Importance of Hemoglobin A1c Test
The
hemoglobin A1c test, also called HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin test, or
glycohemoglobin, is an important blood test that shows how well your
diabetes is being controlled. Hemoglobin A1c provides an average of your
blood sugar control over the past 2 to 3 months and is used along with
home blood sugar monitoring to make adjustments in your diabetes
medicines.
Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells,
which carry oxygen throughout your body. When your diabetes is not
controlled (meaning that your blood sugar is too high), sugar builds up
in your blood and combines with your hemoglobin, becoming "glycated."
The average amount of sugar in your blood can be found by measuring your
hemoglobin A1c level. If your glucose levels have been high over recent
weeks, your hemoglobin A1c test will be higher.
What's a Normal Hemoglobin A1c Test?
For
people without diabetes, the normal range for the hemoglobin A1c test
is between 4% and 5.6%. Hemoglobin A1c levels between 5.7% and 6.4%
indicate increased risk of diabetes, and levels of 6.5% or higher
indicate diabetes. Because studies have repeatedly shown that
out-of-control diabetes results in complications from the disease, the
goal for people with diabetes is a hemoglobin A1c less than 7%. The
higher the hemoglobin A1c, the higher the risks of developing
complications related to diabetes.
People
with diabetes should have this test every 3 months to determine whether
their blood sugars have reached the target level of control. Those who
have their diabetes under good control may be able to wait longer
between the blood tests, but experts recommend checking at least 2 times
a year.
People with diseases affecting hemoglobin,
such as anemia, may get abnormal results with this test. Other
abnormalities that can affect the results of the hemoglobin A1c include
supplements such as vitamins C and E and high cholesterol levels. Kidney
disease and liver disease may also affect the result of the hemoglobin
A1c test.
