The A1C blood test for diabetes, also known as the hemoglobin A1C test, HbA1c, or glycated hemoglobin test, shows how the body is handling blood sugar over a period of up to 3 months, and is extremely helpful for indicating if changes should be made in diabetes medication and diet. The hemoglobin in red blood cells moves oxygen through the body. When there’s a build-up of blood sugar, it attaches itself to the hemoglobin, making it “glycated.” The amount of sugar in the blood can then be determined by measuring how much sugar has attached itself to the hemoglobin. The A1C blood test for diabetes gives an overall picture of glucose levels, rather than the frequent changes before and after meals, which is accomplished by daily self-testing. It is recommended that both are done regularly for better diabetes management.
A1C Preparation: Getting Ready for Your Test
In preparing for your A1C blood test for diabetes, it is not necessary to fast beforehand. In fact, a study conducted by Johns Hopkins researchers determined that the A1C test was more effective in screening for diabetes than the older ‘fasting blood glucose’ test. Since the A1C test shows the body’s blood sugar control over the past few months, it’s less prone to fluctuations caused by illness or stress. However, it may give false results in some anemic patients. As the A1C blood test for diabetes is a simple blood test, you can eat and drink normally prior to testing. A health care professional will take a sample of your blood, which is then analyzed by a lab, and you can immediately return to normal activities.
A1C Blood Test Results: How to Interpret
The result from your A1C blood test for diabetes will come back as a percentage. A range considered normal someone without diabetes is between 4.5 and 6 percent. For a person who has had untreated diabetes for many years, the A1C level may be above 9 percent. A test result of 5.7 to 6.4 percent indicates a prediabetes condition, while two separate tests showing an A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher is a sign of diabetes. There are certain conditions that may “throw off” the results of the A1C test. If you have an iron deficiency in your blood, it may read falsely low. The results may also be falsely low if you have excessive or chronic bleeding, which can deplete hemoglobin levels. Certain people may have less common forms of hemoglobin, especially African Americans and those with Southeast Asian or Mediterranean backgrounds. In these cases, the testing may need to be done at a special lab for greater accuracy. Small variations between labs are also possible. You can find an A1C chart online that shows the corresponding blood glucose level, according to your A1C number [http://healthy-ojas.com/diabetes/a1c-glucose-chart.html].
