HbA1c Test - Know The Significance In Diagnosis Of Diabetes

22 Jan, 2021 by Admin

Diabetes mellitus, generally known as diabetes is a chronic disease that happens when blood glucose level, additionally called glucose, is higher in the body than expected. Blood glucose is the fundamental source of energy for the body and comes from the food we eat.

Before actual side effects of diabetes are even seen, elevated levels of glucose in the body already have caused harm to the body and failure of various organs & tissues. Keeping a regular check on the glucose levels is only one means to stop this potential problem from the beginning. One of the more significant tests in diagnosing diabetes is the HbA1c test.

What is the HbA1c test?

The term HbA1c mainly refers to glycated hemoglobin. It is developed when the protein hemoglobin that carries oxygen throughout your body within the red blood cells, joins with glucose in the blood, and become glycated.

HbA1c is measured to know about the average blood sugar levels for weeks/months.

By measuring glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), doctors can get an overall picture of what our average blood sugar levels have been for weeks/months. Generally, it is also called as hemoglobin A1c or simply A1c.

When HbA1c test is required?

If a person is experiencing the below-given symptoms, it is important to go for the test –

1. Blurred vision
2. Increase frequency of urination
3. Excessive thirst
4. Weight loss
5. Increased Hunger
6. Extreme fatigue
7. Slow-healing wounds
8. Tingling or numbness in the feet or toes

Significance of HbA1c Test

Do you routinely quantify your fasting and after dinner glucose to keep a check of your diabetes? Feel that is sufficient? Not really! Even though the fasting and post-feast tracking of blood glucose is significant, these tests can just check your glucose at one point in time. Their outcomes may change contingent upon what you had eaten throughout the most recent evening or in the past dinner. Be that as it may, the HbA1c test looks at the 3-month information and can't be one-sided.

For people having diabetes, HbA1c numbers give a reasonable thought of how controlled their diabetes is. According to logical proof, having smaller HbA1c number methods means a lesser risk of other illnesses like heart disease and stroke.

What is the frequency of testing blood glucose levels?

Individuals having diabetes and pre-diabetes ought to get their HbA1c tested usually in every 3 months. On the off chance that you are healthy yet have heredity of diabetes in the family or think your way of life makes you inclined to create diabetes, you ought to complete an HbA1c test frequently. You can counsel a specialist on how oftentimes you should step for a test related to your medical issues.

Know about the HbA1c results –

The results of the HbA1c test are usually given in percentage. The test outcome shows the measure of hemoglobin that glucose has bound to in your blood.

The test outcomes are usually as follows:

• Ordinary/Healthy: Below 5.7%
• Pre-diabetes: 5.7–6.4%
• Diabetes: 6.5% or more

There are sure factors and some ailments that can change the HbA1c result somewhat and even lead to a higher perusing. A few conditions that represent a false A1c number include:

• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Blood loss
• Reduced iron levels
• Blood-related issues

It is a must to show your test report to a primary care physician in order to deeply analyze the outcomes.

Is any preparation needs to be done for the test? 

Dissimilar to fasting or post-meal glucose tests, no unique preparation is required for an HbA1c test. You can go for the test any time of the day and make sure not to miss the regular medications before going for the HbA1c test.

Getting an HbA1c test as well several other tests for keeping a check on illnesses is crucial to live a healthy life and manage the illness in a better way, if any. If you want to get tested and not sure from where to get it done? Book an HbA1c test online at Trulabs and get tested within the comfort of your home today!