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What is HbA1c Blood Test?
By edwinseow | May 28, 2008
Haemoglobin (Hemoglobin) A1c test or HbA1c test is a blood test which shows the average blood glucose levels over a period of about 8 to 12 weeks or 2 to 3 months, which is the lifetime of a average red blood cell.
Haemoglobin is the colour pigment in the red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. Glucose attaches to this pigment to make a “glycosylated haemoglobin” molecule called haemoglobin A1C or HbA1C. Therefore, the higher the haemoglobin A1C or HbA1c percentage, the higher the glucose in the blood.
The HbA1c results are normally expressed in percentage terms. Check the HbA1c test results (%) versus plasma blood glucose equivalents (mg/dl) here. Different labs will give you different guidelines for HbA1c levels but on general, a non-diabetic person’s HbA1c ideal results should be less than 5.5%. A level above 7% shows diabetes and levels between 5.5 to 6.9% are considered prediabetes.
The downside of HbA1c blood test is that since the results are the average reading, it can be misleading if your blood glucose control is really poor i.e. very high blood sugar levels (Hyperglycemia / Hyperglycaemia) AND very low blood sugar / glucose levels (Hypoglycemia / Hypoglycaemia).
Topics: Diabetes Overview, Others |
February 22nd, 2009 at 8:45 pm
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April 1st, 2009 at 2:14 am
[...] In simple terms, HbA1c is a test that shows a person’s blood glucose levels over the previous 3 months and is expressed in percentage terms. Find out more on What is HbA1c test [...]
March 22nd, 2010 at 6:12 am
i have one query if not mind.
do you think, as lab technician, that the expiry tube will effect the results of HbA1c blood test!?
am keep wondering if it’s do or not,, please reply me as soon as you can it really important to be to know the answer
ur co-operation will be highly appreciated
thnx
April 13th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Recently I had my HbA1c test which is 6.8% (normal between 4% to 6%). Am I pre-Diabetes? If yes, then what to do and how to prevent Diabetes without taking medicines.
Thank you in advance for your comments.
October 30th, 2010 at 1:26 am
My HbA1c level is 10.2% my feet and hands burns so bad its like rubbing myself with chilly pepper my Dr. prescribed Gabapentin 300mg it can only be taken at bedtime 3 weeks since I have been on this drug now i have been getting the burning only at night now i am experiencing most of the day I’m going crazy
January 8th, 2011 at 2:17 am
My HbA1C results are 6.4. Am I Diabetic? What should I do to reduce this?