Diabetics have you checked your hemoglobin A1c lately?

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A1c, HEMOGLOBIN A1c


The A1c test isused primarily to monitor the glucose control of diabetics over time. The goalof those with diabetes is tokeep their blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. This helps tominimize the complicationscaused by chronically elevated glucose levels, such as progressive damage tobody organs like the kidneys,eyes, cardiovascular system, and nerves. The A1c test gives a picture of theaverage amount of glucosein the blood over the last few months. It can help a patient and his doctorknow if the measures they are taking to control the patient's diabetes aresuccessful or need to be adjusted.
Depending on thetype of diabetes that you have, how well your diabetes is controlled, and yourdoctor, your A1c may be measured 2 to 4 times each year. The American DiabetesAssociation (ADA) recommendstesting your A1c 4 times each year if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes anduse insulin; or 2 times each year if you have type 2 diabetes and do not useinsulin. When someone is first diagnosed with diabetes or if control is notgood, A1c may be ordered more frequently.

How it works


The A1c blood testchecks the average amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood over the last 2 to 3months. It does this by measuring the concentration of glycosylated hemoglobin.As glucose circulates in the blood, some of it binds to hemoglobin A. This isthe main form of hemoglobin in adults. Hemoglobin is a red protein that carriesoxygen in the red blood cells (RBC's). Once the glucose is bound to thehemoglobin A, it remains there for the life of the red blood cell (about 120days). This combination of glucose and hemoglobin A is called A1c (orhemoglobin A1c or glycohemoglobin). Increased glucose in the blood, increasesthe hemoglobin A1c. A1c levels do not change quickly but will shift as olderRBC's die and younger ones take their place.


NORMAL HEMOGLOBIN A1C VALUES


Non diabeticadults: 2.2%-4.8%
Non diabeticchild: 1.8%-4.0%
Good diabeticcontrol: 2.5%-5.9%
Fair diabeticcontrol: 6%-8%
Poor diabetic control:greater than 8%


**"Normal"ranges for lab values and other tests may vary among different laboratoriesand/or hospitals.


Your caregiverwill go over the test results with you and discuss the importance and meaningof your results, as wellas treatment options and the need for additional tests if necessary.


This post is forinformational purposes only.  Ifyou feel that you may have diabetes or need your hemoglobin A1C check, contactyour credentialed health care provider.