Hba1c

Regular blood glucose testing by people with diabetes is important to help control it, and also prevent long-term complications. Good control of blood glucose levels can prevent or reduce serious complications.

The HBA1C blood test, also known as the Hemoglobin (Hgb) A1c test, is much more effective in evaluating your blood glucose control since the results give you an average of your blood glucose level over a two to three months period. Sometimes an individual can fool himself or herself into a sense of false security because they think they are making sufficient changes in their diets and exercise routines sufficient to prevent damage from elevated glucose.

Unfortunately testing blood glucose levels at home only once or twice a day is wildly dangerous. If you only test your glucose in the morning upon rising it can be perfectly normal and not reflect the bowl of ice cream that you had the night before after which your glucose level went to 250 and beyond. That 250 level, even for a short time, does immediate and long-term damage to your body and blood vessels. This is damage that would even be hidden from your physician for too long of a time without access to the use of the HBA1C blood test.

Regular self testing, recording of blood glucose levels by thumb prick blood tests, laboratory test of HbA1c (glycosylated haemoglobin) level a few times a year should be taken.
Other tests that should be performed  routinely include: urine test to monitor kidney function; blood fat levels (cholesterol & triglyceride levels), and tests for kidney function.
Regular blood pressure measurement and treatment if needed.

HbA1c (glycosylated haemoglobin) gets collected in red blood cells when they are produced. This gives a clue about the blood sugar levels over a couple of months – the average lifespan of a red blood cell. Thus, this test shows the average blood glucose level over time, as compared to the thumb prick test, which indicates blood glucose at the time of testing.

What does hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) testing reveal? This is a blood test that measures your average glucose level over the previous two to three months.  It indicates the percentage of hemoglobin (the oxygen carrying part of blood) that has become glycated.  Glycated means it has a glucose molecule attached.  This is always proportional to the amount of glucose in your blood.

The higher the level of HbA1c, the greater the risk of developing diabetic complications.  This should be measured two to four times a year, depending on your type of diabetes.  You should aim to keep it under 7%.

If the HbA1c level is above 7%, consult a doctor for a better diabetes management plan.
If the HbA1c level is above 8%, the doctor may change medication or a more intensive insulin regime be used.

The combination of HbA1c test and thumb prick test results give a better indication of variations in blood glucose levels than either test alone. It is best to check glucose levels first thing in the morning; and before and after meals. Keep changing daily test times to get a better idea of the changes to blood glucose levels.

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