HbA1c Test Overview Significance Test Range Preparation

Do you pay attention to your blood sugar levels?

How frequently do you test?

Do you believe that fasting and postprandial tests are sufficient for monitoring blood sugar?

Actually, fasting and postprandial tests are necessary to track blood sugar levels; however, for a more accurate report and detailed information, HbA1c test should be considered.

What is HbA1c?

HbA1c or Glycated Haemoglobin is a standard laboratory evaluation of glycemic control and treatment efficacy for patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It is one of the most reliable biomarkers of chronic hyperglycaemia and allied long-term diabetes complications.¹  It is an essential measurement of metabolic health which provides a complete status of one’s diabetes level. Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)  has been adopted as the standard of care (SOC), especially for Type-2 Diabetes.²  It is a vital factor of long-term glycemic control because it can reflect a period's total glycemic history.

A1C is the main fraction of haemoglobin that is bound to glucose (glycohaemoglobin) and is normally found in low levels in red blood cells.² It is formed when blood glucose interacts with the haemoglobin in blood as a normal part of the physiological cycle. However, the concentration of glycated haemoglobin is directly proportional to the average blood glucose levels. The average lifespan of a red blood cell is approximately 120 days. HbA1c is specifically used to determine the 3 months average blood sugar test; it provides an average score of the body’s glucose control.³

The HbA1c test is used to detect type 1 and type 2 diabetes as well as prediabetes in adults. Non-diabetics with a diabetic family history or a lifestyle that puts them at risk for diabetes should have the HbA1c test done twice a year, six months apart. In essence, one’s level of HbA1c mostly remains stable and has low variability; it is not affected by any kind of illness or stress.¹ 

Significance of HbA1c Test:

The HbA1c test is performed to diagnose and monitor blood sugar levels. Medical Experts have also prescribed this test to people with borderline diabetes and pre-diabetic conditions to check the stability of their blood sugar levels. Good glycemic control improves long-term prognosis. 

The risk of developing complications from diabetes increases rapidly with a higher HbA1c diagnostic test result. Not only this, a blood test that shows a high HbA1c has also been associated with the risks of heart attack, stroke and other heart diseases with or without diabetes. The ones with diabetes lying in the higher range of Haemoglobin A1c in their diagnostic test report, also face insulin intolerance along with gradual loss of insulin production by their pancreatic beta cells. Other than Type 2 Diabetes, insulin resistance is also linked with Obesity, Hypertension, PCOS, Dyslipidaemia and other health conditions. Pre-diabetics, individuals with borderline diabetes should also be tested to see how stable their blood sugar levels are.

Test Range:

The test result of A1c level indicates the amounts of haemoglobin bound to glucose in blood. In case of uncontrolled diabetes, blood glucose levels rise and automatically resulting in high HbA1c. In the diagnostic test report, HbA1c is presented as a percentage⁴: 

• Normal/Healthy: 5% to <5.7% (HbA1c test normal range is less than 5.7%)
• Pre-diabetes: >5.7 to <6.5% (5.7% to 6.5% indicates pre-diabetes)
• Diabetes: 6.5% or more (The HbA1c cut point for diabetes is 6.5%)

The HbA1c test result is expressed as a percentage and indicates the amount of Haemoglobin in the blood that has been linked with glucose.

Preparation:

A patient must provide a blood sample in order for the HbA1c test to be performed. The HbA1c test can be done at any time of day and does not necessitate any special preparation, such as fasting. Because of these characteristics, it has become the preferred test for assessing glycaemic control in diabetics.¹ Recently, there has been a lot of interest in using it as a diabetes diagnostic test as well as a screening test for people who are at high risk of developing diabetes.

A higher HbA1c diagnostic test result increases the risk of developing diabetes complications rapidly. Not only that, but a HbA1c high range has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and other heart diseases in people who do not have diabetes. Those with diabetes who have a Haemoglobin A1c level in the higher range on their diagnostic test report will experience insulin intolerance as well as a gradual loss of insulin production by their pancreatic beta cells. Insulin resistance is linked to Obesity, Hypertension, PCOS, Dyslipidaemia, and other health conditions in addition to Type 2 Diabetes.¹

Regardless of how complicated these problems appear, their solution is straightforward!

Controlling higher HbA1c levels can roll back all of these conditions. Proper diet planning and lifestyle changes are the best possible solutions for this. So, in addition to an accurate diabetes diagnosis, proper dietary and behavioral changes are essential. They must go together!

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