HbA1C

HbA1C or glycated hemoglobin is hemoglobin with glucose attached. The HbA1C test helps in evaluating the amount of glucose present in the blood by measuring the percentage level of glycated hemoglobin in your blood over the last 2 to 3 months.

This test is also known as, A1c, Glycated Hemoglobin, Glycosylated Hemoglobin or Glycohemoglobin.

What is Hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin is a protein that is found in red blood cells. Its job is to transfer oxygen throughout the body.

Why is an HbA1C test needed?

An HbA1C test helps in diagnosing diabetes and prediabetes, so it will be prescribed if your body is symptomatic of diabetes. Following are the signs that you body will show if your blood glucose levels are rising:

• Frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Increased appetite
• Increased thirst
• Blurry vision
• Infections that heal slowly

The HbA1C test is also effective in monitoring the levels of blood glucose and telling if they are staying within the normal range or not for diabetics.

The test also helps doctors in determining treatment plans for diabetes.

This test is also ordered as a part of annual health checkup for older people or people who have higher chances of getting high blood glucose levels.

Factors which expose you to the risk of getting high blood glucose are as follows:

• Obesity
• Hypertension
• Abnormal lipid panel
• Women with polycystic ovaries
• If you are a sibling or parent of a diabetic
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Other problems which cause insulin resistance within a human body

What are the requirements of an HbA1C test?

A blood sample drawn directly from the vein or a drop of blood from a finger is required to perform this test.

How is an HbA1C test conducted?

An HbA1C test is conducted just like any other blood test i.e by drawing a blood sample from a vein in your arm and collecting it in a test tube or vial.

HbA1C normal range

You can easily get a hang of the results from an HbA1C test if you are well aware of its normal ranges. HbA1C level between 4% and 5.6% is considered the normal range. A level between 5.7% and 6.4% means that you are at risk of getting diabetes. And a level between 6.5% or above means that you have diabetes.

Are there any risk factors of an HbA1C test?

The risk factors of an HbA1C test are as follows:

1. Excessive bleeding
2. Swelling or bruising at puncture site
3. Hematoma
4. Weak-headedness