Hemoglobin A1c Test For Checking Diabetes
Hemoglobin A1c Test, or otherwise known as a glycated hemoglobin test helps in screening, detecting and monitoring diabetes in a person. It measures the average blood sugar in the previous three months to see if it has stayed within a target range or has increased/decreased.
Here’s how this test works. Your red blood cells contain Hemoglobin, which allows cells to transport oxygen to tissues. As a cell ages, the hemoglobin becomes increasingly “glycated,” meaning that more glucose molecules stick to it. Higher glucose levels in the blood mean higher glycated hemoglobin, which translates into a greater HbA1c reading.
- Normal HbA1c is 5% or less.
- An HbA1c value above 7% means diabetes is poorly controlled.
People with Diabetes should aim for an HbA1c value below 7%.
You don’t need to fast or prepare for an HbA1c test. Ask your doctor how often you need to be tested. Doctors usually recommend every 3 to 6 months.
Keeping blood sugar under control has been proven to reduce risk of complications!