What is glycosylated haemoglobin (Hba1c)?

Glycosylated haemoglobin (Hba1c) is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels for the past three months. Doctors advise this test to detect prediabetes and diagnose type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

The glycosylated haemoglobin test also helps your doctor decide if you need to change your treatment to get your blood glucose levels under control.

Let us understand this test in detail, why you may need it and what is the glycosylated haemoglobin normal range.

How does the glycosylated haemoglobin test work?

Glucose comes from the food you eat. Your body uses it for energy. Insulin helps transport this glucose into the cells of your body.

However, if you have diabetes, your pancreas can not make enough insulin, or your body does not use the insulin properly. As a result, the glucose does not reach your cells and stays in your bloodstream resulting in increased blood glucose levels. The glucose sticks to the haemoglobin in your blood. This is called glycation.

Over time, as your blood glucose levels rise, more glucose sticks to your haemoglobin. It stays on your haemoglobin for almost 2-3 months or as long as red blood cells live.

The glycosylated haemoglobin Hba1c test measures the percentage of haemoglobin in your blood coated with glucose. Haemoglobin is the protein in your red blood cells that transports oxygen to your tissues. The higher the A1c levels, the higher your risk of diabetes-related complications.

Why do you need the glycosylated haemoglobin test?

If you have diabetes, your doctor will advise you the glycosylated haemoglobin test twice or more a year to check if your medication is working effectively.

If you do not have diabetes, your doctor will advise this test if you experience symptoms of diabetes. These include:

• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Tiredness
• Blurry vision
• Losing weight without trying
• Tingling in the hands and feet
• Dry skin
• Slow-healing wounds

Your doctor will advise the glycosylated haemoglobin test if you are at a high risk of diabetes due to the following factors:

• Family history of diabetes
• Gestational diabetes
• Excess weight
• Lack of physical exercise
• Unhealthy lifestyle and diet
• Age above 35
• Stress

What is the procedure for the glycosylated haemoglobin test?

A glycosylated haemoglobin test is a common diagnostic test. It does not require fasting. You can take the test any time of the day. It takes just a few minutes. You can get it done in the comforts of your home too.

The test consists of the following procedure:

• The lab technician will ask you to sit down in a chair.
• They will check your arm for a vein on the inner part of your elbow.
• They will then disinfect the area and insert a needle into the vein to collect the blood sample.
• They will collect the blood sample into a test tube.
• The technician will then remove the needle and hold a cotton gauze to stop the bleeding.
• They will, finally, stick a bandage on the spot.

There are no risks of the glycosylated haemoglobin test. You may feel slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was inserted, but only for a couple of hours.

What do the glycosylated haemoglobin (Hba1c) test results mean?

The glycosylated haemoglobin (Hba1c) test results are reported in percentage. The percentage stands for the portion of haemoglobin that is glycated. If you have high blood sugar levels, the numbers will be higher.

The test results mean the following:

What are normal Hba1c levels for people with diabetes?

For people who have diabetes, the normal level or target level is less than 7%. Your doctor will advise you regarding the target level. Taking the medications, following the dietary changes and exercising regularly is crucial in maintaining this level to reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.

Your doctor will advise you to get the Hba1c test every three months to check your progress and ensure the medication works.

You may need to get tested often if your doctor changes the treatment plan. This will help them observe if the new medication is working.

If your glucose levels are under control, you may be advised to get tested twice a year.

What are the risk factors for high levels of glycosylated haemoglobin?

If you have high levels of glycosylated haemoglobin, you are at a higher risk of developing the following complications:

• Heart disease:

High glucose levels are linked to the hardening of arteries (atherosclerosis), high cholesterol and triglycerides and high blood pressure. These conditions lead to heart disease.

• Stroke:

High blood glucose increases the risk of stroke. A stroke is when a blood vessel in your brain is blocked. This hampers the blood flow and oxygen to the brain.

• Kidney disease:

Diabetes damages your kidneys and increases the risk of nephropathy. It occurs when your kidneys can not filter your blood, which leads to the accumulation of toxins in your blood and body.

• Nerve disorder:

Diabetes commonly causes nerve damage or neuropathy that affects your legs and feet.

• Retinopathy:

High sugar levels can lead to retinopathy or eye disease. If left untreated, it can cause blindness.

• Gastroparesis:

Gastroparesis is the paralysis of the stomach. It happens when nerves and muscles can not activate properly. Due to this, the stomach can not process the food. This condition occurs due to high blood sugar that damages the nerves.

To sum up

Please consult your doctor if you experience intense thirst, frequent urination or tiredness. They will advise the glycosylated haemoglobin (Hba1c) test to measure blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels can cause several health conditions and affect your quality of life. Take action today! You can get tested for glycosylated haemoglobinHba1c at Metropolis India. They offer home visits and guarantee timely and accurate results. Leading doctors and hospitals trust Metropolis India for their state-of-the-art technologies and high-quality services.