Do you measure your fasting & after meal blood sugar levels regularly to keep a check on your diabetes? Think that’s enough?
Not Actually!
Know why tracking of blood glucose is important and what is the significance of HbA1c test?
Diabetes mellitus commonly known as Diabetes is a serious global endemic that has increased with an alarming rate in both developing and developed countries. The American Association has recommended HbA1c glycated hemoglobin test as a possible substitute to fasting blood glucose for diabetes diagnosis.
Matrix Diagnostics center in Hyderabad is the number one lab where you can get numerous pathology tests, health checkups, profile tests along with the diabetes profile tests including HbA1c testing services at very affordable prices.
HbA1c Blood Test-the Standard Test for Diabetes!
HbA1c is an important indicator of long-term glycemic control along with the ability to reflect the cumulative glycemic history of the preceding 2 to 3 months. This test not only provides a reliable measure of chronic hyperglycemia but also corresponds well with the risk of long-term diabetes complications. Additionally, HbA1c test also helps in suspecting the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease in subjects with or without diabetes.
The valuable information provided by the single HbA1c tests has been rendered as the reliable biomarker for the diagnosis & prognosis of diabetes.
Diabetes is a metabolic disease that causes very high blood sugar levels. The prevalence of the disease has been steadily increasing in recent years due to changes in lifestyle. Millions of people around the world suffer from diabetes and the situation may worsen in the future. Diabetes is a serious medical condition that can cause serious long-term health problems. Therefore, it is very important to take the test in order to diagnose it as soon as possible.
Know your diabetes in check with an effective HbA1c testing in Hyderabad at Matrix Diagnostics.
The glycosylated hemoglobin HbA1c test is a reliable method for determining glucose levels in a person within the previous 3 months. This testing is the gold standard to predict the likelihood of developing diabetes in the future. So what is the HbA1c test and why is it considered important? What is the HbA1c test?
Let’s delve deep
What is the HbA1c Test? Why Is It Important?
Diabetes is a disease caused by very high blood sugar or blood sugar levels. Over time, these glucose levels can lead to serious health problems.
There is no cure for diabetes; once the disease progresses, it is necessary to manage the condition to avoid serious complications. Therefore, it must be prevented or diagnosed before it is too late. Get tested to rule out the possibility of developing the disease in the future.
HbA1c stands for glycated hemoglobin, which is hemoglobin bound to glucose. It is also called the glycated hemoglobin test.
So how is HbA1c different from a blood sugar test?
HbA1c gives the average glucose value over a period of 3 months or more, while a blood glucose test only shows changes that occur on a daily basis. Thus, HbA1c tests provide a more complete picture of blood sugar levels over a longer period of time. Blood sugar levels continue to fluctuate, so tests that only show recent blood sugar levels may not be effective enough to predict the possibility of diabetes. The HbA1c test shows the average blood sugar level over a 3-month period; this provides a clearer and more accurate image. Learn more about the causes of fluctuations in blood sugar.
The HbA1c test is considered one of the most important tests for diagnosing diabetes. Now that you know the importance of the HbA1c test, let’s take a look at the right time to get it.
When should you get an HbA1c test?
Recognizing the symptoms of diabetes is difficult, at least in the early stages. Because many of the symptoms of diabetes can be dismissed as a temporary health problem that will go away over time.
Check out for the following symptoms:
- Extreme hunger
- Excess thirst
- Constant, unceasing tiredness
- Excess urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Tingling and numbness in hands/feet
- Blurry vision
There are people who are more likely to develop diabetes. People who can fall under the following categories are:
Who are obese or over weight
Family history of diabetes
Leads a sedentary lifestyle
Has heart disease or high blood pressure.
But to get accurate results, you need to be tested at a reputable diagnostic center. Find the best diagnostic center and get your HbA1c test as soon as possible and for other diagnostic services in Hyderabad.
So how does the HbA1c test actually work?
Hemoglobin is the protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells. Hemoglobin binds to glucose in the blood; this is called glycation. Therefore, the higher the level of glucose in a person’s blood, the more glycated blood cells he has. The HbA1c test measures the amount of glucose that has attached to red blood cells in your body over the past two to three months. Red blood cells are stored for 3 months, so the test can measure sugar levels 3 months before the test.
Levels are measured as a percentage. Have you ever wondered what a normal HbA1c level is? For people without diabetes, it ranges from 4% to 5.9%. And for people with diabetes, it will be higher.
The HbA1c test results are presented as a percentage. The test result depicts s the amount of hemoglobin that glucose has bound to in the blood:
Normal or healthy —below 5.7%
Pre-diabetes—5.7-6.4%
Diabetes—6.5% or more.
Procedure
HbA1c is a simple test that measures the percentage of your average blood sugar level for the 3 months preceding the test.
Although the results of venous sampling are considered more accurate and time consuming, finger prick results are considered relatively less accurate. This is a simple test that doesn’t even require you to fast before the test. The test is usually done in a doctor’s office or laboratory. This is not a complicated procedure and does not even require fasting, as is the case with other tests.
Diabetes is an incurable condition, and the only way to reduce the likelihood of serious complications from it is with lifelong treatment. It is a disorder that can cause serious health problems if left unchecked.
Therefore, it is necessary to conduct tests to predict the development of the disease in the future or to find it out in the early stages. HbA1c tests are considered among the best as they give an idea of blood sugar levels from previous months. A simple test can help you prevent or control diabetes before it causes serious damage to your health. Book diabetes profile test and other health checkups in Hyderabad at Matrix Diagnostics where we ensure 100% accurate diagnosis using advanced technology and equipment.
Are you not sure where to get the test done? Book a diabetes or thyroid test online and get tested within the comfort of your home.
Read more: Complete Guide to ECG Testing & How It Helps Medical Professionals!
