GLYCOSYLATED HAEMOGLOBIN-HbA1c

The Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) test is one of the critical and the most important blood tests for monitoring diabetes by measuring the average glucose concentration in the blood over a period of two to three months. It is administered by health professionals for the purpose of diagnosing diabetes and for evaluating the long term management of blood glucose levels in a diabetic patient. It also measures the fraction of glycated hemoglobin and thus helps one understand the glucose control over a long period, which is necessary for the prevention of diabetes complications like sensitive neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy

The HbA1c test estimates the level of gasses in the blood and of which blood gasses has glucose /glication attached to it. Essentially, Hgb is a protein in RBC among their other components proteins. Fresh glucose’s are attached to glucose cobalt-containing protein which is called as glycerol-hemoglobin. The fact that human red cells usually live for 120 days allows HbA1c to measure 4 months' average blood glucose concentration. This makes it possible to assess the history of glucose fluctuations in a patient over a long time range.

HbA1c test schedules are usually adults at risk for diabetes when adults do a general check-up and also for people who show diabetes signs like polydipsia, polyuria, weight loss, weakness, diabetes mellitus polydipsia, etc. Adults who have been diagnosed to have diabetes have HbA1c test monitoring every 3 to 6 months to check their compliance to their diagnostic test. Further, It is also taken when changing or optimizing the drugs in order to achieve satisfactory diabetes.

It is applicable for the HIV negative subjects as has only minimal risk- punching and bruising type of risk – The Hemoglobin A1c Test WHICH is a blood test that doesn’t induce risk has significant limitations as anemia, blood transfusion or Hbg-variants like sickle cell may erase it’s reliability. Adding on, As it also shows AVERAGE, it doesn’t tell the changes in glucose concentration throughout the day and the dangerous highs and lows will not be captured and explained thoroughly.

In the interpretation of results of the HbA1c test the most common indicator when measuring is the percentage of glycohemoglobin present in the blood. This percentage is the average level of glucose in the blood over a span of time. Stated that High A1c means not achieving good glucose control but low to normal HbA1c means that the diabetes or pre-diabetes is being controlled well.

This test is especially relevant to the people with the known case of diabetes in order to check if the management plans are working. It is recommended to the people who are at risk to develop diabetes especially people with obesity, a family history of diabetes, hypertension or cholesterol problems. Also, anyone with diabetes symptoms like polyuria, polydipsia and unexplained excessive fatigue should think of undergoing this test.

There are numerous health benefits of taking the HbA1c test and one of those is the early diagnosis of diabetes or its pre-stage. In doing so, appropriate actions can be taken in good time and the complications of diabetes can be averting. If a patient has already been diagnosed, it helps track and change treatment approaches in a manner that facilitates the achievement of better blood glucose control over time. It is also superior in that it averages glucose concentrations over a certain period of time rather than providing daily readings of tests, allowing improvement in health status and life in general.

Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) test is particularly utilized to diagnose:

• Diabetes Mellitus Type 1
• Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
• Diabetes Mellitus, Prediabetes stage

This test also shows how likely a person is to develop diabetes related complications in future, especially if the high levels persist for long period of time.

Prerequisites: There are enzyme-specific preparations to be done like fasting for the HbA1c test which makes it dedicated and coherent for booking.

Eligibility: This test is primarily fit for adults and children who are diabetics or are susceptible to diabetes.

Procedure For Taking The Test: The procedure involves intravenous blood sample from one of the veins in the arm and this procedure only takes a few minutes.

Caution Before The Test: Make sure to inform your health practitioner of any medical therapies or conditions like anemia that could influence the test results.