What Is the A1C Test?

The A1C test  with referred to as the HbA1c test, the hemoglobin A1c test, and the glycated (or glycosylated) hemoglobin test  is an important tool for diagnosing and managing diabetes.

The exam events the percentage of hemoglobin molecules in your blood that have glucose molecules attached to them.

That percentage provides an estimate of your average blood sugar level furthermore more the late gathering two to three months, which can be used as an indicator of diabetes. The well along the percentage, the more likely you are to be diagnosed once diabetes.

The A1C exam can be finished later blood taken from a vein or a fingerprick.

How the A1C Test Works

Hemoglobin is the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen and causes those blood cells to sky red.

Over the lifespan of a red blood cell, which is approximately four months, the hemoglobin in the cell binds to glucose molecules, or becomes glycated.

The sophisticated the glucose assimilation in the blood, the more hemoglobin that becomes glycated.

For monitoring diabetes control, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) makes these recommendations:

People who are meeting their treatment goals should have their A1C measured at least twice a year.

People whose therapy has tainted or who are not meeting their goals should have their A1C measured quarterly.

A1C, Fasting Glucose, or OGTT?

In 2009, an international skillful committee recommended that the A1C exam be used for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, and in 2010, the ADA adopted that recommendation.

In its added logical role, the A1C exam is not meant to totally replace the fasting plasma glucose exam or the oral glucose tolerance exam (OGTT), which yet may be preferred in certain circumstances.

However, some of the encourage of using the A1C exam for diagnosis adjoin the subsequent to:

The blood sample can be obtained at any era; no fasting to the fore is required.

The A1C level is unaffected by emphasize or revolution at the period of the blood appeal.

There is no extension to consume a glucose beverage, as is required for the OGTT.

Limitations of the A1C Test

The A1C test along with has determined limitations as a investigative test:

Its not as vivacious for diagnosing type 1 diabetes, which can produce speedily  possibly too speedily for an individuals A1C to be significantly elevated.

Its not recommended for diagnosing gestational diabetes because pregnant women are typically screened just as their blood sugar level would be starting to rise because of the pregnancy. A girls A1C level would not, for that defense, be conventional to be elevated.

The A1C test does not meet the expense of accurate results in people behind hemoglobin disorders, anemia, iron endeavor, and some postscript medical conditions.

What the Results Mean

When the A1C test is used to diagnose diabetes, the results are interpreted as follows:

5.7 percent to 6.4 percent indicates prediabetes

6.5 percent or cutting edge indicates diabetes

When the A1C test is used to monitor diabetes run, the general warn for adults is to purpose for an A1C degrade than 7 percent. This level has been connected following a humble risk of long-term diabetes complications. The risk of these complications rises significantly behind an A1C above 9 percent.

However, each persons A1C aspire should be individualized. For example, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can be particularly dangerous for an elderly person, therefore a sophisticated AIC level may be recommended.

Discuss your A1C endeavor  and how to best acceptance it  in the middle of your healthcare provider.