurt somewhat when it enters or exits your body. Usually, this just takes a few minutes.
Will there be anything I need to do to be ready for the test?
An A1C test does not need any particular preparation.
Does the HBA1C test include any risks?
The danger of getting a blood test is quite low. Even though you can have some little discomfort or bruising where the needle was inserted, most side effects are transient.
What do the findings indicate?
You may find out how much of your hemoglobin is coated with glucose using the A1C readings. The percentage ranges are only a reference to what is typical. What is typical for you will vary depending on your age, health, and other circumstances. Find out from your doctor what A1C level is considered healthy for you.
The percentages that are often used to identify diabetes or prediabetes include:
Typical: A1C less than 5.7%
A1C between 5.7% and 6.4% indicates prediabetes.
Diabetes: An A1C of at least 6.5%
To diagnose diabetes, medical professionals often employ many tests. As a consequence, if your test result was greater than expected, you may need to have another A1C test or a new kind of diabetes test, often an OGTT or a fasting blood glucose test.
Discuss the significance of your test findings with your clinician if your A1C test was performed to monitor your diabetes.
Do I need to know anything more about a HbA1C test?
Type 1 diabetes and gestational diabetes are not diagnosed using the A1C test.
Additionally, an A1C test may not be reliable for identifying diabetes if you have a disease that affects your red blood cells, such as anemia or another sort of blood issue. A1C values may also be impacted by liver illness and kidney failure. In these circumstances, your doctor could suggest several tests to identify diabetes and prediabetes.