Why testing for HbA1c is needed to control diabetes

This is an automatically translated article.

The HbA1c test is used to tell the doctor how much a person's average blood sugar has over the past 2 to 3 months.

1. What is HbA1C?

Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that produces red blood and is responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body.
The sugar in the blood is called glucose . When glucose is in your blood, it binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells. HbA1c test (English name is hemoglobin A1c test) is done to measure the amount of glucose attached to Hemoglobin.
Red blood cells live for about 3 months, so the test shows the average level of glucose in the patient's blood over the past 3 months. If blood glucose levels have been high in recent weeks, the HbA1c test will be higher.
Too much sugar in the blood damages blood vessels and leads to many serious problems in parts of the body such as eyes and legs.

Đường máu — Glucose trong máu tăng gây bệnh lý

2. Why should diabetics have an HbA1C test?

The HbA1C test measures a person's average blood sugar over the past two to three months. HbA1C results can help doctors:
Identify prediabetes If you have prediabetes, you are at high risk of developing diabetes and heart disease Diagnosing type I and type II diabetes. To confirm a diagnosis of diabetes, your doctor will evaluate the results of two blood tests done on two different days - two HbA1C tests or one HbA1C test and a blood glucose test Track results diabetes treatment. The results of the initial HbA1C tests will also help the doctor establish the baseline HbA1C level to be achieved with the treatment regimen. Then, the HbA1C test is repeated regularly at follow-up visits so that the doctor can monitor the results of diabetes treatment and, if necessary, change the amount of medication or change the type of medication.

Tiểu đường — Xét nghiệm HbA1C xác định tiền tiểu đường

How often to test HbA1C depends on the type of diabetes, the treatment plan and the sugar level to be achieved. For example, HbA1C can be taken:
Once a year if you have prediabetes Twice a year if you have type II diabetes and don't use insulin and your blood sugar is always in the target range of treatment. Four times a year if you have type I diabetes. Four times a year if you have type II diabetes and use insulin to control your diabetes or have trouble keeping your blood sugar within a target range treatment target. You may need more frequent HbA1C tests if your doctor changes your diabetes treatment plan or you start taking new medications to treat your diabetes.

Phòng xét nghiệm — Xét nghiệm chỉ số HbA1C cần được thực hiện tại cơ sở y tế uy tín

3. How is HbA1c normal and abnormal?

For people without diabetes, the normal range for HbA1c levels is between 4% and 5.6%. An HbA1c level between 5.7% and 6.4% means the person is at risk for diabetes. A level of 6.5% or higher means the person has diabetes.

Lượng HbA1c trong máu tương ứng với lượng đường máu

Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consultation services. comprehensive and professional medical consultation and treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space. Customers when choosing to perform tests here can be completely assured of the accuracy of test results.
Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline here for support.
Articles refer to the source: webmd.com
MORE:
Why is it important to control HbA1c in diabetics? What is the HbA1c test for? How to read HbA1C . test results

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This article is written for readers from Sài Gòn, Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh, Phú Quốc, Nha Trang, Hạ Long, Hải Phòng, Đà Nẵng.