Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is glycohemoglobin?
- When should I take glycohemoglobin?
- Precautions & warnings
- What should I know before taking glycohemoglobin?
- Process
- What should I do before taking glycohemoglobin?
- How does glycohemoglobin process?
- What should I do after taking glycohemoglobin?
- Explanation of the Test Results
- What do my test results mean?
Definition
What is glycohemoglobin?
The glycohemoglobin test or hemoglobin A1c is a test that functions to find out the amount of glucose in red blood cells. When hemoglobin and glucose come together, a layer of sugar is formed in the hemoglobin. If the layer is getting thicker, the amount of sugar in the blood will increase. The A1c test is used to check the thickness of the sugar layer in the blood for the last 3 months (the same as the length of time the red blood cells have been around). People who have diabetes or other diseases that have problems with glucose will have more hemoglobin than normal people.
Home tests that are done to measure blood glucose levels can only be done temporarily because the level of glucose in the blood can change over several days due to several factors, such as medications, diet, exercise, and the amount of insulin in the blood.
This test is useful for diabetics to control blood sugar over a long period of time. The A1c test results will not change due to changes in diet, exercise, or medication.
Glucose binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells under normal conditions. Since the age of red blood cells in the body is only about 3 to 4 months, this A1c test will show how much glucose is in the blood plasma. This test will show how well you have controlled your diabetes for 2 to 3 months and whether your diabetes medication needs to be changed.
The A1c test also helps your doctor determine how much side effects your diabetes is causing, such as kidney failure, vision problems, or numbness in your feet. Maintaining your A1 test results in good condition can reduce the occurrence of side effects.
When should I take glycohemoglobin?
This test is usually done 2 to 4 times a year, depending on the type of diabetes you have, how well you control it, and your doctor's recommendations.
If this test is done to diagnose diabetes, then before the test is done you should identify the following symptoms of prediabetes:
- feel thirsty quickly
- frequent urination
- tired easily
- blurred vision
- the infection takes a long time to heal
Precautions & warnings
What should I know before taking glycohemoglobin?
The A1c test will not show transient and acute increase or decrease in blood glucose, nor will blood sugar control have been achieved for 3-4 weeks. Changes in the glucose level of a patient with brittle diabetes will also not be demonstrated by this test.
If a person has varying hemoglobin, for example sickle cell hemoglobin (hemoglobin S or sickle cells), then the amount of hemoglobin A will decrease. This condition can limit the effectiveness of the A1c test in diagnosing or monitoring diabetes levels.
If a person has anemia, hemolysis, or severe bleeding, this A1c test will not work optimally. The same is true for people with iron-deficient (iron deficiency).
Process
What should I do before taking glycohemoglobin?
You don't need to fast before this test is done. This test can be done at any time even after eating.
How does glycohemoglobin process?
The medical personnel in charge of drawing your blood will take the following steps:
- wrap an elastic belt around your upper arm to stop blood flow. This makes the blood vessel under the bundle enlarge making it easier to insert the needle into the vessel
- clean the area to be injected with alcohol
- inject a needle into a vein. More than one needle may be required.
- Insert the tube into the syringe to fill it with blood
- untie the knot from your arm when enough blood is drawn
- attaching gauze or cotton to the injection site, after the injection is complete
- apply pressure to the area and then put a bandage on
What should I do after taking glycohemoglobin?
An elastic band is wrapped around your upper arm and will feel tight. You may not feel anything when you get the injection, or you may feel like you are stung or pinched.
You can remove the bandage and cotton from the area after 20 to 30 minutes. Then you will be informed of the test results. Make sure you follow your doctor's directions.
Explanation of the Test Results
What do my test results mean?
You can get a diagnosis of diabetes by retesting the same blood sample or having another test done the next day. A normal test result known as the "reference range" serves as a guide only. This reference range is usually different in each laboratory. Your test results will usually follow the reference range guidelines of the laboratory in question.
| Hemoglobin A1c | |
| Normal | Less than 5.7% |
| Prediabetes (diabetes risk) | 5.7%–6.4% |
| Diabetes | 6.5% or higher |
The result of a diabetes A1c test in nonpregnant adults (types 1 and 2) is usually less than 7%.
A1c test results in children (type 2), usually less than 7%.
You should consult your doctor for maximum treatment results.
| A1c% | Estimation of mean glucose in blood plasma | Estimation of mean glucose in blood plasma |
| 6% | 126 mg / dL | 7.0 mmol / L |
| 7% | 154 mg / dL | 8.6 mmol / L |
| 8% | 183 mg / dL | 10.2 mmol / L |
| 9% | 212 mg / dL | 11.8 mmol / L |
| 10% | 240 mg / dL | 13.4 mmol / L |
| 11% | 269 mg / dL | 14.9 mmol / L |
| 12% | 298 mg / dL | 16.5 mmol / L |
| Reference table A1c in children with type 1 diabetes | |
| Age | A1c% |
| Less than 6 years | Less than 8.5% |
| 6-12 years | Less than 8% |
| 13-19 years | Less than 7.5% |
High yield
Several other health conditions can raise A1c levels, but the results are likely to be the same. These health conditions include Cushing's syndrome, pheochromocytoa, and polycystic oravy syndrome (PCOS).
