What Is Glycosylated Hemoglobin (Hb A1c) Test?
Our red blood cells have a protein molecule called hemoglobin in them. This molecule is responsible for holding the oxygen molecules and carrying them throughout the body.
When the blood sugar levels are high, free sugar present in the blood gets attached to the hemoglobin molecules converting them into glycated hemoglobin.
The amount of this glycosylated hemoglobin is measured in this test to assess the control of blood sugar.
Why Is This Better Than the Conventional Fasting Blood Sugar?
Doctors now prefer HbA1c over other conventional tests. By testing the amount of hemoglobin that has glycated, we assess the sugar control over a period of time. This period is the average life span of the red blood cell, that is, 6 to 8 weeks.
This test doesn’t have any variability on day-to-day basis. Also, it is not affected by illness or stress conditions, that may vary on a regular basis.
This test can be done more conveniently. No prior fasting is required.
How Often Should the HbA1c Test Be Done?
To manage diabetes on the basis of this test, we require to get this test done every 3 months.
If your diabetes is well-managed, twice a year testing is usually adequate.
Here is a simple calculator according to the results.
Reference Values Chart
- Normal individuals, HbA1c value is below 6%
- Between 6% and 6.5% HgbA1c range, a person is considered prediabetic
- Diabetics have elevated levels of more than 6.5% HA1c
Target to Be Met
Patients are recommended to keep their Hb A1c values below 6% by dietary changes and lifestyle adjustment. If required, medicines are given as per calculations.
MY CBC and ESR report is given below. Is the report normal or is there any ailment. I do not have any indication on any problem. Kindly advice me:
Haemoglobin 15, TLC 4600/cumm, Neutrophil 38%, Lymphocyle 39%, Eosino 13 %, Monocyte 10 % ESR 06mm for 1st hour, AEC 500/cumm, platelets 209000/cumm
MY CBC and ESR report is given below. Is the report normal or is there any ailment. I do not have any indication on any problem. Kindly advice me:
Haemoglobin 15, TLC 4600/cumm, Neutrophil 38%, Lymphocyle 39%, Eosino 13 %, Monocyte 10 % ESR 06mm for 1st hour, AEC 500/cumm, platelets 209000/cumm
TLC levels are low, but that may happen in many normal conditions. Like, after you catch a viral infection, may be flu like illness, and levels may decline and take around a month to stabilize. So, having a one time low count is not a problem in itself.
If you have any symptom clinically, evaluation would be required, otherwise, all appears to be fine.
Why did you go for these tests?
My friend is diagnosed with discrete calcific density noted in Right frontal region measuring 7×6mm with no adjacent white matter edema-likely calsified granuloma what are the effects of this disease
Usually, such calcifications give no trouble at all. They stay dormant to eventually shrink with time. Does he have any symptom? Why did he go for the scan?