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by Bhawna Roy,
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Diabetes has become one of the most widespread illnesses in the world. It has affected tens of millions of individuals regardless of their age, gender and health. This has made it very crucial for the correct amount of care taken when medical professionals administer a diagnosis that is centered on the severity of a person’s diabetic condition as well as the necessary monitoring of the body for the correct management for the condition.
The tools and medications for diabetic individuals have almost always been efficient and effective in taking care of the progression of the condition, and one of the most reliable tools to help combat diabetes is the HbA1c blood test.
The necessity of this test, its importance for the benefit of the body, and its advantages in keeping diabetes at bay will all be explained in detail down below regarding this extensive blood test.
HbA1c is known as Hemoglobin A1. Hemoglobin is known as a protein situated within the RBCs (Red Blood Cells) which is used to carry around oxygen from the lungs to the body. When any form of sugar (Glucose) enters into the bloodstream, some of them get attactched to the hemoglobin and spreads around the body.
This test is vital in the measurement of glucose that is present in the body, which gives medical professionals a good idea on the health of an individual’s blood sugar levels over the past 3 months, which is the average lifespan of a Red Blood Cell.
The difference between an average blood sugar test and what the HbA1c can provide is a regular blood test only gathers the health of the blood sugar levels presented to it at that moment of time and the HbA1c test generates a long-term overview of what the glucose levels are going to be, and how to manage them. These insights give doctors a much better idea on the status of the diabetic condition, with some of those reasons being:
• The diagnosis of Diabetes and Prediabetes
• Monitoring and maintaining Diabetes control.
• Going through each effective treatment plan based on the current condition of the medical condition.
• It also prevents any further complications that are related to diabetes.
This diabetic blood test has several types of individuals who are needed for taking it. These individuals are as follows:
• Diabetic Type 1 and Type 2 individuals – This test can help keep track of the progression of the blood sugar levels in their bodies and also maintain them.
• Individuals who have several risk factors in relation to Diabetes – Any individual who has or is suffering from obesity, a family history of diabetes, a very relaxed and sedentary lifestyle and way of living, unnaturally high amounts of blood pressure regularly, and even PCOS.
• Individuals who have clear showings and signs of Diabetes – people who have shown a steady increase in urination and frequent visits to the bathroom, a massive increase in thirst, extreme amounts of fatigue, and very blurry vision for individuals who have a healthy eyesight.
• Pregnant women who have many risks of gestational diabetes – This is not the only test to conduct that research as there are many other important tests included during their pregnancy as well, but is still a rather important test nonetheless.
The amount of times the HbA1c test is considered necessary is all very dependent on the current health of the individual taking the tests.
• Normal Glucose Levels – At least one test taken every 3 years from each other.
• Prediabetes – Every 6 to 12 months depending on the severity of the condition.
• Stable or Diagnosed Diabetes – This test is needed every 6 months proper amounts of protection.
• Diabetes consisting of poor control or a changing treatment) – This is the most frequent test needed for individuals who have a very poor management of their diabetic condition.
The standard process for having an HbA1c blood test is a very simple and easy to understand treatment. The steps are as follows:
• The blood sample is taken from your arm or from a very small finger prick.
• Fasting is not essential for this test, in comparison to some other important blood glucose level tests.
• This blood sample is then sent to the laboratory to then be tested and analyzed in some of the best medically accurate labs with quick response times.
• After analysis has been completed, the results will then be provided back to you roughly a day or two after the test has been taken.
The results for the HbA1c blood tests are always given as a percentage to the patients. If the percentage is higher than normal, it often means that the blood glucose levels in your body have also risen significantly over the course of at least 8 to 12 weeks.
• If the levels of HbA1c are below 5.7%, the average Blood Glucose level in the blood would be around 117mg/dl, which is the normal and required amount of HbA1c needed in the body.
• In case the HbA1c levels are around 5.7 to at least 6.4% and the average amount of Blood Glucose present in the blood is between 117 – 137 mg/dl, the individual may have contracted Prediabetes.
• Lastly, if the HbA1c levels are at 6.5% or higher and the Blood Glucose Levels are 137+ per mg/dl, the individual is suffering from Diabetes.
For individuals who have already contracted diabetes, every doctor and medical professional makes an aim for having the HbA1c levels below 7%, but most cases are varied simply due to the health conditions that are already with the person prior to contracting Diabetes as well as their age, which may also affect how the diabetes can be handled with.
A lot of labs are starting to include the Estimated Average Glucose Levels along with the HbA1c blood tests because of how well it can translate the result HbA1c blood tests receive into the same units of (mg/dl) as used by the blood glucose monitors in healthcare facilities, laboratories and hospitals.
• 6% (HbA1c) translates into 126 mg/dl units from the (eAG Levels)
• 7% (HbA1c) into 154 mg/dl units (eAG Levels)
• 8% (HbA1c) is around 183 mg/dl units of eAG Levels
• 9% (HbA1c) is 212 mg/dl units (eAG Levels)
• 10% (HbA1c) totals to about 240 mg/dl units (eAG Levels)
Yes, the HbA1c Blood Tests can offer your body with quite a few benefits, some of them is as follows:
• Gives a much better picture on the status of your blood sugar levels in the body, which can lead to much more effective treatment options.
• There is no fasting required for this particular test, so a full stomach won’t affect the test results of the HbA1c blood test.
• This is an extremely effective test that cans both the diagnosis and monitoring of the blood sugar and blood glucose levels in the body without having repeated tests for a temporary view on the Blood glucose status in the blood.
• It is very useful for the assessment of various complications that may have been prevalent prior to the test itself.
• It is also used for various amounts of treatment decisions that can help many doctors and medical practitioners in getting much better results for medical conditions.
