Hba1c: check blood sugar to diagnose diabetes

Definition

What is HbA1c?

The HbA1c test is a test to measure the average level of HbA1c (hemoglobin A1c) or glycosylated hemoglobin for 3 months. This examination is also called a glycohemoglobin test and is usually done to check for diabetes mellitus.

HbA1c is hemoglobin that binds to glucose or hemo. In other words, the HbA1C test for diabetes diagnosis functions to determine the amount of glucose in the blood for an average of 3 months.

That is why, someone who is suspected of having diabetes will undergo this test as an initial examination and will repeat it within the next 3 months. This test aims to show how well you have controlled your blood sugar over the past 3 months.

When should I take HbA1c?

Everyone who has diabetes is required to have a glycohemoglobin check. The best time to do HbA1c examination is 3 months or at least once a year.

In addition to diabetics, people who are recommended to be tested for Hb1Ac by a doctor are people who are suspected of having diabetes or have previously been diagnosed with prediabetes.

These people most likely report feeling diabetes symptoms, such as:

It's easy to get thirsty even though you've been drinking
Frequent urination, even disturbing sleep
Easily tired and vision starts to blur

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before taking HbA1c?

Free from diabetes, diabetes, or risk of developing diabetes complications is the result of the glycohemoglobin test.

It is also important to note that there are several factors that can affect the results of the HbA1C examination, namely:

1. Diet

The results of the hemoglobin A1c test are closely related to normal blood sugar levels. If you want normal HbA1c test results, maintaining a diet is one way.

Watch the glycemic index (GI) of the foods you eat as this can affect blood sugar levels. The higher the glycemic index, the faster the food makes blood sugar levels spike up.

These types of food need to be limited and replaced with foods that are low on the glycemic index.

Apart from the sugar content, you also need to reduce the use of salt in food. Also pay attention to the portions of food for diabetes that you consume. Better to eat small portions but more often.

2. Sports

In addition to diet, undergoing physical activity or doing exercise for diabetes on a regular basis is one way that the glycohemoglobin examination results are normal.

When doing sports, the muscles of the body will use blood sugar as a source of energy. That is why exercise can have a positive effect on HbA1C levels.

Do about 150 minutes of aerobic exercise every week or about 30 minutes per day with mild types of exercise, such as walking, yoga, swimming, or cycling.

3. Discipline in undergoing treatment

For patients who have been convicted of diabetes, diabetes treatment can prevent the severity of symptoms and prevent complications. However, the treatment that is carried out needs to be evaluated regularly.

In order for the HbA1c test results to be normal, you need to follow the treatment according to your doctor's recommendations, namely the choice and dosage of diabetes drugs or insulin therapy.

Process

What should I do before starting HbA1c?

Unlike some other blood sugar tests that require you to fast, the HbA1C test does not require you to fast.

You also don't need to make special preparations. Checks can be done at any time of the day.

How often should I do this test?

How often you should get tested depends on the type of diabetes you have, your treatment plan, and how well you are able to control blood sugar levels beforehand.

In general, here is an overview of how often you should have the test:

Type 1 diabetes: You may have more frequent tests, 4 or more times a year.
Type 2 diabetes, does not use insulin, and has a history of maintaining good blood sugar levels: You may only need to have this test done twice a year.
Type 2 diabetes, insulin use, and difficulty maintaining blood sugar levels: You may need to have this test 4 or more times a year.

How is the HbA1c inspection process?

To measure the glycohemoglobin level, a blood sample will be taken from a vein in your arm with a small needle. This process is the same as the process of taking blood samples for other tests.

You will probably feel pain in the skin area during the injection process. The blood draw usually takes no more than 10 minutes.

Explanation of the Test Results

What do my test results mean?

As quoted from the American Diabetes Association website, the following are the categories of HbA1c test results:

HbA1c is normal: < 6,0%
HbA1c prediabetes: 6,0 – 6,4%
HbA1c diabetes: ≥ 6,5%

For diabetes mellitus sufferers, it is generally expected that with good treatment, HbA1c levels can decrease to 6.5 percent.

HbA1c test results above normal limits, indicating you need to change a healthy lifestyle for diabetes. Meanwhile, in diabetic patients, the previous treatment must be changed according to the conditions. Most likely, changes in treatment include the type of drug choice and the dosage.

This examination is not the main test to detect diabetes. Usually, this test is done in conjunction with other tests, such as the fasting blood sugar (GDS) test.

Could it be that the glycohemoglobin test was wrong?

The accuracy of the hemoglobin A1C test may be limited in certain cases, such as:

If you have anemia or have low levels of iron in your blood, the glycohemoglobin test can show an abnormally high percentage.
If you have heavy or chronic bleeding (possibly from your menstrual cycle), you may have a very low hemoglobin count. This will likely show inaccurate results.
If your hemoglobin has a variant, you have an unusual form of hemoglobin. Your glycohemoglobin test result may be wrong. A hemoglobin variant can be confirmed by laboratory tests, but subsequent tests will need to be tested by a specialized laboratory equipped with the equipment to test for a specific hemoglobin variant.

The goal of routine HbA1c checks is to prevent complications of diabetes that affect the eyes, nerves, kidneys, and can even cause death.

If the HbA1c test results show normal levels, the patient has a great chance of avoiding complications of diabetes. Meanwhile, if the Hb1Ac result is higher than the normal limit, it means diabetes needs to change the treatment and medication he is taking.

However, after doing this check you still need to check your blood sugar at home as usual.