HBA1C test is a blood test that provides information about the average level of glucose in a person’s blood level, also known as blood sugar, in the last 3 months. A1C test is sometimes called hemoglobin A1C, HBA1C, or Glycohemoglobin test. The A1C test is the primary test for diabetes management and control of diabetes.
How does the HBA1C exam work?
The test of A1C is based on the attachment of glucose to hemoglobin, hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carry oxygen. In the body, red blood cells continue to form and become dead, but usually, they survive for about 3 months. Thus, the A1C test shows the average of a person’s blood sugar levels over the last 3 months. The result of the A1C examination has been reported as a percentage. The higher the percentage, the higher the blood sugar level of a person. A normal HBA1C level is below 5.7 percent.
Can the A1C test be used to diagnose type 2 diabetes and prediabetes?
Yes, In 2009, an international expert committee recommended the A1C examination as one of the tests available to assist in diagnosing type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Previously, only traditional blood glucose tests were used for the diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes.
Because hba1c tests do not require fasting and blood samples can be taken at any time, experts expect that more people will be able to get tested than fasting tests. However, some medical organizations recommend using blood glucose tests for diagnosis.
Why should a person be screened for diabetes?
The test is especially important because there are no symptoms of diabetes at the start of the disease although no test is perfect, A1C and blood sugar test is the best remedy available for the diagnosis of diabetes.
The test enables doctors to detect and treat diabetes before complications occur and help detect and treat prediabetes, which can lead to or prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.
Has the HBA1C test improved?
Yes HBA1C laboratory tests are now standard. Previously, a1C test was not recommended for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes as many different types of A1C tests could give different results. Accuracy has been improved by the National Glychhoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP), which developed standards for A1C tests.
Range of HB1AC and Diabetes diagnosys
HBA1C test can only be used to diagnose type 2 diabetes and prediabetes or in the same way as other diabetes tests. When A1C testing used to diagnose, a blood sample should be sent to a laboratory that uses the NGSP-certified method for analysis to ensure that the results are standard.
Blood samples are analyzed in a lab to diagnose diabetes.
Prediabetes is a risk factor for having type 2 diabetes. People with prediabetes are re-tested every year. Prediabetes will be 5.7 to 6.4 percent in the A1C range, as high as A1C, a higher risk of sugar. Those with prediabetes can develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years, but they can take steps to prevent or delay diabetes.
When the HBA1C test is done during pregnancy?
When the first time the doctor learns about diabetes during pregnancy, the HBA1C test can be tested to find out diabetes. Next, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is used to test diabetes which develops during pregnancy and is known as gestational diabetes. After childbirth, women with gestational diabetes should continue to frequent tests for diabetes. Blood glucose tests, instead of A1C tests, should be carried out after 12 weeks of delivery.
Can blood glucose tests still be used to diagnose type 2 diabetes and prediabetes?
Yes, Standard blood glucose tests are used to diagnose type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) examination and OGTT-still used. Random plasma glucose test, also known as accidental glucose test, can be used to diagnose diabetes when symptoms of diabetes are present. In some cases, the A1C test is used to assist doctors who confirm the results of blood sugar tests.
Can the HBA1C test compare with the Glucose test?
Yes In some people, a blood sugar test may indicate a diagnosis of diabetes, while an A1C test does not. The reverse may also be-A1C test that can indicate a diagnosis of diabetes, although does not test blood sugar. Due to these variations in test results, doctors repeat the test before making the final decision.
People with different test results can be at the early stages of the disease, where blood sugar levels are not high enough on every test. Making simple lifestyle changes, losing weight, and increasing physical activity-this early stage can help people to delay the opposite of diabetes or the onset.
What is accuracy of the HBA1C test?
The result of the A1C exam maybe 0.5 percent higher or less than the actual percentage. This means that a 1C measured as 7.0 percent can indicate the correct A1C anywhere in the range of ~6 to 7.5 percent.
Will the A1C test show changes in blood sugar levels?
Major changes in a person’s blood sugar levels during the last month will be shown in the results of their A1C test, but A1C blood sugar levels do not show a sudden, temporary increase or decrease. Although A1C represents a long-term average, blood sugar levels over the past 30 days have a higher impact than reading A1C in previous months.