However efficient and effective the HbA1c blood test is, it is still far from the best and has a bit of disadvantages to its name.
• Not recommended for Pregnancy – It is not meant for women who are pregnant or are suffering from Gestational Diabetes.
• Often not accurate - Individuals who are suffering from Anemia, kidney disease and even certain blood disorders such as Thalassemia are impacted by the inaccuracies they may bring when trying for this test.
• May have influence over ethnicity – The HbA1c blood test can heavily be influenced by what ethnicity as well any particular genetic differences contained within the hemoglobin.
In case any of these tests have these disadvantages, try some alternate tests that cater more to these disadvantages, such as Fructosamine and Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) which can be used.
Individuals who are diagnose with different types of Diabetes can try the HbA1c test and receive all the benefits it gives by helping manage the condition through several ways.
Adjusting the Medications – If an individual is facing a large amount of HbA1c, it may give a bit of an insight into their current predicament, and that any type of current medication being used such as insulin and several types of oral drugs may not be very effective, and this can allow your personal doctor to lower the medications that are a bit more effective depending on the type of result the HbA1c test garnered.
Changes in the Lifestyle and Diet – Another reason as to why an individual’s HbA1c levels are raising is due to some very poor diet and lifestyle choices as well as a severe lack of exercise conducted in their daily lives. This test can act like a very precise feedback mechanism that is designed to ensure the individual makes much better choices in relation the status of their HbA1c levels moving forward.
Helps Prevent Further Complications – If elevated blood pressure remains consistently high for a select amount of time, it can destroy a lot of vital blood veins and nerves in the body, which can lead to a lot of major complications such as:
• Neuropathy
• Retinopathy (Immense Damage to the Eye)
• Kidney Shutdown or Damage
• Several different types of Cardiovascular Issues
Through the proper and correct management of HbA1c levels and keeping them within normal levels, the risks of elevating any further complications and conditions significantly decrease and lower by taking the blood test at the correct time.
Having very high levels of HbA1c can be very risky and lead to major conditions, but some natural ways that can help reduce these risks are listed down below.
• Take Regular Exercise – There should at least be around 30 – 45 minutes of proper exercise, such as walking, taking a short jog, and even practicing yoga and swimming lessons for about 5 days a week can all reduce the risks.
• Have a balanced diet – Always be sure to include a high amount of fiber, lean protein, healthy wholegrain, and fats. Remove any sort of processed foods and carbs as well as sugary drinks to maintain a healthy diet.
• Keep Track of Blood Levels – through regular checkups with top of the line medical healthcare centers, the awareness of any potential spikes in the HbA1c tests can alert doctors for immediate actions and help maintain quick and efficient action against any type of irregularity.
• Always take your medications on time – Never try and skip any of the medication timings without the proper advice that can be given through your personal doctor based on the results that the HbA1c test has given.
• Stay Hydrated – Improper sleep and lack of fluid intake can lead to several complications that can heavily affect the HbA1c blood test if not taken care of immediately.
• Stress Management – Having an unhealthy amount of stress has led to the body releasing a compound known as Cortisol, which heavily affects and raises blood sugar. To get passed it, try attempting deep breathing, meditation and even hobbies that can bring you great joy to help relieve some of the stress in the body, which can help the body heal.
• Myth - Fasting before taking the blood test will get better results.
• Fact – fasting prior to the test will not work, as the test is supposed to reflect the average blood sugar level the past 3 months.
• Myth – I feel fine so no test is needed.
• Fact – The symptoms for diabetes will never really show themselves until there are some complications that come up because of it. Taking a test for HbA1c must always be necessary, regardless if there are any symptoms present.
• Myth – Just one test will do.
• Fact – An individual with diabetes has a chronic illness, so while a very good test for HbA1c is considered good, there still needs to be a very consistent schedule in the procedure for it to be effective.
• Pregnancy – In cases such as these, the traditional HbA1c blood test may not be what is required for the individual and they may require OGTT and other specific tests to effectively work.
• Children with Type 1 Diabetes – Depending on the severity of the condition, children may be required to receive much more frequent testing and better control, all depending on the child’s age and medical condition.
• Elderly Patients – For individuals who are of an older age, many medical professionals are able set slightly higher targets of around 7.8% to about 8% to decrease the risks of potential hypoglycemia that develop.
The price ranges of the HbA1c blood tests has a very varied price, from around Rs. 250 to at most Rs. 600 depending on the location and devices used. These are also included in a plethora of healthcare test packages, and it also has the option of collecting samples taken directly from the comfort of your home which happens to be available in the home website of every healthcare website in their online lab services section.
• HbA1c –Takes note of the average amount of Blood Glucose Levels taken over the course of 2-3 months, which is a very long time frame that requires no fasting.
• Fasting Blood Sugar – This test takes the amount of sugar levels present within the body after fasting has taken place, which happens to be a blood test that requires immediate action for taking a sample of blood.
• Postprandial Sugar – This test measure the amount of sugar levels present in the body after it has taken a heavy meal. This test should be taken at least 2 hours after food has been consumed for it to properly work and the individual does not need to fast for the test.
• OGTT – This test is primarily used checking how the body reacts to sugar levels 2 to 3 hours after the test had been taken. This test does require fasting for the results to have a better accuracy.
The HbA1c test is considered to be one of the most popular and versatile tests available for combating diabetes. It does not matter whether the individual has been newly diagnosed, tracking and monitoring any medical conditions that they may have, and keeping an eye on their overall health and wellbeing, taking an HbA1c blood test can be very effective to rule out any diabetic conditions.
This blood test gives knowledge on the current scenario, works in helping healthcare providers create and make rational decisions and lowers potential complications, and with the correct lifestyle and medical guidance, maintaining healthy levels of HbA1c in the body becomes absolutely achievable.