What is the Hba1c Test and How is it Used to Monitor Diabetes?
About Hba1c
India tops the list in terms of having the maximum number of patients of a lot of chronic disease in the world, and Diabetes is one of them. It is estimated that around 88 million people suffer from diabetes in Southeast Asia, and out of these, 77 million patients are just from India; which means that one in every six people in the world with diabetes belongs to India.
To get a clear picture of the average blood sugar levels in your body for around 2–3 months, HbA1c Test is very common among clinicians. The higher the HbA1c, the higher the risk of developing complications related to diabetes. Therefore, it is important to perform this test.
What is HbA1c?
The HbA1c, or simply A1c, refers to glycated hemoglobin. The test results show the average amount of glucose attached to hemoglobin during the last three months. The reason behind calculating the average of the past three-month is because that’s basically how long a red blood cell lives.
In other words, HbA1c can be defined as glycated hemoglobin which determines the average plasma glucose concentration in the human body.
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What is Hb in the HbA1c test?
The Hb in the HbA1c test refers to the Haemoglobin that helps in carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. This is how the HbA1c test measures the amount of blood sugar attached to haemoglobin for the average time period of two-three months.
How does the HbA1c test work?
When glucose builds up in the blood, it gets bound to the haemoglobin in RBCs (Red Blood Cells) and that’s when the A1c test measures how much glucose is bound. Since RBCs have a lifespan of three months, the A1c test shows the average level of glucose in the blood of the same time period.
The high levels of HbA1c means that you have too much sugar in your blood. This means the person is more likely to develop diabetes complications like heart disease, kidney disease, eye problem and nerve damage.
What is the HbA1c Test used for?
If you are a diabetic patient, then HbA1c will help you monitor your condition and blood sugar levels. This HbA1c also helps to know whether he is suffering from diabetes or prediabetes in adults. Prediabetes means that the blood sugar level shows the person is at risk for getting diabetes.
When to go for HbA1c?
The HbA1c test is performed after a set of symptoms of diabetes which includes:
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
Your doctor can ask you to perform an HbA1c test if you are at higher risk of getting diabetes. The Risk factors include:
· Overweight or obese
· High blood pressure
· History of heart disease
· Physical inactivity
How long does the HbA1c Test take?
The HbA1c test takes a maximum of 5 minutes as it is just like the other blood tests.
How often should a diabetic patient get tested for HbA1c?
If a person is diabetic, the patient should be tested for HbA1c at least twice a year. It is advised to consult the doctor if your doctor asked you to change the medications or you have developed other health conditions.
Any preparation to keep in mind before HbA1c?
No! There is no need to do any preparation before the HbA1c test. This test is performed in a doctor’s clinic or in a lab using a sample of blood from your arm or finger.
Are there any risks related to the HbA1c Test?
No, there is no risk involved with the HbA1c test as it is just like the other blood tests that may have slight pain or bruising spots from where the blood will be collected.
Is fasting required for the HbA1c Test?
No! Fasting is not required for HbA1c and it’s a convenient test to evaluate blood glucose levels.
What can affect your HbA1c Test results?
1. Erythropoiesis
2. Altered Haemoglobin
3. Glycation
4. Erythrocyte destruction
5. Assays
Average Cost of HbA1c?
The average cost for the Haemoglobin A1c test ranges from INR 300.00 to INR 800.00 pan India. Different labs have different prices set for the test.
