What is a Diabetes Hemoglobin A1C Test?

Glycated Hemoglobin: HbA1c

The glycated hemoglobin test (also called the glycosylated hemoglobin test, or hemoglobin A1c test) is used to monitor the overall sugar control of a diabetic over the course of several months. This test may also be used as a screening tool for early detection of diabetes, although the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has recommended that a less expensive (and less accurate) fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) be used for screening. The A1c test looks backward to give you an overview of your blood glucose control for the past 2-3 months.

In some ways, the A1c test is like a baseball player's season batting average. Both A1c and the batting average tell you about a person's overall success. Neither a single day's blood test results nor a single game's batting average gives the same big picture.

How does the A1c test look backward? Suppose your blood sugar was high last week. What happened? More glucose hooked up (glycated) with your hemoglobin. This week, your blood glucose may be back under control. Still, your red blood cells carry the 'memory' of last week's high blood glucose in the form of a higher percentage of glycated A1c. This record changes as old red blood cells in your body die and new red blood cells (with fresh hemoglobin) replace them. The amount of A1c in your blood reflects blood sugar control for the past 120 days, or the lifespan of a red blood cell.

People who have type 2 diabetes are two to six times more likely to develop coronary heart disease than people without diabetes. Diabetics are also at greater risk for high cholesterol, stroke and heart attacks. Diabetics may reduce their risks by maintaining well-controlled blood sugar levels. The ADA recommends that if you are a diabetic, you should have an A1c test performed every 3 months.

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) there are 17 million Americans with diabetes. More than 200,000 people die each year from complications related to diabetes. The American Diabetic Association recommends early detection, improved care, and education on diabetes self-management as a preventive measure.

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